10 years ago

After a drop of 84 people in 2013 and an increase of 21 in 2014, the population of Haines has reverted to a downward trend, dropping 58 people in the last year to a total of 2,493, according to state statistics.

The town is also continuing to get older, maturing from a median age of 46.6 in 2012, to 48 in 2013, 48.5 in 2014, and 49.3 last year, according to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

That means the Haines Borough will retain its position as the oldest borough in Alaska, said state demographer Eddie Hunsinger.

Keeping with the town’s recent trend of no growth through natural increase, births and deaths matched each other last year. In 2014, two more people died than were born here, and in 2013, eight more people died than were born.

According to a news release put out by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, among the state’s six economic regions, Anchorage/Mat-Su gained the most over the period (343) followed by Northern (277), and Gulf Coast (220). Southwest (-232), Interior (-172) and Southeast (-165) regions each had small losses.

Of Alaska’s 29 boroughs and census areas, 11 grew between 2014 and 2015. The largest population increases were in the Mat-Su Borough (1,801) and Kenai Peninsula Borough (348). The Municipality of Anchorage lost the most people over the period (-1,458).

Hunsinger said the state primarily uses census information and Permanent Fund Dividend applications to make annual population estimates.

24 years ago – March 21, 2002

The season’s centerpiece extreme skiing event begins Friday when two dozen skiers and photographers arrive for the second annual Red Bull Snow Thrill of Alaska.

The eight-day event begins with a downtown open house Friday evening to meet participants, and ends with a day-long competition on a ridge above the Chilkat River that should be visible from town.

Event coordinator Ryan Ernst said the Red Bull Freeskiing World Championship will be held around March 29 on “Telemark Ridge,” above Haska Creek on the west side of the Chilkat.

“It’s so weather dependent. I wish we could have it on a set day. When it looks like we can hold it, we’ll call around and make sure people know so they can get out and watch with binoculars,” Ernst said. A similar event was canceled last year due to poor weather conditions.

Ernst is leading a group of six event organizers who are spending the week scouting locations for the main event — a skiing photography contest to take place on mountain peaks near the Canadian border.

The event pits 12 teams of one skier and one photographer to create the best photos in six categories: best action and feature story sequence, air, fly-on-the-wall, Alaska lifestyles, and powder turns. Each team gets a limited amount of helicopter time to get their shots. Peer judging will be held over the Internet.

Ernst said the event will be based at 33 Mile Haines Highway and will employ three or four helicopters to haul participants and gear. The Telemark Ridge finale will be based at the Haines airport.

It’s the third year logistics coordinator Jim Conway has organized ski days in the upper valley. Conway said Haines has ideal mountains and snow conditions for high-country skiing. 

“It’s the best we’ve found, and I’m from Salt Lake. In coastal mountains, you get wetter snow than in the Interior and there’s way better stability. When it’s clear here, you really get the best of both worlds. It’s a treat to come here.”

But snow conditions aren’t that great this week, according to ski guide Shawn McNamara. McNamara, who’s helping organize the Red Bull event, said high winds during the past two weeks have polished and hardened the snow cover. “It’s been blowing a lot. There are pockets of soft snow, and there’s enough to hold the contest, but it’s not ideal.”

Conway said Outside skiers enjoy Haines’ rural atmosphere. “It’s a great town. People don’t come to Alaska for a five-star hotel. Haines is a nice comfortable town with its own character, and people enjoy that.” Haines local heliski outfitters and guides will be involved in the event, Conway said.

An open house sponsored by the Haines Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, and local businesses will allow residents to meet skiers, photographers and guides particıpating in the competition. The reception, which will include a welcome from city mayor Dave Black and a presentation by Ellen Winkler of Mountain Sports International, will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the Sheldon Museum.

Tourism director Michelle Glass said skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts should be sure to turn out. “They’ll have posters to autograph and we’ll all get to meet each other.” The Pioneer Bar is holding a welcoming party following the open house with music by the Truffles.

53 years ago – March 5, 1973

A petition requesting the relocation of the U.S. Customs and Immigration station from Haines to adjacent to the Canadian border station is making the rounds.

According to Dorothy Fossman of Klukwan, writer of the document, she was able to get “25 signatures in 15 minutes” and is confident of getting a majority of area residents to go along.

The recent waiver of “phone in” privileges for Haines Highway residents returning to Alaska from Canada has gotten several persons mad — namely those that must drive all the way into Haines to check in before driving all the way out to homes along the road. The “no stopping” rule has hurt businesses situated along the highway. The rule effectively bars inbound traffic from stopping to buy gas or eat a meal this side of the border. The owners of businesses along the road are not overjoyed with the setup.

“This may be in violation of the United States Constitution,” Fossman said. “This is an interruption of the free enterprise system.”

The petition, addressed to the Commissioner of Customs in Washington, D.C., requests that “adequate and up-to-standard facilities” be constructed adjacent to the Canadian facilities at the border. Attachments to the petition call attention to past requests along the same line that have had negligible response,” Fossman says.

“Even with a gate (which has been eliminated as a proposal), the basic problem remains,” Fossman said. “Persons would still have to drive clear into town without stopping. The rules simply were not designed to fit a case where such great distances between stations exist.”

Locations in town where petitions will be placed will be announced this week on TV, Fossman said.