It has been almost two weeks since the Soldotna area has seen daytime temperatures below freezing and it’s taking its toll on ski trails.
The Tsalteshi Trails Head Groomer Bill Holt said the trails could really go either way at this point but snow and freezing temperatures would definitely help.
Holt: “If I can actually have an evening where it’s freezing and I can get them groomed up and people don’t get on them and it sets back up again it will be a lot better. It will be a better surface something the skies can kind of grab but it’s still going to be really fast and really icy.”
Holt said the Tsalteshi Board Members will be discussing whether or not some events scheduled for the next few weeks will have to be cancelled.
Holt: “We don’t want to do it if it’s going to be at all dangerous. And so even if I groomed it up right now it would still be kind of dangerous. Plus the fields are shot, there’s actually standing water at all the fields at Skyview.”
We also spoke with Skyview’s Athletic Director Kent Peterson about difficulties the ski teams are facing.
Peterson: “We’re supposed to be going to Seward for a ski race. They’re looking at possibly having us ski up at Summit Lake, there’s still snow up there. And they’re going to be able to groom the campground for up there. So that’s one option for racing.”
Peterson also said practicing outside is looking pretty “iffy” if temperatures stay up, making it difficult to get ready for the State Ski Meet.