The Panhandle Nordic Club is putting on a poker race, but in no way is it a gamble.

“We can’t condone any kind of gambling,” said Donna Harvey, a Nordic club member and former skier.

The club hosts an annual fundraising race to provide equipment and resources for grooming and maintaining amenities on cross country trails along Fourth of July Pass.

“We’re trying to save money for another snow groomer,” Harvey said.

The Best Hand Fun Ski race will open at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 7 to coincide with the Idaho free skiing day. Skiers and snowshoers who attend the race can park at the ski and snowshoe park for free, without the need for a day pass. Idaho Park ‘n’ Ski passes are normally required to use cross country trails and cost $25 from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

The race will start at 11 a.m. at the Fourth of July Pass Winter Sport area, where participants can make a cash-only donation and are given one card. Skiers or snowshoers then follow the trail to checkpoint stations, where they’re given additional cards. After gathering all station cards, participants return to the base station to see who has the best cards.

Common poker rankings are used to determine the best hands for prizes. For example, a full house beats two pairs, etc. Prizes were donated to the club by local businesses and club members.

“If you are not familiar with the Panhandle Nordic Club, we are a nonprofit, volunteer group that grooms trails and maintains warming huts for cross country skiing and snowshoeing on the National Forest south of I-90 at Fourth of July Pass,” said Don Garringer, president of the Panhandle Nordic Club. “We maintain the trails at Fourth of July Pass in cooperation with federal and state agencies.”

Donations from the Best Hand Fun Ski are used by the club to cover costs of maintaining trails.

“Fourth of July ski area accommodates all different sports, such as skiing, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking, anything,” Harvey said. “From about November through April they do ski stuff, and April through November they do hikes, canoeing and bike rides, and things like that.”

Nordic Club members are typically people who use the trails along Fourth of July Pass and want to maintain the routes for the best experience.

“All the club members just volunteer for whatever’s needed,” Harvey said. “The club people step up.”

Panhandle Nordic Club meetings start at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, from November through April in the United Methodist Church on Hanley Road.