BIRCH HILL RACE HISTORY

The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks Competition Events program oversees all the competitive events that take place at Birch Hill and/or under the auspices of the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks. The NSCF’s race organization and race crew are recognized around the US (and even in Canada) as one of the best of its kind. In addition to organizing a broad spectrum of events designed to meet the needs of local skiers and racers, the NSCF has also organized a number of national and international events over the 50+ year history of the club including:

NOTABLE RACES

• International Ski Federation World Cup – (Men) 1984
• US National Distance Championships/SuperTour Races & Finals – 2008, 2009, 2017, 2025
• US Junior National Championships – 1977, 1995, 2003, 2013, 2023
• Arctic Winter Games – 1982, 1988, 2014
• ASAA State High School Cross Country Championships – 2002-2004, 2008-2011, 2018-2019, 2022, 2025

The club has also conducted over 100 events in the Town Race Series, which began in the winter of 1995-1996, and more than 60 events in the Distance Series, the first year of which was 1997-1998.

The Turkey Day Relays are one of the oldest continuously held ski events in Alaska and the Northwest, having first been held in November 1965. The Skiathon, held on the UAF trails, is almost as old as the Turkey Day Relays. The Sonot Kkaazoot, Fairbanks’ spring ski marathon, was first held in 1988.

The success of these programs is due entirely to the hard work and generosity of the race crew volunteers, who are responsible for making the races happen. Without the volunteers, there would be no races.