Full Notification

Valdez, AK – Valdez Parks and Recreation will hold the second annual Qaniq Challenge Ski Race January 16-17, 2016 in Valdez.

The 33 kilometer, two-day cross country ski race named for the Alutiiq word for falling snow combines both classic and freestyle skiing on two separate courses. The Mineral Creek Course consists of a 19 kilometer in-town classic ski course with thirty second interval starts. The Glacier Stream Course is a 14 kilometer out-of-town freestyle event with a staggered mass start.

Total combined time for both days determines the final finishing time for each participant.  The race purse of $10,000 is divided among the top three male and female finishers. For this year’s event, organizers added a separate “locals division” to encourage recreational skier participation. The division’s top male and female finishers each receive a prize package worth $500.

As of 2:00 p.m. Thursday, 22 skiers have registered for the event. Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday January 15, 2016.

Races begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be held regardless of ski or weather conditions. Racers start and finish the Mineral Creek Course at the West Hanagita trailhead near U.S. Coast Guard housing. Spectators are encouraged to view the event at the race start or from the west side of Betty Cato Bridge near Homestead Road. Spectators may view the Glacier Stream Course from the race start point near 1.5-mile of the Richardson Highway between the trap range and Alpetco Road.

Several trails in the Valdez cross country trail system will be closed to ski, snowshoe, snowmachine, and dog sled traffic during the weekend’s events. The east and west dike and trails into Mineral Creek will be closed on Saturday until 3:00 p.m. All groomed ski trails outside of town near the Valdez Glacier will be closed on Sunday until 3:00 p.m.

Additionally, the race trail will cross West Egan Road at the Betty Cato Bridge, intermittently limiting access to the Homestead Road and Cottonwood Subdivisions. Flaggers will be in place to help direct traffic.

Organizers established the Qaniq Challenge in 2015 to showcase the 53 kilometer Valdez cross country trail system and demonstrate all Valdez has to offer for winter recreation.

With approval from the City Council, a permanent race fund was created in 2015 to support the event, using monies previously allocated for external promotional purposes to create the prize purse and cover additional expenses associated with the race. A 10-person race committee oversees race planning, logistics, and operations.

A total of 33 skiers registered for the 2015 race, with 31 skiers reporting on race day. Of these skiers, ten were nationally ranked including members of both the Men’s and Women’s National Ski Team and a former U.S. Olympian.

“We are extremely pleased with how the inaugural event played out in 2015, despite the challenging snow year,” stated Darryl Verfaillie, race organizer and director of the City’s parks and recreation department. “As a result of last year’s challenges, we have been more proactive in prepping the course for potential hazards, including early construction of bridges and culverts, in an effort to ensure maximum backcountry trail access on race day. This year’s snow conditions look very promising. We encourage spectators to come on out and cheer on our skiers.”

For additional information, registration, and to view a video of last year’s event, please visit: http://www.qaniqchallenge.com

Race sponsors for 2016 include Mountain Sky Hotel, Prospector Outfitters, Copper Valley Telecom, and the Sound Wellness Alliance Network.

For race questions or concerns, please contact race organizer Darryl Verfaillie at [email protected] or 907-831-0364.