based on text by Jane Parrish
Historically, these trails have been developed since the 1920's, starting with the first admission of students to the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, now known as the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In those earlier days, most of the trails were used for commuting to off-campus jobs or to and from student cabin living, especially when waiting for a train took too long to get to campus. Before general recreation skiing came in to its own, the college newspaper recounts a ski race back in 1923.
Ivar Skarland, as a student, popularized the sport on campus and the Skarland Memorial Trail, officially adopted into the Fairbanks North Star Borough Trail system in 1982, includes many of the current ski trails in the North Campus trail system.
Another important skier was Froelich Rainey, UA anthropology professor, who built a small cabin around 1937 on the then west edge of campus. This current log cabin can still be seen south of the Cutler Apartments along Yukon Drive and those who skied with Rainey and Skarland reminisce of the old times stopping by the cabin from a ski for conversation and refreshments.
UAF recognized skiing as a varsity sport in the early 40's and, after the hiatus for the war years, there was a resurgence in the mid 50's that continued through the 60's and 70's with the dedicated efforts of many coaches, team members and volunteers including Jim Whisenhant, Ginny Woods, and Celia Hunter.
The 70's and 80's brought many advances in skiing methods and equipment leading to the wider ski trails for the faster skate skiing styles. It is with the continued work and dedication of recent ski coaches like Bill Smith, John Estle and Paul Beberg and the combined community efforts of clubs such as the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks and the UAF Trails Club that have given this North Campus area the exceptional recreational opportunity for members of UAF and the Fairbanks community.
