2023-24 Alpine & Nordic Coaching Staff
Cindy Emery
Team Norway Nordic Coach
Wife, mother of 4, mountain biker, snowboarder, former elementary school teacher. Skier in various forms since childhood. Joined WSR family because enjoy working and encouraging kids especially in outdoor adventures.
Ben Halley
U10 Alpine Coach
Ben Halley has had a passion for skiing since a young age. Growing up in the Burlington area, he was the first in his family to really take off with the sport. As a child he spent weekends at local ski hills free skiing to his heart’s content through powder, ice, rain, sun and wind. He learned to ski at Cochran’s Ski Area and then moved on to Smuggler’s Notch as a teenager. Ben graduated from UVM with two degrees in Animal Science. Now living just south of Woodstock with three kids, he has been helping with the U10 program and also coaches youth soccer. Ben owns and manages a residential contracting business, H&H Custom Builders, as well as, Second Wind Farm, a small farm that produces grass fed beef, lamb and poultry. Ben looks forward to promoting the sport of ski racing in young children and keeping the spirit of skiing at family ski hills alive.
Justin Lillie
Alpine & Nordic Program Director & U14 Alpine Head Coach
Justin grew up ski racing at Cardigan Mountain School and Kimball Union Academy. He later attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a with Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. He is an elite cyclist and has competed at the national and international level. Prior to joining Ski Runners, he coached at Ford Sayre in Hanover, NH for 5 years. He’s been coaching Ski Runners for 5 years and was named Alpine Program Director in 2016. He & his family live on and farm Lillie Brook Farm in Rockingham, Vermont.
Rob Parker
Alpine Devo Head Coach
Originally from Connecticut, Rob is PSIA certified and a USSA licensed coach. He’s instructed at Killington, Pico, Okemo and S6. Now in his 10th year coaching with WSR, Rob has coached in the Racing programs, the All-Mountain Programs and is now the Head Coach of the Alpine Development Program. Off the mountain, Rob is the Director of Racquet Sports for the Conanicut Yacht Club in Jamestown, RI and as the Platform Tennis Professional at the Quechee Club and Norwich Racquet Club. In addition, you may catch Rob playing guitar in one of the VT, NH or RI nightclubs with his acoustic duo group, Ruby Street.
Mima Roberts
Team Noway Nordic Coach
I was inspired to join the nordic volunteer staff because of my children's' involvement in the program. I grew up in the local community and appreciate being active/a long time runner and the benefits it has on keeping me healthy as well as showing my children the importance of that. I am looking forward to helping the children of our program learn basic nordic ski skills that will help them build a lifelong love for the sport!
Tessa Westbrook
Team Norway Nordic Coach
Tessa grew up cross-country skiing in the hills of South Pomfret, Vermont. Skiing on the weekends with her family, and participating in the Friday Ski Runners program, gave her the basics required of the sport, and by age ten she was racing for the local Bill Koch Ski League. With success at a young age she was compelled to continue a competitive career in ski racing, and decided to attend Stratton Mountain School. She became a Junior National Champion, as well as a member of the World Junior Team. After graduating from SMS in 1995, Tessa trained and raced for two years before starting her collegiate racing years at the University of Vermont. From 1997-1999 she dominated the carnival circuit and became a NCAA All-American. She also qualified to race for the US Ski Team at the World Championships in 1999 and 2001. By 2002, Tessa qualified and was a member of the US Olympic Team where she competed in the skating sprint in Salt Lake City, Utah. After the Games, Tessa decided to retire from her own racing career and began coaching elite level cross-country skiers in Sun Valley, Idaho. In 2011 Tessa and her family returned to Vermont and have settled in Pomfret. She has been coaching with Ski Runners since her return. Skiing continues to be Tessa’s passion and she has found coaching to be a way she can share her passion with others.
Doria Ware
Nordic Lollipops Coach
Growing up in Woodstock, WSR was a part of my childhood that introduced me to Alpine skiing at Mt.Tom and Suicide Six. Nordic skiing was something I learned while on the H.S. ski team. I remember that it was challenging at first, but Nordic skiing soon became my choice for backwoods and trail skiing for fun with family and friends. I have been an alpine ski instructor at S6 for over twenty years and have helped as a volunteer coach with the nordic program, first in the Friday program for a few years, and as a volunteer Lollipop Coach for the past two years. My children and grandchildren are avid skiers. It is natural for me to want to encourage young children as a teacher and coach to have fun learning ski sports. Volunteering as a Nordic Lollipop teacher and coach has been fun and inspiring. The joy of coaching is witnessing the growth and improvement of the young skiers throughout the season. The smiles on their faces show us that we’re sharing skills that they will enjoy throughout their lives. Thank you Woodstock Nordic Runners!