Shana Sweitzer
Mary Gunesch
Alice Bouchard
Nick Lawerance
Garrett Lodge
Jessica Altman
Garth Eliason
Kelsie Erkkila
Jerry Moore
Carrie Sidwell
Suzanna Kurz
Kesia Barone
Alpine Director and Head U14/U16 Coach
Shana Sweitzer
NICKNAME: Old lady Sweitzer, Shandar, Woman of the hills, Mud Women
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: St. Marys, ID
EDUCATION: Whitman College, University of Oregon
- Bachelor of Science: Biology
- Masters of Community and Regional Planning
- Masters of Public Administration
- Teachers Certificate for Secondary Education – Biology and Chemistry
AWARDS / ACCOLADES:
- US Ski Team Member from 1992-1998
- Junior National Downhill Champion
- Noram Downhill Champion
- PNSA Coach of the Year 2019
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT? 2011
WHY DO YOU COACH?
- The next 30 years will require leaders with exceptional integrity, grit and a growth mindset. Nothing teaches and prepare you for life like competition and the mountain.
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS:
- Level 200 USSS / Level 200 PSIA
SKIING BACKGROUND:
- I grew up skiing at Ski Bowl with Cascade Ski Club, until my father bought a small skier area in Northern Idaho. In Idaho I skied and snowmobiled until the sun dropped every night. I went to a ski academy, MBSEF, when I was a freshman in high school until I was named to the USST at age 17.
WHEN I WAS 8 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE A – On the US ski team
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS – Being on time is essential to success.
Head Competition and Training Team Coach
Mary Gunesch
NICKNAME: Mama G
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: Portland, Oregon
EDUCATION:
- Master’s Degree, Lewis and Clark College
- Bachelor’s degree with Honors, University of Wyoming
AWARDS / ACCOLADES:
- Graduated Phi Beta Kappa while competing as an NCAA Division 1 athlete
- Awarded Pacific Northwest Division’s NORRIE LAMSON AWARD “For outstanding service to Juniors and Jr Race Program over a period of several years.”
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT? 2019
WHY DO YOU COACH? I love kids, ski racing, teaching, and coaching. It’s great to get to help kids accomplish their goals, increase their self-confidence, and learn that, with grit and passion, they can do just about anything!
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS:
- USSA Level 400
SKIING BACKGROUND:
Mary grew up ski racing on Mt. Hood. She was Overall NW Cup Champion, Junior National Champion, and went on to race Nor-Ams and NCAA Division 1. After graduating college, she earned a master’s degree in education and started a ski academy. Over the past 30 years she has coached many outstanding athletes, including numerous Junior Championship winners and international competitors.
Mary loves to find creative ways to help athletes accomplish their goals, not only for the sake of their futures in skiing, but also to help them build confidence and skills that enable them to achieve their goals in any future domain.
WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE A…
A girl who started soccer teams for girls because, at the time, only boys could play on the team.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS :
I researched how to create flexible schooling.
U14/U16 Coach
Alice Bouchard
NICKNAME: Malice
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: Bend, OR
EDUCATION
- Mt Hood Academy, Oregon State University
AWARDS / ACCOLADES
- CSAT hottest coach 2022/2023, NWC winner 2021, PNSA team 2018-2022
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT? 2022/2023
WHY DO YOU COACH?
- I coach because I believe children need sports in their key developmental years, and ski racing teaches so many good lessons, both physically and mentally
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS:
- Level 100 USSS
SKIING BACKGROUND:
- Ski racing through FIS at MBSEF and Mt Hood Academy
WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE A – downhiller on the US ski team.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS – as long as you think you’re funny, you can do anything.
Assistant U14 Coach
Nick Lawerance
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: Mount Hood Parkdale
EDUCATION: Almost a degree, Montana State University
AWARDS / ACCOLADES: CSAT Most improved 2014 and 2015, CSAT workout award 2016 and 2017
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT? 2023
WHY DO YOU COACH? To share the amazing kinds of experiences I got to have as a kid
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS: We’ll get there
SKIING BACKGROUND: Ski raced for cooper spur 2011-2018
WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE A – scientist
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS – how to be comfortable, all the time
U12 Competition Team Coach
Garrett Lodge
NICKNAME: G
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: Boise, ID
EDUCATION: Linfield
AWARDS / ACCOLADES:
- 2021 Coach of the Year / 2022 Good Samaritan
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT? 2020-2021
WHY DO YOU COACH? I coach to make sure kids from a younger generation had as much fun as I did
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS:
- Level 100 USSS / Level 200 USSS / Level 100 BICP
SKIING BACKGROUND:
- Ski racing through FIS
WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE A…cowboy
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS, to stay low and drive your feet
U10 Competition Team Coach
Jessica Altman
NICKNAME:
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: Welches, OR
EDUCATION:
- Rocky Mountain College-B.A. Accounting and Finance
AWARDS / ACCOLADES:
- 2022 CSAT coach of the year
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT? 2018
WHY DO YOU COACH?
- To pass on my love of skiing. It is also lots of fun to ski with kids. They are full of energy and drive to have fun.
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS:
- Level 100 USSS
SKIING BACKGROUND:
- I grew up skiing race on Mt. Hood. I raced for Rocky Mountain College. I coached for Mammoth Mountain race team for a couple of seasons. Then I was head coach for the Hood River Ski Team for 5 years.
WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE A…cowgirl
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS : A love for outdoor activities
U10 / U12 Training Team Coach
Garth Eliason
NICKNAME: Dark Horse
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: Cornelius OR and Twin Rocks OR
EDUCATION:
BS Engineering Physics, Oregon State Univ.
MS Electrical Engineering, Oregon State Univ.
