Proctor Academy’s freeski program has long produced top level freeride skiers, most recently Jackson Buscher ’13 and Justin Pasculano ’14, both of whom qualified for and competed in last year’s 2013 USASA Nationals. Proctor’s freeski program will build upon its strong foundation as it welcomes a new coaching staff, training trips throughout the winter months, improved training facilities at Ragged Mountain Resort, and a full-size training airbag and terrain park at Proctor’s own ski area.
Dan Egan has been hired to direct the freeski program and will be assisted by Colton Wright. Egan was named one of the “Top Skiers of All Time” by Powder Magazine and has a formidable ski resume, both as an athlete and as a coach. Egan’s coaching experience and involvement in action sport media, consulting through his company Degan Media, and writing about extreme sports for the Boston Globe’s Edging the Xtreme (a role that will take him to Sochi, Russia to cover the 2014 Winter Olympics) provide unparalleled resources to Proctor’s student-athletes.
Wright, who will serve as Egan’s assistant, has worked as a freeski coach at Holiday Valley, New York for the past four years and is also an experienced competitive skier.
Athletic Director Gregor Makechnie is thrilled to have Egan and Wright leading the revamped freeski program this winter. “Dan and Colton add tremendous direction and dimension to our freeski program. Both are capable of cultivating meaningful relationships with athletes while fostering an atmosphere of respect and discipline in which athletes will thrive. Additionally, both possess significant video capture, edit, and production skills, which will add a wonderful creative component to the ski experience.”
Members of the team enjoyed their trip to Copper Mountain, Colorado for the first of three training trips this winter. Proctor freeride skiers and coaches joined Proctor snowboard coach Jon Logan at Copper Mountain from November 22 to 26. The on-snow coaching and three-times-daily training sessions at Woodward Training Facility provided skiers and snowboarders early season training opportunities that have not been available in the past.
Proctor is incredibly excited about the trajectory of its freeski program and the enthusiasm its new coaches have already provided!