Athletics

Alpine

The alpine program at Carrabassett Valley Academy is built upon established principles of sports science and enriched by our experience working alongside world-class athletes, ensuring every racer has the tools and opportunities needed to succeed. Our athletes achieve podium finishes at national championships, secure invitations to prestigious U.S. Ski and Snowboard development camps, and compete at the highest levels of FIS races. Many of our graduates continue their careers at NCAA and USCSA colleges and some earn coveted spots on the U.S. Ski Team.

The CVA Difference

Located at Sugarloaf Mountain, Carrabassett Valley Academy boasts an exceptional environment and resources tailored for student-athletes aiming for excellence in alpine sports. Here’s what sets us apart:

World Class Training Venue Sugarloaf Mountain hosts the only FIS-certified downhill course in the Eastern United States.
Progressive Terrain Sugarloaf Mountain gives our athletes access to diverse and progressive terrain. This variety allows athletes to progress through different skill levels within the same training environment.
Optimal Training Facilities We offer a dedicated, high-speed surface lift with state-of-the-art snowmaking capabilities. These facilities ensure optimal training space regardless of weather conditions, enhancing consistency in training quality.
Extended On-Snow Training Season Being situated at Sugarloaf Mountain extends our on-snow training. This advantage reduces the need for extensive travel, minimizing associated costs and maximizing time spent training.

EXPERIENCED AND DEDICATED COACHING TEAM

Alpine Program Director, Kirk Dwyer, brings a nearly unmatched level of experience, professionalism, and achievement to CVA programs already on the rise. A level 500 certified coach, his decades of experience in alpine coaching and program development are a true asset for any aspiring alpine athlete. Prior to joining CVA, he was Executive Director and Alpine Program Director at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and served as Headmaster at Burke Mountain Academy where he was Mikaela Shiffrin’s primary coach during her time at the academy.

Kirk's coaching team also brings decades of experience in competing and coaching at the highest levels of Alpine racing. They have raced and coached for NCAA colleges at a championship level, earned top finishes in World Cup events, been named Junior World Champion, and represented their nations in the Olympics multiple times.

Program Philosophy

The CVA Alpine program focuses on long-term athlete development with proven training and performance principles to help our athletes become the best that they can be.

On-snow training camps These camps provide intensive training periods where athletes can focus on technical and tactical aspects of their skiing.
High-level technical and tactical development Coaching and instruction are geared towards refining skiing techniques and strategies for competition.
Process-based goal setting Goals are set with a focus on the process of improvement rather than just outcomes.
Periodization principles Training is structured in phases to optimize performance peaks during competition seasons.

Alpine Progression

CVA Alpine provides ability-appropriate coaching to help each student-athlete reach their goals and individual best.

U14 alpine program provides a comprehensive developmental experience focusing on the cultivation of fundamental skills, adaptability on the slopes, and a robust education in ski racing. Athletes participate in three main disciplines: Slalom (SL), Giant Slalom (GS), and Super-G (SG); and compete in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard-sanctioned MARA (Maine Alpine Racing Association) calendar.
U16 program objective is to foster and nurture athletes' passion for ski racing by focusing on continual skill acquisition, development, and refinement. Athletes in this age group dedicate themselves to rigorous training opportunities and all factors that contribute to their improvement. These athletes participate in SL, GS, and SG events across New England to develop point profiles and qualify for higher-level championships.
FIS program is tailored for high-performing athletes who aspire to excel in ski racing at regional, national, and international levels. Competition schedules are strategically developed to optimize athlete preparation and cultivate confidence and success. Our goal is to produce student-athletes with a life-long love of ski racing, the tools for a successful competitive career, and industry opportunities post-graduation, whether at the collegiate level or on the international stage.

Year-Round Training

A successful athlete trains for their sport year-round. CVA athletes supplement training with spring, summer, and fall camps to provide 130+ on-snow days per year. Attending CVA for the fall and spring terms allows our student-athletes to work with trainers and high-performance consultants to get the most out of the competitive season, and to become well-established and comfortable in the classroom before the busy Winter Term gets underway. Our off-season training program includes evaluations and goal setting, weight training, cross-training, and mental performance training.

List of 2 members.

