Alpine Coaches
Alpine Staff
AVSC coaches come from all over the world and a variety of racing backgrounds who embody our core values: commitment, teamwork and integrity. They are teachers, role models and mentors. Their dedication goes far beyond just on-hill coaching; they work hard for results but also know when to emphasize fun and skill development. AVSC's legacy of athletic excellence is a testament to their excellence.
Jeff Lackie | Alpine Program Director jlackie@teamavsc.org
Jeff Lackie joins AVSC with years of experience coaching skiers from U8 to elite levels, leading to numerous World Cup wins and Olympic medals. Formerly the Alpine Program Director at Green Mountain Valley School and Head Coach for the US Ski & Snowboard Women’s Speed Team, Jeff excels in fostering athletes' success through a holistic approach. He is excited to build on Aspen’s rich skiing heritage and collaborate with the community to enhance AVSC’s alpine program. Jeff states, "When the sun is shining in Aspen, there's nowhere else I'd rather be than standing on the side of a race course.
Casey Puckett | Lead Women's FIS and PG Coach
cpuckett@teamavsc.org
One of the few American alpine skiers to compete in five Olympic Games, and former Head Women’s Europa Cup coach for the US Ski Team, Casey Puckett brings elite-level experience and passion to his role as Head Women’s FIS/PG Coach at AVSC. Raised in Crested Butte and now based in Aspen, Casey has raised his 2 daughters, Riley and Annalisa, in the Roaring Fork Valley and is deeply committed to the local ski community. Casey is dedicated to helping young athletes reach their highest potential through hard work, discipline, and a love for the sport.
cpuckett@teamavsc.org
One of the few American alpine skiers to compete in five Olympic Games, and former Head Women’s Europa Cup coach for the US Ski Team, Casey Puckett brings elite-level experience and passion to his role as Head Women’s FIS/PG Coach at AVSC. Raised in Crested Butte and now based in Aspen, Casey has raised his 2 daughters, Riley and Annalisa, in the Roaring Fork Valley and is deeply committed to the local ski community. Casey is dedicated to helping young athletes reach their highest potential through hard work, discipline, and a love for the sport.
Jack Kirby | Lead Men's FIS Coach
jkirby@teamavsc.org
Jack Kirby returns to the AVSC Alpine coaching staff after a year with the US National Team, which has provided him with valuable insights into what is needed to help the next generation of alpine skiers achieve their dreams. As an Aspen native and AVSC Alumni, Jack understands our community, our club and the culture it takes to create exceptional athletes and individuals.
jkirby@teamavsc.org
Jack Kirby returns to the AVSC Alpine coaching staff after a year with the US National Team, which has provided him with valuable insights into what is needed to help the next generation of alpine skiers achieve their dreams. As an Aspen native and AVSC Alumni, Jack understands our community, our club and the culture it takes to create exceptional athletes and individuals.
Tomás Rivas | Head U16 Coachtrivas@teamavsc.org
Tomas Rivas is an alpine ski coach with 12 years of experience and a strong background in sports psychology and kinesiology. Tomas is Chilean and has experience coaching at a variety of levels in the US, Canada, Chile and Argentina. For the past few seasons, he has been the FIS Head Coach with National Ski Academy in Canada. In addition to his experience coaching alpine, he studied a Masters in Sports Psychology. This education gave him the tools to facilitate athlete mental performance development to help athletes reach optimal states of focus in racing as well as help them to become better rounded individuals. Tomas looks forward to the opportunity to help facilitate an environment for the athletes where he can contribute to both their skiing and mental performance. For Tomas, high performance competitive sport is more than just attending training and repeating, it is being autonomous in desiring excellence for yourself in sport performance and life.
Tina Buchheister | U16 Coachtbuchheister@teamavsc.org
Tina grew up ski racing in Slovenia and was a member of the Slovenian National Team on the Europa Cup circuit. After sustaining a knee injury when she was 18, Tina was recruited by the University of Utah Ski Team. During the four years, she contributed to two NCAA Championships and earned three-time All-American honors. Tina also holds a master’s degree in Physical Therapy. After a 17-year career in physical therapy, Tina transitioned to coaching, starting with U12s in Park City, UT. Since moving to Colorado in 2018, she continued her coaching journey at Team Summit Colorado. She coached U14 athletes for two years and then spent the last four years as assistant Ability coach for U16 and FIS athletes.Tina is excited to be part of AVSC and looks forward to sharing the knowledge and perspective she has gained as an athlete, physical therapist, and parent with our athletes and families this season. Her mission is “to help athletes reach for their possible best on the slopes and as human beings through accountability, respect for self and others, commitment to the process, and embracing the journey”.
Eric Colon | Head U14 Coach ecolon@teamavsc.org
Eric has been coaching AVSC Alpine athletes since 2015. He is excited to continue to spend time in the mountains, enjoying the outdoors and sharing his passion for the sport of ski racing with the next generation, including his two sons who are both ski racers! Eric grew up in Lake Placid, NY and raced with NYSEF before graduating from Carrabassett Valley Academy in Maine. He raced at Central Oregon Community College (Bend, OR) and recieved his college degree from Colorado State University. When he's not at AVSC, you can find Eric exploring on his mountain bike or in his raft with his family! Eric is a USSA Level 300 coach.
Annie Tansley | Head U12 Coach 
atansley@teamavsc.org
Antoinette, known as Annie, brings a wealth of experience to AVSC from her career as a U16 coach and former member of the Canadian Ski Cross Team. A Calgary native, she moved to Aspen after retiring from competitive skiing, where she also coached in the Southern Hemisphere to nurture her passion for the sport. With nearly a decade of coaching experience, Annie is dedicated to helping young skiers thrive on and off the slopes. A University of Calgary graduate in International Relations, she has also worked with Classroom Champions, promoting Social and Emotional Learning. Annie is excited to foster skilled skiers and exceptional individuals this season.
atansley@teamavsc.org
Antoinette, known as Annie, brings a wealth of experience to AVSC from her career as a U16 coach and former member of the Canadian Ski Cross Team. A Calgary native, she moved to Aspen after retiring from competitive skiing, where she also coached in the Southern Hemisphere to nurture her passion for the sport. With nearly a decade of coaching experience, Annie is dedicated to helping young skiers thrive on and off the slopes. A University of Calgary graduate in International Relations, she has also worked with Classroom Champions, promoting Social and Emotional Learning. Annie is excited to foster skilled skiers and exceptional individuals this season.