Coaches

Coaching Qualifications

Canadian Freestyle Ski Alliance

• TSM 2
• Park & Pipe Level 2
• Air Level 4
• Comp Dev Slopestyle

“There is nothing I like more than being on the mountain. Sharing with others my enjoyment for sport is what I do best.”

Ryan has attained many other qualifications, including his CSIA 2, CANSI 1, NCCP Mountain Bike 1, 80-Hour Advanced Wilderness First Aid, and CPR to name a few.

Ryan has been involved in the ski industry for over 10 years and has devoted much of his time sharing his passion and knowledge for the outdoors with others. He continually demonstrates his commitment and interest in freestyle skiing and is actively engaged to help further develop and grow the sport.

His positive energy and encouraging approach are reflected in his effective feedback, which has made him a valuable member of the VFSC team since 2009. Ryan is a very confident skier on and off-piste and enjoys all of the disciplines of freestyle skiing, although he excels most in slopestyle.

A graduate of the Algonquin College Outdoor Recreation Diploma Program in 2004, Ryan has almost a decade of experience developing and managing programs in many different indoor and outdoor environments. When he’s not coaching athletes you will find him supervising and training employees with the Cypress Mountain Snow School.

In the off-season, Ryan shares his passion for the outdoors on two wheels. His dedication and unbeatable instruction continues on his mountain bike on the lower half of the local mountains where he coaches and guides for Endless Biking.

Pronouns: She/Her

Coaching Qualifications

• FUNdamentalz

“Skiing is my entire personality”

Paola is a student in the Outdoor Recreation Management course at Capilano University. In the summer she worked as a Park Ranger and in the winters she works as a ski instructor. She’s been a ski instructor for the past 5 seasons!

Favourite candy: Nerd Rope

Fun Facts: I have a culinary arts level 1 degree, I have worked at 3 different restaurants for 5 years, I have travelled to 10 countries, and I have worked as a park ranger.

Coach Bio: 

How did your freestyle skiing journey begin?

I used to follow my older brother around and watch ski movies.

What’s the most rewarding part of coaching freestyle skiing?

Seeing kids land new tricks and get excited, have fun and reach goals they set.

What’s the key skill or mindset you focus on building in your athletes?

Fun Fact

I play in 3 bands.

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance

• Level 1
• FUNdamentalz
• TSM 1

“[I] competed in 22 World Cups, 3 World Championships, and two X-Games”

Kris was on the Canadian National Freestyle Ski Halfpipe Team for 5 years. He has a Bachelors of Applied Science in Civil Engineering and works as a Geotechnical Engineer.

Favourite candy: Hi-Chew

Fun Facts: My favorite ice cream flavor is swiss almond vanilla. I love to cook, my signature dish is chicken caesar salad. Cats are my favorite animal but I am allergic to them. I have to wash my hands after I pet them.

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance

• Levels 1-3
• FUNdamentalz
• Park & Pipe 2
• Air 1 & 2

“[I’m a] Local Park Rat and backcountry enthusiast”

Kyle graduated Highschool at Dogwood Diploma and has a Trades Discovery at BCIT. He works as an irrigation and landscape light installer.

I became a coach because I am very passionate about skiing and all I want is for the kids to be having fun, be safe, be inspired and give them all the tools they need to improve how they ski.

Favourite candy: Starbursts

Fun Facts: I enjoy finding zen within hobbies such as glass blowing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, and unicycle

Pronouns: She/Her

Coaching Qualifications

• Competition Development

“I was a member of the Canadian National Team”

Kiera is a high school graduate and a Red Seal Cabinetmaker. She also works as a CNC Operator.

Favourite candy: Hi-Chew

Fun Facts: I love motorcycling in my spare time, I am very strong despite my stature and I love to eat good food with good company!

Coach Bio:

How long have you been a freestyle coach?

I started coaching in the 2024/2025 season.

What’s your coaching philosophy?

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

• FUNdamentalz

“[I was in the] High Performance Team for Freestyle Vancouver in 2016-2018 [and I] attended 2018 Nationals for Slopestyle and Big Air”.

John played high school-level rugby and hockey. He’s currently studying in his last year at UBC Sauder, specializing in accounting. He’s planning on pursuing a career in accounting/finance.

Favourite candy: Oh Henry

Fun Facts: I have a twin brother, I play intramural dodgeball at UBC, and I enjoy camping in the summers.

Pronouns: She/Her

Coaching Qualifications

National Coaching Certification Program

• FUNdamentalz Freestyle Coaching

“I trained and competed with Freestyle Vancouver for about 5 years”

Gemma is currently in high school

Favourite candy: Maynards

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

• FUNdamentalz
• First Aid

“I have been an athletic Individual throughout my life. I grew up with soccer, baseball, surfing, and skiing. I joined freestyle vancouver when I was 9. I fell in love with freestyle skiing. When I was 13 I was invited into the dev team (development team) where I competed province wide in timber tour events. Unfortunately at age 16 I tore my LCL which was the end [of] my competing career.”

Miles is a highschool student and a Freestyle Coach.

