Photos: Rollerskiers take to Anchorage’s Moose Loop to raise awareness for the sport

Around 200 people participated in Thursday’s Rollerski Awareness Day which took skiers and bicyclists 50 kilometers around Anchorage’s Moose Loop, beginning and ending at Alaska Pacific University.

The fourth annual event is used to promote awareness for the sport, which is a combination between rollerblading and Nordic skiing. In addition, the day is used to promote safety on roads and trails for skiers in training, said Penny Smythe, fundraising and communication coordinator for the APU Nordic Ski Center.

Anchorage Parks Foundation manned a station at Westchester Lagoon and offered free Wild Scoops ice cream for participants.

Smythe said the sport has been growing and that more kids are becoming involved. Anchorage makes a great location for the sport, Smythe added, due to the variety in its trail system.