After last week’s significant snowfall, local cross-country skiers and winter hikers are ready to hit the backcountry trails, and the Haines Ski and Hike Club says it will be ready for them.

Board member Dan Egolf said the club will set tracks both at 25 mile and across the Steel Bridge at the Covenant Life commune, known as The Farm, located about 26 miles outside of Haines.

If this winter produces enough snowfall, the club also plans to set tracks both at Chilkoot Lake and at Valley of the Eagles Golf Links, where the club pays an annual fee for access.

“That’s if we really get dumped on,” Egolf said.

The ski club was founded in 1965 and members have volunteered to set tracks for the last three decades.

But in recent years, new technology has assisted in the effort. The club uses two snowmachines recently acquired by the state division of parks and recreation. It also employs a Ginzu snow groomer that sets an 86-inch-wide track that can be used by both Nordic skiers and skate skiers alike.

The club recently drew about 60 people to its annual ski and hike meeting at the Klondike restaurant. The club also signed up more than two dozen new members, who pay annual fees of $20 per person and $25 per family to pay for the fuel to keep local trails groomed.

The club has about 40 members.

Some eight people also signed up to volunteer and perform such services as keeping fallen tree branches off the trails.

In 2014, the club was granted nonprofit status, which helps in securing grants to do its work.

“The state funds are just not here anymore,” Egolf said.

The club sets about six miles of track each year at 25 mile and each year has the Smiles for Miles event to honor the late furniture-store owner Dennis Miles, who for years volunteered to groom track in the area.

Egolf encouraged Haines residents wanting to join the club, make a donation or volunteer to visit http://www.hainesski.org. The site also provides regular ski conditions.

Even though rain hit the area this weekend, Egolf said one thing is for sure in Alaska: snow is coming.

“We’re waiting for a good base,” he said. “We got snow in October and then recently. We’re sure it’s coming.”

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