October Newsletter
Chilly Days Ahead As the foliage fades and snow begins to dust our local peaks, we have lots to look forward to this November at NYSEF! The ice rails and netting for winter jumping have been installed at the Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex, and we’re anxiously awaiting the sound of the snow guns firing up at Belleayre, Gore, Whiteface, and Mount Van Hoevenberg later this month. October flew past with tons of exciting events! The Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex hosted the Flaming Leaves Festival and US Nordic National Championships, where some NYSEF athletes and alumni had impressive performances. NYSSRA and the US Ski and Snowboard Eastern Region hosted an Alpine Racing Education Conference at the Lake Placid Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, and our nordic team hosted a fun Halloween-themed Scavenger Hunt at Dewey Mountain in Saranac Lake. This November, NYSEF’s alpine teams will travel to Summit County, Colorado, Hintertux, Austria, and Sunday River, Maine to get some quality time on snow before our season starts here in New York. Our nordic staff will travel to Gore to host a dryland clinic, while our cross country and biathlon athletes will spend a weekend on snow at our NYSEF Thanksgiving Nordic Camp here in Lake Placid. Don’t miss our annual Ski and Gear Swap on Saturday, November 4th at the Lake Placid Elementary School.! See you there! John Norton, Executive Director
Photo by Brandee Reiley
October 2023 What's Next: Upcoming Camps & Events 2023 NYSEF Winter Ski & Gear Sale in Lake Placid November 4, 2023 7:00AM-11:30AM Lake Placid Elementary School Our Annual Sale is back!! Bring your gear to sell or come buy some lightly used and discounted gear! All winter outdoor gear & accessories welcome! Items should be 10 years old or newer, and in good condition. Check out our FAQ sheet! More info: https://www.nysef.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/352/2023/09/2023LPSC_NYSEF-Ski-Swap.pdf
2023 NYSEF/Northwood FIS/U18 Fall Colorado Training Twelve days on snow (8 GS, 4 SL). Focus on GS and SL Gate volume. Other activities will include video analysis and group dryland while staying at East Village in Copper, Colorado. Dates: November 7-21, 2023
NYSEF Nordic Dryland Clinic @ Gore Mountain Ski Bowl Open to athletes and coaches ages 13 and up. Clinic will include short, informative training session designed for beginners or advanced ski racers with a focus on the fundamentals with coaches Paul Smith and Maddie Phaneuf. No Registration Necessary. Cost: $10 Date: November 11, 2023 (10AM-12PM)
2023 NYSEF/Northwood U16 Prep Project in Hintertux, Austria Eleven days on snow, focusing on the foundational elements of GS at Hintertux Glacier in Austria for NYSEF‘s Full-time U16 athletes. Athletes will stay in Gasthof-Hochsteg, Finkenberg, Austria where they will ski and have mandatory daily academic sessions. Dates: November 15-30, 2023
XC Thanksgiving Training Join NYSEF’s Nordic Coaching Staff for on-snow training sessions at Mt. Van Hoevenberg with The NYSEF Junior Race Team! For cross country ski racers and biathletes ages 14-18! Date: November 22-26, 2023 Cost: $500 includes coaching, lodging & meals at the Olympic Training Center Registration: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/376233
What's Next: Upcoming Camps & Events (Continued) 2023 NYSEF U12-U18 Sunday River Fundamentals Camp This camp is geared toward constructing as well as refining fundamental movement patterns through freeskiing. This camp introduces the athletes to the ski camp environment, from daily preparation to time management and is close to home. Dates: November 17 - November 22, 2023 Cost: Approx. $1,500 Includes lodging, meals, lift tickets, coaching fees and ground transportation. Registration: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/380835
2023 NYSEF U14-U18 Fall Fundamentals Camp in Summit Co., CO This camp is geared toward constructing as well as refining fundamental movement patterns through freeskiing and getting LOTS of mileage! Eight days on snow. Athletes will continue to maintain an athletic physical base by coupling the time on snow with dryland training. Dates: November 23 - December 3, 2023 Cost: Approx. $2,500 Includes lodging, meals, lift tickets, coaching fees and ground transportation. Registration: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/380835
October 2023
Lina Farra named to US Biathlon Pre-Season Roster NYSEF Post Graduate (PG) biathlete Lina Farra traveled back to her home state of Utah in early October to participate in an altitude training camp and to compete at the US Biathlon Team Trials. Lina put up some solid results while out west, placing 6th in the Women’s Sprint (with 90% shooting), and landing in 8th in the Women’s Mass Start. This year, US Biathlon used the Team Trials races to name a fall-on-snow camp roster, rather than finalize their World Cup and IBU Cup rosters, as they have in years past. “I believe this provides a more fair opportunity for athletes, as it can be tough to determine one’s early season fitness based solely on rollerski results,” said NYSEF’s Head Biathlon Coach Maddie Phaneuf. Lina’s performance at the Team Trials Races earned her a spot on that coveted camp roster, which was announced by US Biathlon on October 17th. The team will travel to Finland in early November for pre-season camp, where Lina will be given the opportunity to train with the National Team and their knowledgeable coaching staff before competing in some on-snow biathlon races that will finalize the World Cup and IBU Cup team rosters. “We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed that the training camp is successful for Lina, and she can begin her race season either on the World Cup or on the IBU Cup circuit!” said Coach Phaneuf. NYSEF alumna Jackie Garso was also named to the pre-season camp roster and will travel alongside Lina next month.
