WHO WE ARE
Green Mountain Academy is a premier snowboard and freeski training club in northern Vermont. We are a non-profit organization committed to developing a world class training environment for snowboard and freeski athletes age 7+. Our programs are designed to evolve with individual athlete's needs while teaching strong moral, social, and environmental values. Our skill-based training system provides a clear path for development under the watchful eye of our expert coaches. All GMA coaches are US Ski & Snowboard registered which requires background checks, CDC concussion, Safesport, and CPR/AED certifications
OUR COACHES
Jason Trask
Founder and President
Snowboard Program Manager
Began snowboarding in 1991
Began skiing in 1981
Began coaching in 1997
Where: Smugglers' Notch Resort 1997 - 2013
Coaching certification: American Association of Snowboard Instructors Level 3
US Ski & Snowboard Association 300
Competition experience: Masters Men Nationals Boardercross 2nd place 2012
Masters Men Boardercross champion 2013
Specialty: Long-term athlete/coach/club development, Movement analysis, Assessing potential
Noah Labow
Executive Director
Freeski Program Manager
Began skiing in 1984
Began coaching in 2002
Where:
Smugglers' Notch Ski Club Freeski head coach, 2002/03 & 2004/05
Carrabassett Valley Academy Freeski competition coach, 2005-10
University of Vermont Freeski Team Head coach, 2010-18
Green Mountain Training Center Trampoline/Parkour coach 2010-19
Founder/ Coach @Elevate Movement Collective 2019-Present
Coaching certification:
US Ski & Snowboard Freeskiing Level 300
US Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Level 200
USA Parkour Level 100
Competition experience:
USSA Alpine racing, 1992-98
NAC Div.III Soccer, 2000-2003
Moguls, Big Air, Halfpipe, and Extreme competitions, 1997-2006
USASA + USSA Halfpipe competitor, 2002-06
Season 5 American Ninja Warrior Competitor
Specialty: Air awareness, Trampoline, Parkour, Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Freeride,
Blending strong, smooth technical riding with freestyle prowess
Rachel Rose
Operations Director
Snowboard Coach
Began snowboarding in 1998
Began coaching in 2008
Began teaching in 1999
Where: Green Mountain Academy 2021 - present
Smugglers' Notch Resort 2008 - 18
Cambridge Elementary School 2010 - 2018
The Schoolhouse Learning Center 2006 - 2010
St. Albans City Middle School 2004 - 2006
Jenkins Elementary School 2000 - 2004
Fayston Elementary School 1999 - 2000
Coaching certification: American Association of Snowboard Instructors Level 2
US Ski & Snowboard Association registered
National Ski Patrol Level 1 Avalanche
Additional certifications: B.A. in Elementary Education
M.S. in Reading Education
VT Licensed Teacher K-6
Specialty: Fundamentals, Steeps, Trees, Teaching methods, Differentiation
George Coultas
Head of Snowboard Freestyle Progression
Pro Am Snowboard Team COach
Began snowboarding in 1998
Began coaching in 2011
Where: Founder/Coach Elevate Movement Collective 2019-present
Green Mountain Academy snowboard coach 2015-present
Green Mountain Training Center trampoline coach 2011-18
Mount Mansfield Ski Club snowboard coach, 2011/12
Coaching certification:
USASA Us Snowboard Level 100 examiner
USASA Level 300
Specialty: Air awareness, Trampoline progression, Slopestyle, Rails, Halfpipe
Noah Novotny
Big Mountain (Freeride) Head Ski Coach
Began skiing in 1990
Began coaching in 2010
Where: Green Mountain Academy 2020 - present
Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club 2010-17
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Association Level 100
IFSA Level 200
Specialty: Freeride, Backcountry skiing and touring, Mindfulness
Mike Brainard
Snowboard Alpine Head Coach
Years snowboarding: 18
Years coaching: 11
Where: Smugglers' Notch Resort 2012-present
Treble Cone, NZ summer 2015
GMA 2015 - present
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
American Association of Snowboard Instructors level 3
USASA snowboard level 200
Specialty: Children's fundamentals, SBX, GS, Slalom, Freeride
Jeff Neagle
Freeski (Freestyle) Coach
Began skiing in 1988
Began coaching in 2011
Where: Ski Future 2011-13
GMA 2016-Present
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Certified Coach
USASA Ski Level 100
Competition experience: 10+ years of Slopestyle, Big Air, and Rail Jam comps
2009 USASA Northern Vermont Open Class Champion
AFP Ranked Slopestyle Skier in Gold and Platinum Level Events 2010-13
Specialty: Freestyle, Competition Coaching
Jacob Pratt
Freeski (Freestyle) Coach
Years skiing: 18
Years coaching: 4
Where: Green Mountain Academy, Elevate Movement Collective, Smugglers' Notch Ski Club, Green Mountain Training Center
