Alaska Ski For Women
Join in the fun at the colorful Alaska Ski for Women (ASFW) – North America’s largest women-only cross-country ski event. This is a great event where women of all ages and abilities come out to Nordic ski approximately 2.4 miles (4K), many in colorful costumes, while raising funds for local non-profit organizations that help stop the cycle of domestic abuse against women and children.
This is not only a FUN event, it’s also a FUNDRAISING event! Through the generous donations of ASFW participants, and the hard work of our all-volunteer committee, the race has been able to make an impact in the community by contributing over $1,000,000 to groups that actively work to improve women’s lives. A special focus is ending the cycle of violence against women and their families and to help women in crisis find positive solutions to a healthier life. See our grants page for the list of current fund recipients.
Please continue to give generously with the assurance that 100% of your donation is dedicated to improving the lives of women.
Volunteer
We have many volunteer opportunities prior to and on Race Day. If you would like to help, please email our Volunteer Coordinator: alaskaskiforwomen@gmail.com
If you are unable to volunteer for the Alaska Ski for Women please consider donating your time to our very worthy grant recipients.
Register/Donate
Alaska Ski For Women ONLINE REGISTRATION opens Saturday, October 1, 2016.
There are 4 ways to register:
1. Online Pre-Registration (Recommended) – You can also donate anytime!
Online registration is currently closed. Please see below for additional ways to sign up.
2. Mail-in Registration
2017 ASFW Registration Form – pdf
3. Late (In Person) Registration & Bib Pickup, Friday, February 3, 2017
Friday, February 3, 2017, Noon – 7:30 pm, REI
4. Race Day Late Registration (for party wave only) and Bib Pick Up, Sunday February 5, 2017
Sunday, February 5, 2017, 9-10 am, Kincaid Chalet
Note about changes: If you want to change races or made an error in your registration, please do not register again. Email alaskaskiforwomen@gmail.com and we will correct your registration.
Registration Options
Choose one of the four registrations options for Alaska Ski For Women!
Timed
- The Skate/Freestyle Race – For women who use either skate or classic technique. There will be one timed wave (skiers will self-seed, faster at the front, slower at the back). This race qualifies for the Triple Patch.
- The Classic Race – For women who are using the classic (Diagonal) technique. Everyone will get a timed result. There will be one timed wave (skiers will self-seed, faster at the front, slower at the back). This race qualifies for the Triple Patch.
- Duathlon combined 8K – This 8K event is geared to those that want extra bragging rights! New this year: the Duathlon will be a traditional duathlon; participants will start with the first wave of the Skate Race then upon returning to the stadium will switch their gear in the transition zone and ski the course again with Classic gear (i.e. there is no break between races). If a skier wishes to use the same skis for both the skate and classic, they must step out of their binding and step back in within the transition zone. The transition zone will have blue fencing to layout gear. The total time: skate leg, transition, and classic leg will be the skier’s race time. The skier with the best time will be named the Alaska Ski for Women Race Diva. Duathlon participants must register for the duathlon division. Duathletes will be designated by their own bib color. This race qualifies for the Triple Patch.
Non-Timed
- The Party Wave – The Party Waves start at 12:15 pm following the costume parade and contest. This non-timed event is just for fun. There are no times calculated and results posted. The Party Waves are for those who are out to have fun on the trails. The goal is to enjoy your trail-mates, take in the various costumes, and have a great time. Since the pace is slower, check with your partner or team to determine which event best fits your competitive desires. If you have women in your group who are competitive and want to do the timed events, there is time for them to race and then join the Party Wave following the costume parade. The Party Wave qualifies for the Triple Patch.
