Kachemak Nordic Ski Club hosted the 13th annual Homer Ski for Women event Feb. 7 at the Lookout Mountain trails. The snow conditions were excellent, giving the 31 skiers who showed up in costume a pleasant trail to trek across. 

Homer’s Ski for Women acts as a benefit for South Peninsula Haven House. This year’s event brought in $715 as of Monday afternoon, said event organizer Kris Holderied. 

“The start of it was supposed to be a day like Superbowl Sunday that is devoted to football and watching things inside to say lets do an outside event that focuses on women and raising money against domestic violence and to help families. The thing we have to figure out is why do we continue to have such high rates of domestic violence in Alaska,” Holderied said. “It’s more about empowerment and getting out in the winter time. You can get depressed if you just sit inside. You gotta get out, and skiing is a great way to do it.”

Instead of awarding prizes for race times, the competition is based on costumes. Winners were:

1. Best Individual: Bernadette Arsenault (Jellyfish)

2. Best Partner/Attached skiers – Kim Powell, Ana Reid (Unicorn fish and Frosty Princess)

3. Best Large group – Judy Dean, Kary Adkins, Elaina Ryder, Debbie Vantrease, Denise Jantz (Pajama gang)

4. Best Small group – West Homer Orcas: Barb Veeck, Lisa Whip, Karen Murdock

5. Judge’s choice – Amy Holman, retro skier with wooden skis, beaver hat and gloves

6. Judge’s special award – Morgan Jones, tough skier award for most exposed skin