Last fall when Brooke Jasky-Zuber decided to hunker down in Skagway for the winter she figured she’d need to find more outlets for outdoor adventure. So she bought a wetsuit, convinced some friends to join her, and started winter swimming in Skagway.
“Being able to take the snorkels out in the clear water has been absolutely amazing. And out towards the Yakutania Point, we’ve had seals come and hang out with us, check us out,” said Jasky-Zuber.
The group has been swimming weekly all winter long. The ocean water is crystal clear in the winter months because there isn’t silt from melting glaciers clouding the water.
According to Jasky-Zuber the water is cold at first, but your body adapts to the chill quickly. When the air temperature is colder than the water, however, getting out can be a bit chilly.
“You know, I often just keep my wetsuit on until I get home and I take it off in a hot shower.”
Jasky-Zuber says she thinks the winter swimming trend might catch on in Skagway.
Back country skiing at White Pass. April, 2021.
From swimming to skiing, Log Cabin Ski Society’s Mike Korsmo says they’re grooming downhill ski runs on the West side of the Klondike Highway just north of the Maintenance Shed between miles 13 & 14.
“We went up last weekend, we groomed it all out and there were several people up there skiing, just like groomed runs and then we would tow people up on the snow machines,” said Korsmo.
They’ve nicknamed the area Badger Bowl. There will be sledding and cross-country ski opportunities as well as downhill and backcountry skiing this coming Saturday. There’s also going to be a fire pit and a spot to hang out, have a beer, and roast a weenie or two.
“Obviously, it’s all depending on the snow conditions and avalanche danger and stuff. But the part of the area that we’re grooming runs on and it’s just right off of the pull-out there. That’s, that’s pretty safe,” said Korsmo.
With the weather forecast climbing into the ’50s this coming weekend, the snow will be better in the morning than in the afternoon. Korsmo says to bring your passport as you’ll be going past US customs. According to Canadian Customs, American citizens are not allowed to cross the physical border at the summit without checking with them first.
Onto league bowling at the Skagway Elks club. The Mixed league championship has been decided, league commissioner Aaron Thomas says the championship was a close match. The team that won had been in the championships three separate times with no wins, the fourth time was finally the charm.
Code Red Rollers Mix League Champs in Skagway for the 2021 season.
“The Code Red rollers versus Snakes on a lane. It was a pretty good match the Code Red rollers did come out victorious three games to one and that was the first win since being in the league,” said Thomas.
The men’s league playoffs start this weekend with the semi-finals.
“It’ll be the third-place Brew Crew versus the second-place Eagles best of five series and the winner moves on to the championship versus the Alley Cats,” said Thomas.
The Men’s league championship best of five series is set for the following Saturday. The regular-season champions and #1 seeded Alley Cats automatically advance to take on the semi-final winner. That match will be followed by an awards ceremony and dinner.
