
FXC News and Announcements
Registration Open for 2023-24 FXC Season
FXC Summer registration is open! Our website has descriptions of all the options for this summer, as well as year-round options, and links to registration.
We’ve got options available for all levels of skiers ages 10 through U23. We’ll take kids with any level of ski experience. We can make something work. Options range from three-days-a-week to six-days-a-week with occasional two-a-days.
Find out more, including how to register, at our website under FXC. Find the registration links are under the “FXC Devo” and “FXC Prep & Comp” links in the blue bar.
Ski Your Age in Kilometers Happens Dec. 26!
Plan to ski off some of those holiday calories on Monday, December 26, at the Ski Your Age in Kilometers!
The 19th edition of this annual event will be held at Birch Hill Recreation Area, on the day after Christmas Day. The event is put on by FXC, the junior race-training program of the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks (NSCF), which will provide plates and utensils for the potluck and will have a silent auction set up.
Ski Your Age is NOT a race. It is a good excuse to go cross-country skiing, visit with other great people, and burn off some of those calories you’ve been stowing away. The event runs officially from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It has no entry fee, though donations to FXC are accepted. Registration and food will be in the borough’s spacious Birch Hill Cross Country Ski Center. Charts will be hung up to log how many kilometers you skied, and what division you are skiing in (Father-Daughter, Sibling, Solo etc!)
The emphasis of Ski Your Age is on fun, socializing, and good exercise. Despite its name, people can ski whatever distance they please. Some uber-athletes will be out there hammering the trails, trying to crank out the most kilometers regardless of their age, while other participants will ski just a portion of their age. It’s all good!
Everyone is encouraged to bring leftover holiday food to share in the big ski chalet potluck style. You can ski, come in to warm up and eat, then go ski some more! The event is free and open to the whole community.
For questions or to volunteer, please contact Christina Turman: stinaturman@gmail.com
FXC Winter Session Registration Now Open
FXC Winter Session 22-23 Devo, Prep & Comp Registration Now Open
INTERESTED IN GIVING FXC A TRY? NOW OFFERING A TWO-WEEK FREE TRIAL:
Fairbanks Cross Country (FXC) offers a free-two week trial to all eligible skiers ages 11 to 18. Questions about whether you’re child is ready for FXC? Contact coachfxc@nscfairbanks.org.
Ready to try? Click here: Free Trial Registration
Golden Heart Trail Run Set for Saturday, August 20
The 15th Annual Golden Heart Trail Run will be held on Saturday, Aug 20, at Birch Hill Recreation Area. This race is sponsored by Dr. Kate Carey, TVC, OMM, and is a fundraiser for the NSCF-FXC Youth Program
Races Format:
- 1K (7 & under) – 10 AM
- 2.5K (8-14) – 10:20 AM
- 5K (15 & Older) – 10:45 AM
Fees:
- 14 & under ($15)
- 15 & Older ($25 pre register, $30 Race Day)
Register online here:
https://register.chronotrack.com/r/67124
T-Shirts will be available for the first 94 entrants.
- Women Sizes: XS, SM, MD, LG. XL
- Men’s Sizes: MD, LG, XL
- Youth Sizes: SM, MD, LG
Due to inventory issues, sizes are limited and not all shirts are the same color.
Questions: Contact the race director: juniornordics@nscfairbanks.org or (907) 371-9564 (text)
Despite Difficulties More Than 900 Kilometers Skied at 2021/22 Wentz Orthodontics Ski Your Age in Kilometers
Back-to-back snowstorms and frigid temperatures might have delayed the 18th Annual Wentz Orthodontics Ski Your Age in Kilometers, but Fairbanks skiers rallied nonetheless!
More than 50 skiers participated and cranked out more than 900 kilometers, in this event, which was also sponsored by Edward Jones financial advisor Christopher Knott. Skiers from 11 years old to more than 70 came out and put in some k’s.
Ski Your Age had been set for December 26 but was postponed until January 1 due to unprecedented back-to-back snowstorms that dumped record amounts of snow (and rain). By January 1 the storms had ended (barely), the parking lots plowed (as much as could be expected), and the trails groomed (well, a lot of them). Of course, Mother Nature decided to have some fun by throwing us some cold. Temperatures hovered around 20 below F for the event and the snow was really slow, but some incredibly tough people came out and skied anyway!
It should be noted that a lot of tough 50+-year-olds who normally ski their age, didn’t reach those high marks this time, but some younger skiers put in impressive numbers. Nicholas Buth, 16, logged an incredible 55 kilometers, Eli Merrill, 18, put in 40K, and Owen Wooler, 14, skied 35.5K! The highest number put in by someone in the 50-year-old+ category was Corrine Leistikow, 62, who skied 32 kilometers.
Three FXC skiers, Zarah Laker-Morris, Nelson Hayes, and Tjarn Bross, along with FXC Head Coach Jeff Tucker couldn’t make the delayed even because they were in Utah for the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships, but they dutifully called in their distances (20K each). At least one math nerd skied. Max Kaufman left a note saying his distance was “skied in KM absolute value of temp in degreesF.”
