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 Farmington Area Ski Team (FAST) coach, Tony Ramsey.
Your connections to NENSA and years involved?
Tony Ramsey (TR): Parent of skiers, later a coach, from the 2002 BKL Festival on. I try to get as many of the youngsters I coach as I can, to attend the Festival every year. Although our team competes in the Maine Junior Ski League, the Festival is always a highlight for everyone who participates.
What has skiing in New England meant to your life or your community?
TR: Coaching has been the best! Fred Griffin gave a clinic session about 20 years ago where he stated, “it’s not enough to be better than your athletes… you have to be working on your OWN game, too!” This has been the core of my coaching, especially as I came to skiing late (in my 20’s) and missed a lot of the rapid early-age learning that I see happen in the young skiers every year. In the early spring I am the fittest of any time of year, and while enjoying longer days and the warmth of spring, lament the loss of good daily skiing.
Can you share a moment that embodies the spirit of New England skiing?
TR: Skiing is JOY. Happy kids being outside and active in winter… Quarry Road hosts a relay race every February that we attend, dressed Hawaiian and whatever other costume quirks pop up. The joy is in being goofy together more than any results could give.
What does NENSA mean to you?
TR: Winter Friends! People I rarely see for 9 months of the year, we catch up as we cross paths on the trails, ski together, or meet in the lodge.
We want to hear from you! Send in your NENSA 30th reflections using this form HERE.
