JOIN
DONATE
TRAIL MAPS
NEWS & EVENTS
JOIN

About

The Organization Behind the Trails

We are a local nonprofit dedicated to keeping Girdwood’s Nordic and multi-use trails usable, enjoyable, and cared for year-round. That means developing and maintaining the trail system, coordinating trail work, and sharing clear trail reports so you can plan your day.

Everything we do is powered by volunteers, members, donors, and local sponsors who believe this place is worth protecting with a healthy trail system.

Fresh corduroy with classic tracks runs straight through snowy spruce forest under a blue sky, seen from the groomer.

Our History

A line of skate skiers, led by one in a blue top and red sunglasses, on a snowy trail through tall forest.

The Story Behind Today’s Trails

The idea of Nordic trails in Girdwood is older than the club itself. The valley once had a 10-kilometer route, and in 1969 Girdwood even hosted the Junior Nationals on the Alyeska racing trails built by community volunteers, the Anchorage Ski Club, and the Army National Guard.

After a 2006 Winner Creek Trails Feasibility Study confirmed strong local support, the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club formed in 2008 and began the long, practical work of planning a sustainable Nordic and multi-use system. The trail design was led by Jim Galanes, with community votes and support from local boards and committees helping move it forward. Construction was completed in 2014, creating today’s 5K loop and trail system foundation.

Board

Deb Essex in a red jacket and hat smiles holding a painted sky scene and ski poles, snowy peaks behind.

Deb Essex
Brian Burnett in a red jacket, helmet and goggles, wearing a pack below snowy peaks and a blue sky.

Brian Burnett
Justin Thomas in a beanie and sunglasses smiles holding a large rainbow trout beside a river.

Justin Thomas
Briana Sullivan in a teal hat, goggles and red top skis on a groomed trail, snowy mountains behind.

Briana Sullivan
Nels Barber in a cap and dark hoodie grins holding a large silver salmon on the water, forested hills behind.

Nels Barber
Ben Kohler, bearded, in a straw hat and sunglasses takes a selfie with low sun, rail tracks and mountains behind.

Ben Kohler
Chris Stinson takes a selfie in a blue tandem kayak with a paddler up front, spruce and snowy peaks behind.

Chris Stinson
Amanda Sassi in sunglasses, a patterned headband and an orange jacket smiles on a sunlit snowy slope.

Amanda Sassi
Lauren Fritz smiles in a selfie on a snowy trail, with a baby in a backpack carrier behind her.

Lauren Fritz

Past Board

Jim Braham, with glasses and a white mustache, smiles in a blue knit ski hat in front of a snowy slope.

Jim Braham
Peter Zug in a tan work jacket, knit hat and sunglasses sits on a snow-covered snowmachine among spruce trees.

Peter Zug
Brian Kari in a red Swix hat and orange jacket takes a selfie among snowy spruce trees under a blue sky.

Brian Kari
Karen Loso in a pink beanie and black puffy jacket laughs on a snowy ridge as another person climbs behind.

Karen Loso
Ari Stiassny smiles in a cap and a blue life vest with his name on it, a glacier blurred behind him.

Ari Stiassny
Christina Gerber in a yellow jacket smiles beside a grey and white husky by wildflowers and autumn trees.

Christina Gerber

Mat Wedeking

Carl Skustad