Land of ski legends.

• Author: Woodring, Jeannie

Alaska's got the elements to turn out generations of superb skiers.

While the world marvels at Hillary Lindh's and Tommy Moe's Olympic and World Cup alpine wins, Alaskans can smile proudly and say, "Just wait."

Hillary and Tommy are only the tip of the state's ski potential. For more than two decades, Alaska has turned out dozens of ski champions. For example:

Since 1960, 30 Alaskans have earned positions on the U.S. National nordic ski team.

Currently, five Alaskans are on the U.S. National alpine ski team.

In the last 10 years, more than 20 Alaskan junior alpine skiers have made it to the national "development team," from which future U.S. National ski team members are chosen.

For turning out top-quality alpine skiers, "On a per capita basis, Alaska has been one of the most productive regions all along," says Paul Crews, the first Alaskan on the U.S. National alpine ski team back in 1971 and today the head alpine ski coach at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA).

What factors give Alaska this ski advantage?

"We've got snow, we've got mountains," says Craig Lindh, Hillary's father. "And we've got what's probably more important - lots of good support from communities, parents and companies. That all adds up to a good program."

Ski experts predict Alaska can continue to turn out generations of champion skiers - if these key factors stay sharp and slick-running.

The Natural Factors

Long months of snow and cold give Alaska's alpine and nordic skiers a headstart over Outside competition.

"We have excellent ski conditions and a long season," said Bill Spencer, nordic ski coach at UAA and a long-time racer on the U.S. National nordic ski team, in mid-November 1994. "Right now, New England doesn't even have snow."

"We have some of the nicest powder in the world," says Steve Birdsall, owner of Skiland Inc., an alpine course in Fairbanks. "The cold snow is real dry and makes a nice, fluffy powder. It packs down good and lasts quite a long time."

Alaska's mountains give its alpine skiers other advantages. Take Alyeska, for example.

"With the installation of Chair 1 at Alyeska, Alaska put itself on par terrain-wise with the other major ski areas of the country," says Crews.

Larry Daniels, ski area general manager at Alyeska, adds, "We have a mountain that has a lot of different terrain, a lot of very challenging terrain, changing conditions and weather. It tends to build skiers who are aggressive and used to all the various types of snow and...