Mat-Su Ski Club

06/09/2026

🚜 BREAKING GROUND: BLUEBERRY KNOLL REROUTE 🚜

We broke ground yesterday on the first phase of the GPRA Trail Expansion Project!

Work is now underway on the Blueberry Knoll Reroute, moving the trail to higher, drier ground while reducing trail crossings and improving the experience for year-round trail users.

🙌 The excitement is catching on! Thanks to our amazing supporters, we've already raised $14,100 toward our $20,000 goal for 2026, leaving less than $6,000 to go! 🎉

Every donation, volunteer hour, and share is helping create better trails, new connections, and more space for our growing community.

A huge thank you to everyone helping make this project happen. We can't wait to show you what's next!

👉 Learn more or support the project: https://www.matsuski.org/trailexpansion

06/08/2026

As we wrap up the 2025–2026 season and take a moment to reflect, we want to send a huge THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors, donors, and community partners! 🎉

Your support helps make everything we do possible—from trail grooming and maintenance to youth programs, events, races, and year-round recreation opportunities throughout the Valley.

Because of your generosity, thousands of residents and visitors were able to enjoy our trails this season. Together, we've created opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get outside, stay active, and connect with their community.

As we look ahead to exciting projects like the GPRA Trail Expansion and another great season to come, we're reminded that none of it would be possible without supporters like you.

Thank you for believing in our mission and investing in the future of outdoor recreation in the Mat-Su.

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥. ❤️

Rasmuson Foundation Mat-Su Health Foundation Matanuska Electric Association Orthopedic Physicians Alaska Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation AKtive Soles Performance Footwear Erik Christensen - State Farm Insurance Agent Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union Alaska Community Foundation Global Credit Union Foundation MTA ConocoPhillips Matanuska-Susitna Borough Backcountry Bike & Ski Palmer Community Foundation Matt Lemons Realty Pick Click Give Skeetawk , All Seasons Clothing Company, Farm Loop Christian Center, Revel Treks and Tours, Mat+SAR , Body in Balance Physical Therapy, Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers, Valley Coommunity for Recycling Solutions, Now Health, Healthy Futures, Bore Tide Construction, LLC, Adventures by True North AK, Palmer Brewing Company.

If you have a business or organization that is interested in working with us, we would love to chat! Please send an email to [email protected] .

06/07/2026

Thank you Mat-SAR for your support all year long!

06/07/2026

A great day on the mountain! Blueberry Rampage racers made a super strong showing on the mountain with the great weather.

Big thanks go out to the Mat-Su Ski Club and other volunteers to make it all happen!!! Special thanks to MAT+SAR for being on hand, Healthy Futures for providing all of the Juniors with finishing medals and race bibs, and to Mark Strabel's Strabel Racing Services for his top shelf registration, timing, and results.

Great efforts, Everybody!

06/06/2026

Blueberry Rampage Racers!

The mountain is looking great. Check out the photos from this afternoon. You can see what to expect at the course split at the top of blueberry knoll, the Jr and Young at Heart finish, the steepish snow patch (which you can traverse around on the left), and the upper ridge to the full mountain finish.

As you can see, lots of snow has melted. The mountain in in really great shape and ready for you!

Let's have a great race tomorrow!
Results can found at: my.raceresult.com/392993/

06/03/2026

🚜 CAN YOU DIG IT? Because we're about to.

In just a few days, equipment will begin arriving at Government Peak Recreation Area (GPRA) as we break ground on one of the most exciting trail improvement projects in recent years!

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, volunteers, and local businesses, the GPRA Trail Expansion Project is moving from vision to reality.

We're especially grateful to CRW Engineering Group, Inc. for their recent generous contribution and belief in the future of outdoor recreation in the Mat-Su Valley.

🌲 What are we building?

✅ Expanded space on the Inner Pioneer Loop for youth programs, school groups, families, and trail users of all ages and abilities enjoying GPRA throughout the year.

✅ New trail connections that improve access and create more route options throughout GPRA.

✅ A reroute of the Blueberry Knoll hiking trail to higher, more sustainable terrain that will improve safety, reduce trail crossings.

The best part? This project is being built by the community.

Volunteers have already donated many hours clearing trees, opening trail corridors, and preparing the groundwork for construction. Hundreds more volunteer hours are expected before the project is complete.

💡 Every dollar invested goes directly toward fuel, equipment rental, materials, and supplies. The labor is being donated by community members who care deeply about these trails.

We're off to a strong start, with $8,400 raised so far, but we still need $11,600 to fully fund all five planned trail improvement sections.

If GPRA has been part of your story, we'd love for you to be part of this one too.

👇 Learn more or donate today 👇

https://www.matsuski.org/trailexpansion

🙌 How You Can Help:
• Donate
• Share this post
• Introduce us to a potential sponsor
• Follow along as construction begins

05/30/2026

Well folks, DOT cleared Gold Cord Road at Independence Mine this week, and that officially signals the end of grooming for the season!

As we close the books on another season, we wanted to take a moment to give a huge shout-out to our incredible volunteer groomers.

This amazing group donates their time, energy, and expertise all winter long to keep trails open and enjoyable for the entire community.

💡 Fun fact: Our volunteer groomers provided fresh tracks for seven months this season, contributing more than 1,000 volunteer hours. Through storms, cold snaps, equipment challenges, and changing conditions, they consistently showed up to create the trail experience that thousands of Valley residents and visitors enjoy each year.

𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙆 𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝙂𝙍𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙀𝙍𝙎!

They are the backbone of our club and we would not exist without them 💙

If you use and enjoy the amazing trails this group maintains, consider becoming a member or donating today!
https://www.matsuski.org/donate

05/30/2026

05/27/2026

We are 10 days out from the Blueberry Rampage and finally, the mountain is opening up!

We ran the course this morning and I think it's going to be spectacular on race day after some forecasted warm weather to work on the remaining snow spots. Check out the photos and imagery to peak at current conditions and course routes. The trail up to Blueberry Knoll (the section for potential mud) is drying out nicely too. There's some low bush vegetation just after the Blueberry Knoll that we'll get trimmed back before race day. Most of the climb above Blueberry Knoll is already dry ground and all of those except for the very last bit will likely be melted out by early next week. The last 50-100 meters to the adult race finish may still have some snow. The upper ridge (which is NOT part of the course this year) between this finish and the old Gov't Peak race high point will likely still be covered in deep snow.

Spread the word to friends and carpool to save your gas money! Remember there's a special family registration deal, your entire immediate family for $100 if you contact us by May 31st. Individual registration will stay open all the way to race morning. Sign up and other info is here: https://my.raceresult.com/392993/info

Do you or know someone who wants to join the party without racing? We're happy to have a few more volunteers! Please contact Eric at [email protected].

05/27/2026

Our Mat-Su Nordic Junior’s taking advantage of the incredible crust conditions in Hatcher Pass! 👌🏼 Head to our website and check out what MSN has to offer under the “programs” tab. MSN is a year-round training community for ages kid to adult. Not sure it’s right for you, or just want to check it out? Sign up for a free trial week and see what it’s all about 🤙