Meet the coaches
Drew Barney
Drew grew up in Ogden, UT as a downhill skier. He was introduced to cross country skiing during his college years at Weber State University, and so abandoned the downhill boards. Working in West Yellowstone during the 1980's, Drew attended the early Fall Camps and got his USSA Level III Coaches License. Drew has been Co-Director of the Fall Camp Clinics since 1989.
According to Drew: "The altitude, great ski conditions, and time of year make West Yellowstone the best place in America to transition from dry land training to on-snow skiing. It's fun to watch our skiers improve their skills, and advance to higher levels. "
Drew grew up in Ogden, UT as a downhill skier. He was introduced to cross country skiing during his college years at Weber State University, and so abandoned the downhill boards. Working in West Yellowstone during the 1980's, Drew attended the early Fall Camps and got his USSA Level III Coaches License. Drew has been Co-Director of the Fall Camp Clinics since 1989.
According to Drew: "The altitude, great ski conditions, and time of year make West Yellowstone the best place in America to transition from dry land training to on-snow skiing. It's fun to watch our skiers improve their skills, and advance to higher levels. "
Emily Lovett
Emily Lovett lives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Her roots come from Michigan where some of her best childhood memories are XC ski outings she took with her family. After college and 6 years working in the corporate world, she moved to Steamboat in 1995 and began instructing and coaching skiing. Emily coached the Steamboat High School XC Ski Team for 8 year and continues to coach various masters groups and instructor/coach clinics around the country. Emily is the XC Coach on the PSIA National Team and holds a US Ski and Snowboard XC coaching certification. Her other interest include hiking, biking and yoga. In the summer months Emily organizes and guides hiking and biking trips throughout North America and Europe
Emily Lovett lives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Her roots come from Michigan where some of her best childhood memories are XC ski outings she took with her family. After college and 6 years working in the corporate world, she moved to Steamboat in 1995 and began instructing and coaching skiing. Emily coached the Steamboat High School XC Ski Team for 8 year and continues to coach various masters groups and instructor/coach clinics around the country. Emily is the XC Coach on the PSIA National Team and holds a US Ski and Snowboard XC coaching certification. Her other interest include hiking, biking and yoga. In the summer months Emily organizes and guides hiking and biking trips throughout North America and Europe
Jack Hart
Jack Hart has been working for the West Yellowstone Fall Camp and skiing in West Yellowstone since 1982. He began racing for the University of Montana in 1980. As a competitive marathon runner, Jack was looking for a way to cross train and xc skiing seemed like a great thing to do in Montana.
The US Ski team offered a coaching clinic and part of the responsibility was to help in the early days with the Fall Camp.
Jack currently lives in West Yellowstone, MT. He is a Master’s National Champion skier.
Coaching in the Fall Camp has always been very special to Jack because the athletes that come and take the camp are really into learning about skiing and the culture of skiing. “West has always had a feel for skiing and the community always is very supportive of the camp”.
Jack is the MC for the fundraiser on the weekend and he continues to be amazed of how many folks turn out to support the WYSEF. “So many people put there heart and soul into this event, Mora Dow, the gals at Freeheel and Wheel, the race crew and so many others that make this event the place to be every Fall”.
Jack Hart has been working for the West Yellowstone Fall Camp and skiing in West Yellowstone since 1982. He began racing for the University of Montana in 1980. As a competitive marathon runner, Jack was looking for a way to cross train and xc skiing seemed like a great thing to do in Montana.
The US Ski team offered a coaching clinic and part of the responsibility was to help in the early days with the Fall Camp.
Jack currently lives in West Yellowstone, MT. He is a Master’s National Champion skier.
Coaching in the Fall Camp has always been very special to Jack because the athletes that come and take the camp are really into learning about skiing and the culture of skiing. “West has always had a feel for skiing and the community always is very supportive of the camp”.
Jack is the MC for the fundraiser on the weekend and he continues to be amazed of how many folks turn out to support the WYSEF. “So many people put there heart and soul into this event, Mora Dow, the gals at Freeheel and Wheel, the race crew and so many others that make this event the place to be every Fall”.