IBU International Coaches Course Recap From NYSEF Biathlon Head Coach Maddie Phaneuf
This spring I was one of only twenty coaches worldwide who were selected to join the International Biathlon Union’s Academy for their First Level Coaches Course. This course is a yearlong, partly online but partly in-person, course to teach biathlon coaches more knowledge and skill in the sport from the world’s best in the field of biathlon. I visited Hochfilzen, Austria this past May for a week session where we covered topics like skate skiing technique, rifle maintenance, shooting technique, equipment, waxing, and more. This October was our second in-person, week-long session in Östersund, Sweden, where we covered similar topics but delved a little deeper. My favorite topic of the week was how male and female athletes differ and how you can coach them to their strengths. As you may be aware, women are not “small men” and it’s important to take that into account when coaching all levels of athletes! I left the course more motivated and excited for the snow to fly and the race season to get underway. I learned a lot from the instructors there, but I also learned from my fellow classmates; biathlon coaches from all around the globe, coming together from different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
October 2023
What’s New at Our Home Venues?
An Update on Belleayre, Gore, and Whiteface Mountains From the Olympic Regional Development Authority Each year in the off-season, we strive to maintain and modernize. This season has been exceptional with the installation of the Notch Lift at Whiteface, the replacement of the Bear Cub Poma Lift at Gore, and the replacement of Lift 7 at Belleayre. All three mountains worked diligently to improve snowmaking abilities through increasing numbers of low-energy snow guns across the board, adding a new valve house at the top of the Hudson Triple at Gore, and replacing old-high-energy consumption snow guns at Belleayre to allow crews to make snow more efficiently and better utilize water pumping capabilities. New winch grooming technology will improve the conditions at all our mountains, specifically on the steepest pitches. At Whiteface, outdated power poles will be removed on Boreen and other general maintenance will help to enhance reliability and access for everyone. Gore’s upgrades with new seasonal lockers, new carpet, and paint at the lodges are all geared toward making the experience for all skiers that much better. Amongst all the programs that will continue this season, Gore has added an exciting uphill program at the Ski Bowl this winter. Belleayre has exciting new upgrades to their Nordic ski trails and has made a conscious effort to improve sustainability efforts this season which include the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.
