Can we make markers out of other materials or use a different design?
We welcome proposals to utilize new or existing types of winter trail markers. Please contact the Winter Trail team to share your ideas.
Can we stake markers into the ground?
Work that disturbs the ground requires additional environmental review. We recognize that staking markers into the ground is beneficial for keeping them from being knocked over by wind or wildlife. If staking markers into the ground is typically how your community places markers, let us know right away, so we can discuss including your requests in our environmental documentation.
Will this program pay for buying and repairing equipment, fuel for equipment, or marking a private trail?
This program is intended for marking winter trails openly used by all members of the public—not private trails. The program will pay for costs associated with marking the trails, including materials, basic operational expenses for the use of equipment to install the markers, and for time spent assembling and placing markers on the trail. It will not pay for equipment repair or the purchase of equipment used to mark trails. Please check the Multi-Use Trails program for eligible equipment purchases.
When will we get the funding?
The Winter Trail team will review applications as they are received, or at least quarterly. This means that it could take several months to receive an answer about whether or not your application will be funded. We are aware that there may be seasonal restrictions about when trail markers can be installed and DOT&PF will be sensitive to this when reviewing applications. Please also keep in mind that it may take several months after your application is approved and funded for marker materials to arrive in your community.
How much money can we ask for?
There is no cap on the amount of funding each applicant can receive, although the budget for each application will be thoroughly reviewed by the Winter Trail team to ensure it is reasonable.
Can we ask that a trail NOT be marked?
The purpose of this program is to mark trails to improve safety, not to prevent or remove trail markers.
We don’t own a SPOT or a Garmin GPS. How can we record GPS coordinates on the trail?
There are many options to record GPS coordinates on your trail, including free cell phone apps. When the time comes for you to mark the trail, the Winter Trail team will help guide you through your options.
When is the application due?
We accept applications throughout the year, so please submit your application at any time.
How can we mark water crossings or river and sea ice trails?
The standard winter trail marker described in the Program Guide cannot be placed on frozen water crossings like lakes or rivers, or along frozen waterway trails on rivers or sea ice. We recognize, however, that marking these areas can increase safety at potentially hazardous locations. Markers made of organic materials, such as willow branches, are acceptable in these locations and the funding from this program can pay for costs associated with creating and placing these alternative markers. We encourage you to contact the Winter Trail team about any alternative designs.
Can we use this funding to build an ice or snow road?
No, funding from this program cannot be used to build ice or snow roads. These funds are intended to be used only for marking established winter trails. Ice or snow roads constructed by water trucks and heavy machinery do not fit into the scope of this grant program.
DOT&PF does have a separate ice road program that you can get more information about here: https://dot.alaska.gov/atlas/iceroads/ and a snowmachine trail grant program here: https://dot.alaska.gov/atlas/snowmachine/.