Which ever you choose, you still get to enjoy the following:
- Costume parade
- Silent auction
- Great merchandise to purchase
- Waxing available by volunteers
- Food and drink
- Camaraderie
Course Map
Schedule & Start Times
Event Day Information Sheet 2017
Friday, February 3, 2017
| Registration & Bib Pickup | REI, 1200 West Northern Lights Blvd. 12 pm to 7:30 pm Preview Auction items and buy event merchandise before it’s all gone! |
Sunday, RACE DAY, February 5, 2017
| Bib Pickup | 9-10 am – Kincaid Chalet opens for bib pickup and late registration |
| Shuttle Bus | 9 am – 2 pm – Park at Kincaid Elementary and take the shuttle bus into Kincaid |
| Kick Waxing | Kick Waxing (for classic skis) is happening again – details to come. |
| Timed Waves | 10:30 am – Duathlon (BLUE Bibs) starts with first Skate (PINK Bibs) Wave (Duathlon will not have a break between races. Duathlon skate skiers will transition to classic gear within transition zone and continue racing.) 10:30 am – First of timed Skate Waves (PINK Bibs) 11:00 am – First of timed Classic Waves (GREEN Bibs) |
| Costumes & Costume Contest | 11:30 am – Gather in Stadium 11:45 am – Costume parade and judging Costumes are welcomed and encouraged! Many describe the event as the Mardi Gras of the North, thanks to the creative spirit and enthusiasm of our participants. We’re all ready for some color after our dark Alaska winters. |
| Medal Ceremony & Costume Awards | 12:00 pm – Great prizes for racers and costume contestants. The following categories will be recognized: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards for Skate Race, Classic Race and the Duathalon. |
| Party Waves | 12:15 pm – Non-timed The Party Waves are for those who are out to have fun on the trails—most people, we expect. The point is to enjoy your trail-mates, meet the people in the cow costume and to have a great time. |
Start Times
| Events | Time | Description |
| Duathlon Start BLUE Bibs |
10:30 | skate leg start with first wave, continue with classic leg |
| Skate Timed Wave PINK Bibs |
10:30 | start of the skate wave |
| Classic Timed Wave GREEN Bibs |
11:00 | start of the classic wave |
| Costume Parade | 11:45 | Gather in the stadium at 11:30. Parade will be at 11:45, judging and awards start at 12:00. Costume prizes will be for best duo, best kids, and best overall. |
| Medal Ceremony and Costume Awards | 12:00 | In the stadium |
| Party Wave White Bibs |
12:15 | This wave will be filled on a first come first served basis. People that want to move faster should position themselves at the front of the wave. |
Merchandise
Alaska Ski for Women merchandise will be available for purchase at the In-person/late-registration at REI as well as on race day. Merchandise sells out fast.
We also have lots of auction items donated every year. Stop by the Kincaid Chalet on race day to check out the wide variety of items you can bid on. 100% of the proceeds go to help stop the cycle of domestic violence.
Cash, Check, Visa, MC, Discover and AMEX accepted!
Triple Patch
The ASFW is designated one of the four Triple Patch women’s sporting events in Alaska. The Triple Patch program provides a classy, distinctive patch awarded to women and girls who complete three of the four designated sporting events in one calendar year. Participation in the Party Wave is counted towards the patch, but participants must insure that the tear-off portion of your bib is taken at the finish line.
What are the four events?
- The Ski For Women a 4 kilometer Loop at Kincaid Park.
- The Alaska Women’s Gold Nugget Triathlon a 500 yard swim, 13 mile bike ride, and 3.1 to 4 mile run at Bartlett High School.
- The Run For Women a 1 or 5 mile run at the Anchorage Football Stadium at Mulcahey Park. Only the 5 mile timed run qualifies for the coveted Triple Finish Patch.
- The Bike For Women a 9 mile ride starting at Chugiak High School.
How do I get the patch? Register for and complete three of the four events in one calendar year, in the fall, we’ll compare the finishing lists for all the events and will mail the patches out. Complete all 4 events and you’ll receive a special pin to attach to your patch for that year.
To ensure you get the patch you deserve, please: when registering for each event use the same first and last names so that at the end of the year we can match names from each of the event’s lists of finishers. For example, if you use a nickname in the first event, use it when registering for all of the other events.
