Freestyle Coaches
AVSC is proud of the outstanding caliber of our Program Directors and coaching staff. They embody our core values of commitment, teamwork, and integrity. They are terrific role models and mentors and their dedication throughout the season is the reason for our athletes' success both on and off the hill. AVSC's legacy of athletic excellence is thanks to their efforts.
AVSC received the Freeski Club of the Year Award from the US Ski and Snowbaord Team in 2021 due in large part to the dedicated coaching staff listed on this page.
AVSC received the Freeski Club of the Year Award from the US Ski and Snowbaord Team in 2021 due in large part to the dedicated coaching staff listed on this page.
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Eric Knight | Freestyle Program Director eknight@teamavsc.org
Eric has worked for AVSC for over 20 years! Under Eric's leadership, the Freestyle Team has grown from 17 to over 250 athletes. In Eric's words, "Coaching with AVSC for 23 years has given me the opportunity to see kids grow through our programs, developing into athletes and young adults. It's clear how much of a positive impact AVSC has had on their athletics, lives and personal growth." Over Eric's 20 years as Director, numerous athletes became Olympians, have medaled in The Winter Olympics, won X-Games, National and Junior Nationals Championships in Moguls, Aerials, Halfpipe and Slopestyle. Eric was a mogul skier and competed in Nor-Am, Europa Cup, World Cup and World Pro Mogul events around the world for over 10 years and brings his knowledge and experience from the highest levels of freestyle skiing to AVSC.
Johnny Rossman | Big Mountain Head Coach jrossman@teamavsc.org
Johnny grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota skiing moguls and racing. After moving to Colorado he competed in slopestyle and eventually transitioned into big mountain competitions. He was a top ranked skier on the Freeride Tour (2007-2014) with multiple podium finishes. Johnny started coaching skiing in 2007 with Team Breckenridge and has coached numerous USSA and IFSA champions. In 2013, he earned his Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership & in 2014 his Masters of Conflict Management at Regis University. This will be Johnny's seventh year coaching with AVSC! Johnny has earned his IFSA level 100, USSA level 100, WFR, Youth Leadership & Coaching Certificate from the Restorative Leadership Institute. When he's not on snow, Johnny's biking, surfing, playing hockey, or watching hockey.
Greg Ruppel | Park & Pipe Head Coachgruppel@teamavsc.org
Greg competed in slopestyle and halfpipe on the east coast in college before forming the Loon Freeski Team and serving as its head coach for three seasons. He then went on to coach for the Holderness high school team before coaching and teaching at Waterville Valley Academy. While there, he drew up the initial plans and helped build a four-season air bag training facility. Over his eight seasons at Waterville, he coached athletes like Nick Martini, Cam Riley, and Clayton Vila who went on to become professional freeskiers. He also coached Anna Lisa Drew and Julia Krass who went on to compete in the Sochi Olympics. He moved to Aspen in 2012 to become the competition coach for the high level AVSC freeski athletes. He is a level 4 certified USSA freeski coach and last year was awarded the Freeski Coach of the Year Award from the US Ski and Snowboard Team.
Dave Zweig | Park and Pipe Comp Team Coachdzweig@teamavsc.org
Dave is a highly decorated freestyle coach and is excited to bring his expertise and passion for the sport to AVSC. Most recently, Dave served as the Assistant Head Coach of the Chinese Olympic Halfpipe team. Zweig is a highly decorated freestyle coach with over 15 years of experience in the field. Zweig began his coaching career in 2007 at Woodward and Copper, Colorado. Dave is also certified in a number of USSA coaching disciplines including Freeski (Level 300) and Aerials (level 100), airbag and trampoline.
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Tim Shepard | Telemark Head Coachtimshepard@teamavsc.org
This is Tim's fourth year with AVSC. He is thrilled to continue passing on his passion for skiing and winter to future generations. He doesn't mind getting to ski every day, either. He grew up ski racing in Massachusetts and Vermont, where he also ran cross country, nordic skied, and ran track in the spring. Between his time in New England and Colorado, he spent 4 years in Alta, Utah. He is an IFSA Level 100 coach and a registered EMT. When he's not at AVSC, he can be found running around in the mountains with his fiance, Bridget (also an AVSC Big Telemark Coach!) and their Golden Retriever, Alfie.