Eric Wilbrecht
5 Time US Summer Biathlon Champion
US Olympian, Biathlon 1992
Five-time World Championship Team Member (member of record holding 4th Place World Cup relay team)
Subaru Factory Team- 1996-2003
5 Time US Summer Biathlon Champion
US Olympian, Biathlon 1992
Five-time World Championship Team Member (member of record holding 4th Place World Cup relay team)
Subaru Factory Team- 1996-2003
Alan Watson
Alan was an alpine racer in high school and college and then continued an alpine coach, but took up cross country when alpine got too cold. He’s raced in cross-country marathons all over the world. He was cross country ski coach at the University of Utah and spent many years grooming at Mountain Dell near Salt Lake City. Eventually he retired and moved to the Methow Valley in Washington, where he is Nordic director of the Pacific Northwest division of US Ski and Snowboard and coordinates instruction for the Methow Valley Nordic club.
Alan was an alpine racer in high school and college and then continued an alpine coach, but took up cross country when alpine got too cold. He’s raced in cross-country marathons all over the world. He was cross country ski coach at the University of Utah and spent many years grooming at Mountain Dell near Salt Lake City. Eventually he retired and moved to the Methow Valley in Washington, where he is Nordic director of the Pacific Northwest division of US Ski and Snowboard and coordinates instruction for the Methow Valley Nordic club.
Judi Hulme
Judi grew up skiing in Lander, WY and raced in high school when classic skiing was the only option. After taking a 10 year break from the sport, she learned how to skate and started racing again. Judi has coached adult group and private lessons in both skate and classic for the Medicine Bow Nordic Association at the Happy Jack trails near Laramie for the last seven seasons. She has also coached for The Nordic Link's Steamboat Ski Clinic for over a decade and will make her sixth appearance as a coach at the West Yellowstone Ski Festival this year. When she isn't teaching skiing, she is training and/or racing. Along with participating in many local races in Wyoming and Colorado, she has finished the American Birkebeiner five times, starting out of the elite wave and achieving age group placement in both skate and classic disciplines.
Judi’s day job includes administering energy research and outreach programs for the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources in Laramie, WY. Her other activities include Crossfit, yoga, cycling and hunting
Judi grew up skiing in Lander, WY and raced in high school when classic skiing was the only option. After taking a 10 year break from the sport, she learned how to skate and started racing again. Judi has coached adult group and private lessons in both skate and classic for the Medicine Bow Nordic Association at the Happy Jack trails near Laramie for the last seven seasons. She has also coached for The Nordic Link's Steamboat Ski Clinic for over a decade and will make her sixth appearance as a coach at the West Yellowstone Ski Festival this year. When she isn't teaching skiing, she is training and/or racing. Along with participating in many local races in Wyoming and Colorado, she has finished the American Birkebeiner five times, starting out of the elite wave and achieving age group placement in both skate and classic disciplines.
Judi’s day job includes administering energy research and outreach programs for the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources in Laramie, WY. Her other activities include Crossfit, yoga, cycling and hunting
Pete Leonard
After 15 years of coaching, Pete Leonard is excited to finally make it to the West Yellowstone Ski Festival! He moved to the Methow Valley in Washington this past summer, where he is the Executive Director of MVNSEF. Previously, he coached for 12 years at the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks, growing the NSCF-FXC program from 4 to more than 100 juniors, and a masters technique program with 12 skiers and at least as many on the waitlist. He is a US Ski and Snowboard XC L100 technique instructor, and has coached at 14 Junior Nationals, 10 Senior Nationals, 2 World Juniors, 1 U18 Nordic Nations Cup and a whole bunch of camps.
Pete loves just about any human-powered activity that gets him out in nature, and while most of his race results and adventures are modest, he did thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017. He enjoys trying to help others gain more from their outdoor activities by keeping things simple, fun and effective.
After 15 years of coaching, Pete Leonard is excited to finally make it to the West Yellowstone Ski Festival! He moved to the Methow Valley in Washington this past summer, where he is the Executive Director of MVNSEF. Previously, he coached for 12 years at the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks, growing the NSCF-FXC program from 4 to more than 100 juniors, and a masters technique program with 12 skiers and at least as many on the waitlist. He is a US Ski and Snowboard XC L100 technique instructor, and has coached at 14 Junior Nationals, 10 Senior Nationals, 2 World Juniors, 1 U18 Nordic Nations Cup and a whole bunch of camps.
