NSCF Events, Classes Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Dear NSCF Members and Event Participants,

With the confirmation of COVID-19 in Alaska, prevention of further spread is paramount. In an effort to do everything we can to help keep our community safe and help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the NSCF board and staff have decided to cancel the Spring session of Junior Nordics, the Interior Youth Festival, the 2020 Ski for Women, the Sonot Kkaazoot, and all other club-related activities and practices through March 31.

We thank you for your continued patience as we navigate the uncharted territory of the COVID-19 outbreak. We had hoped that the spread of the virus might abate, but clearly it has not. The World Health Organization has officially characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. Gov. Dunleavy has declared a public health emergency and the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and University of Alaska have cancelled classes next week.

Please know we did not make this decision lightly. NSCF Staff, volunteers and community sponsors, worked diligently to put together these programs. We know that many of you were looking forward to these events. But, in the end, the health of our members, patrons, staff, and volunteers, as well as our obligation to public health more generally, has to take precedence.

What you need to know:

1. The Junior Nordics Spring Session, Interior Youth Festival and Ski for Women are cancelled and will not be rescheduled for the 2019-2020 season. The cancellation of these events comes with financial repercussions for our organization. To help us mitigate the costs, we ask those of you who are financially able to donate your registration fee to the NSCF trail fund, which, unless we hear from you, will happen automatically. If that’s not possible, we will of course refund the fee. To request a refund, please email Rebecca Heaton (membership@nscfairbanks.org) before March 25.  Given the small staff at NSCF, we ask for your patience as we address refunds and notifications. We will work as quickly as we can to address any issues that arise.
2. The Sonot Kkaazoot is cancelled; entry fees will not be refunded, but will be used to defray the sunk costs of the race (grooming to date, bibs, awards, honoraria for the schools responsible for the aid stations, etc.). Race Director Bob Baker is working on a virtual Sonot; if Ft. Wainwright consents and the river remains safe so that Bob can continue to groom, the virtual Sonot will include the original courses. You can anticipate updates from Bob as he works out the plan.
3. While FXC practices will not be held, coaches will provide tailored training plans for the FXC athletes for the remainder of the season and work with them remotely on the execution and modification of the plans as needed.

We greatly appreciate your understanding while we work to make these cancellations as smooth as possible for NSCF members and participants.

While we feel it necessary to cancel our events, we encourage you to get outside anyway. There is no reason why you can’t enjoy the best skiing of the year on some of the best trails in the country. So, wash your hands, then get outside and share a selfie on social media to encourage other healthy individuals to get outside and ski!

Thank you again for your support and patience.

Sincerely,

The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks Board and Staff