October 2023 Belleayre Mountain Upgrading lifts; replacement of lift 7 and overhauled electrical systems to Lift 8 ·Increasing snowmaking capacity; replacing old high-energyconsumption snow guns to allow crews to make snow more efficiently and better utilize water pumping capabilities ·Diversifying terrain and accessibility ·Expand summer hiking and mountain biking trails ·Upgrade Nordic Ski trails ·Improve sustainability; install electric vehicle charging stations ·New maintenance building for the Catskill Thunder gondola
Gore Mountain Bear Cub Poma Lift with a new conveyor-load quad More snowmaking improvements; addition of a new valve house at the top of the Hudson Triple New infrastructure on Little Gore Mountain at the North Creek Ski Bowl Power upgrade and burying of lines to power the new lift and at the top of the Hudson chair New Seasonal lockers, new carpet, and paint at the lodges Uphill program
Whiteface Mountain Notch Lift More low energy guns More snowmaking improvements Continued improvements at Bear Den Two new snow cats Continued electrical infrastructure improvements
Photos provided by: Olympic Regional Development Authority
Flying Through
Fall
October 2023 Lake Placid hosts FIS Continental Cup & USA Nordic National Championships NYSEF Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined athletes had a strong showing at two different competitions at the Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex over the beginning of this month. Competition kicked off with the summer final for the Men’s Ski Jumping Continental Cup circuit, despite some rainy weather. NYSEF alumnus and homegrown athlete Tate Frantz had an exceptional showing on each day of the event, placing in the top 15 in 3 of 3 competitions, once in the top 10, and twice as the top US athlete. Our local NYSEF junior athletes got experience forejumping for the competition, getting to rub elbows with some of the strongest athletes from around the world. The event was run in conjunction with the Flaming Leaves Festival; an annual celebration of Adirondack fall foliage that includes music, vendors, food, drink, and fun activities for kids. The event was originally scheduled to run over the course of three days, but inclement weather resulted in a condensed, two-day schedule.
Photos: Brandee Reiley
US National Championships for both Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined followed on Tuesday and Wednesday October 10th and 11th, along with a qualifier for Youth Olympic Games, which will take place this January in Gangwon, South Korea. At US National Championships, Tate was a standout again, placing 2nd on the HS128 and 3rd on the HS100. At Youth Olympic Qualifiers, NYSEF’s Kai McKinnon took second in the women’s Nordic Combined competition. Teammates Duncan Van Dorn and Jack Kroll placed sixth and eighth on the men’s side respectively. In Ski Jumping, NYSEF athlete Henry Loher placed sixth in the men’s competition, with Schuyler Clapp taking home ninth. NYSEF athletes will travel to Steamboat Springs, CO for the second set of Youth Olympic Games qualifying competitions for both Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined on December 9th, 2023. After the conclusion of those competitions, two women and two men will be named to each team by a selection committee based on the quotas established by FIS and results over the two competitions.
October 2023 Fall Fieldtrip Fun with NYSEF! On Tuesday October 10th, nearly 100 elementary school students from Keene, Jay, Wilmington, and Ausable Forks traveled to the Olympic Jumping Complex in Lake Placid for a special Field Trip during the USA Nordic National Championships. Students took a tour of the jumping complex, rode the gondola, met some of the competitors, and learned more about ski jumping's history in Lake Placid. Partnering with the event team from ORDA, NYSEF was on-site to answer questions and pique curiosity about ski jumping and getting engaged in the sport. NYSEF will host “Learn To Fly” days on December 13th and December 20th from 3:15pm-5pm, and December 27th and January 6th from 9am-11:30am. For more info, email learntofly@nysef.org
News from Northwood School Northwood Ski Team: A Quarter of Achievements and Aspirations “The Northwood Ski Team is celebrating a successful first quarter of the school year, with a persistent focus on training and preparation for the upcoming competition season. With 37 dedicated student-athletes, our Nordic, Freestyle, and Alpine programs are in full swing, channeling their efforts toward achieving their personal bests. In an exciting development, three exceptional seniors have applied to Ivy League schools, exemplifying the dedication and well-rounded excellence that defines our team. Even beyond athletics, our student-athletes are setting high standards for academic achievement and future aspirations.” - Tommy Biesemeyer, Olympian, Director of Skiing - Northwood School
The Event at the HUB: A Platform for Exchange and Growth Amidst this momentum, Northwood School hosted one of the events for the US Ski and Snowboard Eastern Regional coaches' continuing education program in scenic Lake Placid, NY. A gathering of 60 coaches listened to the insights of esteemed US Ski Team Alums Julia Ford and Roger Brown, shedding light on effective coaching techniques and fostering a positive team culture. This event provided an invaluable platform for exchanging ideas and values within the Eastern region's ski community, showcasing Northwood's Innovative Hub and reinforcing our commitment to nurturing the passionate Olympic spirit within our team and beyond. Northwood School is a coeducational, independent boarding school in Lake Placid, New York offering a trimester-based college preparatory curriculum for students in grades 9 through 12, plus a post-graduate year. Through Northwood School and NYSEF’s long-standing partnership, we share experienced coaching staff and work together on dryland programs and on-snow training camps. NYSEF also provides the Northwood Ski Team with lodge facilities and training opportunities at the venues in partnership with the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). Learn more at northwoodschool.org and on Instagram @northwoodnysef
October 2023
Attendees of the US Ski and Snowboard Eastern Regional Coaches Clinic participate in a live recording of “The Next Turn” podcast at the Northwood School HUB on Main Street in Lake Placid.