Pete loves just about any human-powered activity that gets him out in nature, and while most of his race results and adventures are modest, he did thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017. He enjoys trying to help others gain more from their outdoor activities by keeping things simple, fun and effective.
Tyler Kjorstad
Tyler is joining us for the first time in West Yellowstone. He currently lives in Laramie, WY, but hails from northern Minnesota, where he learned to cross country ski from some of the best. Tyler raced in college for the College of Saint Scholasitca where he’s skied at the NCAA Championship. Even after college he continued to race through graduate school(s) and has done many of the ski marathons around the Midwest and the Rocky Mountain West, and has done several Worldloppet ski races, also skied the Birkie many times.
Tyler is also a faculty member at Laramie County Community College, where he teaches mathematics and statistic and coordinates the Developmental Mathematics program at the University of Wyoming. If he’s not working he’s playing in the woods, whether that be shed hunting, skiing, biking, or running and usually has a giant schnauzer (Cedar) not far behind.
Tyler is joining us for the first time in West Yellowstone. He currently lives in Laramie, WY, but hails from northern Minnesota, where he learned to cross country ski from some of the best. Tyler raced in college for the College of Saint Scholasitca where he’s skied at the NCAA Championship. Even after college he continued to race through graduate school(s) and has done many of the ski marathons around the Midwest and the Rocky Mountain West, and has done several Worldloppet ski races, also skied the Birkie many times.
Tyler is also a faculty member at Laramie County Community College, where he teaches mathematics and statistic and coordinates the Developmental Mathematics program at the University of Wyoming. If he’s not working he’s playing in the woods, whether that be shed hunting, skiing, biking, or running and usually has a giant schnauzer (Cedar) not far behind.
David Lawrence
David Lawrence lives to ski and skis to live. As a member of the PSIA National Nordic Team, David travels the west leading camps, clinics and exams for skiers, instructors and coaches. He runs the popular nordic website XCSkiAcademy.com, where he posts articles and videos about training, waxing, teaching and technique tips. His clinics are fast paced and fun, filled with the latest World Cup racing tactics and techniques distilled into attainable drills and memorable pointers. He laces every lesson with tips and tricks on rapid skill acquisition and how neuroscience helps us learn faster and retain more. During the summer, you'll find David on the Clark Fork River or Spokane River, guiding and running his business Pangaea River Rafting.
David Lawrence lives to ski and skis to live. As a member of the PSIA National Nordic Team, David travels the west leading camps, clinics and exams for skiers, instructors and coaches. He runs the popular nordic website XCSkiAcademy.com, where he posts articles and videos about training, waxing, teaching and technique tips. His clinics are fast paced and fun, filled with the latest World Cup racing tactics and techniques distilled into attainable drills and memorable pointers. He laces every lesson with tips and tricks on rapid skill acquisition and how neuroscience helps us learn faster and retain more. During the summer, you'll find David on the Clark Fork River or Spokane River, guiding and running his business Pangaea River Rafting.
Scott McGee
Scotty McGee has been on the PSIA Nordic Team since 2000, and is the current Team Coach and Senior Manager for Nordic, Guides and Training at Jackson Hole Mountain Sports School. He's been deeply involved in skiing and outdoor education since his college days, when he first instructed cross-country skiing and supervised the telemark programs for the legendary Dartmouth Outing Club. He's taught skiing and guided in the Wasatch and Teton ranges for resorts, colleges, private outfitters, and his own business.
Scott is among the most widely certified members of the PSIA Nordic Team with certifications in ski teaching, avalanche, and guiding. He is Certified Level III in Cross Country, Telemark, and Backcountry. Scott has been a regular contributor to The Professional Skier, and for SkiTrax, for whom he’s written a regular Tele Technique column for the last five years. He’s also been widely published in other ski instruction publications.
