SKI CLUBBING – Coach John Briner and pupil Amanda Jensen cruise on the tracks at Log Cabin last weekend. Conditions were great. The club will be meeting Saturdays at 11 a.m. at Log Cabin until the Buckwheat Skl Classic on March 22. Photo by Jeff Brady

Tracks laid, skiers will play
Buckwheat Ski Classic kicks off Easter weekend
The 22nd annual Buckwheat Ski Classic is on schedule for Saturday, March 22, and most of the course has already been set by trail crew volunteers.
All races take place at Log Cabin on the South Klondike Highway. Once again 50K, 25K and 10K cross country ski races are being planned, as well as a 5K kids race, and the snowshoe race is back. Some courses may be shortened to avoid overflow areas. There’s plenty of snow, but it’s been warm up there.
Pre-and post-race events in Skagway include a fabulous awards banquet and dance at the historic Eagles Hall featuring the return of the band Deering and Down.
The Buckwheat in 2005 was named one of the top 49 things to do in Alaska by the editors of Alaska magazine. The race is a fund-raiser for the Skagway Ski Club and traditionally hosts more than 200 participants from Alaska, the Yukon and elsewhere.
For a complete schedule, download the race brochure / entry form at www.skagwaynews.com/BSCskirace. Early registration deadline is Saturday, March 15.
Entry forms are available at the Mountain Shop in Skagway; Lutak Lumber in Haines; Foggy Mountain in Juneau; and Coast Mountain Sports in Whitehorse. There are separate forms for U.S. adults, Canadian adults, US kids, and Canadian kids.
Registration forms may be dropped off at the above locations or mailed to Buckwheat Ski Classic, Box 636, Skagway, AK 99840. Registrations received after March 15 cost an additional $10.
“This year’s race coincides with Easter which means Log Cabin will be a multi-use weekend, not a skiers-only weekend,” said race founder Buckwheat Donahue. “There will be some skidooers in the parking lot. We’ve never had any problems with them in the past and it should not be a problem this weekend. Just be as courteous as you always are, and we can prove to the powers that be that skiers and skidooers can get along.”
Skiers are also reminded of the new document requirements for crossing the U.S. border that go into effect on Jan. 31:
• U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
• Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
If you have questions, contact the Skagway Port of Entry at 907-983-2325.
Additional volunteers are always welcome. If you can help with race packet prep., dinner serving, race timing, serving breakfast, T-shirt sales, and aid station prep., please call Buckwheat at 983-3988 or Su Rappleye at 983-2127.
Major sponsors include: FOE & Aux. No. 25, Steve & Salli Reeder, City of Skagway Tourism Dept., Holland America, Alaska Shirt Co., Norcan Sales and Rentals, and The Skagway News. Co.
For more information, call Buckwheat at 907-983-2854, or e-mail: info@skagway.com

Easter Sunday in Skagway

Sunrise services
The community is invited to a multi-denominational Easter Sunrise Service on March 23 presented by Skagway Ministerial Association.
The sunrise service begins at 7:30 a.m. at Pullen Park and will be followed by breakfast at the Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. The doors will open at approximately 8 a.m.
Prior to Easter, the Presbyterian Church will have a special Maundy Thursday potluck and service on March 20. The potluck begins at 6 p.m. followed by the service at 7 p.m. The church will have also have its regular Sunday service at 11 am on Easter. For more info call 983-2260.

Easter egg hunt
The annual Easter Egg hunt will take place at the Seven Pastures ball park on Sunday afternoon, March 23.
A fire truck carrying the Easter bunny will arrive at 1 p.m. to give out kisses and start the big hunt. Groups will be divided into age groups: 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-2. There will be lots of prize eggs for gifts donated by local merchants, and the coveted golden egg.