From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.
The Telluride Ski & Snowboard Club (TSSC) is looking for an experienced cross-country coach to lead its Junior Nordic Race Team.
This is a chance to lead a program on the rise. TSSC Nordic has grown quickly over the past several seasons, and its junior racers now compete throughout the Rocky Mountain Division, including Junior National Qualifiers. Based in Telluride, Colorado, the club wants a coach who can develop that group across technique, fitness, and racecraft — and keep kids in the sport for the long haul.
The Position
Season: October through March
Hours: Approximately 20 hours per week, with potential to grow into a full-time role
Travel: Some travel is required for races
Compensation: $15,000–$25,000 depending on experience
How to Apply
Send a letter of interest and resume — or any questions — to nordic@tssc.org.
The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks (NSCF) is seeking an energetic and enthusiastic head coach to lead its Fairbanks Cross Country (FXC) junior racing and training program.
Position details
Salary: $45,000 to $59,000 DOE
Benefits: Flexible personal time off during training breaks and a $5,000 health stipend
Relocation assistance: Negotiable
About FXC and NSCF
FXC has been a cornerstone of competitive skiing in Fairbanks for 20 years, growing from fewer than a dozen participants to more than 60 skiers, ages 10–18. The program includes seasonal and year-round training at the Competition, Prep, and Junior Development levels.
The FXC coaching team consists of:
One year-round assistant coach
Part-time seasonal coaches for additional support
Beyond FXC, NSCF offers other programs:
Junior Nordic (for younger skiers up to middle school)
Adult lessons
Biathlon
Masters training
Why Fairbanks?
Fairbanks boasts one of the longest natural snow ski seasons in the U.S. — late October through April — at an elevation under 1,000 feet. The Birch Hill Recreation Area serves as FXC’s home venue, featuring an outstanding trail network and world-class facilities.
FXC resources include:
Dedicated training space at Birch Hill
A 12-passenger van and gear trailer
A robust race schedule, including local races, JNQ events across Alaska, and U.S. National Championships
Opportunities to coach on the Alaska Junior National Team
Living and coaching in Fairbanks
The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks, with close to 1,000 members and a strong financial foundation, has been a leader in cross-country skiing for more than 50 years. Fairbanks has a strong high school ski culture and a deeply supportive ski community.
Higher education: Home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which has its own cross-country ski team
Travel connectivity: Excellent airline connections to major U.S. airports
Community: A welcoming, tight-knit borough with a population of roughly 100,000
How to apply
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and résumé to executivedirector@nscfairbanks.org by the end of the day on May 20, 2026. A selection committee from NSCF will conduct interviews in person or electronically with qualified applicants.
Canmore Nordic Ski Club is located in the beautiful Canadian Rockies and operates out of the Canmore Nordic Center, the site of the Nordic and biathlon events for the 1988 Winter Olympics. The center has received regular updates to its trails and facilities and hosts World Cup races for both cross-country skiing and biathlon.
The Canmore Nordic Ski Club strives to be one of the premier cross-country ski clubs in Canada and is now accepting applications for a full-time Cross Country and Biathlon Coach to lead the U14 program, co-lead the U16 program, and support the U18 athletes.
Position: Assistant Men’s and Women’s Nordic Ski Coach Employer: University of Alaska Fairbanks Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Type: Full-time, 11-month, term-funded, exempt Priority Application Review: May 20, 2026 (open until filled)
About the Position
The Assistant Men’s and Women’s Nordic Ski Coach plays a key role in supporting one of the nation’s premier collegiate ski programs. Working alongside the Head Coach, this position helps foster a high-performance environment grounded in growth, development, and teamwork. As part of the UAF Athletics Department and the broader Fairbanks ski community, the assistant coach will mentor student-athletes both on and off the trails, helping them excel in competition while preparing for success beyond college.
Success in this position comes from being an excellent communicator who inspires and guides college-aged athletes to reach their highest potential. The right candidate will mentor with patience and confidence while bringing out the best in both individuals and the team as a whole. On race days, the ability to stay calm, make quick decisions, and adapt under pressure will be essential. Creativity in problem-solving, flexibility in coaching approaches, and a balance of working effectively within a team while taking initiative independently will help the assistant coach excel in this role.
Joe Davies (UAF) during his NCAA Championship-winning performance in the 10 k skate in Lake Placid, New York, in the 2023 championship. (Photo: (c) 2023 Nancie Battaglia)
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three years of relevant coaching experience at the collegiate level, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Cross-country ski racing experience.
A valid Alaska Driver’s License and a clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria.
Preferred:
Degree earned while participating as an athlete at the candidate’s institution.
B.A. or B.S. in Physiology, Biology, Physics, or similar — though other majors are not excluded.
USSS Coaches Education L-100 certification, or equivalent.
Further ski- and NCAA-related education will be provided as part of the position.
Position Details
This is a full-time, 11-month, term-funded, exempt staff position with a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental, and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 79, based on education and experience.
The University of Alaska reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University’s discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position’s job duties.
This position is term-funded and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University’s discretion.
Eventually, Kendall Kramer (UAF – right) skied to a 35-second victory for the individual Women’s 20 k Freestyle NCAA Championship in 2025. (Photo: Tobias Albrigtsen)
Application Timeline
Application review will begin on May 20, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.
Rosie Fordham 2x NCAA Champion and Olympian this past season. (Photo: Lexi Pline)
Additional Information
To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.
The University of Alaska is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. For assistance with this application or any phase of the interview process, contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.
The University of Alaska is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check. All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting university business. Applications submitted to the University of Alaska are subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report containing campus safety information and crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years. Reports are available online: UAA | UAF | UAS. Paper copies are available upon request.