Scott’s latest passion is backcountry skate skiing, and to date he has posted over 20 trans-Teton tours on light gear, and other distance tours in other ranges. Demonstrating he is an all-season mountaineer, guides for Exum Mountain Guides, and relishes in his summer training regimen of leading climbs and peak ascents in the Tetons.
Scotty McGee has been on the PSIA Nordic Team since 2000, and is the current Team Coach and Senior Manager for Nordic, Guides and Training at Jackson Hole Mountain Sports School. He's been deeply involved in skiing and outdoor education since his college days, when he first instructed cross-country skiing and supervised the telemark programs for the legendary Dartmouth Outing Club. He's taught skiing and guided in the Wasatch and Teton ranges for resorts, colleges, private outfitters, and his own business.
Scott is among the most widely certified members of the PSIA Nordic Team with certifications in ski teaching, avalanche, and guiding. He is Certified Level III in Cross Country, Telemark, and Backcountry. Scott has been a regular contributor to The Professional Skier, and for SkiTrax, for whom he’s written a regular Tele Technique column for the last five years. He’s also been widely published in other ski instruction publications.
Scott’s latest passion is backcountry skate skiing, and to date he has posted over 20 trans-Teton tours on light gear, and other distance tours in other ranges. Demonstrating he is an all-season mountaineer, guides for Exum Mountain Guides, and relishes in his summer training regimen of leading climbs and peak ascents in the Tetons.
Angela Patnode
Angela began teaching alpine skiing in 1991 in the
Tahoe area and quickly switched to nordic skiing 2 years later. She taught
skate, track, and telemark skiing from 1993 until 2015 starting from the beautiful mountains
of Tahoe to the high alpine area of Crested Butte, Colorado, and finally landing at Bridger Bowl and Bohart Nordic Center (now called Cross Cut) outside of Bozeman, Montana.
Angela has previously been the Ski School Director for Bohart Nordic Center, training staff and
teacher of popular women's programs at both Bridger and Bohart, along with a PSIA Nordic Clinician and Examiner.
She has recreationally raced in the Tahoe, Crested Butte, and Bozeman areas for fun
in track, skate, and randonee races, and enjoys mountain biking, paddleboarding and running in the summer months. When not playing outside, Angela guides people to be free of stress and anxiety through her business as a Transformational Coach, and she tango dances as much as possible when she's not in the
mountains. Her favorite vacation spot is anywhere the sun is shining, and nature is
alive! Angela loves teaching at the West Yellowstone ski camp for the people and the
beauty, there's no better place to be during Thanksgiving week
Angela began teaching alpine skiing in 1991 in the
Tahoe area and quickly switched to nordic skiing 2 years later. She taught
skate, track, and telemark skiing from 1993 until 2015 starting from the beautiful mountains
of Tahoe to the high alpine area of Crested Butte, Colorado, and finally landing at Bridger Bowl and Bohart Nordic Center (now called Cross Cut) outside of Bozeman, Montana.
Angela has previously been the Ski School Director for Bohart Nordic Center, training staff and
teacher of popular women's programs at both Bridger and Bohart, along with a PSIA Nordic Clinician and Examiner.
She has recreationally raced in the Tahoe, Crested Butte, and Bozeman areas for fun
in track, skate, and randonee races, and enjoys mountain biking, paddleboarding and running in the summer months. When not playing outside, Angela guides people to be free of stress and anxiety through her business as a Transformational Coach, and she tango dances as much as possible when she's not in the
mountains. Her favorite vacation spot is anywhere the sun is shining, and nature is
alive! Angela loves teaching at the West Yellowstone ski camp for the people and the
beauty, there's no better place to be during Thanksgiving week
Greg Rhodes
Greg has been on Nordic skis since he was 2 years old. Growing up in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, he raced in high school and continued racing at Carleton College. Greg’s passion for the outdoors and snow sports inspired him to move to Aspen, CO to share this passion with others. As a PSIA Cert. 3 instructor in both Nordic and Snowboarding, Greg gets to inspire as many people as he can to love their time on snow. Currently, Greg is back in the Twin Cities finishing his PhD in Exercise Physiology at the University of Minnesota and teaching Nordic skiers 7-days a week, including coaching master’s skiers with the SISU Foundation and Balance Fitness Nordic Ski Team and volunteering his technique expertise with several local high school ski teams. Back in Minnesota, Greg races regularly throughout the winter from weeknight sprint races, Super Tour Races, and regional ski marathons--he never misses the American Birkebeiner. As the owner and head coach of Endurance Athlete, Greg helps athletes at all levels reach their athletic and racing goals in sports that range from triathlon, running, and bike racing in the summer to Nordic skiing in the winter.
