A bill by a Juneau legislator allowing “snow classics” — where participants guess total snow accumulation at a specific site by a specific date and time — as a form of charitable gaming statewide passed the Alaska State House on Friday.

House Bill 50 by Rep. Sara Hannan, a Democrat, authorizes such contests, which at present are limited to the annual Alyeska Snow Classic administered by Four Valleys Community School Inc. The bill passed by a 35-2 vote, with three members absent, and transmitted to the Senate.

“This bill came to me from an organization in my community that would like to host a snow classic,” Hannan said during a brief overview of the bill on the House floor before members voted without further discussion. “Right now the statute under law specifies it very narrowly to one classic in one community with one beneficiary. We have several classics in state law that do not require that specificity. Any charitable gaming organization is able to run a ‘rain classic,’ but our Nordic ski club youth program here would like to run a snow classic and so the bill is before you.”

The Alyeska Snow Classic raised $3,186 in 2023, according to an Alaska Department of Revenue charitable gaming report.

A Feb. 12 letter to legislators by Frankie Pillifant, president of the Juneau Nordic Ski Club, states the organization currently raises more than $30,000 annually to support its youth skiers, “but our sources are strained with the ever-increasing cost of equipment, insurance, travel, and the many other costs associated with operating a ski program.”

“Fundraising is vital in providing financial support to our athletes, ensuring that all have the opportunity to participate,” Pillifant wrote. “Many youth sports programs Alaska not connected by road are presented with significant financial challenges and conduct community-based fundraising to support the higher cost of travel, equipment, and coaching. HB50 legislation is an essential fundraising tool for the continued success and growth of the youth ski programs that include elementary, middle, and high school levels.”

Support for the bill was also expressed in a letter to lawmakers by Nate Arrants, executive director of Haines Huts and Trails, which maintains a network of groomed winter trails for Nordic skiing, biking and snowshoeing.

“Many rural and off-road-system communities in Alaska, like Haines, face unique financial challenges in maintaining outdoor infrastructure, and this legislation would provide a critical funding mechanism to help bridge the gap,” he wrote.

Expanding snow classics would not cost the state any money, according to a revenue department fiscal note. Hannan said it also would not alter who can offer charitable gaming activities.

“House Bill 50 does not change any of the basic logistics or qualifications to be a charitable gaming organization or to operate a classic,” she said. “Contestants buy a ticket, write a guess of a depth of snow accumulated a specific site by specific at a specific time, the winner receives half of the net proceeds.”

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.