The Arctic Orienteering Club is partnering with the Nordic Skiing Assoication of Anchorage to host three ski orienteering events at Kincaid.
Ski Orienteering
Ski orienteering is an adrenaline-packed winter sport that combines the thrill of cross-country skiing with the brain-teasing challenge of navigation. Imagine gliding through snowy forests at high speed, map in a chest-holder, racing against the clock to find checkpoints scattered across a winter wonderland. It’s not just about skiing fast—it’s about making split-second decisions, choosing the smartest routes, and outsmarting your competitors. Every turn is an adventure, every choice a test of skill and strategy. If you love skiing and enjoy a mental challenge, ski orienteering is your ultimate winter quest!
Check out this brief video to see what ski orienteering is like.
All checkpoints will be on trails, but you can choose any route including singletrack and short cuts! You can try to ski hard and race for the fastest time, or go as slowly as you like, enjoying the challenge of picking the best routes and reading the map.
Equipment
We will provide specially created maps with pre-printed courses for each participant. Bring an e-punch if you have one. E-punches will be available to rent onsite. Bring a compass, a few compasses will be on hand to borrow. Please return these when you are done. Please bring your own skis, boots, and poles. Any skiing style is permitted, freestyle will be fastest.
A limited number of map holders will be available to rent during the event. First come first served.
Courses
You will be able to select from two courses for the ski orienteering event: Short and Long. We recommend going out individually or in groups of no more than 2-3 so that everyone is able to get the hang of map reading and navigation.
Two-Way Trails
During this event, trails will be two-way. Please be respectful of other trail uses and exercise caution when encountering others on the ski trails.
Beginners
Check out the website with FAQs about orienteering https://oalaska.org/training/faq. And feel free to arrive with questions at the start.
Race Entry Fee
This event is $15 for adults and free to youth under 17. It is also free if this is your first event with the club. Not your first rodeo? Please make an online payment or bring cash or check to the event.
Season Waiver
Please fill out the online waiver, its required once for the entire season.
Start and Finish
You will need to check in with one of our volunteers at registration before proceeding to the start. Our volunteers will provide you with the appropriate map, a loaner compass if needed, and a loaner electronic timing chip and will keep track of who is out and doing which course. When you have found all the controls on your course, return to the finish and check in with a volunteer. Even if you decide to quit your course before finding all the controls, please check in at the finish so we do not go out searching for you.
Electronic “punching”
An e-punch records your race. At each control, you’ll dip the e-punch into an electronic box, which will beep and flash as confirmation. After you finish, you’ll download the e-punch at the download tent and get a receipt that shows which controls you visited and how long you took between each; these are your “splits.”
Part of the fun of orienteering is comparing your splits with people who completed the same course, and discussing the routes you took!