U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development Coaches of the Year
The SSWSC is proud to have TWO coaches named by U.S. Ski & Snowboard as Development Coaches of the Year! Congratulations to Mike Bansmer, named asDevelopment Alpine Coach of the Year, and Lars Johnson, named as Development Freestyle Coach of the year!
Alpine - Mike Bansmer, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club alpine coach Mike Bansmer was recognized as Alpine Development Coach of the year. A six-year veteran of the Steamboat program, Bansmer has been an instrumental contributor to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard alpine development system.
This past season, five of Bansmer’s athletes were at the top of the National Development Group. Across his entire program, Bansmer manages 42 athletes, one of the deepest talent pools in the country. Two of his athletes were nominated for the U.S. Ski Team this spring.
Beyond his program in Steamboat, Bansmer is integrally involved with regional and national development projects, donating significant time each season to contribute to the development of athletes around the country. He was cited for his hard work and professionalism that is having an impact not only on his own club, but on the sport as a whole. This coming season, Bansmer will be joining the U.S. Ski Team’s men’s Europa Cup team as an assistant coach.
Freestyle - Lars Johnson, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Lars Johnson of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club was selected as Freestyle Development Coach of the Year. The head coach of the Steamboat freestyle program was recognized for his contributions to the development pipeline in numerous ways this past season.
Johnson had multiple athletes from his program start in World Cup moguls events this past season, including four athletes named to the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. Johnson also plays a strong role in the thought leadership space of long-term athlete development and skills acquisition.