Members of NYSEF’s Alpine FIS and U16 teams participate in SkillsQuest Testing at Northwood School with Per Lundstam, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Director of Alpine Sport Science.
STAFF HT G I L T SPO Belleayre Head U10/U12 Coach Kate McKenna is heading into her fourth season on the hill at Belleayre. We asked her about her coaching philosophy, what makes a good coach, and what the future holds.
Kate McKenna
October 2023 How do you prepare for the upcoming ski season? Committing to a coaching season is both a mental and physical process for me. Normally my offseason is focused on strength-based lifting activities, and hiking for endurance to be able to make it through our long days on the mountain physically. This season I spent much more of my time working in Washington DC, and had to focus on long walks in the heat, pilates, and yoga. As we get into the fall, I am refocusing on strength and endurance but more focusing on the mental element that comes into play during the season to get through the long cold days and working 7 days a week. I will spend October finalizing our overall training plan based on our projected calendar and the goals of our teams before we roll into pre-season camps in November & then it's time to go! A must-do every season includes making a big shopping trip to make sure I have all the applesauce, veggie pouches, Uncrustables, and trail mix for those early mornings when I'm on the chairlift and realize I have forgotten my lunch. What is it like for you as a coach when a racer has a breakthrough moment in their skiing, whether during a race or in training? My favorite thing to see on the hill is an athlete finding the feeling of what we have been working with them on. It is such an incredible moment to witness, especially to watch an athlete try to repeat what they did previously and go hunting for that same feeling. As a coach I feel like those moments are a million times more rewarding than competition success - it is much more personal and it really shows athletes that the hard work pays off in many ways. I feel in a unique position to have some young athletes find an initial breakthrough moment, and as a coach then to be able to watch them find more moments and grow through their career. It is incredible to witness them not only be able to find consistency in their initial breakthrough but see them find more moments as they grow through the program. How has coaching and training changed since you were racing? I notice that athlete motivation has shifted from when I was an athlete. The athletes I work with are just beginning their ski racing journey and sometimes looking to find their motivation from coaches and teammates. We love being able to introduce them to many forms of motivation by educating them about the sport, where it can take you, and how much fun there is to be had. When I was racing, I was driven to the sport by my heroes like Picabo Street and Bode Miller after seeing where they were skiing on television and watching them compete on a variety of international stages. Now we see athletes wanting to come to the sport due to friendships and seeing NYSEF on the mountain, knowing they want to be a part of the team. The key we have found is once they come to the program, to continue to educate them on the heroes of the sport today and continue their exposure to all things skiing and racing, so they can find what gets them excited about coming to training and help them set their short and long term goals.
What does the future of training and coaching elite athletes look like? For the level of athletes I am fortunate enough to work with, they are just embarking on their journey, hopeful to reach the highest levels our sport has to offer. As part of their training, we form their foundation of the sport in body awareness, independence, and love of skiing], before getting into the technicalities that come with the elite level. For training, athletes have to be comfortable and confident in their abilities and understand that they come to the mountain every day to improve their ability, not prove it. We have really shifted our perspective with our younger athletes, focusing on their skiing skills and helping them to understand that their success is directly related to the commitment they make to improving. For the future of coaching, we have been fortunate enough to work with Cat to develop a program where Coaches' Education is valued and part of the expectation at all levels.We have created a culture of empowerment and excitement around learning where the development of the sport has brought us and how we can contribute, versus a "back in my day" mentality. We want our coaches to be confident in their abilities to coach while fostering a learning environment for both coaches, athletes, and families. What is your favorite thing about being a coach for NYSEF? I absolutely love the community we have built across all three mountains and the respect that our coaches have for each other. Our community of coaches, staff, and families really understand what we value as a program and come to the mountain every day with the same goals in mind. No matter what mountain you are at, it always feels like you are part of the NYSEF family and welcomed with open arms. It is one of the things that keeps me coming back to the program each year with renewed energy and excitement, knowing that our community is growing in size, respect, and admiration around the sport. What makes a good coach? There are so many things that go into making a good coach, and so many different definitions across our sport. For me, I know a good coach is someone who is relatable, who is good at managing expectations, someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously but who knows when to be serious, and who consciously creates an environment where athletes can grow in the sport and be themselves.