Greg has been on Nordic skis since he was 2 years old. Growing up in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, he raced in high school and continued racing at Carleton College. Greg’s passion for the outdoors and snow sports inspired him to move to Aspen, CO to share this passion with others. As a PSIA Cert. 3 instructor in both Nordic and Snowboarding, Greg gets to inspire as many people as he can to love their time on snow. Currently, Greg is back in the Twin Cities finishing his PhD in Exercise Physiology at the University of Minnesota and teaching Nordic skiers 7-days a week, including coaching master’s skiers with the SISU Foundation and Balance Fitness Nordic Ski Team and volunteering his technique expertise with several local high school ski teams. Back in Minnesota, Greg races regularly throughout the winter from weeknight sprint races, Super Tour Races, and regional ski marathons--he never misses the American Birkebeiner. As the owner and head coach of Endurance Athlete, Greg helps athletes at all levels reach their athletic and racing goals in sports that range from triathlon, running, and bike racing in the summer to Nordic skiing in the winter.
Chris Magerl
Chris gets to spend more than 100 days a year on skis, and most of it is on the clock, making him the luckiest person he knows. He has taught in the juniors programs for TUNA in Salt Lake City and for the National Sports Foundation in Park City. Chris coordinates the grooming crew for The Utah Nordic Alliance at the Mountain Dell course in Salt Lake City. He also runs the TUNA adults' 9-week clinic as well as coaching private clients at Mountain Dell.
Chris has been on the teaching staff at White Pine Touring in Park City since 2005. His clients there run the range from sea-level warm climate folks putting on skis for the first time in their life to masters age group winners looking for classic technique work to national guard biathletes competing internationally. A few years ago, over the course of one month at White Pine Chris taught a lesson to a 3-year-old and a 98-year-old, setting a shop record client age span of 95 years in one season, a mark that might be hard to beat. The 98-year-old bought new classic skis at the end of the lesson.
"That sense of skiing being a life-long pursuit resonates strongly with me. My idols are the unbelievable 70-year-olds I get to line up with in our race series, and I hope to be so fortunate as to be one of those strong old guys on skis a few decades down the road."
"I also love the idea that I will be learning ski technique for as long as I can stand on skis. This ancient sport continues to evolve and there is always more for me to learn and new skills to develop. Rather than find that frustrating, I find that to be its own reward."
Chris gets to spend more than 100 days a year on skis, and most of it is on the clock, making him the luckiest person he knows. He has taught in the juniors programs for TUNA in Salt Lake City and for the National Sports Foundation in Park City. Chris coordinates the grooming crew for The Utah Nordic Alliance at the Mountain Dell course in Salt Lake City. He also runs the TUNA adults' 9-week clinic as well as coaching private clients at Mountain Dell.
Chris has been on the teaching staff at White Pine Touring in Park City since 2005. His clients there run the range from sea-level warm climate folks putting on skis for the first time in their life to masters age group winners looking for classic technique work to national guard biathletes competing internationally. A few years ago, over the course of one month at White Pine Chris taught a lesson to a 3-year-old and a 98-year-old, setting a shop record client age span of 95 years in one season, a mark that might be hard to beat. The 98-year-old bought new classic skis at the end of the lesson.
"That sense of skiing being a life-long pursuit resonates strongly with me. My idols are the unbelievable 70-year-olds I get to line up with in our race series, and I hope to be so fortunate as to be one of those strong old guys on skis a few decades down the road."
"I also love the idea that I will be learning ski technique for as long as I can stand on skis. This ancient sport continues to evolve and there is always more for me to learn and new skills to develop. Rather than find that frustrating, I find that to be its own reward."
