Silver Star Mountain Resort

Norman Kreutz

Level: CSIA Level 4

Bio:
With 30 years of coaching and teaching experience Silver Star’s Director of Skiing, Norman Kreutz, has a long list of credentials. His most notable is being involved as either coach or skier in no less than four Interski teams. Norm has been and still is the mentor to all in the ski instruction industry in Canada, incredibly well respected for his skiing and teaching ability.

Favourite run: Gypsy Queen
Best moment on skis: Skiing in a Demonstration with Cam Watson during Interski 87. It was like we were attached by a string. Completing 49 runs in 2 hours of skiing at the Mountain Smoker, Broken River, New Zealand. World Powder Eight Championships skiing with my bud Steve Smart.
Favourite teaching moment: Getting a 67-year-old lady who had never been on snow before to experience the thrill of turning, Broken River, New Zealand 1982. Being taught by the king of teaching Martin Olson, Level 2 course 1978, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Steve Smart

Level: CSIA Level 4

Bio:
The manager of Ski Academy and training director for the Silver Star and Big White ski schools, Steve has a pretty impressive list of credentials himself: Three times a member of the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance Interski team, and 2002 Powder 8 World Champ. Highly regarded amongst his peers for his flawless technique (well almost... nobody's perfect) and his dedication to the sport, Steve brings motivation to succeed and inspiration to Snowsport Academy.
Favourite run: Bon Diablo, because it’s long and steep.

Best moment on skis: Winning the powder 8 World Championships in 2002, then free skiing the next day in fresh snow and blue skies at Canada’s heliski mecha.

Favourite teaching moment: When my students say “I got it”.

Guy Paulsen

Level: CSIA Level 4

Bio:
Former Ski School Director and GM at Silver Star, Guy has come back to his roots. One of three guys (the other two not named Guy) selected to the 2003 CSIA Interski team, Guy is by reputation on the best “teachers” in the country. Combine Guys gift as a teacher and his precise skiing ability and you’ve found the ultimate teaching machine.

Favourite run: Head Walls @ Silver Star/Back Bowls @ Big White
Best moment on skis: Skiing in Italy on a blue bird day with 80 cm of fresh powder with good friends and no crowds... perfect. The other was taking my two boys down their first black diamond run when they were four & six. I wish I could ski like that when I was their age.
Favourite teaching moment: That precise moment when your guest clicks with what you together have been working on... magic.

Janice Morgan

Level: CSIA Level 4

Bio:
The only woman in Western Canada named to the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance Interski team 2003 and level 4 course conductor group, Janice is renowned for her keen technical knowledge and enthusiasm while teaching. She definitely knows how to have fun while learning.

Favourite run: Chute 5 for the bumps and the gully at the bottom.
Best moment on skis: Skiing to Italy for lunch with Guy and Steve in 80 cm of fresh powder and blue skies.
Favourite teaching moment: When I see smiles during a lesson.

Darcy Trevelyan

Level: CSIA Level 4

Bio:
Born and raised in the Okanagan Valley and skiing at Silver Star since 1982, Darcy started teaching with the Sowsports School at age 16 and has been an instructor each year since, also working in New Zealand, Quebec, Whistler, Rossland BC, and Australia. He is a level 4 CSIA, a certified Helicopter/Snowcat Ski Guide and Mountain Bike Instructor. Favourite Run: Alder Ridge (winter) Double Dog (summer) Best moment on skis: Testing skis with Canadian racing legend, Steve Podborski, 2004. Favourite teaching moment: Having a client send an e-mail a month after his ski week with me saying "I was skiing on a backcountry trip and finally figured out what you mean by turning the legs! I wish you'd seen it!"

Robyn Beaudry

Level: CSIA Level 4, CSCF Level 2, Level 1 Course Conductor

Bio:
With 11years of teaching experience, Robyn’s goal is to pass on confidence, knowledge and fun to heighten the mountain experience. She is a level 4 CSIA, level 2 CSCF, level 1 course conductor. Favorite run: Gypsy Queen because it’s long, fast and has great fall lines. Best moment on skis: Every fresh powder morning, where I’m smiling from every part of my body. Favorite teaching moment: When I took someone who was so scared of skiing she was crying, to wanting skiing to be a part of her life for ever.

