NENSA is celebrating our 30th anniversary in 2025. As part of the occasion, we’re gathering reflections from skiers across New England on the people, moments, and values which have defined the NENSA community. This week, we are featuring JacksonXC Executive Director and NENSA Board President, Ellen Chandler.
Your connections to NENSA and years involved?
Ellen Chandler (EC): Longtime skier, raced as a youth (pre-NENSA), joined NENSA as a masters skier about 10 years after it started (early “oughts”); and now active board member.
What has skiing in New England meant to your life?
EC: XC skiing is a one of the few constants in my life; it made high school fun and college do-able; there is nothing like gliding on snow!
Can you share a moment that embodies the spirit of New England skiing?
EC: Watching my mother, who clearly absorbed a lot of the coaching she brought my brother and me to, glide around the trails at JacksonXC at 90 years old. Miss you Mom.
Memory of riding back from a ski race behind Akers Ski Shop in Andover, Maine; with my Dad at the wheel of our Le Car, and my friend/fellow competitor Amy Patenaude, on a ridiculously cold day in something like 1977. Car gets a flat tire; my lawyer-Dad and I have no idea… while we were studying the manual Amy changes the tire. Miss you Dad!
Amy and I are still skiing together!
What does NENSA mean to you?
EC: Thank you NENSA for pulling all the threads together so we can have events, create gateways to and endless opportunities in xc skiing.
Amy Patenaude was featured last week and you can read her profile here.
We want to hear from you! Send in your NENSA 30th reflections using this form HERE.