Jon Wagner

Head U14 Alpine Coach

508-274-9713

Bio
Jon joined the CVA coaching team in 2016 and coached with the Saddleback Ski Club for 6 years prior to that. Jon is a certified Alpine coach and official. He has been involved in alpine ski racing all his life, which started at 10-years-old at Saddleback, Maine. As a teenager he joined Waterville Valley Academy in their early years with former USST coach Georg Capaul, to train at summer camps in France.
As a college athlete Jon raced for Western State College, CO and raced out of Mt Hood, Oregon upon graduation. He then moved to Southern California, skiing out of Mammoth MT, where he ran a successful publishing business. His experience working with athletes of all ages has provided him a diverse understanding of not only their physical abilities, but also the psychological barriers many young athletes face.
Ron Bonnevie

U14 Alpine Coach

207-491-7134

Bio
Ron brings with him over 40 years of alpine coaching experience with all age groups. He started his coaching career in the late `70’s in the Mt Washington Valley, NH, arriving in ME in 1980 to coach the U. Maine Farmington ski team while earning his BA there. In 1985, after a year of coaching at Squaw Valley, CA, he came east to NY to earn his masters in Physical Education at SUNY Cortland, where he also headed the Greek Peak Ski Club for 5 years.

In 1990 Ron returned to New England, landing at the Green Mountain Valley School, coaching and teaching there for 9 years. From 1999-2009 Ron was the Head of Coaches’ Education in the Ski Industries Program at the University of Maine, Farmington. Since returning to Maine in 1999, Ron has coached at Shawnee Peak, Titcomb, Black Mountain, Sugarloaf and Saddleback. He has done independent coaching & ski camps in the West, Europe, & South America. He has held a level 500 USSA coaching certification and PSIA level 2 certification since the early `90’s, and worked for 15 years delivering USSA Coaches Education throughout the East and at National Academies as an examiner in the West. Ron was the MARA Alpine Officials Chairman for many years, and is a level 6 USSA & FIS Technical Delegate. He is fluent in French.

List of 3 members.

Sofija Novoselic

Head U16 Alpine Coach

Bio
Sofija had extensive experience competing with the Croatian Ski Team from 2007-2015. She skied in two Winter Olympics (Vancouver and Sochi) and five World Championships. She attended Westminster College where she was a four year member of the ski team and graduated with a BS in Psychology. Her coaching experience includes one year at Ski Club Vail as a women’s FIS coach (2018-19) and most recently as Head 16 Women’s Coach at GMVS (2019-2023). Sofija is a dedicated, personable and passionate coaching professional with extensive personal experience in our sport.
Ben Corriveau

U16 Alpine Coach
Jeff Beauregard

U16 Alpine Coach

Bio
Jeff has been coaching full-time with the Academy since 2015. His track record in developing and improving skiers is fantastic, and the example and tone he sets for the program is even better. Before joining the Academy full-time, he spent 11 seasons with the CVA Weekend Program.

Jeff holds a USSA Level 200 certification and is an Alpine official. He brings a genuine passion for skiing, ski racing and CVA, which he naturally shares with his athletes. Jeff grew up skiing at Jay Peak, VT, and was a member of the ski club there. After ski racing and playing soccer in college he went on to coach and teach skiing at Jay Peak. Jeff also worked as a member of the race crew at Beaver Creek, CO. Jeff retired in 2015 after a 24-year career in Federal Law Enforcement. He and his wife Ragan live off-the-grid in Eustis, Maine. Ragan and Jeff are the parents of Patrick, CVA '11, Christian, CVA '11 and Matthew, CVA '13.

List of 6 members.

Kirk Dwyer

Special Projects Director, Alpine Program Director, & Head Women's FIS Alpine Coach

207-237-4461

Bio
Kirk Dwyer joined CVA in the spring of 2021. Previously Kirk served as the Executive Director and Alpine Program Director at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail from 2016-2021. While overseeing alpine, snowboard, freestyle and Nordic he continued to coach alpine athletes on the hill. Kirk served as Headmaster at Burke Mountain Academy from 2000-2016. While at BMA Kirk also was president of Burke Mountain Ski Area from 2000-2005, BMA Head J3, U16 and Women’s FIS coach, chairman of the Eastern Alpine Competition Committee, vice-president of VARA, chair of the Eastern Region Development and Youth Committees, and chair of the National Development Committee. Prior to Burke, he worked at the Green Mountain Valley School for 25 years where he served as Assistant Headmaster, Head Women’s Coach, Head Men’s Coach, and Head Alpine Coach as well as an English and Humanities teacher. Kirk was USSA Domestic Coach of the Year in 1989 and is a level 500 certified coach. Kirk and his wife, Robin, live locally.
Taylor Davis

