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
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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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ava Hamme
All Mountain Snowboard Coach
Began snowboarding in 2008
Began coaching in 2025​
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Where: Green Mountain Academy ​
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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

























