NENSA News

NENSA is excited to be offering two versions of XC Ski Bingo for the 2023-24 season! This will be the fourth year of Youth XC Ski Bingo  for anyone UNDER 14 years of age, and the second year of Junior & Adult Bingo  for people 14 and OLDER! The goal of this virtual game is to help inspire people of all ages and skill levels to get outside, enjoy the winter world on skis, engage with others who also like to ski, and explore new places.

Every player who completes Bingo gets a rainbow NENSA sticker and each Bingo line completed gets players a raffle entry. At the end of  every month we will raffle off some fun items from our sponsors!

New this year, NENSA will be honoring the youth Club with the highest level of participation with a special shoutout at the conclusion of the season! Read on for more info and get playing!

Youth XC Ski Bingo

For skiers UNDER 14 years of age! Download and print your own Youth XC Ski Bingo Card HERE and be sure to fill out the BINGO ENTRY FORM when you finish. Activity descriptions included in the Bingo card download.

Rules of the Game:

1. Must be under 14 years of age to play. Game runs from December 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
2. Get “Bingo” by completing the activities and skiing in the states in a full row, column, or diagonal.
3. Mark your Bingo card as you complete squares. Remember to take at least one activity photo or a picture of you where you skied!
4. Fill out the XC Ski Bingo entry form HERE! You’ll include your activity or ski location photo and a picture of your marked Bingo card.
5. Get outside and HAVE FUN!!!
6. Direct any questions to [email protected].

Junior & Adult XC Ski Bingo

For skiers 14 and OLDER! Download and print your own Junior & Adult 2022-23 Bingo Card HERE and be sure to fill out the BINGO ENTRY FORM when you finish. Activity descriptions included in the Bingo card download.

Rules of the Game:

1. Must be 14 years of age or older to play. Game runs from December 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
2. Get “Bingo” by completing the activities and skiing in the states in a full row, column, or diagonal.
3. Mark your Bingo card as you complete squares. Remember to take at least one activity photo or a picture of you where you skied!
4. Fill out the XC Ski Bingo entry form HERE! You’ll include your activity or ski location photo and a picture of your marked Bingo card.
5. Get outside and HAVE FUN!!!
6. Direct any questions to [email protected].

NENSA is pleased to share that our Annual Fall Event Organizer & TD Seminar will be hosted by the Holderness School this weekend (December 2 & 3).  Plymouth, NH is only a few minutes away from campus and should provide plenty of opportunities for housing options.  Click HERE for registration information on this year’s seminar. We have lots of talks/conversations and hands-on activities to help us all become better event organizers and officials!

Venues that are hosting an Eastern Cup, the Bill Koch Festival, U16s or Eastern High School Championships are required to send their Chief of Competition and one other representative (ideally the Race Secretary). Popular Series/Zak Cup/Club Cup hosts are not required to attend, but are strongly encouraged. Coaches are also encouraged to join and learn about the latest changes that impact them and their athletes as well growing relationships with event organizers and TDs.  Each year we strive to add more meaningful subject matter and activities to the seminar.  Topics range from event setup & procedures to rules updates.  Highlights of the seminar include group work activities to build knowledge and better race jury relationships as well as video review of rules infractions from the previous season, and networking opportunities.  

Here is the event agenda for those wanting a little more detail.

Here is the link for event registration (note the registration deadline is Friday 12/1 at 5:00pm):

https://www.skireg.com/nensa-fall-eo-td-seminar

Many of our teams are now on snow and we are about to have our first official race of the season Sunday (Quarry Road Opener) followed closely by the Roy Varney Memorial – Quarry Road Eastern Cup Opener December 16th -17th.

If you are interested in being a part of the New England Junior National staff — hosted in our home region in Lake Placid — March 11th – 16th please read more here!

If you are interested in supporting International Projects please read below.

Call For Coaches: 2024 World Junior & U23 Championships

• PRE CAMP: TOBLACH, ITALY (Jan 24-31)
• World Junior/U23 Ski Championships in PLANICA, SLOVENIA (Feb 1-11)

Apply for ANY positions that you are interested in by December 1, 2023.

The U.S. Ski Team is seeking coaches for our upcoming 2024 World Junior & U23 Championship Team. The team will be led by U.S. Ski Team Development Coach, Greta Anderson. Each position filled will provide valuable experience to individuals, clubs, and our developing ski nation. A goal of our National Team is to include a diverse selection of coaches on our project staffs; experience and a willingness to learn in a fast-paced team environment are paramount. We are seeking ski technicians, medical/PT support, coaches, and a Director of Service.

The desired applicants should be comfortable, clear, and effective in communicating regularly with athletes age 16–23, and be willing to work in roles which may include team meetings, group activities, transporting athletes, orchestrating training sessions, mentoring athletes, and working in cooperation with other staff members. All applicants must be current licensed U.S. Ski & Snowboard coaches with a minimum Level 100 coach’s certification. Attendance at prior U.S. Ski Team Development projects, i.e., local REG camps, is strongly encouraged. 

Applicants should send a brief résumé, along with the specific projects they are interested in and available for, to Greta Anderson, greta.anderson (at) usskiandsnowboard.org, by or before December 1, 2023. If you have questions related to specific development projects, you may call Greta at +1 907-244-7389. 

We will have positions staffed at a later date for our U18 Scando Trip & OPA Finals (Prémanon, France). Contact Greta if you are interested in staffing the U18 Scando Trip. 

EVENT WEBSITE: https://www.planica.si/skoki/msp

FIS RACES INDEX: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=CC&eventid=53968&seasoncode=2024

NENSA’s annual Winter Auction is LIVE and features over 150 items. Check out all of the wonderful offerings…art and handcrafted items, vacation rentals, special experiences, delicious treats, ski gear, clothing, and accessories…and watch for new arrivals. There is something special for everyone and we would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters for their generous contributions.

Funds raised in NENSA’s annual auction are crucial for advancing our mission and directly support daily operations beyond what membership and entry fees cover.

The auction runs for two weeks only through December 3. Please keep an eye on the site for new items and thank you for supporting NENSA!

NENSA is thrilled to be collaborating with WinterKids on their Welcome to Winter event on December 28th at Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn, ME! WinterKids helps children develop healthy lifelong habits through education and fun, outdoor winter activity by creating opportunities for children to be active, vibrant and healthy in the outdoors. Their Welcome to Winter event is an annual celebration of fun ways to stay active in winter. Originally created to welcome new Mainers to winter, the event has expanded to allow all members of the community to come and try out healthy ways to remain active outdoors during the winter months. This free event offers a chance to try snowshoeing, cross country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snow sculpting, and more while enjoying hot chocolate and s’mores. There will also be fun “out-DOOR” prizes, and a sled giveaway.

NENSA will be heading up the cross-country ski station so be sure to stop by, say hi, and giving skiing a try! Learn more HERE.