The International Ski Federation, commonly known as FIS due to its name in French (Fédération Internationale de Ski), holds elite snowsport competitions around the globe. This year, it sponsors only one ski race in the United States under the lights. And what would the venue be for such a prestigious event? Steamboat? Alta? No. FIS chose a little gem of a facility in New Hampshire: Proctor Ski Area.



Close to two hundred racers, including collegians from Dartmouth, Middlebury, Williams, Colby, and University of New Hampshire came to the Blackwater River Valley Monday, and donned Proctor bibs to race with the region's most elite high school skiers, including our own. 



How did this happen? Why did this august organization choose a little ski venue on the north slope of Patterson Hill in Andover...far from a condominium, chairlift or ski shop?






One answer is that the ski racing world has been noticing the steady improvement to the facility over years and years. Improvements that have accelerated in recent years due--in part--to the relationship between Head of School Mike Henriques (below, right) and Hill Manager Garry George '78.



Garry's dedication to the hill is truly inspirational, and the school has invested in recent upgrades to lighting, snow making and grooming equipment. This year, we extended the men's race course by moving the start gate 100 feet uphill, thereby achieving compliance with FIS standards. People notice such things.



But there is another reason why this elegant little venue has drawn international attention. Proctor Ski Area is private; its purpose is clear and unambiguous. Every person at the hill Monday was there for a FIS race. No lines at the lift; no children straying across the course; no tavern service. Race organizers, gate monitors, timers and ski patrol brought the same focus and standard for excellence as the athletes. Proctor Ski Area may not have the vertical drop of immense commercial operations, but--in its own way--it is just as fine, or superior.



Fifty years ago, this shady slope was nothing but oak, maple and pine clinging to granite ledge. But people had a vision, and that vision grew. On Monday, Proctor Ski Area was not just the center of New Hampshire. For ski racers, it was the center of the universe.