Amy Powell
Amy is a Michigan native who enjoys sharing her passion for cross country skiing with all ages. She is a PSIA Nordic Examiner, certified adaptive and telemark instructor and a member of the Central Division Education Staff. She is an active volunteer coach with local ski clubs and schools.
Amy is a Michigan native who enjoys sharing her passion for cross country skiing with all ages. She is a PSIA Nordic Examiner, certified adaptive and telemark instructor and a member of the Central Division Education Staff. She is an active volunteer coach with local ski clubs and schools.
Tulie Budiselich
Tulie Budiselich spends her winters in Winthrop, Washington, where she grew up training and ski racing and gallivanting around the North Cascades. For the past 6 years she's taught for the Methow Valley Ski school and Nordic Ski Education Foundation and continues to coach various masters groups and instructor/coach clinics around the Northwest. Whether she's teaching skiing, yoga, mountain biking, dressage, or some combination of these activities, helping people understand and get excited about their capacity to rise to the challenge and grow as an athlete and student is what she finds most meaningful. That, and all the beautiful scenery and good times sliding on snow!
Tulie Budiselich spends her winters in Winthrop, Washington, where she grew up training and ski racing and gallivanting around the North Cascades. For the past 6 years she's taught for the Methow Valley Ski school and Nordic Ski Education Foundation and continues to coach various masters groups and instructor/coach clinics around the Northwest. Whether she's teaching skiing, yoga, mountain biking, dressage, or some combination of these activities, helping people understand and get excited about their capacity to rise to the challenge and grow as an athlete and student is what she finds most meaningful. That, and all the beautiful scenery and good times sliding on snow!
Don Camp
Don Camp lives in Grand Haven, MI and has been a teacher and coach for 35 years. He coached swimming for 25 years and has many High School state champions, state records, HS all Americans, and one National HS record to his credit. He also created and ran one of the first High School cycling clubs in MI, which became the source for many state, national, and even one world Jr. Mountain Biking Champion. He began alpine skiing when he was 13 with leather boots and wooden skis and claims his XC equipment nowadays is 10 times better than what he learned to alpine ski on. He fell in love with Nordic skiing in the early 70’s while he was racing bicycles and has never been able to find a winter long enough to make him tired of skiing.
He began his annual Thanksgiving pilgrimages to West in 1986 as a member of the Fischer/Salomon marathon team and continued for several years. In 1989, Dick Hunt asked him coach at the Fall camp and he has ever since. He has had the great fortune to learn from and work with some of the best coaches in North America; Marty Hall, Sven Wik, Torbjorn Karlsen, Sten Fjeldheim, Jon Aalberg, John Downing, way too many to name, but many are current camp staff members. He has written for the Master skier, developed XC trails and parks in MI, conducted countless clinics, and continues to travel the world, skiing, cycling, and watching the best. His goal is to have perfect technique when he turns 80.
Don Camp lives in Grand Haven, MI and has been a teacher and coach for 35 years. He coached swimming for 25 years and has many High School state champions, state records, HS all Americans, and one National HS record to his credit. He also created and ran one of the first High School cycling clubs in MI, which became the source for many state, national, and even one world Jr. Mountain Biking Champion. He began alpine skiing when he was 13 with leather boots and wooden skis and claims his XC equipment nowadays is 10 times better than what he learned to alpine ski on. He fell in love with Nordic skiing in the early 70’s while he was racing bicycles and has never been able to find a winter long enough to make him tired of skiing.
He began his annual Thanksgiving pilgrimages to West in 1986 as a member of the Fischer/Salomon marathon team and continued for several years. In 1989, Dick Hunt asked him coach at the Fall camp and he has ever since. He has had the great fortune to learn from and work with some of the best coaches in North America; Marty Hall, Sven Wik, Torbjorn Karlsen, Sten Fjeldheim, Jon Aalberg, John Downing, way too many to name, but many are current camp staff members. He has written for the Master skier, developed XC trails and parks in MI, conducted countless clinics, and continues to travel the world, skiing, cycling, and watching the best. His goal is to have perfect technique when he turns 80.
