Mark Tilston
GB Snowsport has confirmed the appointment of Mark Tilston as Alpine Director ahead of the 2026-27 season in a newly created senior consultancy role.
Most recently, the head men’s coach of the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team and currently serving as academy director of Apex2100 International Ski Academy, Tilston brings decades of international coaching and high-performance leadership experience to the British program.
Tilston will carry out the role alongside his existing commitments with Apex2100.
What Tilston says
On his appointment, Mark Tilston said, “More than a decade on from my last stint with the British team, I am delighted to be returning as Alpine Director. We’ve all seen the extraordinary journey that British Alpine skiing has been on over recent years, and the levels of talent and potential that exist within the team make this one of the most exciting jobs in international snowsports. I’m honored to have been afforded this opportunity and can’t wait to get started.”
Coaching career so far
During his previous stint with Britain, the Scot served as coach and performance director of the British Alpine Ski Team from 1999 through the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
During that period, all-around skier Chemmy Alcott, slalom specialist Alain Baxter, and speed skier Finlay Mickel consistently competed among the world’s best in their respective disciplines. Their results helped raise Britain’s profile on the World Cup circuit.
Tilston later spent five years as the head men’s coach of the Spanish Alpine Ski Team before serving another five years as the executive director of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club.
He then spent three seasons as head men’s coach of Alpine Canada before leading the Stifel U.S. Men’s Alpine Ski Team over the last three years.
In April, Sasha Rearick left Apex2100 to become Alpine Director of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Tilston then stepped into the role of academy director at Apex2100. The position gives him even broader oversight of the academy’s high-performance structure.
The role
Tilston will help strengthen performance oversight of the British Alpine team while improving alignment across the entire Alpine program.
GB Snowsport created the role to improve cohesion and alignment of performance direction across the Alpine pathway. The organization also wants to build on the most successful era in British Alpine skiing history.
As GB Snowsport Alpine Director, Tilston will work across the British Alpine system. His responsibilities will include supporting clubs, academies, and development pathways that help produce emerging talent.
What Vicky Gosling says
GB Snowsport Chief Executive Vicky Gosling, who is also a candidate in the upcoming FIS presidential election, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to GB Snowsport, and are hugely grateful to Mark, Tenzing, and the GB Alpine Foundation for making this appointment possible. Mark’s standing in Alpine skiing is unparalleled and I am confident we will benefit enormously from his expertise as we prepare for what promises to be another exciting season for British athletes at every level of Alpine skiing.
“We also appreciate Apex2100’s understanding in supporting Mark to undertake this role alongside his responsibilities to their academy.”
Final thoughts
With Dave Ryding having retired following the Olympic Winter Games in February, British Alpine skiing is entering a new era.
Tilston returns with experience leading men’s programs in Britain, Spain, Canada, and the United States. His background includes World Cup, Olympic preparation, athlete development, and high-performance management.
GB Snowsport now adds one of the sport’s most experienced international coaches at a pivotal moment for the program. The appointment also signals the organization’s intent to sustain the momentum British Alpine skiing has built over the last decade.
About the Author: Matt Garcka