Many thanks to Skinny Raven for sponsoring the patches from 2000 on. Twelve straight years! Give them your business, they know running! If you don’t get your patch, contact Patti.
History
The Alaska Ski for Women (ASFW) was started in 1997 by the Event’s Founding Mothers Ann Mize and Sally Burkholder, both of whom are very accomplished skiers. Ann and Sally noticed a lot of women skied on the wonderful Anchorage ski trails but did not come out to join in the local ski races.
They set forth to create a fun event that would eliminate all of the excuses women often come up with to not participate in ski races; for example, not having a partner to ski with, the men are too aggressive in races and my skis aren’t waxed. The ASFW is just for women, free ski waxing is provided and it is a fun and relaxing atmosphere in which to participate…plus proceeds to go to a good cause.
Why Super Bowl Sunday? Believe it or not the Founding Mothers did not intentionally select Super Bowl Sunday for the first year’s event date. Anchorage is blessed with many wonderful Nordic ski races so when they reviewed the racing calendar they simply picked the only available date – Super Bowl Sunday. It wasn’t until well after the event was planned that the Founding Mothers realized what date their new event was on. After the inaugural year, it is now tradition to always hold the event on that famous football date. Women can ski in the morning and watch the Super Bowl in the afternoon!
Costume Contest
Costumes are welcomed and encouraged! Many describe the event as the Mardi Gras of the North, thanks to the creative spirit and enthusiasm of our participants. We’re all ready for some color after our dark Alaska winters. Come in costume or no costume at all – either way you will never forget this event!
Gather in the stadium area at 11:30 am. Participants will parade around the stadium area at the bottom of the hill from the chalet. Judging will start at 11:45 and awards will be at 12. The party wave will start after that at approximately 12:15. The party wave is not a race, if you want to go a little faster, you may want to make sure line up towards the front of the wave.
Remember, costumes are not just for the party wave – everyone that is on skis can be in costume!
Parking
We always suggest that participants car pool when possible. With over 1,200 women and children racing, being prepared and on time is important. Parking and a porta pottie is available at Kincaid Elementary. Premier Tours will be providing coach buses that will wisk you and your skis to the chalet. There is limited parking at the chalet and the outer lots, but it fills up fast. Please folow the instructions of our great parking volunteers. Buses will start running at 9:00am and continue until 1:30 pm.
Sponsors
Please join us in thanking and supporting our 2017 Alaska Ski for Women sponsors listed below. We wouldn’t be able to have such a quality event nor would our beneficiaries receive critical funding to help stop the cycle of domestic violence against women and children.
Interested in becoming a 2017 sponsor? Email us: alaskaskiforwomen@gmail.com
Donor Contribution Form – pdf
Donor Categories and Recognition – pdf
Photos & Videos
2017 Photos
2017 Alaska Ski For Women Photos
2016 Photos
2016 Photos – Bib List
2016 Alaska Ski For Women Video – ADN
2016 Alaska Ski For Women Photos – ADN
2015 Photos
2015 Photos – A Sampling until the official photos are ready! | Share the story!
2014 Photos (refresh this page in your browser)
Official 2014 ASFW Photos – Bennett Images
2013 Photos
Official 2013 ASFW Photos – Bennett Images
2012 Photos
Photos in Stadium and on the Trails
2011 Photos
2010 Photos
Visit Photographer’s site and purchase your photos
Contacts
Event Director: Jenny Di Grappa alaskaskiforwomen@gmail.com
Committee Members
| Event Director Race Director Registration Registration Web & Graphics Merchandise Silent Auction Volunteers Chalet ambiance Refreshments Grants Sponsors Media Contact Parking Director |
Jenny Di Grappa Tamra Kornfield Meg Stehn Diane Moxness Jan Hazen Mary Vollendorf Open Jenny Di Grappa Paulette Compton Paulette Compton Celia Rozen Jenny Di Grappa Open Open |