Full-Time/Head Buddy Werner Coach

Rory first coached for TAS in the 2010-11 season.  Due to an Achilles injury, she spent the season skiing on one-leg and is extremely happy to be on two skis this year!  She began coaching in 2000 for the Mt Baker Race Team as a Buddy Werner coach; after several seasons, she went on to work with Schweitzer Alpine Racing School in 2002 as a Juniors FIS coach.

Rory is originally from Long Island, New York. She raced out of Stratton Mountain School in Vermont and after graduation continued racing post-graduate for Team Breckenridge and the Rocky Mountain Division. Rory had the opportunity to train in Europe and South America and travel/race extensively throughout North America.  Races included US and Canadian Nationals, NorAm’s, Junior Olympics and regional FIS races.

Currently, she’s completing her B.A. in Cultural and Written Expression with a minor in Environmental Sciences from Oregon State University. When she’s not skiing or studying, she can be found racing and cruising sailboats, learning Italian and traveling the world.

Rory’ Coaching Concepts:

• Holistic approach to coaching; guide athletes to achieve their best both on and off the snow as racers, students and individuals.
• Emphasis is on the complete athlete with advancement through exercise, nutrition and a positive mental attitude.
• Focus on teaching teamwork, responsibility and a strong work ethic.
• Have fun and love  what we do--SKI!

Full Time Coach/NorthWest Cup Team

Experience: Ten + years coaching for SPAC and 3 years Head Buddy coach. Ten years coaching for Team Lyon. Referee, COR, COC. Level 3 PSIA.  Twelve years coaching for Ballard Soccer and National D license, referee.                                   

In his own words: After over 20 years of coaching and 50 years as a competitor, I have come to realize that sports should be fun. Having fun doesn’t mean that you aren’t competitive, having fun means that you are relaxed and if you are relaxed you will perform better. Being relaxed makes you confident and confidence is the key ingredient to be a successful athlete.

Head Development Team Coach

Lisa discovered her love of skiing while learning to ski as a child at The Summit at Snoqualmie.  She raced for Team Alpental/TAS as a Jr. and then full-time for CMAC.  She has been teaching skiing for over 20 yrs. and is a PSIA Level 3 Instructor with a Children’s Specialist certification.  She has completed the USSA Coaches Level 100.  Lisa is inspired by young athletes who appreciate the mountain environment and the excitement they experience from a good day of skiing.

While living in Sun Valley, ID, she met her husband, Peter.  They currently live in Seattle and have three children.  In addition to spending time in the mountains and skiing, Lisa enjoys running, cooking and yoga.   

M.P. grew up skiing in Minnesota and began teaching college students at the University of Montana.  Eventually she took Winter quarters off to teach in Sun Valley and there she met her husband, Richard.  After moving to Washington, she taught at Alpental and became a coach for the Buddy Werner program.  All 3 of their children grew up racing for TAS and as past president, Richard, and past book keeper, M.P., they spent many years involved with the wonderful TAS community.  

With decades of teaching experience and 15+ years of coaching she loves working with young athletes.  Currently M.P. teaches full time in Sun Valley coaches the Devo Team when she is back in Washington.  She is PSIA and USSA certified.  

Dan coached full time for the Stevens Pass Alpine Club for approximately 10 years. Dan was the head coach of the Mighty Mite program for 5 years. During this time Dan split his time between coaching juniors mid week and running the mighty mite program on the weekends. The last four years that Dan coached for SPAC he worked with J3 and FIS athletes. In addition to coaching for SPAC, Dan spent several summers training and coaching at Mt. Hood and also spent 4 years as a coach in the Stevens Pass Ski School adult program. Dan is PSIA and USSA certified. He has also completed the Northwest Avalanche Institute level 3 course, AIARE level 1 course, and was an assistant instructor for the Mountaineers Ski Mountaineering course.

Peter’s passion for skiing began early and hasn’t wavered.  He started skiing in Aspen when he was 3 years old, caught the racing bug by the age of 6 and skied competitively through high school.  Peter began instructing when he was in college and is a PSIA level 3 ski instructor and a USSA level 1 coach with over 20 years of experience.

He met his wife Lisa, head coach for the TAS Development Team, on a chairlift ride while living in Sun Valley.  They currently live in Seattle and have 3 daughters.  In the off-season, Peter fills the void with cycling and dreams of places he hasn’t skied...yet.