Meet the Coaches

We asked the Head Coaches at FAST a few questions about their ski backgrounds. Here's what they had to say --

Director of Program: Rod Timm

I started skiing at Happy Valley Ski Hill in Calgary because my parents made me do it. I was 3 years old. I raced Nancy Greene from 5 to 18 years of age. The thing I love the most about skiing is big GS turns; the thing I hate the most about skiing is people who hoot and holler in the powder. I have coached skiing for 30 years -- every level from little kids to National level skiers. I love watching young athletes make World Cup level turns in their small bodies. Ski Racing has taught me many life skills (but I probably wouldn't use a computer if I didn't have this job.) My favorite ski racer ever was Franz Klammer and my favorite skis were my first DH skis, Fischer RC with the classic hole in the tips. I came to Fernie in 1988 with a plan to coach for 2 years, but I'm still here. Apparently things changed.

FAST Track Head Coach: Chris Slubicki

I started skiing in 1962 at a provincial park north of Toronto called Albion Hills. It had one rope tow and it cost $4 for the whole family for life tickets. Does that date me? I raced with a club called Mansfield for 5 years. The thing I love the most about skiing is I just love skiing! The thing I hate the most about skiing is cold toes. I have been coaching for FAST at the FAST Track (E1) level for 11 years. I am a level ll CSCF coach. I could go on for a long time about my favorite part about coaching! i enjoy the time with the kids, their endless enthusiasm, seeing them improve by leaps and bounds, the funny stories they tell . . . . but probably the best part is the connection you establish with the kids which lasts for years. The favorite skis I ever owned were a pair of Volkl Renn Tigers -- the coolest skis ever made! My favorite ski racers were the Crazy Canucks, naturally. They made our country proud -- they still do. Great snow and great people brought me to Fernie. FAST is fortunate to have dozens of good, dedicated coaches. it does not matter which coach you have, you will learn to ski and have a ton of fun in the process.

U10 Head Coach: Miriam Leishman

I started skiing when I was around 3 years old. I grew up just south of Edmonton and skied first at Sunridge and later at Rabbit Hill. My whole family skied, so it was not an option! I raced until I was 17. I love everything about skiing -- it's always fun. I love going fast, skiing steeps, and powder (obviously) and I love that its a social sport. I don't love the cold, but I can tolerate it and I hate skiing in the rain, we never had to in Northern Alberta. I started coaching as soon as I finished racing, when I was 17. I've coached evey age group from 4 year old Nancy Green kids to FIS. I have my Level ll CSIA and Development Level CSCF (Level ll). My favoirte part about coaching is sharing my love of the sport with the kids, but I also love being outside and being active. The most valuable thing skiing has taught me is probably patience, hard work and cooperation. My favorite skis were a pair of K2 skis I had when I was around 8, they had Batman on them and they were the best! As for my favorite ski racers, I remember loving Picabo Street (strictly because of her name!) and Alberto Tomba. I came to Fernie to work for a summer while in uniververity and never left!

U12 Head Coach: Katie Joyce

I was 8 when I started skiing at Mt. Parkenham, Ont. Our closest family friends were skiers, and we had lots of photos of my dad as a skier, so I finally asked why we weren't skiers ... I didn't kow that was all I had to do. Since then, I haven't spent a winter weekend doing anything else. I started ski racing right from the begininning. I don't like cold toes, but I don't know that there is much else not to like. I stared coaching right after I finished racing at 17 at Mount Cascades, Quebec. I continued at Martick, Nova Scotia through my university years and then I moved to Fernie. My favorite part about coaching? I coach ski racing for a living . . . . enough said! The most valuable thing skiing has taught me is to do what you love and love what you do. My all time favorite skies were a pair of Dynastar Competition. They were speckled blue and black and had a US Ski Team logo on them; my brother had matching ones. They were my first brand new pair of skis. Maybe the best day ever! Kerrin Lee-Gartner was my favorite skier. I even made a scrapbook about her for a school project -- but don't tell her that. I came to Fernie because I wanted to spend a winter skiing after University and I didn't want to be anywhere busy or live far from the ski hill. I knew nothing about Fenrie, but thought I would give it a shot. That was 10 years ago!

U14 Head Coach: Ben Cohen

We were always going out skiing as a family. Before I could ski myself, my mom had my brother and I out on the slopes of Whistler in backpacks I started skiing when I was 2, then started racing at 4. I raced on teams in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, Whitefish, Montana, and Kimberley, BC. The thing I love the most about skiing is the the speed and the freedom. I have been coaching with FAST for 7 years. I like getting to share the joy of skiing with so many people. And the view form my office is amazing! The most valuable thing skiing has taught me is to "Go with the flow". My favorite skis ever were a pair of red Atomic 210 DH skis. It was the first pair of skis I owned that were comfortable going as fast as I was. While I was racing I was a Herman Maier fan. I was always trying to be the next Crazy Canuck though. I wanted to go fast, be fearless and have fun. What brought me to Fernie? Well the deep snow, big lines (not lineups) and the tight-knit community.

U16 Head Coach: Ian Larsen

I started skiing at around age 5, at Camp Fortune Ski Hill just outside of Ottawa. I started skiing because it was what we did as a family. I raced as a kid. I LIKE the feeling of freedom that skiing gives. I DISLIKE the really cold days. I have been coaching with FAST for 15 years -- U12, U14 & U16. The part I like about coaching is helping athletes become better skiers and racers. Skiing has taught me that perserverance and determination can go a long way. What are my favorite skis? Well, all my skis have been my favorites because without them I wouldn't be able to ski. Steve Podborski was my favorite ski racer. He was part of the Crazy Canucks. I admired the risks he took in order to win the race. The thing that brought me to Fernie is that I took a year off from the big city 20 years ago.