Rob Merrifield, Head Coach
John Padden, Assistant

The 2011-2012 ski team season runs from January through early March.

Over Christmas vacation, Coaches Rob Merrifield and John Padden will be taking a number of team members to a New England ski area for some preseason training in preparation for races in January. Upon their return to campus on January 3, they will resume training at Shawnee Mountain in preparation for their first league giant slalom race on January 11th against the other schools in their league. Races are held at Hidden Valley ski area on Wednesday evenings beginning at 5:00.

Dear Ski Team Candidate,
The Blair ski team competes against other private schools such as the Morristown-Beard School, Pingry, Don Bosco Prep, Immaculate Heart Academy, Depaul, Delbarton, and Mt. Lakes High School. In this mostly private school league, Blair typically places first or second and has made strong showings against the top public schools in the NJ State Championships.

How good are the skiers who try out for the team?
Recently, most team members have had six-eight years of skiing experience at many New England ski areas before coming to Blair. Although only a third of these skiers have had prior racing experience, all candidates must be able to aggressively ski nearly any trail on any mountain under nearly any condition.

How many people comprise the Blair Ski Team?
First of all, both boys and girls are eligible and train together. There are separate boys and girl's races held on the same night. The Varsity and Junior Varsity teams each consist of six racers.

What is preseason training like?
Preseason training begins immediately after the conclusion of the fall athletic season, usually two weeks before Thanksgiving. Practices generally last about 1.5 hours and consist of stretching exercises, a warm up jog of 1 mile, hill and/or slalom runs, leg strength exercises, calisthenics, and a stretch down. For variety we sometimes play soccer or ultimate frisbee.

What is the on-snow season like?
Our season runs from the beginning of January to the end of February. During that time we compete in three Prep League slalom races, three giant slalom races, one or two invitational races, and the NJ State Championship. During a typical week we will practice on Monday and Friday afternoons at Shawnee Mt. (PA) with 100 - 200 gates each day, use Tuesday afternoon to file and wax skis, race on Wednesday night at 5:00 at Hidden Valley, and watch ski racing videos on Thursday afternoon.

Doesn’t this schedule take a lot of time away from schoolwork?
Yes, it certainly could and each candidate must be fully aware of this from the beginning of the season. During the season you must be very careful to budget your time effectively and work ahead on weekends and days when we do not ski.

What does each team member need to provide?
You will need your own racing skis, boots, poles, clothing, helmet, and file and wax kit. Although the school will provide coaching, transportation, and race fees, you will still need to pay for lift tickets (about $400 - $500).

Who are the coaches?
I skied competitively for four years in high school and four years for St. Lawrence University, a Division I ski team. I've been head coach at Blair since 1981. My other responsibilities at Blair include teaching Biology and Environmental Science as well as serving as the co-chair of the Sustainability Committee.

John Padden grew up in a skiing family and begin racing as a child at Shawnee Mt. As a college student, he competed at the collegiate level for Rutgers. At Blair, John is a member of the Math Department.

If you have any questions regarding the Blair Ski Team please feel free to talk with me during a campus visit, write, call me at (908) 362 - 6121 x5668 or e-mail me at merrir@blair.edu.  

Rob Merrifield

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