Favourite candy: Kit Kat

Fun Facts:

1. I have been surfing and skiing in the same day
2. I dislike mushrooms 
3. Blue is my favourite colour

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

• FUNdamentalz

“[I’m an] assistant coach [for the] BC Team”

Tanner’s athlete history includes next gen slopestyle. He’s currently a student at UBC.

Favourite candy: Oh Henry

Fun Facts: I like surfing! I am learning French. I want to live in Europe.

Coaching Qualifications

Canadian Freestyle Ski Alliance

• Level 1

Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance

• Level 1

“[I] skied with VFSC during high school”.

Nick has an undergraduate degree at UBC.

Favourite candy: Twizzlers

Fun Facts: I was born in London, UK. I can read Ancient Greek. I have a cat named Cleopatra

Coaching Qualifications

• FUNdamentalz Freestyle Coach

“This is my 21st season on skis”

Michael is 24 years old, he’s studied geography at the University of Calgary, and he works as a Jack of All Trades!

Favourite candy: Skittles

Fun Facts: #1 I made the most viewed Shredsauce edit of all time.

#2 I live in a “Tiny House.”

#3 I recently started backcountry ski touring.

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance

• Level 1

“I [have] been skiing since I was 6”.

Thinley skied with the Cypress ski club for several years and began freestyle skiing at age 8. He’s also very involved in mountain biking. Thinley graduated from Maplewood High School and then completed a one year program at Capilano University. He also completed the three month Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training.

Favourite candy: I don’t like candy or sweet things.

Fun Facts: I have three dogs. I rock climb and climbed The Chief. I skied in New Zealand and France.

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

• FUNdamentalz

“[I] competed with Freestyle Vancouver for 5 years+”.

Chris graduated Grade 12 at Windsor Secondary.

Favourite candy: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Fun Facts: I love to fish
I love to slide rails in the terrain park
I love to to cliff jump (into water)

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance

• Level 1

Finn is currently studying at UBC Sauder School of Business.

Favourite candy: Swedish Fish

Fun Facts:
1. I am fluent in French
2. I love photography and filmmaking
3. It’s my dream to work for Arc’teryx

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance

• Level 1 & 2
• Park 1
• FUNdamentalz
• Park & Pipe 1 & 2

“I truly believe sharing my passion for this sport and getting kids stoked to shred is one of my life purposes. I am so grateful for what this sport has done for me and my goal is to make every kid feel the same way about skiing in their years to come!”

I started skiing when I was 2 years old. I first started skiing at Grouse and when I was 3 years old I got my first Whistler pass, and I still have it (1994)! I joined the Blackcomb Freestyle team (now called Freestyle Whistler) when I was 14. Within 1 season of training I climbed to the top in the province for Big Air, winning 2 provincial championships and 3 regional Big Air competitions from age 15-17. I then earned credits for highschool through my competition results, which allowed me to ski instead of go to school! Yes, it’s totally a thing! I was then invited to join the Olympic development team which was a dream come true. During my competition phase I was also a filmmaker. In 2009 I created a ski film that won the BC film festival extreme sports category. I started teaching and coaching in 2012, a couple years after I stopped competing.

Favourite candy: black licorice – the REAL kind

Fun Facts: I’m a huge computer nerd, I am super introverted, and skiing with these kids helps so much with bringing out my extroverted side. So, thank you for that kiddos!

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

• Club Coach – Air 1

“[I took] 1st place in the 1997 New York State Mogul Championships”

Harrison used to compete in slopestyle and rail jams. He has a double major in Politics and Criminology and is currently in school for his RMT certification. He works as a taxi driver.

Favourite candy: Chocolate bars!

Fun Facts: A character in Netflix’s Van Helsing was named after me.
I am getting married this summer.
My favourite animal is Turtles!

Coaching Qualifications

Canadian Freestyle Ski Alliance

• Air Level 1
• Air Level 2
• Air Level 3

“I’m a huge Toronto Maple Leafs’ fan, I got my black belt in Taekwondo when I was 9 and I spend much of my free time playing music.”

Zac Hoffman received his education as a film student at Capilano University and has qualifications with Air. He is currently a freelance filmmaker and the director of Bumps: A Mogul Skiing Documentary.

His favourite candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Pronouns: He/Him

Coaching Qualifications

Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance

• Level 1
• FUNdamentalz 1

“I’m the youngest person to get ski instructor of the year at Mt Seymour”

Thomas was an athlete for local competitions for 5 years. He’s currently enrolled in the OREC program at Capilano University. In the summer he works as a hiking/summer camps guide and in the winter as a ski instructor. This is his 5th season coaching skiing!

Favourite candy: Liquorice / Skittles

Fun Facts: He once broke 3 bones within a year and broke a finger while playing tag

Coaching Qualifications

• FUNdamentalz 1
• Air 2

“[I received] 1st place at the sun peaks COT big air 2021”

Leif went to school at Argyle Secondary and he works in a bike shop.

Favourite candy: Reeces

Fun Facts: I’m lactose intolerant, my favourite ski hill is Mt Seymour. Currently working on a short ski film with the local crew, CHEF

“I ski, bike, run, swim, play hockey, and do parkour”

Jordan is currently in high school attending Killarney.

Favourite candy: Twizzlers

Fun Facts: I speak Mandarin, my favourite food is ramen and I like coffee even though I’m 13