Ski Now: A Race to Save Windblown Nordic Ski Center

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

To the Editor:

Many of us recall the ice storm in December 2008 as a time of darkness and cold, waiting for electricity to be restored. Al and Irene Jenks woke not only to darkness but to the devastation that Mother Nature had strewn across their home and business. The Jenks family has spent their lives creating and maintaining the Windblown Ski Center in New Ipswich. With most of the 350 acres now cleared of fallen trees, the couple, who are nearing retirement age, are in the process of selling Windblown.

On Saturday, Feb. 20, I will be hosting Ski Now: A Race to Save Windblown. The race will benefit the Central New England Nordic Council, an organization working to purchase the ski center from the Jenks family.

As a member of the Souhegan High School Nordic Ski Team, I have spent many hours training at Windblown. It is my goal to raise money and awareness for CNENC. If CNENC is not successful in purchasing Windblown, it will become just another housing development. It is my hope that Windblown can continue on as a Nordic ski center to be enjoyed for many generations.

CNENC is a nonprofit group formed to preserve Windblown. The group is made up of casual skiers and hardcore racers. Their goal is to raise $3 million in order to purchase the property. They plan to create world class racing trails, a biathlon range and a snow-making system. Along with the upgrades, they will continue to make Windblown a place where the casual skier feels at home.

In order to register for the Ski Now: A Race To Save Windblown visit skireg.com. This is a classic race geared toward skiers of all levels and ages. Prizes will be given out to the top skiers in each category.

SAM LOWELL

Amherst