Getting Started with NENSA
We’re glad you’re here!
Founded in 1995, we’re a nonprofit member-supported service organization fostering a vibrant ski community through educational, recreational, and competitive opportunities for skiers of all ages and abilities. From youth programs like the New England Bill Koch League (BKL) and Nordic Rocks to community events such as Women’s XC Ski Day and the Popular Series, we create inclusive, fun environments that inspire a lifelong passion for the sport. We also steward a robust competitive ecosystem, featuring events like the Eastern Cup, the largest Junior National qualifying series in the U.S., and regional training camps for athletes at all stages of development. With over 60 member clubs and more than 9,000 event and program participants, we are proud to be at the forefront of Nordic skiing in New England, empowering lifelong learning, development, and community-building.
Below, you’ll find resources and suggestions for getting involved with NENSA and the New England ski community.
Become a Member
Become a member and get news, resources, and offers delivered right to your inbox! Being a NENSA member means being a part of a passionate community that supports, grows, and celebrates cross-country skiing in New England. Membership provides access to discounted event entries, exclusive sponsor offers, educational resources, athlete development opportunities, and club and youth program support – all while helping NENSA expand year-round programs and grow a vibrant, inclusive ski community for all. Learn more about membership and associated benefits here.
Find a Club Near You
NENSA clubs not only teach people to ski, they also build community, provide volunteer opportunities, and bring joy and meaning to the lives of their members.
A number of NENSA clubs offer weekly ongoing community race opportunities throughout the season. Often as grassroots (but snow covered) as it gets, these are excellent opportunities to explore the true shared community joy of racing! From Tuesday Night races in Boston to “Wednesday Night Worlds” near Burlington, VT, you can find a weekly race series near you here.
Participate at a Local Event
Whether you’re looking to build confidence, refine your technique, or connect with other skiers, local events are a great place to start. Collectively with our member clubs, we offer a wide variety of events from technique clinics and a recreational tour to marathon races and a relay.
Women’s XC Ski Day
One of the highlights of the season is Women’s XC Ski Day, our marquee technique clinic event. Designed to inspire skiers of all abilities, Women’s Day brings together experienced coaches and a supportive community for a day of learning and fun on snow. Whether you’re looking to improve your technique or meet new ski partners, Women’s Day is an opportunity to grow your skills while deepening your connection to the Nordic community.
NENSA Community Events
NENSA’s Community Races & Events Calendar features races, a tour, marathons, clinics, a skiathlon, paintball biathlon, a terrain challenge, sprints, and more! All across New England, you’ll find fun, welcoming, and unique opportunities for skiers of every age and experience level.
Check out the NENSA Community Races & Events Calendar to discover opportunities near you and start planning your next ski adventure.
Volunteer
It is a common understanding that one of the best ways to learn something is to teach others. As physicist Richard Feynman famously said, “If you want to master something, teach it. The more you teach, the better you learn.” You don’t need to be an expert skier to teach and have fun with kids. When you volunteer to coach kids, you also get exposed to the perspectives and experience of other coaches, which enhances your own learning. Collectively, everyone wins. Find a NENSA club near you to get involved.
Helping out at events is another great way to immerse yourself in the New England Nordic ski scene. Every event organizer we know would love an extra set of hands to help hand out race bibs, monitor the course, set out refreshments, and cheer on finishers. Find an event near you on our calendar and reach out to the organizer.