Stephen Feedham

Level: CSIA Level 3, CSCF Level 2, CADS Level 1, Level 1 Course Conductor

Bio:
Stephen has twenty-five plus years of teaching, starting at Silver Star. He has taught in other areas in Canada, New Zealand and Japan. He has had the great enjoyment to have run four ski schools of his own over the years and is very happy to be back at Silver Star, his favourite teaching area. Favorite Moment on skis: The start of my first ski season at Temple Basin N.Z. During the week before the official hill opening, I had sunshine and fresh powder every day for five days all to myself....I was the only skier on the mountain....I had found skiing heaven! Favorite Runs: Downhill Basin, Temple Basin N.Z., Sunny Ridge, Silver Star. Favorite Teaching Moment: Teaching a lady from South Africa with severe cerebral palsy to ski and watching her achieve a goal she had only dreamed of.

Carolyn Glossop

Level: CSIA Level 2

Bio:
Caroyn has taught at Silver Star Resort since 2002 in the Adult SnowSports School, and has also taught at Charlotte Pass Village in Australia for many years. Carolyn has skied in Europe and throughout Canada, but loves the friendly village atmosphere and great runs in Silver Star. Favourite skiing moment: Skiing chest deep light powder for the first time, in Courmeyeur, Italy Favourite runs: Zypper and Little Dipper in the powder. Favourite teaching moment: "I enjoy all aspects of ski teaching, but I particularly love to build confidence with apprehensive skiers. To see people improving, having fun and enjoying their skiing, is a real thrill for me." When not teaching skiing, I live at the beach and love to kayak, surf and cycle.

Ewen Cameron

Level: CASI Level 3, Freestyle

Bio:
Ewen has been teaching at Silver Star for the past three years. He has also taught at Whistler and done 3 seasons down under including one in NZ and two at Mt. Buller in Australia. He started snowboarding during the '97/'98 season back in Scotland and has been absolutely hooked ever since! Ewen is a Level three instructor, a certified freestyle coach, and also a big Oilers fan! Favourite run: Moonbeam and the awesome terrain park! Best moment on a board: Any one of the many "pow" days anywhere on the mountain as long as it with my friends! Favourite teaching moment: Seeing a big cheesy grin on students faces when they start having fun on their boards!

Hans Gut

Level: CSIA Level 3

Bio:
Hans was born in Zurich Switzerland started skiing with his parents at the age of 5 and got hooked. He has worked as a part time ski instructor in a government sport program where he also got his certifications level 1, 2 and 3. Hans joined the Zurich Ski club and worked on his racing technique. Downhill is his favourite and still is today. The “Over the hill downhill” race at Silver Star is one of his highlights in every ski season. Working for the Silver Star Snowsport School since 1999, he enjoys "our" mountain very much. it gives Hans great pleasure to ski with his guests on a daily basis. He would not want to trade this for anything in this world. He enjoys Far Out with his novice skiers as much as Chute Five with his expert clients, the two are his favourite runs on Silver Star Mountain. Hans also loves the big dipper for high speed carving and the untracked runs on the backside for powder skiing!

George Young

Level: CSIA Level 3, CSCF Level 2, CANSI Level 1 XC & CANSI Level 1 Tele instructor

Bio:
George has skied throughout Eastern and Western North America and spent four years in the late 60's sampling the best that Europe has to offer. Teaching skiing is obviously an addiction as he has not missed a season since the early 60's. George is a CSIA III, CSCF II, CANSI I XC and CANSI I Tele instructor and has promised himself to leave snowboarding until his next life ! Favourite run: The trees on skiers left of Big Dipper and Kirkenheimer - both full of surprises! Best moment on skiis: Skiing under the Matterhorn. Watching my 10 year old son ski the trees on New Years day with only his head and shoulders showing above the snow! Favourite teaching moment: The beginners smile after their first set of linked turns. The experienced skier at the bottom of their first double black saying "Is it all right if we do that one again?"

