...LET IT SNOW

  • Published
  • By Air Force Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Hillberg Ski Area is open for the season, after a ceremonial first run.

The first to conquer the snow Saturday were Army Col. Timothy Prior, 673d Air Base Wing vice commander, and Air Force Col. Edward Thomas, 673d Mission Support Group commander.

"I would like to thank the MSG and the Force Support Squadron for all the hard work in getting Hillberg ready," Prior said. "All the members of the ski team are here, and it's the best way to learn how to ski - they'll have them up and going in no time."
Hillberg is open Friday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. The ski hill will also be open during the holidays and for spring break.

Thomas quoted poet Jim Vaughn by saying, "'Skiing is for dinosaurs and for old people, and any 13-year-old kid can tell you that,' so without further ado let's open the hill and have a great season."

Hillberg has a full staff of snowboard and ski instructors this year, four of which are snowboard instructors. JBER is the first military base to have the Burton Learn-To-Ride system. Next week, Burton instructors will be holding a course for Hillberg's snowboard instructors on how to operate, use and maneuver the new boards.

There's not only skiing and snowboarding offered, there is also tubing, ice skating, dog sledding, sledding and ice-fishing available at Hillberg. This year's manager, Trevor Bird, said he plans to have competitions to give away prizes, to include a series of Rail Jams.

This will be held Dec. 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. Anyone with base access is welcome to rent gear and participate in activities Hillberg offers.

Due to recent weather, Hillberg may have certain area closures. Call the Ski hotline at 552-4276 or 552-4838.

For more information on what Hillberg has to offer, visit www.elmendorf-richardson.com/Dyea&Hillberg/. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hillbergskiarea.