Holderness School announced several developments in its Snow Sports Program. First, Ivar Dahl will become the Holderness School Snow Sports Director, effective Aug. 1. Dahl has an extensive background in the skiing world as a national-caliber athlete, a leader in the ski industry, and a former coach with the Franconia Ski Club. Most recently, Dahl managed the New England territory for Tecnica ski boots and Blizzard skis as the retail, race, and freeskiing sales representative.

Dahl will oversee the management of all the snow sports programs including the alpine teams, the freestyle team, the Nordic team, and the snowboarding team. While he will do some day-to-day logistical scheduling, Dahl will be primarily responsible for developing the strategic vision for the Snow Sports Program.

“I am looking forward to supporting the mission of the school while guiding the Snow Sports Program along side the school’s talented and professional staff,” says Dahl. “My goal is for Holderness to be the first choice for student athletes looking for a rigorous academic setting with world-class training.”

Holderness School’s partnership with Cannon Mountain, the Franconia Ski Club, and the U.S. Ski Team will help him achieve this goal. Recently named a U.S. Ski Team training venue, the Mittersill area of Cannon Mountain provides skiers with world-class facilities, varied terrain, and plenty of opportunities for repetition.

“I am looking forward to working with Ivar,” says Head of School Phil Peck, who himself is a former World Cup and Olympic coach. “His leadership and vision will be instrumental in continuing the work of Georg Capaul.”

Georg Capaul, who also coached the U.S. Ski Team in the 1980s and 90s on the World Cup circuit and at the Olympics, retired this spring after 14 years of outstanding leadership and dedication to the Holderness Snow Sports Program.

Staffing changes also include the recent promotion of Craig Antonides ’77 as the Eastern Alpine Director. Craig will lead the Eastern alpine program encompassing FIS, USSA, and U16 competition while building on the success at the state, regional, and national level.

And with extensive ties to Cannon Mountain and the Franconia Ski Club, he and Ivar have already established a close professional relationship.

“Ivar’s background in the New Hampshire ski racing community is extensive,” says Craig. “He will be a great addition to our program.”

In addition to his coaching experience, Craig’s recent leadership of Holderness School’s USSA club certification process has provided him with invaluable insights into how we can continue to improve the Alpine program to keep us at the forefront of junior racing programs in America. Craig is a graduate of Holderness School and Middlebury College, and is a Level 400 certified coach with over 30 years of coaching experience.

Meanwhile, Alan Smarse will continue to manage Holderness School’s successful free skiing and snowboarding programs, and Pat Casey will lead the growing Nordic team. Since piloting the program in 1997, Coach Smarse has developed a comprehensive program of coaching, training (on snow and off), and wellness for all athletes. A former Marine, Coach Smarse is also a USASA level 200 and level 300 certified coach and has been instrumental in the careers of several nationally ranked snowboarders. The free skiers also work closely with Nick Preston, founder of Freestyle America, whose career highlights include coaching Olympian and gold medalist Hannah Kearney.

On the Nordic side, before working at Holderness, Pat Casey coached the U.S. Ski Team from 2006-2010, where he trained two World Championship teams, headed up the U23 Championship program for four years, and developed technical content for the U.S. Ski Team’s technique video. Student athletes on the Nordic team frequently go on to compete on Division I college teams.

Release courtesy of Holderness School