Women's FIS Alpine Coach
Leyte McNealus

Women's FIS Alpine Coach

Bio
Leyte was born and raised in the Green Mountains of Vermont. She grew up in a ski-racing family so she spent more time at the mountain than almost anywhere else. She raced for the Bromley Outing Club from the age of 5 to 19. After playing NCAA soccer at college, she returned to the mountains to fulfill her passion for coaching skiing and stay connected with the industry she loves. Her most recent position was at Mount Mansfield Academy which followed stints at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and the Bromley Outing Club. She has been a camp coach during summers and Thanksgiving breaks for Sports Club International at Whistler, Vail, and Copper. Leyte’s ski experience includes technical skills, video analysis, and admissions. Leyte is committed to helping athletes develop their potential while maintaining joy for skiing. She is a Level 100 Coach and Level 1 Referee.
Jenny Piot

Head Men's FIS Alpine Coach

207-237-4486

Bio
Jenny grew up in the small mountain village of Bourg d’Oisans, in the high alps near Grenoble. She started skiing at the young age of 2. Her Mom was a ski instructor and Dad was a ski patroller. At 10 years old she joined the ski club in L’Alp d’Huez, one of the many local ski resorts in the area, famous as a regular stage of the Tour de France in summer. By 15, she had enough success to be selected to the Ski Academy (Ski Etude) Pôle France in Albertville, which only accepts the top 15yr. olds in France. At age 16, she was selected into the French C Team. Jenny skied in her first World Cup at the age of 17 in SG. The next year she was moved up to the B team after her first podium finishes in Europa Cup (one step down from the World Cup) events.

By the age of 20, Jenny made the French A team, and that year, in 2013, won the Downhill at the World Junior Championships at Le Massif, Quebec. At 22 she was selected to compete in the World Championships in Beaver Creek, CO, where she scored her first top 15 result in World Cup events. A few years later, at 25 she qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. She continued to ski at the World Cup level in DH, SG, GS, AC & Parallel events until her retirement in 2021.
Travis Plass

Men's FIS Alpine Coach

207-237-4493

Bio
A former high-level racer, after graduating from CVA himself, Travis went on to ski for Colby Sawyer College. Upon completing his degree in Sports Management he remained at CSC as a coach from 2010-2017. During his tenure there, he was vital to the success of the program as it competed at the highest level of collegiate racing. He has worked with athletes at the Nor-AM and NCAA Championship levels.
Tre Rossi

Men's FIS Alpine Coach

Bio
Tre grew up skiing in New York and raced in Vermont for over 10 years. When his racing career ended he transitioned into coaching to assist other athletes on their journey. Tre holds a BS in Biology from the University at Albany and is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). After retiring in the 2022-2023 season, Tre assisted West Mountain’s FIS team with coaching and strength & conditioning. Drawing from his own trials and triumphs, Tre possesses a unique perspective to guide and support his athletes to reach their goals.

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Carrabassett Valley Academy

3197 Carrabassett Drive
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
(207) 237-2250

Carrabassett Valley Academy prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any member or group based upon age, gender, race, color, religion, disability, categories sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic predisposition, ancestry or other categories protected by Maine or federal law. CVA does not discriminate on these bases in the administration of its admission process, scholarship and aid programs, educational policies, athletics, or other school-administered programs.

Alpine

The CVA Difference

EXPERIENCED AND DEDICATED COACHING TEAM

Program Philosophy

Alpine Progression

Year-Round Training

List of 2 members.

Jon Wagner

Ron Bonnevie

List of 3 members.

Sofija Novoselic

Ben Corriveau

Jeff Beauregard

List of 6 members.

Kirk Dwyer

Taylor Davis

Leyte McNealus

Jenny Piot

Travis Plass

Tre Rossi

Carrabassett Valley Academy