Since 2014, we have worked to ensure access to cross-country skiing in the Greater Boston Area.
Serving the Leo J. Martin community.
The Friends of Leo J. Martin (FOLJMS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the experience for every user of the Leo J. Martin ski track and golf course. In 2014, we were founded at a time when there was stress between the cross-country skiing community and the Commonwealth, and the future of skiing at Leo J. Martin was uncertain. Since its founding, FOLJMS has developed a constructive relationship with the Commonwealth, leading to meaningful State investment in the facility. The partnership has resulted in more robust winter attendance and expanded access to cross-country skiing, in line with the goals of both the State and the FOLJMS community. We continue to work together to make Leo J. Martin a vibrant dual-use facility!
Our Pillars
Build.
We work in close partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) to make venue and program improvements at Leo J. Martin. Our work to sponsor and fund projects improves skiing and golf at a metro resource that makes both of these activities more accessible to the public.
Broaden.
Our mission is to help develop the Leo J. Martin Ski Track into a facility that meets the full range of needs for an increasingly diverse community of skiers and outdoor enthusiasts. Through our partnerships and projects, we aim to expand access to and promote the growth of cross-country skiing for users of all ages and abilities.
Diversify.
FOLJMS is committed to inclusive and equitable access for all, helping enable use for groups who might not otherwise be able to enjoy the Ski Track. We are proud to support programs for Youth Enrichment Services (YES), the Boys and Girls Club of Boston, and Universal Access — the only adaptive ski program in the region.
Our Initiatives
A selection of some of our past projects to improve cross-country skiing at Leo J. Martin.
Learn how we achieve our goals.
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To ensure cross-country skiing continues to thrive at Leo J. Martin, we work in collaboration with our members, the DCR and other key partners to help support and fund facility improvements. Since 2014, FOLJMS has raised significant funds, enabling both infrastructure and operational projects to be completed on the terrain, trail systems, clubhouse, and snowmaking and grooming equipment. This is one of the reasons why Leo J. Martin remains the busiest cross-country ski facility in Massachusetts.
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FOLJMS believes in investing in our community just as much as our ski center. We feel everyone should know more about the positive health benefits of cross-country skiing, which is why we initiate and promote programs that encourage public awareness and participation in the sport. This includes special programming for adaptive skiers, disadvantaged youth and others with limited opportunities.
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FOLJMS maintains relationships with key partners, organizations, legislators and donors to help ensure Leo J. Martin remains a vibrant and accessible facility for the cross-country skiing community. To learn more about upcoming projects we are pursuing, visit our initiatives page.
Environmental Sustainability
As cross-country skiers who depend on the health of the outdoor environment for our sport to thrive, we are passionate about helping Leo J. Martin operate more efficiently and sustainably. From energy-efficient lighting to strategic water sourcing, the long-term health of the environment is at the core of our initiatives. Ensuring this critical metropolitan resource remains a vibrant outdoor recreation facility now and far into the future is a key focus of our mission.
Board of Directors
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Chris Doyle
The Founder and Board Chair of FOLJMS, Chris Doyle grew up downhill skiing, but fell in love with cross-country skiing as an adult.
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Chris City
The Paul J. Finnegan Family Head Coach for Nordic Skiing at Harvard, Chris City has been skiing at the Leo J. Martin Ski Track for 30+ years. First as a high school and college racer and now as a Masters skier, coach and parent.
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Andrew Hall
A recreational / fitness skier since 1974, Andrew Hall concentrates on snowmaking and grooming in the operations group at FOLJMS.
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James Jampel
Nordic skiing is a family affair for James Jampel, who learned to ski at Leo J. Martin in 2010 along with his four other family members! He is the President of HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC in Newton, MA.
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Chris Li
The Head Coach for Wayland HS’s Nordic Team, Chris Li has come full circle with the Leo J. Martin Ski Track. After growing up skiing its trails, he now brings his own family to ski at the facility. Chris also manages the Mass Nordic Team and is a partner at The Bikeway Source, a Nordic Ski shop outside of Boston.
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Josie Petersen
A lover of the outdoors, Josie Petersen discovered cross-country skiing in 2015 when her daughter joined EMXC Youth and quickly embraced all that the sport has to offer.
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Meg Yoder
Currently an assistant coach for EMXC Juniors, Meg Yoder grew up training and racing at the Leo J. Martin Ski Track.
Advisory Board
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Liz Arky
Liz Arky is a member of the Governance Board and Foundation Board of Trustees of the US Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA), a member of the advisory board to the SMST2 Cross Country Elite Team and Principal of Arky Group Consulting LLC, a government relations and corporate citizenship consulting firm.
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Rob Bradlee
The Head Coach of the Freedom Trail Nordic ski club, Rob Bradlee has been skiing at the Leo J. Martin Ski Track for 30+ years and is a regular at the Tuesday Night Race series.
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Barry Kitch, MD
An alpine skier growing up, Barry Kitch fell hard for cross-country skiing after discovering the joys of skiing on the groomed trails of New England. A former EMXC Youth coach, he is now an EMXC Juniors coach and member of the EMXC board.
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Kris Scopinich
A member of the EMXC Board, Kris Scopinich loves getting out on the snow at LJM every year, along with her whole family; both of her sons are in EMXC programs, and her oldest also skis for his high school team. An avid enthusiast of the outdoors, Kris is also the Senior Director of Education and Engagement at Mass Audubon.