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 lifelong skier, athlete, and Bivo co-founder, Carina Hamel.
Your connections to NENSA and years involved?
Carina Hamel (CH): I grew up in the Bill Koch program in Western Massachusetts at Hickory Hill, where my parents started a local chapter for my older sister, Mariah, so she could find more friends to ski with. What began as a small effort quickly grew into a program of nearly 350 kids, fueled by an incredible group of parent volunteers who made skiing fun for everyone. I stayed connected to the NENSA community throughout my ski career and deeply value the childhood it gave me.
What has skiing in New England meant to your life or your community?
CH: Skiing in New England shaped who I am. Some of my best memories are from those early days racing and playing on the trails with friends from across the region. The community taught me the value of perseverance, connection, and joy in the outdoors. These are lessons that have stayed with me long beyond my racing years and are now something I am excited and proud to pass along to my kids as well.
Can you share a moment that embodies the spirit of New England skiing?
CH: I distinctly remember a run we did with our ski club when I was around 13 years old – the Seven Sisters in Western Massachusetts. We had a huge group of kids, ranging in age but all welcoming and ready for an adventure. The Seven Sisters is a popular route, but people typically stop on the eastern side of the Connecticut River. Not us. We had plans to cross the river (no, there was not a bridge to run over) and finish our day by running Mt Tom on the other side. So the river…. It’s not small. It would be a solid swim. We didn’t have canoes stashed, and we knew it wasn’t safe for such a large group to swim across without support. The plan? Ask for a ride. The river is a popular boating area and we figured someone would be willing to take us across.
I was young enough to not think this was that big of a deal, but looking back, I laugh at my dad, who was our coach and master planner of this activity. And I laugh at all the parents who knew the “plan” and just accepted that their kid would eventually end up on the other side. And we did just that. We found a guy, clearly not into running or hiking himself, yet ultimately impressed by the route and our adventure. He was beyond happy to take us to the other side. We hopped in, enjoyed the breeze and the break from being on our feet. Jumping out on the other side, we laughed and kept going.
My childhood was filled with days like this. Full days out with a whole bunch of kids cross country skiing, only to come in for some quick snacks before heading back out to play on the snow mounds and race down hills. We skied down the back side of Wild Cat Mountain in NH, breaking skis and losing poles in the powder. I just remember smiling and thinking it was so cool to be out with my friends. Sure, I raced, but my big memories from sport growing up aren’t from my race days. They were from my adventures.
What does NENSA mean to you?
CH: To me, NENSA has always meant a community of adventure and camaraderie, where childhood days were filled with laughter, exploration, and the joy of sharing the trails with friends and supportive families.
We want to hear from you! Send in your NENSA 30th reflections using this form HERE.
