Founded in 1959, Alaska Pacific University is a small liberal arts college on a 170-acre wooded campus, connected to the coast and the mountains by more than 120 miles of city trails. Located on the land of the Dena’ina people, APU is federally recognized as an Alaska Native-serving institution. Here, an education is an adventure in living and learning. Students are at the center of all we do here at APU. Representing the aspirations and collective wisdom of our community, APU delivers an education that is collaborative, innovative, and transformational. Encouraging student development, supporting community engagement, and honoring Alaska’s Indigenous heritage, APU seeks to cultivate a unique and powerful educational experience.

The university offers dozens of degree programs offering Associate, Undergraduate, and Master’s degrees and Graduate Certificates. Intentionally small class sizes supports APU’s commitment to a world-class, hands-on, culturally responsive educational experience. APU prides itself on active learning and flexible schedules, including both online and in-person classes.

Student Athletes – APU Nordic Ski Center University & Elite Team

APU Nordic Ski Center’s affiliation with Alaska Pacific University provides a unique opportunity for university and elite athletes to strive for their competitive goals while studying as a full-time student. APU Nordic Ski Center is not an NCAA affiliated program which offers athletes the ability to train year-round with the program and take classes with a flexible schedule that is supportive of their educational goals. Available to our skiers is the Early Honors program for High School seniors and the ability to earn an undergraduate and/or graduate degree.

Scholarship & Housing

Scholarship opportunities are available to everyone from financial aid to ski or merit based scholarships. APU provides housing and dining on campus along with a variety of student activities and programs to provide a safe, fun and accessible environment around campus. APU also has a dedicated ski house with dormitories adjacent to the ski house for student athletes. To learn more about the admissions process, costs and housing opportunities, read more on the APU Admissions page here.

Visit with the Admissions team or head to alaskapacific.edu for more information about the educational opportunities at Alaska Pacific University.

Sponsorship & Housing Opportunities

There are a variety of housing options and scholarship opportunities available for incoming and current students. APU Nordic Elite Team athletes have the opportunity to live in the “Ski House” located on campus supporting the needs for housing alongside your teammates. APU student athletes also have the ability to stay in dormitories adjacent to the ski house. More information on housing options at APU can be found here. 

Alaska Pacific University provides a supportive learning structure and works with your schedule to allow for daily training and travel for racing as a competitive elite skier. From Managed Scholarships to Merit-Based Scholarships and Financial Aid, APU has the resources to support student athletes in need of financial assistance.  

Alongside APU’s scholarship and financial aid resources, APU Nordic Ski Center Provides 2 Managed Scholarships for Student Skiers

  1. Jim and Dee Mahaffey Endowed Ski Scholarship
  2. Marion Richter Ski Scholarship 

Please reference the 2020-2021 Alaska Pacific University Annual Report that reviews scholarships, stories from students and features APU Nordic Ski Center’s Hunter Wonders who received the Jim and Dee Mahaffey Ski Scholarship in 2021-2022.

We are Recruiting! Contact Us Today For Interest In The Elite Team 

APU Nordic Ski Center offers the ability for APU student athletes to train with the Elite Team! From Early Honors High School Seniors to those pursuing an Undergraduate or Graduate degree, there is opportunity to be a part of our ski center. If you would like to express your interest in becoming an APU Nordic Ski Center Elite Team Skier, please email nordic@alaskapacific.edu.

“The reason I chose to coach at APU is because it allows me to work with my athletes year-round.”

Erik Flora

Program Director and Head Coach

Kikkan Randall and Coach Erik Flora at the 2018 Olympics, in Pyeong Chang. Photo courtesy of Flying Point Road.

“I love studying at Alaska Pacific University because it has allowed me to simultaneously chase academic and athletic goals at the same time. Thank you for making it possible!”

Sadie Bjornsen

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Business Administration, class of 2015 and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, class of 2021

Elite Team

“It’s been a journey, with a lot of adventures along the way, but I’m looking forward to earning my business degree later this year!”

Kikkan Randall

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, class of 2021

Kikkan Randall in the Womens XC Relay at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“Thanks, APUNSC and Alaska Pacific University for giving me the chance to keep my brain sharp and follow my dreams all at once.”

Rosie Brennan

Master of Arts in Education, class of 2017

Elite Team