AWARDS / ACCOLADES:
9 U.S. Patents
Top-15 Age group finisher, Portland Marathon 1995
Portland-to-Coast record-setting winning team 1995
Top-50 Age group finisher, Boston Marathon 1996
CSAT Coach of the year 2019, 2020
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT?
2017
WHY DO YOU COACH?
It’s fun! Love working with athletes and helping them discover their abilities, believe in themselves and realize their dreams. A very special coach helped me do this when I was a young athlete and his influence was pivotal in my life. Would like to share similar influence with the CSAT athletes I’m so privileged to ski with.
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS:
USSS Alpine Level-3
PSIA Alpine Level-3
SKIING BACKGROUND:
Junior racing 1977-79, PNW
Coach/Instructor Timberline Ski Training Center 1980-82
J3/J4 Coach, Skyliners Ski Club & MBSEF, 1983-86
Education Supervisor, Mt. Bachelor Ski School, 1983-86
USSA National Alpine Coaches School 1984
PSIA National Academy 1985
Head Coach, Corvallis HS Ski Team, 1991-96
OISRA President 1994
City League Racing, Portland 2009-13
CSAT Coach 2017-present
WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE A… 6-year old
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS :
You have to earn your way by working hard.
Development Team Coach
Kelsie Erkkila
Name Kelsi Erkkila
NICKNAME: Killa K
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: Corvallis, Oregon
EDUCATION:
- BA in History
- MA in Teaching
AWARDS / ACCOLADES:
- 2022 Cooper Spur Coach of the Year
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT?
WHY DO YOU COACH?
- I love working with kids and helping them see the joy of skiing. As the improve their skills, their enjoyment grows and the smiles get bigger. I feel privileged to be part of that.
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS:
- PSIA Level II instructor
SKIING BACKGROUND:
- I grew up skiing in the Pacific Northwest. I started at 6 at Mount Bachelor and skied with my family through my youth. In high school, I raced for my school and found a love for it. The deciding factor for choosing my college was that it had a ski racing team that I joined for my 4 years there. Out of college, I taught skiing at Mount Bachelor for many years and also for Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation. When I moved to the Columbia Gorge, I was recruited to work for Cooper and have enjoyed it ever since.
WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE A ballerina
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS, to take responsibility for my mistakes and work harder for what I want.
Development Team Coach
Jerry Moore
Role: The Coach
Name: Jerry Moore
NICKNAME: “Broken”
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: Mt Hood
EDUCATION: Majored in Aviation
AWARDS / ACCOLADES:
Many wins across the US including Best In the Desert Series, 24&12hr-overall&Ironman, ISDE qualifiers’, Hare&Hound and cross country overall’s
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT? 2016
WHY DO YOU COACH? To, inspire, motivate and influence athletes, hopefully making a positive impact in an athlete’s life either on or off the hill. I coach because I love ski racing, enjoy the beauty of the mountains and the positive people Cooper Spur attracts.
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS: USSA Level 200
SKIING OR BIKING BACKGROUND:
Ski raced in PNSA until college. Made a dream come true, competing off-road on two wheels a good part of my younger adult life.
WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE: An astronaut
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS : Anything is achievable with enough passion.
Development Team Coach
Carrie Sidwell
NICKNAME: Carebear
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: New Hampton NH
EDUCATION: Bachelors degree in English with a writing focus
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT? 2020
WHY DO YOU COACH? I love to share my passion for the mountain and especially the parks with my kids! I enjoy teaching various skills, confidence, and park safety while encouraging independence.
COACHING CECRTIFICATIONS: 8 years instructing with MHM
SKIING BACKGROUND: I learned to ski at Waterville Valley when I was 6 years old. Tried ski racing in 9th grade, but quickly realized that I was more of a freestyler. My park skiing began progressing when I was 18, and began competing in rail jams. I worked for MHM park crew for 6 years.
WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE A… zookeeper
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS : Treat others the way you wish to be treated.
Development Team Coach
Suzanna Kurz
NICKNAME: Mac
HOMETOWN / WHERE I GREW UP: Fort Collins, CO
EDUCATION: A semester of Business
WHAT YEAR DID YOU START COACHING AT CSAT? 2023
WHY DO YOU COACH? I love being able to share my passion for skiing with others. Being able to connect with someone and help them in their journey is so rewarding. I enjoy passing on what I know and seeing how far it can take someone else.
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS: Instructor since 2017
SKIING BACKGROUND: Although I’m from Colorado, I did not grow up skiing. I learned to ski as an adult but quickly fell in love with the sport and started teaching in 2017. I also learned how to snowboard a few years ago and am loving learning a new way to play on the mountain.
WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I WAS PRETTY SURE I’D BE A… Firefighter
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL WAS : Be kind to others and root for their success.
Development Team Coach
Kesia Barone
Nicknames: Kes (pronounced: case) or Kez
Hometown: Hood River, OR and West Vancouver, BC
Education: Bachelor of Architecture – The Glasgow School of Art and Bachelor of Science: Architecture – Portland State University
Awards: N/A
What year did you start coaching: 2023
Why do you coach: Some of my fondest childhood memories are from my years racing with Cooper Spur, and I hope I can pass on the same amazing memories I have to the younger generations!
Certifications: N/A
Skiing Background: My mom’s side grew up racing and coaching in Canada, so I was raised in a ski family and was put on a skis before I can remember. Up until age 14, I raced with the Cooper Spur Race Team and then continued racing with my high school in Canada.
When I was 5 years old, I was pretty sure I’d be : on the US Ski Team or Team Canada as a downhill racer
The most important thing I learned before high school was: Put the work in, but make sure you’re having fun