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
USASA 100
IFSA L100
Competition experience: 5 time USASA Nationals
3rd overall 2017 USASA Nationals
6 years competition Ski The East
3 yrs IFSA western events
Specialty: Technique, Big mountain, Slopestyle
Alison Kaminer
Jr Ripper Ski Coach
Began skiing in 1978
Began snowboarding in 2020
Began coaching in 2014
Where: Stowe, Sugarbush, Busters
Coaching certification: United States Ski & Snowboard Association registered
PSIA Level 3
Children’s Specialist 2
Competition experience: Alpine racing (high school and college), Slalom, GS, Super G, Downhill, (equestrian eventing and show jumping)
Related certifications and experience: USSA Alpine Referee
Specialty: Passionate about skiing with lots of experience teaching kids; Creating a positive and engaging atmosphere while finding the right balance of skill building and fun!; Building and strengthening foundational skills to support long term athletic growth
Emmanuel (Manny) Balascak
Jr Ripper & Big Mountain Ski Coach
Began skiing in 2004
Began coaching in 2022
Where: Bolton Valley Freeride Coach 2022-23
GMA 2023-present
Elevate Movement Collective 2024 - present
Coaching certification: United States Ski & Snowboard Association
Specialty: Fundamentals, Freeride (Big Mtn), Children, Movement Analysis
Jesse Frank
Big Mountain Ski Coach
Began skiing in
Began coaching in
Where:
Coaching certification: United States Ski & Snowboard registered
Competition experience:
Specialty:
J.Lynn Cleveland
Jr Ripper Ski Coach
Began skiing in 2001
Began snowboarding in 1997
Began coaching in 2008
Where: Crested Butte 2001-2007 as Betty Bear
Sugarbush 2008-2024
GMA 2024-current
Stowe 2024- current
MRG 2024- current
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
PSIA Alpine ski level 1 & 2
PSIA Children’s specialist 1 & 2
NOLS WFR
WEA wilderness leader
Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Recreation Experiential Education from Western State College
Competition experience: I have competed as an ice climber, boulder, gymnastics, track, cross country
Specialty: Fundamentals, Movement Analysis, Children
Ollie Palmer
Freeski Coach
Began skiing in 2003
Began coaching in 2021
Where: Maven Skate Camp 2021-2024
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
Ski Future 2012-2018
UVM Freestyle Ski Team 2020-2025
Competition experience: East Coast USASA comps from 2012-2025
Carinthia Freeski Open 2014-2015
20+ Rail Jams 2014-2025
Specialty: Fundamentals, Freestyle, Competition Coaching, Video Editing
Jas Zendik
Junior Rippers Ski Coach
Began skiing in 2006
Began snowboarding in 2010
Began coaching in 2022
Where: Stowe Ski & Ride School 2022-24
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
PSIA level 1
Specialty: Fundamentals, Children, Freeride
Preston Hewett
Big Mtn Ski Coach
Began skiing in 2006
Began coaching in 2018
Where: Whaleback Ski Area Ski School (2018-2025)
Whaleback Core Team Freeride Coach (2022-2024)
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
PSIA Level I
3 years of coaching experience in IFSA
Competition experience: US Ski & Snowboard Mogul "A" Skier (2018-19)
Qualifier for US Ski and Snowboard Mogul Nationals for "B" Division (2017-18)
USASA Slopestyle Competitor (2015-19)
Specialty: Freestyle, Freeride, Competition coaching
Pat Lennon
Big Mtn Ski Coach
Began skiing in 1998
Began coaching in 2022
Where: Green Mountain Academy
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
Competition experience: Rail jams throughout high school and college; All mountain comps in the northeast.
Specialty: Fundamentals, Freestyle, Freeride
Steph Lawee
Freestyle Ski Coach
Began skiing in 1996
Began coaching in 2017
Where: BC Freestyle 2011-2012
Vancouver Freestyle 2018-2019
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
Freestyle Canada Air 1 & Air 2
Freestyle Canada Fundamentals
Competition experience: 7+ years competition experience in Slopestyle and Halfpipe at USSA, USASA, NorAm, Rev Tour and Grand Prix events
Specialty: Fundamentals, Freestyle, Movement analysis, Competition coaching
Oliver Barrett
Jr Ripper Ski Coach
Began skiing in 2007
Began coaching in 2023
Where: Green Mountain Academy 2024-present
Gould Academy Competition Program 2023-2025
Coaching certification: United States Ski & Snowboard registered
Competition experience: I have over a decade of competitive experience dating back to 2013 where I began competing in the USSA eastern freestyle circuit in the slopestyle and mogul disciplines. I spent several years competing in USASA slopsetyle events at both the regional and national level before transition over to competitive freeride. I am still actively competing in IFSA adult freeride events to this day.
