SNSC launches tutorial program, teams up with Cochran’s for joint training.

This season, Smugglers’ Notch Ski and Snowboard Club is providing athletes in their small club setting greater opportunity at an affordable price. Motivated U14, U16, and U19 athletes can take advantage of increased training opportunities, a tutorial program, and new small club collaboration with Cochran’s Ski Club.

SNSC began by hiring new full time U16/U19 Head Coach, Zachary Gould. Zach raced all four years for the College of Idaho, winning multiple national championships individually and as a team. He has previously coached U10, U12, U16, and U19 levels at Loon, N.H. Additionally, Zach has coached seven summers, including this summer, with the Ligety Weibrecht Ski Camp at Mt Hood, Oregon. “I’m super psyched to come back to Vermont and want to build a positive team atmosphere where athletes can work hard but also have fun and grow a love for the sport.” he says. Working alongside Zach will be returning coach Jasmine Bruce, a former BMA athlete with NorAm starts, and Kevin O’Brien, an accomplished NCAA racer and graduate of St. Michael’s College with six years coaching experience.

Also new this season is the SNSC Tutorial Program which will allow students to take advantage of additional time on snow. This program will provide students with intensive instruction in the curriculum from their sending school as well as providing them with individualized instruction and enrichment. Tutorial Program Head Courtney Leitz, who grew up skiing at Smugglers’ Notch, has 13 years teaching and education administration experience. She has taught in both public and private schools including Mount Mansfield Winter Academy and The Woodstock Day School in Woodstock, NY., and administered a continuing education program at North Country Community College in NY.
“In the current climate of growing ski academies, which are not affordable for many talented athletes,” states SNSC Executive Director Ryan Sheredy, “SNSC and Cochran’s see the value of combining resources in an effort to provide comparable opportunities for our members.” The two clubs are talking about training on one another’s hills, providing SNSC athletes with after school training hours at Cochran’s and Cochran’s athletes a full length training hill option. In addition, coaches will explore ways to collaborate with each other and support athletes from both programs during training and at events. The two clubs will also examine the opportunity for joint training camps.

 “We’re very excited about the potential of this partnership.” Says Sheredy.

For more information on the new programming at SNSC, reach out to the club at info@snscvt.com.