The Birch Hill Cross Country Ski Center (big red building) was closed, so the typical (pre-Covid) relaxing sit-down opportunity had to be adapted. The resourceful FXC organizers made things work in the Warming Building, hanging the sign-up charts where they could and offering hot drinks and wrapped baked goods. Due to Covid concerns, many people made their stops at the building brief, mainly just to record their numbers, make a donation, and grab a snack.
The support of Wentz Orthodontics and Edward Jones financial advisor Christopher Knott was greatly appreciated by FXC, as this is one of the annual fundraisers for the team.
Many thanks to the volunteers and organizers who put on this event, and to participants who generously donated funds. Just over $850 was raised during the event (not including the support from our sponsors)!
Below is a listing of all the category achievements for those who signed up and recorded the kilometers they skied.
2021(22) Ski Your Age in KMs
Total Number of Skiers: 50
Total Number of KMs Skied: 909.14
Total Number of people who skied their age: 13
Title Sponsor: Wentz Orthodontics
Major Sponsor: Edward Jones, Financial Advisor Christopher Knott
Skied their age: Skied greater than or equal to their age (ranked by age)
Name | Age | Kilometers |
Lilli Bond | 12 | 12.5 |
Owen Wooler | 14 | 35.5 |
Kieran Kaufman | 14 | 14.25 |
Elias Engman | 16 | 22 |
Zarah Laker-Morris | 16 | 20 |
Nelson Hayes | 16 | 20 |
Sonja Truffer | 16 | 16 |
Leni Stolz | 16 | 16 |
Nicholas Buth | 16 | 55 |
Olav Moeller | 16 | 17.32 |
Pirada Anderson | 17 | 17.32 |
Eli Merrill | 18 | 40 |
Tjarn Bross | 20 | 20 |
Skied Half Their Age: Didn’t ski their age, but skied greater than or equal to half of age (ranked by age)
Name | Age | Kilometers |
Phoebe Wooler | 11 | 9.3 |
Emmett Schnieder | 14 | 10.5 |
Katelyn Gianni | 16 | 11.5 |
Kasper Bennderson | 16 | 10 |
Jordan Laker-Morris | 19 | 10.5 |
Mallory Presler | 19 | 11.6 |
Maggie Whitaker | 20 | 11.6 |
Warren Rosholt | 27 | 17.5 |
Jeff Tucker | 28 | 20 |
Dmitry Brazhnikov | 34 | 20 |
Katerina Vrbecka | 40 | 20 |
Peter Delamere | 52 | 30 |
Martin Truffer | 53 | 27.25 |
Sarah Masterman | 56 | 30.6 |
Donna DiFolco | 57 | 30.6 |
Corrine Lestikow | 62 | 32 |
Couple Combos (ranked by distance)
Team Name | Ages | Ks skied | ||
Troyer/Leistikow | Eric Troyer | Corrine Leistikow | 61, 62 | 42 |
Team Chech/Russia | Dmitry Brazhnikov | Katerina Vrbecka | 34, 40 | 40 |
Baker | Sharon | Bad Bob | 63, 63 | 28 |
Callis | Alyeska | Evans | 23, 23 | 21.4 |
Family Combos, not including Couples (ranked by distance)
Team Name | Ages | Ks skied | |||
Truffer | Sonja Truffer | Dana Truffer-Moudra | Martin Truffer | 16, 48, 53 | 60.85 |
Wooller | Owen | Pheobe | Mat | 14, 11, 50 | 54.1 |
Laker-Morris | Zarah | Jordan | 16, 19 | 30.5 | |
Dissing/ Bennderson | Dorta Dissing | Kasper Bennderson | 52, 16 | 20 | |
Bond | Lilli Bond | Steffi Ickert-Bond | 12, 55 | 18 | |
Team Schneider | 9, 11, 45 | 8.2 |
Register Now for the Sonot Kkaazoot Training Class!
Have you wanted to ski the Sonot Kkaazoot but felt that you weren’t quite ready?
Kristen Rozell’s Sonot Kkaazoot training course will familiarize you with all the trails used in the Sonot Kkaazoot and provide you with valuable pacing and technique insights. Confidence is key to a successful Sonot Kkaazoot, and Kristen’s class that meets weekly from January 18 to March 22 will provide skiers with the skills and practice needed.
Classes are held 5:45pm – 7:15pm on Tuesdays beginning January 18 to March 22. All classes will take place at Birch Hill Recreation Area. Cost for the class is $175*.
To register for the class and find out more please click here
*You must be an active member of the NSCF to participate in this class. To join the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks please click here.
Are you ready for the Sonot?

14th Annual Sonot Kkaazoot Training Class
6:00pm – 7:45pm Tuesdays,
Jan. 19 – March 23, 2021 at Birch Hill
Join coach Kristen Rozell for training sessions that will begin with drills that focus on skiing technique with some video analysis. The remainder of the class will be an interval workout where pacing and skiing efficiency will be emphasized. Skiers should be at least intermediate skate-ski skill level (familiarity with most skate techniques and when to use them). Training will be focused for the 50k Sonot, but anyone interested in an introductory training program is welcome to attend.
