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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 concussionSafesport, and CPR/AED certifications

OUR COACHES

Coaches
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Jason Trask

Founder and President

Snowboard Program Manager

Began snowboarding in 1991

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Began skiing in 1981

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Began coaching in 1997

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Where: Smugglers' Notch Resort 1997 - 2013

GMA 2014 - present

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Coaching certification: American Association of Snowboard Instructors Level 3

US Ski & Snowboard Association 300

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Competition experience: Masters Men Nationals Boardercross 2nd place 2012

Masters Men Boardercross champion 2013

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Specialty: Long-term athlete/coach/club development, Movement analysis, Assessing potential

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Noah Labow

Executive Director

Freeski Program Manager

Began skiing in 1984

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Began coaching in 2002

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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

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Coaching certification:

US Ski & Snowboard Freeskiing Level 300

US Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Level 200

USA Parkour Level 100

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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

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Specialty: Air awareness, Trampoline, Parkour, Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Freeride,

​Blending strong, smooth technical riding with freestyle prowess

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Rachel Rose

Operations Director

Snowboard Coach

Began snowboarding in 1998

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Began coaching in 2008

Began teaching in 1999

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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

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Coaching certification: American Association of Snowboard Instructors Level 2

US Ski & Snowboard Association registered​

National Ski Patrol Level 1 Avalanche

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Additional certifications: B.A. in Elementary Education

M.S. in Reading Education

VT Licensed Teacher K-6

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Specialty: Fundamentals, Steeps, Trees, Teaching methods, Differentiation

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George Coultas

Head of Snowboard Freestyle Progression 

Pro Am Snowboard Team COach

Began snowboarding in 1998

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Began coaching in 2011

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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

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Coaching certification: 

USASA Us Snowboard Level 100 examiner

USASA Level 300

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Specialty: Air awareness, Trampoline progression, Slopestyle, Rails, Halfpipe

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Noah Novotny

Big Mountain (Freeride) Head Ski Coach

Began skiing in 1990

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Began coaching in 2010

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Where: Green Mountain Academy 2020 - present

Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club 2010-17

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Association Level 100

IFSA Level 200

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Specialty: Freeride, Backcountry skiing and touring, Mindfulness

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Mike Brainard

Snowboard Alpine Head Coach

Years snowboarding: 18

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Years coaching: 11

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Where: Smugglers' Notch Resort 2012-present

Treble Cone, NZ summer 2015

GMA 2015 - present

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered

American Association of Snowboard Instructors level 3

USASA snowboard level 200

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Specialty: Children's fundamentals, SBX, GS, Slalom, Freeride

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Jacob Pratt

Freeski (Freestyle) Coach

Years skiing: 18

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Years coaching: 4

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Where: Green Mountain Academy, Elevate Movement Collective, Smugglers' Notch Ski Club, Green Mountain Training Center

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered

USASA 100

IFSA L100

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Competition experience: 5 time USASA Nationals

3rd overall 2017 USASA Nationals

6 years competition Ski The East

3 yrs IFSA western events

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Specialty: Technique, Big mountain, Slopestyle

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Alison Kaminer

Jr Ripper Ski Coach

Began skiing in 1978

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Began snowboarding in 2020

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Began coaching in 2014

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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)

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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

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Emmanuel (Manny) Balascak

Jr Ripper & Big Mountain Ski Coach

Began skiing in 2004

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Began coaching in 2022

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Where: Bolton Valley Freeride Coach 2022-23
GMA 2023-present

Elevate Movement Collective 2024 - present

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Coaching certification: United States Ski & Snowboard Association

 

Specialty: Fundamentals, Freeride (Big Mtn), Children, Movement Analysis

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Jesse Frank

Big Mountain Ski Coach

Began skiing in 

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Began coaching in 

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Where: 

 

Coaching certification: United States Ski & Snowboard registered

 

Competition experience: 

 

Specialty: 

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J.Lynn Cleveland

Jr Ripper Ski Coach

Began skiing in 2001

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Began snowboarding in 1997

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Began coaching in 2008

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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

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Competition experience: I have competed as an ice climber, boulder, gymnastics, track, cross country

 

Specialty: Fundamentals, Movement Analysis, Children

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Ollie Palmer

Freeski Coach

Began skiing in 2003

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Began coaching in 2021

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Where: Maven Skate Camp 2021-2024

 

Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered

Ski Future 2012-2018
UVM Freestyle Ski Team 2020-2025

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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

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Jack Fessler

Big Mountain Ski Coach

Began skiing in 

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Began coaching in 

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Where: 

 

Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered

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Competition experience: 

 

Specialty: 

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Jas Zendik

Junior Rippers Ski Coach

Began skiing in 2006

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Began snowboarding in 2010

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Began coaching in 2022

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Where: Stowe Ski & Ride School 2022-24

 

Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered

PSIA level 1

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Specialty: Fundamentals, Children, Freeride

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Preston Hewett

Big Mtn Ski Coach

Began skiing in 2006​

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Began coaching in 2018

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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

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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)

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Specialty: Freestyle, Freeride, Competition coaching

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Pat Lennon

Big Mtn Ski Coach

Began skiing in 1998​

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Began coaching in 2022

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Where: Green Mountain Academy

 

Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered

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Competition experience: Rail jams throughout high school and college; All mountain comps in the northeast.

