Nordic Coaches
August Teague, Nordic Program Director and National Comp Coach
August is an Aspen native and AVSC Alum. He has an impressive 15-year coaching history, helping athletes of all levels achieve their goals while developing a passion for Nordic skiing. August led the Nordic programs at both Whitman College and University of Nevada, Reno, before becoming the Director of Skiing at the University of Nevada, Reno. He then spent 4 years with the Australian Ski Team, leading them through two World Championships and one Olympic cycle. Most recently, August ran his own junior club in Truckee, CA. After his time as an AVSC athlete, August went on to ski for Colorado Rocky Mountain School and eventually the University of Denver. He’s thrilled to be back in CO sharing his love of cold wind in the ears, sun on the face, and skis sliding on snow with AVSC Nordic athletes.
Travis Moore, Aspen High School Head Coach
Travis is an Aspen native and product of the AVSC Nordic Team. Travis competed on 4 consecutive Junior National Teams, and went on to ski for the University of Colorado in the early 90’s. When he's not at AVSC, you can find Travis teaching at Aspen High School or nordic skiing, running, riding a mountain bike, climbing, or playing/training with his family. Travis is a USSA Level 200 coach.
Justin Silcox, Spring Gulch High School Head Coach
Justin is returning to AVSC for his fifth winter with the Nordic team. He loves to share his passion for cross country ski racing with the awesome kids of the Roaring Fork Valley and feels fortunate to have the opportunity to do so at Spring Gulch. He has a long history in the sport both as an athlete and a coach; prior to AVSC, he's spent time coaching with clubs across the country including Jackson Hole Ski Club, Bridger Ski Foundation, Mansfield Nordic, and the Boulder Nordic Junior Racing Team. Justin is a USSA Level 200 coach. When he's not at AVSC, you can find Justin teaching science at Glenwood Springs High School or spending time outdoors in the Roaring Fork Valley with his family and friends.
Ben Dodge, Aspen High School Assistant Coach
Ben was a nationally ranked racer in the early 90’s. He has coached with AVSC Nordic for over 15 years. Ben is currently the Executive Director the 10th Mountain Huts.
Austin Weiss, Aspen Devo Head Coach
Austin Weiss is excited to return to AVSC as the Aspen Devo Head Coach. He was born and raised in Baltimore, MD but has lived in Colorado for over 20 years. In addition to coaching nordic skiing, Austin coaches local marathon runners in the off season. Austin has a B.A. in Outdoor Education from Prescott College and worked for Outward Bound for 10 years. He is an avid rock climber and mountaineer and was the team leader for the 1991 American Manaslu Expedition. Austin is currently the Trails Coordinator for the City of Aspen and is responsible for grooming and maintaining the 70+ kilometers of Nordic trails in the Valley.
Emily Van Gorp, Spring Gulch Devo Head Coach
Emily has been coaching with AVSC for eight years. She loves working with all of the amazing kids and families in the nordic program, and Spring Gulch is her favorite place to ski - tough to beat that view of Sopris! Emily grew up skiing and competing in Minnesota where she was All State, All Conference, and a member of the State Championship team. She also qualified for 5 consecutive Junior Nationals. Emily then went on to ski for NCCA Division I powerhouse Montana State University. She has a doctorate of Physical Therapy (University of Minnesota) and BS in Human Health and Development (MSU). Emily has previously coached with Bridger Ski Foundation (Bozeman, MT) and the Saukko Ski Club (St. Paul, MN).
Rob Russell, Spring Gulch Assistant Devo Coach
Rob has been with AVSC for over 10 years. Rob is a life-long endurance athlete; he grew up swimming competitively, eventually competing in triathalons and starting racing road bikes as a category 2 rider. He keeps coming back to AVSC each winter for the camaraderie of the coaches and the energy of the kids. When he's not coaching, he's either at work or searching for the next adventure with his wife and son. Rob is a USSA Level 200 coach.
Garrett Russell, Aspen Bill Koch Youth Ski League Director
2019-2020 is be Garrett's 6th season as Bill Koch Youth Ski League Director in Aspen. Garrett grew up nordic skiing competitvely, and now enjoys nordic and alpine skiing recreationally. He loves working with AVSC because of the community in the Nordic program - he enjoys watching the skiers grow and progress through the sport and helping them along their path. When he's not at AVSC, Garrett is either eating carbs or running and mountain biking so that he can eat carbs. Garrett is a USSA Level 100 coach.