FRANK SOOS SERIES
RACE DETAILS
FAIRBANKS
Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1, 2026
Races will be held on the Jim Whisenhant Ski Trails at Birch Hill Recreation Area in Fairbanks.
Saturday: Sprint Start/ Classic Technique at Birch Hill – Sunday: Mass/ Classic Technique at Birch Hill
SCHEDULE
Course maps, stadium diagrams, etc., for both Saturday’s and Sunday’s races, are available from the links below. Scroll down the page to see the race-specific info.
The Distance Series is a set of three races of increasing length, for skiers who like skiing longer distances. Events alternate between classic and freestyle in alternate years. All events use the mass-start format. These are the races for skiers who feel like they are just getting warmed up after 10 kilometers. The series is also a great way to help prepare for Alaska’s ski marathons, such as Fairbanks’ Sonot Kkaazoot, which are usually held in March.
All races start at 11 A.M. and are held at Birch Hill Recreation Area.
The Frank Soos Memorial Distance Series #1 The Gundeloppet Saturday, December 13, 2025
The first race in the Frank Soos Memorial Distance Series is the Gundeloppet. The race distance is 15Km, but with a 7.5Km option for those interested in a shorter distance. For the 2025-2026 season, this race will be held in classic technique.
- You can register online for the first Frank Soos Distance Series race, the Gundeloppet (see below).
- Registration fees through 11:59:59PM Friday December 12 are $15 for NSCF members and $20 for non-members. Entry fees on Friday and Saturday (race day) are $20 and $25, respectively. Middle and high school skiers can use our discount code for Distance race #1. The code is STUDENT2425.
- The Gundeloppet begins Saturday morning at 11:00AM in the Birch Hill Ski Stadium. Skiers can choose between a 7.5Km race and a 15Km race. The 15Km race follows much of the course used in the 1984 FIS Men’s World Cup race at Birch Hill which was won by Gunde Svan of Sweden.
- Bib pickup will take place in Rikke’s Roadhouse, the small log cabin to the north of the Timing Building, beginning around 9:45AM.
RACE 1 MAP
The Frank Soos Memorial Distance Series #2 The Ginger Snap Special
Saturday, January 24, 2026
The second race in the Frank Soos Memorial Distance Series is the Ginger Snap Special. Ginger snaps were Frank Soos’ favorite cookies. The race distance is 20Km, with a 10Km option for those interested in a shorter distance.
Normally, the technique for this event alternates from one year to the next. For the 2025-2026 season, this race will be conducted in free technique. The 10Km is a one lap race. The 20Km race is a two-lap race.
All registration for this event is online, with payment by credit card. Entry fees through midnight Thursday night prior to the race are $15 for NSCF members and $20 for non-members. Entry fees increase by $5 after midnight Thursday night. Race Day entries are available
Good luck racing!
RACE 2 MAP
The Frank Soos Memorial Distance Series #3 The Unpleasantry
Sunday, February 15, 2026
The final race in the Distance Series is The Unpleasantry, in honor of one of Frank Soos’ several books “The Unpleasantries.” The race distance is 30 km, but with a 10 km option for those interested in a shorter distance. The race will start and finish in the Birch Hill Ski Stadium and will be held on a 10Km loop. Races are mass start/ classic technique. Both 30 km and 10 km start at 11:00am.
RACE 3 SCHEDULE
RACE 3 MAP
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