Given the strength of the opposition, one might not expect the Crimson to put up much of a fight. But Smyth notes that the team managed to stay consistently motivated.

"What's amazing is their attitude," Smyth said. "We're racing against the best in the world, and they don't quit. They don't complain, they have fun, they keep it in perspective, and they're competitive."

This year's Dartmouth Carnival was an example of the Crimson's resilience. Harvard finished 11th out of 12 teams in the tournament, and the lone team it outscored, Bishop University, only entered competitors in men's slalom team. But the individual times registered by the Crimson were better than last year. McLoon turned in a solid 12th and 14th place finishes in her two races, but the skiiers' overall times were improvements over the previous season's Dartmouth finishes.

The team also measures its success in the number of active skiers and enjoyed its second straight year of high participation in 2000-2001.

"We've turned the program around," Smyth said. "We had over 15 people for two straight years, where before they couldn't fill a roster. People are excited."

Even though the team did not bring home much in the way if trophies, it has left an indelible mark on the lives of its seniors.

"Ski team has been a really important of my time at Harvard," said women's alpine co-captain Erin Marshall. "It's been an incredibly fun experience and it's been great to watch the team grow and improve over the past few years