October 2023 Van Etten Wins Race Place Contest and Scholarship NYSEF Men’s first-year FIS athlete and Northwood School Junior Cole Van Etten was announced as one of this year’s winners of the Race Place Catalog Cover Contest. The contest runs annually and is open to all US ski racers ages 14 and up in good academic standing. Van Etten will appear on the back cover of this year’s Catalog. “Just as in past years, we were fortunate to receive an abundance of outstanding applications, making our selection process truly demanding.” said contest organizers. “We applaud Cole’s dedication and welcome him as our back cover athlete.” Van Etten’s accomplishments as a U14 and U16 athlete with NYSEF as well as his involvement in local community organizations like SLICK and BETA helped his application stand out from the others. “ One of my goals this season is to enjoy my sport more and worry less. Skiing can be a stressful sport. I think by doing this, I will end up getting better results. I am looking forward to a great season as a first-year FIS athlete!” said Van Etten.
Photo: Claire Abbe
Freestyle Summer
October 2023 Ramps & Tramps… and Tramps! NYSEF Freeride returned to the Olympic Jumping Complex (OJC) in Lake Placid this summer with a compressed water ramping & trampoline schedule. “Ramps & Tramps” as our athletes call it, allows skiers and riders to perfect their flips and twists, work on aerial awareness, and try new tricks in the summer without any snow. In addition to our normal programming, we offered a new off-site, trampoline-only training geared towards all disciplines of skiing and riding. Summer training kicked off on June 24th at the OJC; where NYSEF has access to freestyle ramps and a pool with an aerated water landing, as well as two trampolines. Coach Jari Novak supervised mid-summer training sessions before heading to Park City, Utah to coach his son, Czech Aerials National Team member, Nick Novak, in July. Coach Yarka Novakova began coaching smaller trampoline sessions in late June on her privately owned setup near the Cascade Lakes. This included a visit from NYSEF Skiemeisters during their third summer session. Coach Jackson Deeney took over for Jari in midJuly, overseeing practices and training with freestyle athletes through the remainder of the summer. We put on a jumping show for the NYSEF Summer Benefit in August, and welcomed back our freeskiers from the Northwood Ski Team for a few sessions in September before the facility closed for the season in October.
“Overall, we hosted 80 + athletes this year from programs all over the East. Even though the weather proved to be quite challenging, we were able to make the most of every day of training.” said NYSEF Freeride Program Director Mike Kirchner. "My favorite part of this summer at the jumping complex was connecting with athletes at such a wonderful venue. Whether is was a returning athlete, or someone brand new, the jumping complex is always a unique and exciting spot for everyone to come together and hone in their skills.” said Coach Jackson Deeney. “We were fortunate enough to be able to offer sessions into September this year and welcome the Northwood School Freestyle Team for an extended season throughout October. Overall, myself and the team are excited for these cooler temps and snowier days!” Now that the Ramps and Tramps season has wrapped up, athletes are getting in an occasional trampoline session when the weather allows, but mostly looking forward to getting back on snow soon to dial their tricks in.
October 2023 US Ski & Snowboard Eastern Region Hosts Meetings & Coaches Education Clinic The Lake Placid Olympic and Paralympic Training Center and Northwood School HUB opened their doors for over 75 coaches from the eastern region on the weekend of Oct 14th and 15th, including many members of NYSEF’s coaching and administrative staff from Whiteface and Gore. The weekend began with the annual Eastern Development Committee (EDC), Eastern Children’s Committee (ECC), and Alpine Competition Committee (ACC) meetings and ended with a well-thought-out and meaningful coaches education workshop. The workshop included classroom lectures as well as hands-on sessions in in the gym. The ability to gather again and have in-person coaching clinics at this level is a great way to get excited for the upcoming season. The clinic was jam-packed with knowledgeable and very relevant speakers including Dr. Harjiv Singh of the Orlando Magic, former men’s US Ski Team coach Sasha Rearick, and US Ski & Snowboard Director of Alpins Sport Science Per Lundstam.
