WVA Alpine
Where Champions Are Made: WVA Alpine
At Waterville Valley Academy, our alpine program is fueled by passion, precision, and purpose. We’re here to ignite the fire within each athlete—supporting their journey with elite coaching, personal mentorship, and a high-octane training environment that turns raw potential into race-day domination.
Our philosophy is simple: when athletes are mentally strong, technically sharp, and genuinely stoked, they don’t just win races—they thrive in life. Every training session is a step toward mastery, built on a rock-solid foundation of technical drills, directed free skiing, and smart progressions that transform great skiers into great racers.
A Proven Philosophy of Progress
Our approach is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: when athletes are mentally strong, technically sharp, and genuinely stoked, they don’t just win races—they thrive in every area of life. Every training session at WVA is a deliberate step toward mastery, built on a rock-solid foundation of:
- Directed free skiing and technical drills
- Customized athlete development plans
- Year-round physical conditioning and recovery focus
- Strong mental skills and race-day preparation
We emphasize building great skiers first—because great skiers make great racers.
Tailored Training. Personal Goals. Real Results.
From U12 to U21 and post-grad levels, WVA offers individualized coaching to support each athlete’s unique path—whether that leads to Eastern Cups, Nor-Ams, NCAA skiing, National Team contention, or all of the above. Our small team sizes and focused attention mean every athlete is known, supported, and challenged appropriately.
Elite Terrain. In Our Backyard.
With Waterville Valley Resort right next door, athletes train daily on dedicated, top-tier terrain, including competition-hardened runs like World Cup, Gema, and True Grit. Early season snowmaking, private lanes, and exceptional course prep allow for high-volume reps, productive video analysis, and real-time feedback that accelerates progress.
Results That Speak Volumes
WVA has a long history of success—fielding athletes who go on to ski for top NCAA programs, U.S. Ski & Snowboard development pipelines, and international competition circuits. Alumni include national champions, Olympians, and lifelong leaders—each carrying the lessons of the hill into whatever course they carve next.
More Than a Ski Academy—A Launchpad for Life
At WVA, alpine isn’t just a program—it’s a launchpad. Here, the pursuit of podiums shapes character, develops independence, and forges friendships that last a lifetime. This is where competitors are built. This is where champions are made.
WVA Alpine Coaches
Tom Barbeau
WVA Director of Human Performance & Head Middle School Alpine Coach
Tom is a graduate of McGill University with a degree in Ergo Physiology. Before coming to WVBBTS he spent several years working with the Canadian National Ski Team. Tom has coached at three Olympic Games. He has a Master’s Certification in the Burdenko Method and oversees the condition program for all alpine athletes. He is a Level 500 internationally certified coach.
Tom works with athletes on conditioning and recovery throughout the year using the Burdenko Method.
Mamie Phelan
WVA Head U16 Coach
Mamie is a dedicated and passionate ski coach with extensive experience at various competitive levels, recognized for a commitment to athlete development both on and off the slopes. An alumna of Gorham High School and the MWV Ski Team, she graduated from Nichols College in 2011 with a BSBA in Marketing, where she also founded and presided over the Nichols College Ski Club. From 2008 to 2016, she coached at Cranmore Mountain. In 2017, she became the Head U14 Coach at Mt. Snow Academy, and a year later, she moved to Truckee, CA, to work as the FIS Women’s Coach and Admissions Manager at Sugar Bowl Academy. During her tenure in California, she coached at the 2019 Alpine Junior World Ski Championships and the 2020 Youth Olympic Games with the first female Filipina youth Olympic alpine athlete, and supported various international and national competitions. In 2021, she returned east to be closer to family, coaching for both Proctor Academy & Stratton Mountain School before landing at WVA in 2023. Her hobbies include road biking, mountain biking, hiking, surfing, painting, drawing, photography, and reading, with a strong interest in mindfulness, breath work, and sports psychology
Jason Guilbert
Head FIS Mens' Coach
Jason is a WVBBTS and WVA Alumni. He attended the University of New Hampshire, where he was a four-year member of their alpine ski team. Jason began coaching in 1999 and has held several positions, including Head Alpine Coach & Program Director at The New Hampton School. Jason is a Level 300 coach and has coached at various levels in the WVBBTS program from U14 to FIS.
Patrick Purcell
Head FIS Women's Coach
Patrick is a highly decorated alpine coach with over 45 years of experience and a level 500 US Ski & Snowboard certification. Prior to joining WVA, he has previously coached for the US and Canadian Women’s Europa Cup Teams, the Dartmouth Ski Team, and most recently with NYSEF. Known for his innovative and athlete-centered coaching style, he aims to foster a motivated and trust-based community at WVA. Patrick's wife, Elizabeth, also works at WVA as a dorm parent, bringing her extensive experience from various educational institutions. The couple has two children, and Patrick enjoys rock climbing in his free time.
WVA Alpine
Waterville Valley Academy Alpine Programs