Eamon Doherty

Level: CSIA Level 3 & CSCF Level 2

Bio:
Eamon enjoys working with all levels of skiers male or female, from first timers to those who like to be challenged with bumps, powder and other knarly stuff. His goal with clients is to have a good time, ski lots and offer tips for improvement

Dave Robb

Level: CSIA Level 3, CSCF 2, CASI 1, CASI COACH 1

Bio:
With over 30 years instructing and race coach experience, Dave brings a high level of enthusiasm, patience and knowledge to his daily ski lessons. Having taught small children including his own 2 girls, teenage demons, timid adults and black diamond hot shots, he has all the right credentials to make your lesson enjoyable and rewarding. Favourite Run: Any of our groomed runs that have a fresh dust of light powder. Best moment on skis: The time when a client skis a blue or black run for the first time. Favourite Teaching moment: Teaching a senior lady from England who was recovering from cancer to ski Far Out when her real reason for coming to Silver Star was to bring her nephew and just let him ski.

Ben Jackson

Level: CASI Level 2

Bio:
I did my first winter season in 2001/2002 in France and new then and there I was going to be a snowboarder for the rest of my life. Being an instructor now gives me the opportunity to do what I love every day in the most beautiful places on earth and introduce my passion to other people. This year I have missed out on a summer to chase the snow around the world and am about to embark on my third season in a row.

Christy Taylor

Level: CANSI Level 3 & CSIA Level 1

Bio:
Christy is a Nordic and Telemark ski instructor. She has been working for Silver Star for 3 seasons. She has just graduated with a degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership from Mount Royal College in Calgary, AB. In the summers she works for WeGo Kayaking as a professional sea kayak guide in the Johnstone Straight, off the coast of northern Vancouver Island. Favorite Skiing Moment: The moment and feeling of actually “getting it” Favorite Runs: Telemark – Big Dipper, Whiskey Jack Favorite Teaching Moment: To see an improvement in their ability level is just fantastic to see, especially when people are having fun doing it, smiling and building their confidence level as a result is just brilliant.

Mick Glossop

Level: CSIA Level 3 & CSCF Level 1

Bio:
Mick has taught at Silver Star Mountain Resort since 2002. He has mainly taught adults and enjoys teaching all levels of skier. He has also taught at Charlotte Pass Village Resort in Australia since 2002 and is the current Ski School Director there. Mick has skied in many areas throughout Canada, Europe and Australia for the last 25 years. His interests besides skiing are kayaking and surfing, which he has done since he was a boy. His favourite run at Silver Star is Kirkenheimer - especially after a fresh snowfall. His favourite skiing moment was in Chamonix, France, skiing the Argentierre Glacier. Also, gaining his Level 3 on Australia Day with son, Luke. His favourite ski teaching moment is teaching any person to do their first turn. (Silver Star Ski Pro of the year 2005/06)

John Mundell

Level: CSIA Level 3 & CSCF Level 2

Bio:
Four seasons teaching at Silver Star. 3rd generation funeral director avid golfer off-season residence Orillia, ON father of 3 level III ski instructor and CSCF I for 9 years at Mt. St. Louis, Moonstone Other interests include swimming, biking, hockey, music Favourite runs: Bon Diablo/High Lead Favourtie teaching moments: watching the look of fear change to smiles of accomplishment on the faces of the timid. Favourite ski moment: my virgin encounter as an eastern skier with western powder at Silver Star - yahoo!

Rachel Wooley

Level: CSIA Level 2 & CSCF Level 1

Bio:
Rachel’s lesson aims are about having fun, gaining confidence and knowledge and getting to enjoy the mountain Silver Star has to offer. She is a level 2 CSIA, level 1 CSCF and is currently training for the level 3 CSI Favorite run: Glade Runner. There is always good snow and fun to be had in those trees. Best moment on skis: The very first time I put them on as a total beginner. Favorite teaching moment: Seeing fear replaced by an enormous smile.

