ADULT LESSONS
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
What: Adult Cross Country Skiing Lessons Skate & Classic
Who: Anyone ages 15 & Up. All abilities are welcome.
Where: Birch Hill Recreation Area & UAF Ski Trails
When: 2026-2027 season dates TBD (each class schedule varies)
*This does not include NSCF membership fee. Current membership in the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks is now required to participate in all NSCF-sanctioned programs. To register for Adult Lessons, you must be logged in to the website and have a current membership with the NSCF.
Student rates are available for those 18 and under. Click here for more information on becoming a member.
CLASSES
To ensure you are signing up for the correct course, please review the descriptions below as well as the skills chart for which techniques you should already know and which each course will teach or expand upon.
Class Descriptions
Classes are one hour in length and run for 4 weeks. Locations vary between Birch Hill and the UAF Trails.
Beginner Classic Skiing- For those who have very little experience with cross country skiing. This class will learn additional techniques on varied terrain so you can be more confident on any trail.
Beginner Skate Skiing- For those who have very little to no experience with skate skiing. Ideally, participants will have tried classic skiing before taking a skate lesson.
Intermediate Classic Skiing- For people who have taken beginner classes or have quite a bit of experience skiing on their own. Skiers should be comfortable skiing on all terrain (up hills, flats and downhills).
Intermediate Skate Skiing- For people who have taken beginner classes or have quite a bit of experience skiing on their own. Skiers should be comfortable skiing on all terrain (up hills, flats and downhills).
Advanced Technique – For people who have taken intermediate/advanced classes or have lots of experience skiing on their own, possibly with FXC Masters or other club programs. Skiers should be comfortable and able to ski on all terrain (up hills, flats and downhills) including all trails at Birch Hill. Class will alternate between skate and classic techniques.
MEET THE COACHES
ANJA MAIJALA
Anja grew up running and skiing along the North Shore of Lake Superior. She moved to Fairbanks to attend UAF and compete on the running and ski teams. After falling in love with the Fairbanks community and area, she decided to stay and has spent the last few years trying out different jobs and exploring the endless trails, rivers, and mountains in the region. When she isn’t out skiing or running, she’s probably teaching food security workshops in rural Alaska villages, doing fisheries field work, working at a local farm, or boogieing to live music. Anja thoroughly enjoys being involved with NSCF as she loves to spread the joy of Nordic skiing and the outdoors. She is excited to work hard and grow together as athletes!
Max Donaldson
I grew up in Fairbanks and am passionate about sharing Nordic skiing with others so they can explore this amazing state and stay in great shape! I graduated from UAF in 2019, and was on the ski team for 4 years. When my time isn’t spent skiing, I enjoy hunting, exploring, and kayaking. I look forward to helping you find improvement with skiing so you can reap all the benefits!
DONOVAN GRANGER
I grew up downhill and backcountry skiing in Colorado. When I settled in Fairbanks in the early 90s with my family, I learned to ski on Nordic skis, chasing kids with the Weller Elementary School Ski Club and Fairbanks Jr. Nordics. I followed my kids and their friends, skiing and coaching through the elementary, middle, and high school years. In the winter of 2006, I earned a PSIA Nordic Teaching certification and have had a great time teaching lessons with the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks. I would love to help you catch the skiing “bug” too! My goal is to share my passion for skiing with anyone who is interested in taking up the sport.
ALEX MORRIS
Alex hails from Anchorage and came to Fairbanks to ski collegiately for UAF from 2007-2012. Alex continues to be involved in the nordic ski community of Fairbanks, often teaching NSCF’s Beginner Classic lesson on Sundays at Birch Hill, as well as race directing the annual Sonot Khaazoot race in March. With the popularity of his classes, he has probably singlehandedly taught more Fairbanksians to ski than any other instructor!
Join the Team!
Interested in joining NSCF’s team of Adult Lessons Instructors? Want to get paid to teach others an activity you love? Contact the Adult Lessons Coordinator for more information.
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