Coaches
Nichole Mason | Snowboard Program Directornmason@teamavsc.org
Nichole spent five years leading AVSC’s elite snowboard team, coaching top-level athletes in both halfpipe and slopestyle. Among her athletes was Chris Corning, who at 17, qualified for the PyeongChang Olympics and joined the US Pro Team directly, bypassing the development stage. Her success caught the attention of US Ski & Snowboard, leading to opportunities at Junior World Championships and development camps. Although she was offered a Rookie halfpipe coach position, Nichole chose to stay with her dedicated athletes. Later, she became the first female to coach the US Rookie Slopestyle team. In 2017, she was nominated for both Development and Domestic Coach of the Year, and in 2020, she became the first female to receive International Coach of the Year. Nichole has since helped five athletes join the pro team, pioneered female-focused camps, and serves as a lead coach developer for certification programs nationwide.
Nichole spent five years leading AVSC’s elite snowboard team, coaching top-level athletes in both halfpipe and slopestyle. Among her athletes was Chris Corning, who at 17, qualified for the PyeongChang Olympics and joined the US Pro Team directly, bypassing the development stage. Her success caught the attention of US Ski & Snowboard, leading to opportunities at Junior World Championships and development camps. Although she was offered a Rookie halfpipe coach position, Nichole chose to stay with her dedicated athletes. Later, she became the first female to coach the US Rookie Slopestyle team. In 2017, she was nominated for both Development and Domestic Coach of the Year, and in 2020, she became the first female to receive International Coach of the Year. Nichole has since helped five athletes join the pro team, pioneered female-focused camps, and serves as a lead coach developer for certification programs nationwide.
Josh Ganz | Comp Team Head Coachjganz@teamavsc.org
Josh has been in the Valley for over a decade and a half and has been with AVSC for about as long as most of his team has been alive. During his tenure he has coached all ages and abilities. He is fully certified through AASI and supplemented that with Freestyle and Children's Specialist certifications while also being a Level 200 Coach through USASA/USSA. When he's not on snow with AVSC or for himself he is also helping coach Aspen Skiing Company instructors as a ratified Trainer. No stranger to performance and competition, prior to moving to the RFV he was a sponsored inline skater. As such, his teenage years through to his early 20's he could be found travelling and competing all over the North American Continent. He supplemented contest winnings through Woodward East as an Inline Coach and Program Director. While living at Woodward East he was one of the select few that helped with materials testing and design of the first winter sports facility, Woodward @ Copper.
When not on snow you can find Josh attending the PitCo Libraries Books & Brews Club, skating with his friends, up the Pass climbing and camping, biking in Sky Mountain Park, and recently getting into rafting with friends and colleagues. He also enjoys playing live music across the region in the band Discolored Perception.
He feels grateful to help nurture the valley's youth, helping them grow and learn while instilling critical thinking skills and empathy alongside the on-snow technical skills, helping his athletes become successful on and off the mountain, during time with, and beyond AVSC.