Questions? E-mail Kristen Rozell
To learn more about the NSCF’s spring skiing marathon, please visit https://sonotkkaazoot.org/
NSCF Offers New FXC Introduction Program
Registration is now open for the new FXC Intro program offered by the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks.
FXC Intro is an entry-level program for the ski club’s popular FXC program. FXC Intro is for children ages 12 and up who are fairly new to skiing and want to get more experience, as well as get out and enjoy the outdoors.
This program is geared toward homeschoolers and will meet twice a week at mid-day. FXC Intro is excited to provide a fun team atmosphere for the homeschoolers to stay healthy and active during the long winter. The program follows the NSCF COVID-19 policy (see below).
The program will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays at Birch Hill Recreation Area from noon to 1:30 p.m. It will run from November 3 to mid-April with breaks for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Cost is $450 per skier. Sibling discounts are offered for families with multiple participants. The program includes a two-week trial period for those who want to try it out before committing to the season.
Sign up online at www.nscfairbanks.org/programs/fxc.
For questions, send emails to fxc@nscfairbanks.org.
NSCF COVID-19 Policy
The NSCF board fully appreciates the health risks of COVID-19, will continue to carefully monitor the incidence of COVID-19 in our community, and will act to limit and change training when it feels that the risks outweigh the benefits of our activities.
Currently, practices are limited to 10 participants or less, and we are practicing social distancing. Face coverings are required when participants are within 6 feet of each other. Hand sanitizer is used anywhere the touching of shared surfaces occurs. Coaches exercise social distancing from athletes, wear masks when feasible, and monitor compliance of same by the athletes. Any athlete who travels out of state is not permitted to practice until after a two-week quarantine or receiving a negative COVID-19 test result. Any athlete with COVID-19 symptoms or living with someone with symptoms is not permitted to practice until 14 days after the last symptoms.
The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks Board of Directors continues to closely monitor COVID-19
The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks Board of Directors continues to closely monitor COVID-19 and is taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the virus. When it comes to decision-making, our commitment is this: to protect the health and safety of all ski club patrons and the community at large.
Please click here to read our Covid-19 Guidelines for NSCF training activities.
September 20, 2020
Dear Athletes, Parents, and Coaches,
As I am sure that you are aware, the incidence of COVID-19 in our community has been increasing slowly but fairly steadily for the past several months. This past week the 14-day average case rate/100,000 population exceeded 15, the limit the NSCF board formalized over a month ago as the cutoff for group outdoor training. After much discussion and deliberation, the board has decided to continue to offer outdoor group training for three reasons:
Since the time the board first initiated protocols for group training, understanding of COVID-19 spread has progressed to the understanding that the virus is primarily spread through respiratory transmission, which mask wearing and social distancing limit effectively.
For this reason, we believe that strict compliance with our training protocols, which include proper social distancing for athletic activities (10 feet), mandatory use of masks at all times when athletes are not actively exercising, and group sizes limited to no more than 10 participants that are kept intact for the duration of a training period effectively lowers the probability of transmission.
Of all the training and competition opportunities currently being offered by clubs and schools in our community, including football, volleyball, swimming, and cross country running, we believe that the NSCF’s outdoor training program lies at or near the safe end of possible group activities where the likelihood of transmission of the virus is lowest.
The NSCF board fully appreciates the health risks of COVID-19, will continue to carefully monitor the incidence of COVID-19 in our community, and will act to limit training when it feels that the risks outweigh the benefits of our activities. While the club will do what it can to keep participants safe, no activity is without risk; we urge all participants and/or their parents to decide whether the risk is acceptable to them.
If you have questions, concerns or comments please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Chris Puchner
President, NSCF Board of Directors
president@NSCFairbanks.org
Golden Heart Trail Run Going Virtual But Staying Real
The 2020 Golden Heart Trail will be held virtually this year but on real ground.
The run, sponsored by Dr. Kathleen Carey of Tanana Valley Clinic, will feature a marked 5-kilometer course on the Jim Whisenhant Trails at Birch Hill Recreation Area that runners can do any time between August 15 and 22. All age classes will run the same 5km course for the 2020 event.
Runners are asked to time themselves using the Strava app. If you don’t have an account, you can create a basic account for free. Just visit: https://www.strava.com/. Organizers will also accept times submitted by email if you cannot use the Strava app. Awards and door prizes will be mailed following the event.
Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for youth under 18. All proceeds will benefit FXC, the NSCF junior ski racing program. The Golden Heart Trail Run is great for runners of all ages and for cross-country skiers who typically race Birch Hill trails only when covered in snow.
To register for the race and for more information go to: https://www.nscfairbanks.org/programs/races/golden-heart-trail-run/
A big thank you to Dr. Kathleen Carey of the Tanana Valley Clinic for sponsoring this 22nd running of the Golden Heart Trail Run!