Ivar Skarland

A native of Norway, Ivar Skarland was once "an icon" on campus, well-known by almost everyone, and he played a major role in the development of ski trails on campus. The trail system which bears his name also extends up Ballaine Hill north of the campus.

Ivar attended UAF from 1931 to 1935, and went on to obtain his doctorate in anthropology at Harvard. He then returned to teach at UAF until his death in 1965.

Ivar's endurance and athletic ability were legendary. Newly arrived in the Interior in 1930, he wanted to see the backcountry of Denali Park. Grant Pearson, a park ranger at the time, agreed to a friend's request to take Skarland on a trip to Eielson cabin, 60 miles into the park. Pearson met his charge at the train, dismayed at what he saw. Instead of snowshoes, which were customary in those days, Skarland clutched what Pearson described as "some long skinny things." Despite Grant's doubts, off they went. Before long, Skarland's long, graceful strides overtook the Pearson's dog team.

Once they arrived, Skarland, in his thick Norwegian accent, tried to explain to Pearson that he needed "to catch the train at the park entrance tomorrow" for College; that he wanted to go to school. Pearson, skeptical that he understood correctly, tried to dissuade him. But it didn't phase Ivar. Having skied 60 miles in one day on "his boards" , he skied out the next. He was in a hurry. He had to get to school!

--adapted from Jane Parrish,

Respecting Our Routes, a History of the UAF Trails, 1997

1899 - 1965
Arts and Letters Major
UAF Class of 1935
~~~
Anthopology Professor at UAF
1942 - 1965

Photos from the UAF yearbook,
Denali, 1934 and 1935