Demong Named to US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame Class of 2023 In the final days of September, the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame named eight athletes to their Class of 2023, including NYSEF alumnus Billy Demong. “As an athlete and a team leader, Olympic champion Billy Demong won the first gold medal by an American nordic skier, inspiring Team USA to an unprecedented four medals at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. He grew up in the Olympic region of Lake Placid, inspired by the culture emanating from the 1980 Games. In an international racing career that spanned 16 seasons, he won Olympic gold and silver, four World Championship medals including one gold and earned 21 World Cup podiums with nine wins.” The class will be inducted at the Snowsports History Celebration in March, which will be held in Park City, Utah. Other members of the Class of 2023 include Ross Anderson, Shannon Bahrke, Jeff Brushie, Jake and Dave Moe, Les Otten, Mike Porter, and Hank Kashiwa.
Photo: Nancie Battaglia
October 2023 Alumni Roundup October was an exciting month for some of our NYSEF alumni who have taken to racing on wheels in the summer and fall seasons: Cecily Decker, a former alpine racer with NYSEF at Whiteface is now competing professionally in women's mountain bike and gravel bike racing. On October 13th, Cecily put in a grueling effort to win the Belgian Waffle Ride Kansas - a 123-mile gravel race with over 7,750 feet of climbing. Cecily took the win in 7 hours, 8 minutes, and 36 seconds, beating the second-place finisher by twelve minutes. Beckett Ledger (whom you may remember from our September Newsletter’s Alumni Spotlight) and his teammates at Fort Lewis College won the Team Relay at Collegiate Mountain Bike Nationals in Ride Rock Creek, NC on Sunday, October 14th. Beckett trained and competed with NYSEF from 2009 to 202o as a nordic combined athlete. Luca Catalano, an alumnus of NYSEF alpine at Belleayre, captured the overall series title in the U18 Men’s Expert Class of the 2023 Eastern States Cup in downhill mountain biking. Earlier this season, Luca was invited to compete as a member of Team USA at the Junior Downhill World Cup in Les Gets, France; an honor offered to only seven other athletes in the country. Look for Luca to make waves on the downhill race scene in the next couple of years! Do you have exciting alumni news to share? Email us to be featured in our monthly newsletter at media@nysef.org
Spooky Fun
October 2023 NYSEF Nordic Hosts Halloween Scavenger Hunt! On Sunday October 29, NYSEF nordic coaches Maddie Phaneuf, Julianne Stemp, and Colin Delaney hosted a Halloween Scavenger Hunt for the community at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center in Saranac Lake. Participants, sporting their best Halloween costumes, had to search the trails to find five spooky boxes with stickers inside in order to finish the hunt. Once participants were done on the trails, they were welcomed back to the center with a warm bonfire and candy! Kids also had the opportunity to try biathlon with Coach Maddie and ski jumping with Coach Colin. Our nordic coaches and athletes are looking forward to skiing at Dewey Mountain this winter, as well as competing in their Tuesday Night Races!
“Advice for Girls” Film Tour Stops in Lake Placid On the evening of October 25th, NYSEF and the Northwood School Outing Club hosted a showing of “Advice for Girls” at the Northwood School HUB on Main Street in Lake Placid. The feature-length film is the first of its kind, with an all-female cast, crew, and production team. The film’s cinematographer, Iz La Motte, is an alumna of Belleayre, and the film features some spectacular shots of Whiteface alumna Kalen Griffin ripping big mountain turns and hucking cliffs. “Advice For Girls” has an impressive cast of athletes, including big mountain ski legends like Lynsey Dyer and AJ Cargill and Olympians Devin Logan and Caroline Claire, and showcases the collective experience of women in the ski industry. Throughout the film, athletes share the lessons they have learned through their experiences and pass advice on to the next generation of female skiers. The HUB was packed with all ages of local skiers and riders; tickets sold out early online on Tuesday morning. “Advice for Girls” premiered on October 22 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is showing in very limited locations across the US over the next few weeks. “My wife and I just had a daughter, and after watching tonight, I am so inspired and stoked for the adventures we’ll have with her!” said Northwood’s Outing Club director Bobby O’Connor.
