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Valley in Brief: Ski & Snowboard Club Vail adds alpine coach Mark Smith

Mark Smith
Special to the Daily |

VAIL — Ski & Snowboard Club Vail has added industry veteran Mark Smith to its 2017-18 alpine staff. Smith will take on the role of head FIS coach and head women’s coach for the alpine program. He comes to Vail with 30 years of coaching experience, having worked with racers at the junior, collegiate and World Cup levels.

Smith coached privately last winter. Prior to that, he worked for eight seasons at Green Mountain Valley School. He served as Eastern Region development coach, and worked with the top alpine men at the school. He coached Daron Rahlves, Harper and Briggs Phillips privately prior to their qualifying for the U.S. Ski Team. Smith also worked as women’s coach and then head coach at Middlebury College. He has also been the assistant tech coach with the U.S. Ski Team.

“Mark is someone I have known for many years. He’s been a hugely successful coach at every level and with every group of athletes he’s coached. He’s someone I would characterize as an ‘athlete’s coach.’ I feel there is a significant alignment in terms of philosophy and principles, which will help the club move forward in a very cohesive manner,” Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Executive Director Kirk Dwyer said.



“The coaching staff here in Vail is the best in the country and the success of the athletes at every level underscores their commitment to excellence,” Smith said. “I am thrilled to be on the ground in Vail and excited to begin work with staff and athletes to build upon an outstanding legacy of success.”


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