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Specialty: Fundamentals, Freestyle, Freeride

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Jeff Neagle

Freeski  (Freestyle) Coach

Began skiing in 1988

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Began coaching in 2011

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Where:  Ski Future 2011-13

GMA 2016-Present

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Certified Coach

USASA Ski Level 100

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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

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Specialty: Freestyle, Competition Coaching

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Steph Lawee

Freestyle Ski Coach

Began skiing in 1996​

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Began coaching in 2017

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Where: BC Freestyle 2011-2012
Vancouver Freestyle 2018-2019

 

Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered

Freestyle Canada Air 1 & Air 2
Freestyle Canada Fundamentals

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Competition experience: 7+ years competition experience in Slopestyle and Halfpipe at USSA, USASA, NorAm, Rev Tour and Grand Prix events

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Specialty: Fundamentals, Freestyle, Movement analysis, Competition coaching

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Oliver Barrett

Jr Ripper Ski Coach

Began skiing in 2007

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Began coaching in 2023

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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)

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Kee Gillen

Jr Ripper Snowboard Coach

Began snowboarding in 1993

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Began coaching in 2006

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Where:  Snowshoe WV. 2006-2007
Stowe Mountain Resort  2007-present

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Coaching certification: AASI Level 3

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Specialty: Riding fundamentals, Steeps, Bumps, Woods/Backcountry

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Les Wetmore

Jr Ripper Snowboard Coach

Began skiing in 1987

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Began snowboarding in 1988

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Began coaching in 2007

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Where:  Green Mountain Academy 2024 - present

Smuggler's Notch Snow Sports University 2007 - present

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered

AASI Level 3

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Specialty: Fundamentals, Carving, Bumps, Trees, Halfpipe

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Aidan Chapdelaine

Jr Ripper, All Mountain, & Freestyle Snowboard Coach

Began skiing in 2021

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Began snowboarding in 2006

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Began coaching in 2021​

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Where:  Green Mountain Academy 2023 - present

Stowe Mountain Resort 2021 - present

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Certified Coach 

AASI Level 2

​11 years of gymnastics and parkour coaching experience

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Specialty: Fundamentals, Children, Freestyle, Freeride (Big Mtn), Movement Analysis, Competition Coaching

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Rick Witham

Alpine & All Mountain Snowboard Coach

Began skiing in 1977 

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Began snowboarding in 1987

 

Began coaching in 1999​

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Where:  Green Mountain Academy 2023 - present

Smugglers' Notch Ski & Snowboard Club 1999 - 2022

Smugglers' Notch Ski & Snowboard University 1996 - 2000

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Certified Coach 
USASA Level 200 coach

USASA Judge 2003-2007

USASA TS 2010-2016

Series Director​

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Competition experience: Halfpipe competitor

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Specialty: Fundamentals, Alpine (Slalom, GS, Boarder Cross), Freeride (Big Mtn), Children, Movement Analysis, Competition Coaching

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Olin Sherman

All Mountain Snowboard Coach

Began snowboarding in 2011

 

Began coaching in 2022​

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Where:  Green Mountain Academy 2024 - present

Bolton Valley Resort 2020 - 2024

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered

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Specialty: Fundamentals, Children, Photography/Media

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Kyle Walker

Freestyle & All Mountain Snowboard Coach

Began snowboarding in 2010 

 

Began coaching in 2022​

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Where:  Green Mountain Academy 2024 - present

Stowe Mountain Resort 2022 - present

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Certified Coach

AASI Snowboard Level 1

​AASI Freestyle Level 2

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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.

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Specialty: Freestyle, Competition Coaching

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Bobby Auen

Freestyle & All Mountain Snowboard Coach

Began snowboarding in 

 

Began coaching in ​

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Where:  Green Mountain Academy 2024 - present

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard Certified Coach

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Competition experience:

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Specialty: Freestyle, Alpine Snowboard, Competition Coaching

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Ryan Norton

All Mountain & Freestyle Snowboard Coach

Years snowboarding: 24

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Years coaching: 14

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Where: Monarch Mountain 2014/15

Stowe Mountain Resort  2008-13, 2016- Present​

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Coaching certification: American Association of Snowboard Instructors Level 2 

AASI Children’s Specialist 1

AASI Freestyle Specialist 1

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Specialty:  Fundamentals, Progression, All Mountain

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Ava Hamme

All Mountain Snowboard Coach

Began snowboarding in 2008

 

Began coaching in 2025​

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Where:  Green Mountain Academy â€‹

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Coaching certification: US Ski & Snowboard registered​

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Competition experience: USASA NVT competitor 2010 - 2015,

3x National Champion in SBX, BS, Slalom

2022 VT Highschool Snowboarding State Champion: Team, GS, Slopestyle

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Specialty: Children, Freestyle, Racing

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Board of Directors

~~~

Jason Trask

Noah Labow

Rachel Rose

Scott Reeves

Bonnie Kolber

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Thank you to our sponsors!

© 2019 Green Mountain Academy 

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