Sunday, February 28, 2016

Fun at Skiland

I thought when I came from Montana to Fairbanks, downhill skiing would be entirely traded for cross country skiing. There aren't any mountains close by, I thought. There is no way skiing up here, with such a lack of double black diamond runs, would be a good way to pass my time. I couldn't have been more wrong!

I visited Skiland one Saturday in mid February with my friend. She wanted to try out her snowboard and I figured it would be good to visit the place since I've never been before and the sun was shining brighter than any other day of the winter.
We left campus on a sunny day. The temperatures were above 40 degrees Fahrenheit!

We packed our things and drove up. Skiland is about 40 minutes away from Fairbanks, which is extremely convenient for those wanting to get out of town, but don't have all weekend to drive. The parking area and lodge are situated on top of  Cleary Summit. I've never been to a ski area where you ski down first, and then ride the chairlift. The views were stunning!

Here is the view from the parking lot. Off to the left is the rental house.
 I was able to rent gear and purchase my ticket for under $70, which is much cheaper than many large resorts. A discount is offered for anyone with a UAF Polar Express Card as well.
The view from the rental house is awesome.
I was ready for ice coated slopes and chattering skis, but the snow conditions were smooth and much softer than I had expected . We had fun skiing and boarding into the bowl after warming up on the many flatter runs. This ski area is great for freshening up at the beginning of the season, but offers a bit of tree skiing and rocky areas for those who have more aerobatic skill than myself. I got back into the swing of things after a season away from skiing in no time. Whether a beginner or expert, Skiland has a variety of terrains to offer you.
Skiland has the "farthest north chairlift in America"! The lift was also fairly windy that day.
At lunch time, we went into the cozy cafeteria area and ordered delicious hot sandwiches and chili. They also have tea, coffee, and a variety of sweets and snacks. I enjoyed the cozy cabin feel of the place. It was very unique and down to earth.
I posed like a cool cat.
 We hit the slopes until about about 5 P.M. Skiland is open until the sun sets, so there is plenty of time for a full or half day of runs. I had a fantastic time out on the slopes with my friend. The owners and employees were very nice, and the ski area itself is unique due to it's atmosphere and setup.

If you want to learn more about Skiland, visit their website here. I might see you out on the slopes the next time I visit Skiland!

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Word On Campus: Gaming Edition

Lately I have been very interested in the opinions of other students and faculty. This blog series is a recording of that. This first interview was done in a digital response format. Future posts will either feature a digital response or a video recording.


What is your name?
My name is Steven McGraw.

What is the name of your club?
UAF E-sport Gaming Club.
What’s your favorite color?
Orange.
What’s your favorite game or TV series?
The Warcraft Genre.
If Lois Lane wasn’t a journalist, what would she be?
Lois Lane would probably be crazy environmentalist woman who ties herself to a tree.
What advice would you give yourself as a freshman?
Don't let your parents decide your major.
What is your favorite movie or video game?
The Master of Disguise
Are there any causes you are passionate about?
#DestroyIreliaMovement
What do you do at home on a rainy/ snowy day?
I would sit in my room and play video games, like I always do
What’s the coolest thing about UAF?
What’s your kryptonite?
Ice Cream
Who is your favorite band?
Nickelback and Linkin park are tied for my heart.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation
What is the first website you visit in the morning?
Facebook
How did you feel at UAF on your first day here?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3onOjHki-k {Just a little side note by Agnes: Student Orientation is now required to prevent this feeling.}
What is your favorite subject?
HISTORY!!!!!
You can have any 3 books and/ or video games on a desert island, what would they be?
Warcraft 3, Tropico 3,Day of the Dragon.
What can you not live without at UAF?
The Pub
Do you have a favorite app?
I have a tracfone...
Where are you from?
Fairbanks, Alaska
What’s the hardest thing at UAF?
Late Night Lab Classes.
What's your perfect road trip?
None.
What do you think about the new Tobacco Free policy?
I think it's a good idea simply because the majority of people that smoke on campus [did] so by vents that lead into the building causing me to have repeated asthma attacks during class. I understand people's problems with it but at the same time it's hard for me to deal with the smoke caused by it.
Where is a place you want to visit?
Japan and yell, "I WILL BE THE HOKAGE!" Then hide for the rest of the trip.
What are you most excited for these days?
Dinner
Is your club on Facebook or Twitter?
We are on Facebook but not Twitter.

What do you do at your club?
We play Video Games.
What's your favorite thing you’ve done at UAF?
Starvation Gulch was fun.
 

Are there any other student clubs I should interview? What about faculty members?