Freeski Coaches

Elana "E" Chase, a former member of the U.S. Freestyle Development Team for inverted aerials and moguls, is currently working as the program director for Vail's freeskiing and big-mountain teams. Elana has been coaching freeskiing for over ten years. She started coaching full time at Okemo Mountain School, Vermont with 4 years and then made her way to Colorado where she coached in Aspen for another six years.  Elana is heading into her second year here with Ski & Snowboard Club Vail and Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy.  In one year we have seen tremendous positive changes in the freeski and big mountain programs. "I can't thank Aldo, SSCV and Vail enough for giving myself and freeskiing the opportunity to create something new and truly special here in Vail. I had a great year and I am look forward to many more."

Chase has worked hard over the years and has created a strong reputation. Elana has been fortunate to coach several top skier over the year; Jen Hudak, Torin Yater-Wallace, David Wise, Tucker Perkins, Jess Cumming, Anna Segal, Walter Wood, Anais Caradeux, Taylor Seaton, Adam Crook, Mitch Gilman, Alex Ferreria, and more.  This winter, 2010, Chase was awarded at SIA the Pioneering Women's Award from the Outdoor Industries Women's Coalition for her work as a mentor and coach.  In 2008, she was named Freestyle Coach of the Year by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, the first time a park-and-pipe coach or a woman has earned that distinction. In 2012 She was named Vail Ski & Snowboard Club Coach of the year.Elana was featured this winter 2011 in the ESPN's series "Behind the Curtain "http://espn.go.com/action/freeskiing/news/story?id=6355417

Chase has coached over a dozen freeskiing athletes at XGames since 2004. She has helped, both men and women achieve XGames medals in 2005,2006,2007,2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.  Fourteen XGames Medals, 5 Gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze in both halfpipe and slopestyle.  Elana has coached multiple athletes to achieve podiums and wins at every major, national, international  and local freeski event. She is a licensed USASA Coach and a USSA Coach -Level 4 Certified for aerials and new school acrobatic skiing.

"Although I have been very fortunate to work with amazing athletes, and I am currently working with a talented crew in Vail, it isn't all about the podiums. It is about being a good person, a good student and a good athlete.  "For me, the best part of coaching is helping someone dig deep down inside to achieve something they didn't think possible for themselves. That could be something as simple as a 360 on a trampoline to going off a jump for the first time, to sliding a rail or learning how to sky out of a halfpipe.  It's awesome to see someone learning!"