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.

Coach Bio:

Where are you from?

My hometown is Vernon, BC

Coach Bio:

Where are you from?

I am from Canmore, Alberta. Just outside Banff national park.

How did you get into skiing?

Mum was a ski racer and had me on skis as soon as I could walk

Coaching Qualifications:

FundamentalZ and PSIC Level 1

What do you enjoy most about coaching?

Meeting so many young people that I share a common interest with!

What’s one of your favourite success stories from coaching?

Seeing athletes hesitant on their first few days of the season, to not wanting to go home at the end of the day.

Fun Fact:

I lived in NYC for 7 years working in luxury fashion, and have a Masters in fashion history and sociology.

Dream ski destination?

Back to Japan!

Coach Bio:

Where are you from?

Lions Bay, BC

Coaching qualifications:

Fundamentalz

What do you enjoy most about coaching?

Watching groms stomp a new trick for the firs time

What skill or mindset do you try and instill in your athletes?

There are 10+ ways to learn a new trick, we have to find the best way that works for you

Personal goals you’re working on?

Getting my CPA designation

Dream ski destination?

You can never beat a POW day in Whistler

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.

Coach Bio:

Where are you from?

I grew up in North Vancouver

What coaching qualifications do you have?

FundamentalZ

How did you get into Skiing?

My Dad is from an Austrian ski village, so skiing has always been in my blood.

Fun Fact

I really enjoy painting and creating art.

Dream ski destination?

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?

Coach Bio:

Coaching qualifications:

Fundamentalz and Air 1

What do you enjoy most about coaching?

Seeing the confidence grow in young athletes

What’s one of your favourite success stories?

Watching athletes land their first 360

What personal goals are you working on?

Injury recovery, neural plasticity, and keeping my 3’s super floaty

Dream ski destination

Chamonix / Hokkaido / Tahoe

Coach Bio:

Coach qualifications:

Fundamentalz, Level 1 ski instructor

What is your coaching philosophy?

Focus on having fun and positive vibes

Coach Bio:

Where are you from?

North Vancouver

When did you get into skiing?

My family has always loved skiing, so they put me in lessons at 3 years old

What is your coaching philosophy?

Everyone can do what they put their minds to, it may take longer and look different compared to others, but it is possible

Personal goals your working on?

Lock in cork 540’s

Fun fact

Im extremely interested in quantum physics, and enjoy teaching others

Favourite ski movie?

Is there time for matching socks

Coach Bio:

Where are you from?

Right here in Vancouver

Coaching Qualification:

FundamentalZ

What is your coaching philosophy?

Plan, Try, Practice, Land it!

Personal goals your working on?

Being more engaged in what my athletes are actively learning

Fun Fact:

Ive snowboarded for 3 seasons

Dream ski destination?

French Alps

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

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.

Coach Bio:

Where are you from?

North Shore & Whistler

How did you get into skiing?

My mom and pops at age 2

Coaching Qualifications:

CSIA 1 & 2, CSIA Park 1 & 2, Air 1, Fundamentalz, Freestyle Park 1

What do you enjoy most about coaching?

Getting kids as stoked on the sport as I am

What’s your approach to teaching young athletes?

I focus on getting kids into a flow state where learning feels fun instead of forced. Confidence comes first, then technique. When athletes feel safe, supported, and stoked, progression happens naturally. My approach is about fundamentals, awareness, and repetition without pressure. I want athletes to understand why things work, not just copy movements. Everyone progresses differently and that is respected.

What’s one of your favourite coaching success stories?

Helping athletes fall back in love with skiing after burnout or frustration. When a kid starts smiling again on snow, that’s a win I’ll take every time. I can usually help flip that frown upside down in about 2 laps. That and seeing how many athletes I used to coach have now become coaches.

What’s the most important skill or mindset you try and instill in your athletes?

Remember why we are here and why we choose to ski. We all do this for fun. So i really emphasize this everyday. Because it is easy for athletes to fall out of flow and into frustration and analytical brain mode. This happens when attempting a trick too many times out of frustration (not fun / from the heart) This also happens from peer pressure. When the athlete stops skiing for themselves and to impress others instead (not sustainable). This literally inhibits the creative side of the brain. And that is where progress happens. So bringing kids back to the ground, and remembering their core purpose of why we all do this allows them to get back into a place of stoke and flow… and when they learn to do this consistently they naturally want to ski more and more… and then the hours they spend skiing increases exponentially, resulting in an elite level skier… for life.

What are your goals as a coach?

Continuing to grow as a coach and mentor, not just technically but in how I communicate and connect with athletes. That, and staying sharp on my own skiing and continuing to challenge myself so I can lead by example.

Fun fact about you?

I’m a neurodivergent creative that has lived a lot of different lives outside of skiing, and all of it shapes who I am and how I coach today

Favourite ski movie?

WSKL106, Pop Yer Bottlez! (TRUE CLASSICS)

“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