Judy Mundell

Level: CSIA Level 2, CSCF 1

Bio:
Started teaching 12 years ago at Mt.St Louis Moonstone in Ontario after doing volunteer work for CADS. Taught the last 3 years at Silver Star. Home for most of the year is Orillia, Ontario, but Silver Star is becoming more than just a second home. We sure dont have snow and scenery like this back there! Favourite Run - Bon Diablo for its consistent pitch. Favourite teaching moment - taking a 12 year old quadraplegic upt the mountain for the first time in a sit-ski and watching the look of amazement on his face as he said "I always wondered what it looked like from up here!" Off season enjoys golfing, cycling, running and hiking.

Christine Craigen

Level: CSIA Level 2

Bio:
Christine loves skiing and really enjoys meeting new people. She can not think of a better way to incorporate two of her favorite things in life than to share the skills she has learnt over her past 30 years of teaching, and hopefully bring the joy of skiing to others .

Simon Marks

Level: CSIA level 3

Bio:
An avid skier for most of his life. Simon spent many years skiing resorts in Europe and North America before making his home at Silver Star. A lawyer by profession (he is a practising Senior Counsel at the Victorian Bar in Australia), he has 3 young children who are also avid skiers. He is a lover of outdoor activities including running, bush-walking and tennis, but his passion is snow skiing. Favourite run: Bon Diablo "...steep and long - there are not many better fall-lines in North America". Favourtie skiing moment: "...skiing first tracks with Norman Kreutz on Gypsy Queen in a foot of fresh powder on a cold January morning in 2005 and trying to stay in his tracks." Favourite teaching moment: "...being given a letter by the Ski School sent from a family who I had taught during their vacation in Silver Star which suggested that their skiing instruction had really made their holiday."

Luke Glossop

Level: CSIA Level 3, Level 2 CSCF, CSIA Level 1 Course Conductor, Level 1 Race Official

Bio:
Skiing since he was 3. Luke teaches all ages and levels, he is currently the Assistant Ski School Director at Charolotte Pass, Australia. He is a Level 3 CISA , Level 2 CSCF, CSIA Level 1 Course Conductor, Level 1 Race Official and is currently training for the level 4 CSIA and Level 3 CSCF. In Canada, as well as working for the Silver Star Snowsport School, he works with Vernon Ski Club as a race coach. Best moment on skis: Recorded the fastest speed on the mountain, skiing at 107km and qualifying first in the downhill race. Favourite Run: Chute 5. Favourite teaching moment: Seeing the smile on someones face when they learn to ski for the first time.

Alasdair Ross

Level: CSIA Level 2

Bio:
An avid skier from the first moment my Dad strapped two planks of wood to my feet and pushed me down a snowy Scottish mountain when I was 5 years old. Since then I've skied throughout Europe, taught on artificial ski slopes and had a wonderful season teaching at Silver Star. Favourite Run: Alder Point on a powder day. Favourite Teaching Moment: When a client skis away after a lesson grinning from ear to ear and shouting, "I didnt think I would ever be able to do that!".

Keith Elliason

Level: CSIA Level 3, CSCF Level 2, Level 1 Course Conductor, Training for the level 4 and CSCF 3

Bio:
Putting out first ski film this year, will be filmed at the newly opened mt. Revelstoke as well as cat skiing on mt Cartier. Favourite Run: Doog Nog because I dont think I can count the number of kickers of the side walls, plus the bumps are great. Favourite thing to do on skis: Skiing as fast as I possibly can, catching air is right up there as well. Sponsor: Nordica Favourite Moment on Skis: Being able to test all the new skis for the next year with Ski Canada

