In “Cross-Country Skiing Today,” (1977) NENSA Founder John Caldwell invoked his alma mater Dartmouth College’s motto, “A voice crying out in the wilderness,” to describe his mission towards cross-country skiing. Caldwell also wrote that he had worked hard to “whittle-down the number of topics essential to total enjoyment of the sport, and worked down to 13, corresponding to the chapters [in this book.]” Nordic skiing then, as simple as “1) the cross-country revolution (new fiberglass skis); 2) Equipment, 3) Care of Equipment, 4) What to wear, 5) Prominent Tourers and racers in North America, 6) Ski technique, 7) Cross country skiing for the handicapped [adaptive] 8) Cross country skiing for children, 9) Waxing, 10) Year-round training, 11) Regional variations in touring, 12) All-day expeditions, and 13) Putting on races.”
Fifty years on from Caldwell’s extensive catalogue, it’s clear that his aims weren’t just capricious, but total. The organization he helped create in 1995, the New England Nordic Ski Association, NENSA, was founded to not just encompass, but bind, the disparate expertise around New England skiing into a cohesive community. The guiding principle of NENSA in 1995 is the guiding principle of NENSA now. We ski better, together.
30 years into NENSA, John Caldwell’s voice crying out in the wilderness is now a community which makes the wilderness its gathering spot and home. On the occasion of our 30th anniversary, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the pieces which have powered that transformation. The racers, organizers, coaches, innovators, leaders, and above all, skiers, which have made NENSA a dream which extends far into, and beyond, the New England winter woods.
