For the last several years, the Northampton boys and girls alpine ski team has been chasing after Mohawk Trail for first place in the PVIAC League North. The Warriors are the cream of the crop when it comes to skiing in the area, and the Blue Devils are seemingly always right behind them year in and year out.

And according to Northampton head coach Jim Mahoney, his teams are hoping 2025 is the year they can finally get over the hump. A season ago, the Blue Devils girls team finished second behind Mohawk Trail, and the boys team came in third as it was narrowly edged out by Longmeadow for second – the Warriors again taking first. Mohawk Trail’s girls team has won two of the last three state titles, so the Blue Devils know they have their hands full.

Whether or not Northampton ultimately chases the Warriors down won’t define if its season is a success. Mahoney has a plethora of talented skiers, and he’s ready for another fun season — one that will be his final as head coach.

The first PVIAC alpine skiing meet of the season is set for Thursday night at Berkshire East.

“We are hoping for a strong season for both the boys and the girls in our division,” Mahoney said. “We have Mohawk Trail in our division, which is always very tough. I feel like we've done really well based on what we have to work with and we have some really strong skiers. And the team has been together for quite a while.”

Chandler Brill was hired as a co-head coach this season for Northampton, and he will be taking over on his own after this season. Brill brings over 30 years of racing and coaching experience, and he’s earned the rare Level 300 coaching certification from the United States Ski and Snowboard Association

The two coaches have plenty to work with, as the boys return senior captains Keller Mahoney and Henry Fallon, and also have Jasper Tuck, Jonah Abel-Waisman, Max Sturdevant, Max Marlin and Elly Hiranandani to round out the top seven.

On the girls side, two-time captain and senior Giselle Ohm leads a strong team that features Simone Pagar, Zivia Parikh, Crystal Eichwald-Hoopes, Sophie Mechem, Maddie Nakashian and Brooke Roszko. Both teams are expected to make some noise on the slopes this season.

Typically only practicing twice a week, and having to travel roughly an hour to get to Berkshire East, it’s quite fascinating how good the Blue Devils are each winter.

“Of course we want to come in first place, however, we are very pleased with how our racers have done over the years based on their experience and based on how often they get to practice,” Mahoney said.

Amherst, Hampshire, PVCICS round out Hampshire County teams

The Dragons and Raiders both race in the PVIAC League South alongside Pope Francis, Southwick, Minnechaug, Ludlow and St. Mary's. PVCICS’ top two skiers last winter were James Scott and Teddy Scott, and both are back once again looking to improve on their individual state championship finishes from a year ago. The Dragons girls team is spearheaded by 2023 Gazette Skier of the Year Sarah Fardal, now a senior.

As for Hampshire, the boys will turn to sophomores Billy Warren and Isaac Stith and senior Chad Hockenberry. Both Warren and Stith cracked the top 100 at the state championships in slalom, and will eye even better finishes in 2025. Ella Cleary, Hazel Scully-Henry and Dana Warren power the Raiders girls team this year after all turning in impressive seasons last winter.

The Amherst girls expect big things out of Annie Haugsjaahabink, Maya Phillips and Amelia Morse while Wes Dunford, Mihir Shenoy and Finn Zaklanovic lead the boys on the slopes this season.