The 23rd edition of NENSA Women’s XC Ski Day has come and gone, and what a fantastic event it was! We are very thankful to Inland Woods + Trails for hosting the event in Bethel, Maine this year as well as welcoming 190 participants, 26 instructors, NENSA staff members (past and present!) and some of our wonderful Women-led sponsors for a day on their trails. We also want to thank the NENSA Women’s Committee for their continued support to pull off this event every year.
For those who are not familiar or have not attended a Women’s Day event in the past: Women’s XC Ski Day was started in 2002 by Olympian Trina Hosmer of Stowe, VT. Trina was inspired by her “Sisters in Skiing” in Anchorage, Alaska, who started the Alaska Ski for Women in 1997. Like the Alaskans’ original event, Women’s XC Ski Day chooses a non-profit women’s organization to benefit, and gathers as many participants as it can for a day of cross country skiing which includes lunch and a raffle. The highlight of the day is learn-to-ski clinics with women instructors; the emphasis being on relaxed, fun learning in a supportive and encouraging environment. All ability, skill, and experience levels are welcome.
This year, there were 9 different clinic offerings for both classic and skate technique, based on the ability level and experience of clinic attendees. For some, there were also guided group tours offered. Each and every year, we cannot help but feel enormous gratitude for our group of clinic instructors who volunteer their time to attend this event and share both their expertise and passion for the sport with others. #SkiingBetterTogether
Once the morning clinics had concluded, participants gathered in the Event Center for a tasty lunch and a presentation by Molly Peters’ on her fight for Equal Distance Racing in both Cross-Country Skiing as well as NCAA Cross-Country running, which was concluded with a message about why advocacy matters. Fun fact: Molly was able to start the equal distance movement right here in Vermont and eventually influenced change at the highest level of Cross-Country skiing, FIS World Cups and the last Winter Olympics.
In the afternoon, participants went back out onto the trails and had the opportunity to keep working on new skills, try a new skill out, or participate in a guided tour. The concluding activity of the day was fundraising and event raffles while everyone enjoyed some cheddar from Cabot and Cold Hollow Cider. This year’s benefit organization was Safe Voices, whose work focuses on support for domestic violence victims in Western Maine. This year, Inland Woods + Trails was able to put together not one, but three goodie bags full to the brim of prizes from local Women-owned businesses in Maine. Thank you again to Inland Woods + Trails for all your work in putting these gift bags together.
We are very grateful to the following NENSA sponsors for the ongoing support of this event – L.L.Bean, Swix, Salomon, Fischer, Nordic Skater, and Skida. A thank you to MadHippie, who graciously sent us product samples for all of the participants and instructors. A specific shoutout to Fischer, Salomon, Rossignol, Skida, BirdeBlue, Bivo, and Paradis Sport who were present in-person with product for participants to demo and/or purchase.
And finally, thank you to all who attended this year’s event, we hope to see you again!
Video Recap | Photo Album (Midge Eliassen photos) | NENSA Photos | Molly Peters Lunchtime Presentation
