Athletics

Alpine

The Alpine program at Carrabassett Valley Academy blends sports science principles with decades of experience developing world-class athletes. CVA racers earn podiums at national championships, receive invitations to top development camps, compete in elite FIS events, and progress to NCAA and USCSA programs. Many alumni continue to the U.S. Ski Team, and CVA currently has one athlete identified as an Olympic hopeful for the 2026 Winter Games.

The CVA Difference

World-Class Training Venue
Sugarloaf is home to the only FIS-certified downhill course in the Eastern United States, giving CVA athletes access to terrain that mirrors the demands of high-level competition.

Progressive Terrain and Facilities
Athletes train on diverse terrain, supported by a dedicated high-speed surface lift and advanced snowmaking that provide consistent and efficient training.

Extended On-Snow Season
Sugarloaf’s long winter allows CVA athletes to begin training at home earlier than any other ski academy in the East. The result is more on-snow days and 20–30 percent lower travel costs compared to peer academies.

Coaching Excellence

Jenny Piot, Alpine Program Director
An Olympian and former World Cup skier for France, Jenny brings elite racing experience, including a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championships. Since joining CVA, she has guided athletes to NCAA and USCSA programs with a strong emphasis on technical development and high-performance goals.

Kirk Dwyer, Women’s FIS Head Coach
Kirk Dwyer is a highly respected leader in American alpine racing with over four decades of coaching and program leadership experience, including roles at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Burke Mountain Academy, and Green Mountain Valley School. A USSA Domestic Coach of the Year and Level 500 certified coach, he has developed athletes to NCAA, World Cup, and U.S. Ski Team levels while holding key positions in regional and national alpine committees.

CVA’s coaching staff includes former World Cup athletes, Olympians, and NCAA competitors who create a knowledgeable and supportive training environment.

Program Pathways

U14 Program
Focused on fundamentals, adaptability, and race education in Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Super-G within the MARA calendar.

U16 Program
Centered on skill refinement and competition across New England with the goal of building point profiles and qualifying for higher-level championships.

FIS Program
Designed for top-level athletes striving for success at regional, national, and international events. Emphasis is placed on preparation, confidence, and long-term career progression.

Year-Round Training

CVA athletes train year-round through spring, summer, and fall camps, totaling more than 130 days on snow each year. Attending CVA during the Fall and Spring terms provides:

Strength and conditioning
Cross-training
Mental performance development
Goal setting and athletic evaluations

This comprehensive approach supports peak performance throughout the competitive season.

Start Your Journey

Join a program built on elite coaching, world-class terrain, and a proven pathway to the highest levels of alpine racing.
Apply today and take the next step towards your racing goals.

Start Here

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.
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.
Valery Gillis

U16 Alpine Coach

Bio
Valery Gillis is a lifelong skier who grew up on the slopes of Sugarloaf Mountain. Racing at the University of Maine at Farmington fueled her passion for skiing and deepened her understanding of the sport. After graduating from UMF, Valery began her coaching certifications and has worked with athletes as part of the Hampden Academy Co-Op Ski Team. She is a USSA Level 100 certified coach who brings both technical knowledge and enthusiasm to Carrabassett Valley Academy. In her spare time, Valery can be found teaching outdoor education and leading adventure trips, continuing to share her love of the outdoors.

List of 6 members.

Kirk Dwyer

Head Women's FIS Alpine Coach

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

Bio
Before joining the CVA coaching staff in 2022, Tyler attended the University of Maine at Farmington, where he also served as an assistant coach for the UMF Ski Team under the guidance of CVA alumnus and former UMF Alpine Head Coach, Andrew Willihan.
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

Alpine Program Director & 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 04

Men's FIS Alpine Coach

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.
Brandon Mark

Men's FIS Alpine Coach

Bio
Brandon joins Carrabassett Valley Academy’s Alpine Program with a strong background in competitive skiing, leadership, and athlete development. Brandon grew up skiing in New Jersey and racing for his high school ski team, where he served as captain during his senior year. He continued his athletic career at the University of Maine at Farmington, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Recreation Business Administration with a Coaching minor and an Alpine Operations Certificate. He also holds a USSA Level 100 Alpine Coaching Certification.

During his time at UMF, Brandon served as a Student Assistant Coach for the Alpine Ski Team at the Eastern and National Championships in 2024 and 2025. In this role, he supported athletes on and off the hill—managing travel logistics, organizing equipment, setting courses, capturing video, and relaying key race-day communication. He also volunteered with the Kents Hill Alpine Team, assisting with course sets, athlete feedback, and junior development programs.

As a team captain and Student Athlete Advisory Committee representative at UMF, Brandon demonstrated strong leadership, organization, and communication skills. His earlier experience as a ski instructor at Titcomb Mountain and as a junior program coach further reflects his dedication to fostering skill development and a love for the sport in skiers of all ages.

An Eagle Scout and seasoned leader, Brandon hopes to use his experiences to guide athletes to be the best version of themselves—on the slopes and beyond.

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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

Coaching Excellence

Program Pathways

Year-Round Training

Start Your Journey

List of 2 members.

Jon Wagner

Ron Bonnevie

List of 3 members.

Sofija Novoselic

Jeff Beauregard

Valery Gillis

List of 6 members.

Kirk Dwyer

Taylor Davis

Leyte McNealus

Jenny Piot

Travis Plass 04

Brandon Mark

Carrabassett Valley Academy