Terri Doherty

Level: CSIA 2

Bio:
Terri has been teaching skiing to a total of 14 years - originally at Camp Fortune, Quebec (near Ottawa, Ontario) and for the last five years with the Snowsport School at Silver Star (which she says is "the best place to ski"). Terri loves to teach ladies, particularly those who are under confident in their abilities and think they can only ski green runs. The thrill comes when they discover they actually can ski a black run safely for the first time in their lives and have fun doing it. And for Terri, getting them to that point is pure pleasure. Favourite Run: Holy Smokes on a nice sunny day, early in the morning, after the groomers have been out. Best moment on skis: A rainy day at Camp Fortune made it warm enough to soften the ice but awful enough to keep everyone else away so we had the whole place to ourselves! Favourite teaching moment: Getting a client to feel secure and safe so we can start having fun. Then the learning starts

Paul Cooper

Level: CSIA Level 2

Bio:
Newly qualified for 2007/8 season. Paul is looking forward to a fantastic season at Silver Star. Former accountant and city slicker, Paul has found his roots and his soul in the mountains of BC. When not skiing Paul splits his time between mountain biking in the French Alps and the English Chiltern hills. Best moment on skis: A blue bird day with 2 friends and no lift line

James Sutherland

Level: BASI 3

Bio:
I spent winter 2005-06 in Courchevel in France working as a Ski Technician and Ski Guide for a small chalet company. I loved the skiing lifestyle so much that I went back the following year for a different company as ther Head Ski Technician and Ski Guide. Over the summer of 2007, I completed a PADI Divemaster Internship up in the Orkney Islands. Best moment on skis: Passing my BASI 3 exam, what a buzz it was skiing down after that. Best teaching moment: Cruising down a run with 3 kids behind me, turning around and seeing that they could double carve 2 days after they learnt to snowplough.

Gemma Hardwick

Level: CASI 1

Bio:
Tried snowboarding in Andorra for the first time 3 years ago and fell in love. Have spent the last 2 seasons in Fernie BC and achieved CASI level 1. I am really looking forward to spending my 1st season teaching at Silver Star. Best moment on snow: First tracks in powder up to my belly button!

Melissa Crowley

Level: Come and See Melissa at the Front Desk

Bio:
Melissa hails from New Zealand where she has enjoyed snowboarding for almost ten years in the various NZ resorts. She worked a previous season in the Kid's Rental Dept at Copper Mountain Colorado and loved the lifestyle so much she cant wait to leave her marketing job behind in NZ wor work a great season in Silver Star. When she is not snowboarding, Melissa loves the beach, playing netball and touch rugby and mountain biking.

Jeanette Frick

Level: CASI Level 3

Bio:
Jeanette has been skiing in the Swiss mountains since she was 3 years old and changed to snowboarding at 13. She has taken to it from the beginning. At 18, she has done J + S Level 1 and 2 and further formation to teach snowboarding during her studies in Human Movement Science and Sport. In the past 6 seasons she had lots of experiences while teaching children and youngsters in week-camps in various Swiss Mountain Resorts. Now she is looking eagerly forward to her first season at Silver Star Resort

Nico Boller

Level: CASI 2

Bio:
At the age of 3 Nico had his first experience with snow in the Swiss Alps. After 7 years skiing he changed to Snowboarding and by this awesome feeling he knew immediately that it would be his activity of life. He has been motivating youngsters in week-camps in various Swiss Mountain Resorts. He is really looking forward to his first season at Silver Star and hoping to bring some Swiss vibe.

Angus Wooley

Level: CSIA Level 2, CSCF 1

Bio:
Having discovered Silver Star 9 years ago on holiday I have been coming here ever since. Still the best all round ski holiday destination I have found. This is my third season full time teaching. Passed CSIA level 3 teaching exam last season and will be training hard to complete the Level 3 this year. Despite working 7 months a year as a consultant to the offshore oil industry, I now consider ski instruction as my 'real' job as well as my passion. Favourite Runs: Far Out and BX Express - a fantastic progression and confidence booster to beginner skiers and Kirkenhiemer-varied, fun and quiet. Best Moment on Skis: Finally getting to grips with real powder on first visit to Silver Star after floundering to the ski school for help. Favourite Teaching Moment: Seeing apprehension change to exhilaration when people change from "I cant do that" to "I did it".