Homer shows up and shows off for annual Ski for Women

This year’s annual Ski for Women fundraiser took place under bluebird skies Sunday morning, Feb. 9 at the Lookout Mountain XCS Trails on Ohlson Mountain.

The event is held annually by the Kachemak Nordic Ski Club as a benefit for the Haven House and helps raise awareness of the services the organization provides to women and children in the area. The costumed ski event has become a beloved community tradition over the years, and the snowy hillsides were filled with brightly dressed and costumed skiers and supporters on Sunday.

Kasey Aderhold — a volunteer with Kachemak Nordic Ski Club — said she participated in the first-ever Ski for Women event, held in 2004 during her sophomore year in high school.

“The high school ski team, including me and coach Megan Corazza dressed up in full football gear, pads, helmets and all, and braved the wintry mix,” Aderhold said in an email Monday

This is because participants, up until last year, were judged purely on performance and costumes, rather than merely speed. A speed round was added last year, according to Homer News files, although overall, creativity still rules the day.

This year there were more than 75 participants, helping raise over $1,400.

Anna Williams won the crown for the Kachemak Fastest Female Skier, completing the 2.5-kilometer loop with a time of 7 minutes 44 seconds.

Top costume prizes were judged and awarded by staff and board members from the Haven House.

According to Aderhold, the individual prize was given to “an adorable penguin,” the best pair prize went to a Minecraft duo, and the best group prize went to Lady Liberty and her medical team.

A notable group was a mobile, human slalom course composed of Homer Middle School students. “Mikaela Shiffrin in the Giant Slalom” featured Freya Bartlett as Mikaela Shiffrin, and Joe DeRungs, Morgan Harness, Sophie Williams, Fischer Spurkland, Claire Benton, Megan Corazza and Charlie DeRungs as her giant slalom gates. Bartlett weaved in and out of her human slalom course several times throughout the ski run.

If you’d like to learn more about South Peninsula Haven House or make a donation directly, you can do so on their website at havenhousealaska.org or by reaching out to admin@havenhouse.org.

Chloe Pleznac is a general assignment reporter for the Homer News. You can reach her at chloe.pleznac@homernews.com or by calling 907-615-3193.

A penguin wearing a golden top hat leads the pack on Sunday, Feb. 9 during the annual Ski for Women fundraiser at the Lookout Mountain XCS Trails on Ohlson Mountain. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Homer Middle School skiers line up for their performance of “Mikaela Shiffrin in the Giant Slalom” during the annual Ski for Women fundraiser at the Lookout Mountain XCS Trails on Ohlson Mountain. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

The 2004 Homer High School Ski team prepares to participate in the first-ever Homer Ski for Women event at the DOT lot on Baycrest. (Photo courtesy Kasey Aderhold)

Homer High School girls dressed as the football team at the first-ever Homer Ski for Women event in the DOT lot on Baycrest in 2004. Aderhold is in the white jersey, center. Alina Rykaczewski is on the left with Kristin Vantrease on the right. (Photo courtesy of Kasey Aderhold)

A penguin wearing a golden top hat leads the pack on Sunday, Feb. 9 during the annual Ski for Women fundraiser at the Lookout Mountain XCS Trails on Ohlson Mountain. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)