October 2023 NYSEF at Gore Sees Staffing Changes for 23/24 Season This season will bring a few exciting changes within NYSEF’s coaching staff at Gore Mountain. After over twenty years with NYSEF, Coach Steve Jackson retired at the end of last season. He will be greatly missed on the race hill, but we know he’ll enjoy spending this winter on his boat in the warm Florida sun! Lily Gaechter is our new Head U12 Coach. Lily has been Steve Jackson's Assistant Head Coach for three years and is excited to take over his role leading this group. We are looking forward to Lily's enthusiasm and creativity spreading over our U12 program! Lily is a level 200 certified US Ski & Snowboard coach working toward her level 300 certification. Jen Allen is our new Head U10 coach. Jen grew up skiing with coaches Mitch Huff and John Morgan at Gore, so she knows all the secrets of the mountain! She's coached in Colorado, and has been one of NYSEF at Gore’s Sunday only coaches for the past ten years. Jen is a level 200 certified US Ski & Snowboard coach. Mitch Huff is now our Assistant Head Alpine Coach. Mitch has been coaching at Gore for almost fourty years now, mostly working with the J5's and U12's. He moved up to coach with the U18's five years ago. Mitch is a level 300 certified US Ski & Snowboard coach.
NYSEF Day Out at Big Snow American Dream On Saturday October 21, over fifty NYSEF athletes and staff gathered at Big Snow American Dream for a day in our boots before the east coast ski season begins. Big Snow is an indoor ski and snowboard facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey that features snow year-round, and a small terrain park. Staff from Belleayre, Gore, Whiteface, and Northwood School travelled down to meet with athletes and families, direct freeskiing drills, discuss equipment choices and needs, and answer any other pre-season questions. It was a great day on the snow!
October 2023 Gray Named to Liatoppen Biathlon Festival Roster NYSEF Biathlete River Gray was accepted to travel to the 2024 Liatoppen Biathlon Festival, which will take place this coming April in Norway. The Liatoppen festival is the world’s largest biathlon event, and attracts over 1,000 biathletes to compete together at the end of each season. This marks the second consecutive season that NYSEF will have representation at the event, with Gray’s teammate Jenna Stainken receiving the invite from the US Biathlon Team last season. This will be Gray’s first international trip to compete with NYSEF, and has been fully funded via GoFundMe by generous donors, family, and friends in the community. The Lake Placid Ski Club assisted with the purchase of the rifle that River will use in competition in Norway. Look for a recap of River’s trip in our NYSEF April Newsletter!
Belleayre Mountain Lodging Partnership for NYSEF Families NYSEF and the Catskill Seasons Inn are partnering to bring to families fun and reasonably priced accommodations within 10 minutes of Belleayre Mountain. NYSEF families will receive 10% off our published rates with extra amenities, and flexible checkin and check-out times. The Catskill Seasons Inn features a pub with a family-friendly menu, a game room for skiers and their families to relax after a successful day on the slopes and space for tuning skis. Rooms have been recently updated and many of them have kitchenettes, and NYSEF families can check in as early as noon and check out as late as 7 p.m. Rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis so if you want to secure yours for the season now, visit: www.catskillseasonsinn.com/NYSEF/ Use the code “NYSEF2024” at checkout to receive your discount.
October 2023
NYSEF Nordic Combined athlete Kai McKinnon takes 2nd at the first Youth Olympic Games Qualifier in Lake Placid, NY on October 11th. Kai was named to the US Nordic Combined Development Team
Thank You! Thank you to our sponsors: Merrill L. Thomas, Long Run Wealth, Lake Placid Family Dental, Black Rock Foundation, and the Donald C. McGraw Foundation.
Cover image: Brandee Reiley
Do you have news or photos to share with us? Contact us at media@nysef.org @nysefsnowsports @nysefnordic @nysefbelleayre @nysefwhiteface @nysefgore @nysef_fis