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Greetings NENSA Community,
As we continue to capture and share stories from NENSA’s 30-year history, I’m especially appreciative of the volunteer spirit that defines our community. NENSA was built on that tradition and our region continues to thrive because of it. Today we’re thrilled to celebrate Caroline Mathes and recognize two decades of dedicated service to the Central Maine and Quarry Road community. In the spirit of Chummy, Caroline has created opportunities for countless New England kids and helped nurture a vibrant local ski community. Please read the full story below and join us in thanking and celebrating her many lasting contributions in Maine and far beyond. Thank you, Caroline!
In that same spirit, we’re excited for our first NENSA Community Day of 2025 on Friday, July 18 at Oak Hill Outdoor Center in Hanover. Like good wax, a strong ski community is built in layers - youth energy, parent support, masters’ passion, and coaches’ expertise. That’s what #skiingbettertogether is all about! Whatever your role or program affiliation, we'd love to have you join us. We’ll leave better fed, more connected, and more excited for ski season. I personally hope to see you!
All my best,
Heidi
Heidi Lange
Executive Director
New England Nordic Ski Association
heidi@nensa.net
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In this week’s Kickzone
Job Openings
Partnership Corner
In the News
| | NENSA News From the Field | | Caroline Mathes Receives 2025 Chummy Broomhall Award | | |
The Chummy Broomhall Award is given out every year to a volunteer who embodies the ethos of Chummy who was the Chisholm Ski Club leader for 70 plus years, a two-time Olympian, and builder of the Olympic race courses for Palisades Tahoe, Lake Placid, and Black Mountain. He embodied the spirit of being a volunteer generously giving his time and energy to generations of skiers. It is in this spirit that this award be in his honor for the unsung heroes of ski racing.
We are excited to share that Caroline Mathes of the Quarry Road Ski Club is the winner of the 2025 Chummy Broomhall Award.
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James Underwood and Lea Perreard Win Mike Gallagher Award
Each year, NENSA recognizes our Eastern Cup (EC) Series Champions with the Mike Gallagher award. The award recognizes consistent excellence in the East’s premier race series, with skiers scored on 7 of 8 EC races. The award is named in honor of the late, great Mike Gallagher, who at various points in his life in nordic skiing served as a three-time US Olympian, US Ski Team and US Olympic Coach, a High School Coach, and always, a Vermonter and Champion of New England skiing.
We're thrilled to share that this year's award winners are James Underwood and Lea Perreard.
| | THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD SPONSORS | | NENSA Community Day at Ford Sayre | | |
Whether you’re a BKL skier, a curious newcomer, a parent, a coach or a masters athlete, this Friday, July 18th is your chance to come together with the ski community for an afternoon of movement, learning, and fun.
This event includes:
- a NENSA Coaches Rollerski Clinic;
- an adult and junior skier Community Group Trail Run;
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Youth Activity Stations featuring rollerski games, biathlon, and ski jumping;
- a Community BBQ dinner;
- and a talk about Opportunities After the BKL.
We hope to see you there!
| | THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER SPONSORS | | Skiers on 30 Years of NENSA: Project | | |
30 years into NENSA, John Caldwell’s voice crying out in the wilderness is now a community which makes the wilderness its gathering spot and home. On the occasion of our 30th anniversary, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the pieces which have powered that transformation. The racers, organizers, coaches, innovators, leaders, and above all, skiers, which have made NENSA a dream which extends far into, and beyond, the New England winter woods.
Each week, we’ll feature a member of the New England ski community reflecting on what NENSA has meant to them and their journey in the sport of cross country skiing.
We want to hear from you!
Read more and find a collection form at the link below:
| | THANK YOU TO OUR BRONZE SPONSORS | | |
Assistant Coach of Nordic Skiing
Williams College, a Division III institution and member of the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) and New England Small College Athletics Conference (NESCAC), is seeking applicants for the position of Assistant Nordic Ski Coach. This is a 40 hour per week, 10-month position with a full meal plan and a benefit package spread over 12 months, and also provides full tuition-remission of graduate school after six months of employment. Full job description and application instructions here.
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Graduate Assistant Coach for Men’s & Women’s Nordic Ski
St. Lawrence University is currently seeking applicants for a Graduate Assistant Coach for Men’s & Women’s Nordic Ski to begin Fall 2025. This 9-month position (August to May) is targeted toward graduate students seeking a master’s degree. Remuneration includes a very competitive coaching stipend, student health insurance, and eligibility for tuition remission (6 graduate classes per year in the University’s graduate program). St Lawrence offers a Master of Arts in Leadership. Full job description and application instructions here.
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Why Choose Alpina Sports Summer Roller Ski Boots Over Winter XC Boots?
NENSA Sponsor, Alpina Sports, recently shared some helpful information with us about rollerski boots, contrasting them to winter ski boots.
"When the snow melts but your passion for skiing doesn’t, roller skiing becomes the perfect off-season training solution. But before you strap into your winter cross-country ski boots and hit the pavement, consider this: Alpina Sports summer roller ski boots are purposely built for warm-weather performance—and they offer serious advantages over their winter counterparts."
To read the full boot comparison, and apply to Alpina's Pro Program for 60% off MSRP, visit the Membership Portal and click on the Member Benefits tab.
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Last Call for DublinXC's Nordic Summer Camp!
August 13 - 16, 2025 (final call - 5 spots left)
Join DublinXC for a training camp that covers all aspects of dryland training for nordic skiing and will prepare you to be the best skier you can be next winter. Dublin's camp has a reputation for its perfect balance of hard work and fun, and is for skiers in grades 6-12.
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Red Elephant Racing:
Park City Fall Camp for Masters
September 14 - 19, 2025
Join Red Elephant Racing for rollerskiing at Soldier Hollow and Park City trail running and riding. This is an inclusive camp that balances volume and technique refinement to set you up for the remainder of your fall training. The camp will be supported by a massage therapist and wholesome meals, both taken in, and out.
Red Elephant has extended 10% off the purchase of one camp and/or a free initial coaching consultation and 15% off the first three months of coaching services to all NENSA members. Learn more through the NENSA Membership Portal under the Benefits tab.
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L.L. Bean Summer in the Park:
Outdoor Adventure Film Series
Every Sunday through Aug 31 in Discovery Park
Starts at 7pm (food trucks serving from 11am-7pm)
L.L. Bean is hosting a summer film series at Discovery Park in Freeport, Maine, and this Sunday's film, "End to End: Svalbard", features a whole lot of cross country skiing in the Arctic. Learn more about this film and all the films in the series here.
Please note some films contain mature themes and may not be suitable for all viewers. Recommended for ages 13+.
| | Scenes from the NENSA Community | | |
US Ski Team Announces XC Team for Period 1 of 2025-26 World Cup Season
June 27, 2025 | by Matthew Voisin, FasterSkier
The US Ski Team announces XC Team for Ruka, Trondheim, and Davos World Cups for the 2025-26 season.
Read the press release here.
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New England Nordic Ski Association
P.O. Box 97
Lyme, NH 03768
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