Specialty: Freestyle, Freeride (Big Mtn)
Kee Gillen
Jr Ripper Snowboard Coach
Began snowboarding in 1993
Began coaching in 2006
Where: Snowshoe WV. 2006-2007
Stowe Mountain Resort 2007-present
Coaching certification: AASI Level 3
Specialty: Riding fundamentals, Steeps, Bumps, Woods/Backcountry
Ryan Norton
All Mountain & Freestyle Snowboard Coach
Years snowboarding: 24
Years coaching: 14
Where: Monarch Mountain 2014/15
Stowe Mountain Resort 2008-13, 2016- Present
Coaching certification: American Association of Snowboard Instructors Level 2
AASI Children’s Specialist 1
AASI Freestyle Specialist 1
Specialty: Fundamentals, Progression, All Mountain
Les Wetmore
Jr Ripper Snowboard Coach
Began skiing in 1987
Began snowboarding in 1988
Began coaching in 2007
Where: Green Mountain Academy 2024 - present
Smuggler's Notch Snow Sports University 2007 - present
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
AASI Level 3
Specialty: Fundamentals, Carving, Bumps, Trees, Halfpipe
Aidan Chapdelaine
Jr Ripper, All Mountain, & Freestyle Snowboard Coach
Began skiing in 2021
Began snowboarding in 2006
Began coaching in 2021
Where: Green Mountain Academy 2023 - present
Stowe Mountain Resort 2021 - present
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Certified Coach
AASI Level 2
11 years of gymnastics and parkour coaching experience
Specialty: Fundamentals, Children, Freestyle, Freeride (Big Mtn), Movement Analysis, Competition Coaching
Rick Witham
Alpine & All Mountain Snowboard Coach
Began skiing in 1977
Began snowboarding in 1987
Began coaching in 1999
Where: Green Mountain Academy 2023 - present
Smugglers' Notch Ski & Snowboard Club 1999 - 2022
Smugglers' Notch Ski & Snowboard University 1996 - 2000
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Certified Coach
USASA Level 200 coach
USASA Judge 2003-2007
USASA TS 2010-2016
Series Director
Competition experience: Halfpipe competitor
Specialty: Fundamentals, Alpine (Slalom, GS, Boarder Cross), Freeride (Big Mtn), Children, Movement Analysis, Competition Coaching
Olin Sherman
All Mountain Snowboard Coach
Began snowboarding in 2011
Began coaching in 2022
Where: Green Mountain Academy 2024 - present
Bolton Valley Resort 2020 - 2024
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
Specialty: Fundamentals, Children, Photography/Media
Kyle Walker
Freestyle & All Mountain Snowboard Coach
Began snowboarding in 2010
Began coaching in 2022
Where: Green Mountain Academy 2024 - present
Stowe Mountain Resort 2022 - present
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Certified Coach
AASI Snowboard Level 1
AASI Freestyle Level 2
Competition experience: I went to Mount Snow Academy in high school and took 2 gap years after to continue snowboarding with that program. I used to compete in USASA events myself and went to nationals 3 times.
Specialty: Freestyle, Competition Coaching
Bobby Auen
Freestyle & All Mountain Snowboard Coach
Began snowboarding in
Began coaching in
Where: Green Mountain Academy 2024 - present
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Certified Coach
Competition experience:
Specialty: Freestyle, Alpine Snowboard, Competition Coaching
Nicholas DeMaio
Freestyle & All Mountain Snowboard Coach
Began snowboarding in
Began coaching in
Where: Green Mountain Academy 2024 - present
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
AASI Snowboard Level 1
AASI Children's Specialist Level 1
AASI Freestyle Level 1
Competition experience:
Specialty:
Ava Hamme
All Mountain Snowboard Coach
Began snowboarding in 2008
Began coaching in 2025
Where: Green Mountain Academy
Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered
Competition experience: USASA NVT competitor 2010 - 2015,
3x National Champion in SBX, BS, Slalom
2022 VT Highschool Snowboarding State Champion: Team, GS, Slopestyle
Specialty: Children, Freestyle, Racing
Board of Directors
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Jason Trask
Noah Labow
Rachel Rose
Scott Reeves
Bonnie Kolber