Despite a suboptimal winter, Alaska Ski for Women is still on for Sunday

A suboptimal winter for outdoor activities has not stopped the Alaska Ski for Women.

The event, now in its 29th year, has been touted as North America’s largest women’s cross-country ski event. It brings together nearly 1,000 Alaska women of all ages and ability levels each year.

And despite low snowpack throughout many areas in Southcentral, the Ski for Women will still go on, scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Sunday at Kincaid Park.

“It’s actually looking great,” Ski for Women Director Molly Mylius said. “We did have to modify our course, so we’ll be relying on the snowmaking loops out of Kincaid, but the conditions on those particular trails are actually great. So yeah, we’re really excited for it.”

Snowmaking operations have been available at Kincaid for more than a decade.

“Without that, very little of Kincaid would be skiable right now,” Mylius said. “It’s an incredible resource and sets Anchorage apart from a lot of other skiing communities.”

The freestyle timed race starts at 1 p.m., followed by the classic timed race at 1:30 p.m.

The costume parade starts at 2:30 p.m., followed by the party wave at 2:40 p.m.

“The costume contest is probably more competitive than the timed races,” Mylius joked.

There is also a flamingo mixer, an award ceremony, free massages and much more at the chalet in the afternoon.

The online auction to support the Ski for Women went live on Thursday afternoon.

The Ski for Women supports the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage as well as nonprofits working to stop domestic violence in Alaska.

Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC) and Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) were recipients of the grant money raised at last year’s event.

The Alaska Ski for Women was founded in 1997 by Sally Burkholder and Ann Mize.

Mylius said the event is not only important to spur activity for women and raise money, but it helps raise the next generation of Alaska skiers. She grew up skiing at the event and works alongside Olympic champion Kikkan Randall, who also skied it as a youth.

“It’s really special to be able to contribute and give back as director to help make this event possible,” Mylius said. “It’s just a really cool success story that we’re able to carry on the tradition and hopefully enjoy another three decades.”

There is also a Friends and Family Ski from 1-5 p.m. Saturday.

Registration for the event is $45.61 for those 13 and older and $17.78 for youths ages 1-12. Team registration is also available.

Bib pickup is from noon-7 p.m. Thursday at REI in the Midtown Mall, from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at Kincaid, and it starts at 11:30 a.m. at Kincaid on the day of the event.

For more information, visit anchoragenordicski.com/events/alaska-ski-for-women.