COACHES
HEAD COACH MARY WALSH:
Birthday: September 3, 1983
Hometown: Topsham, ME
BIO: While at home on the East Coast in the winter, Mary divides her time between managing Red Bull’s local snowboard and ski events, working as a freelance writer, and running a competition series called the WUSR Tour. In the summer, Mary works at Windells Snowboard, Ski, and Skate Camp, managing PR and Athlete Marketing. Mary brings valuable coaching experience to Oakley’s Progression Sessions, having worked in the academy setting, with beginners in the Chill program, and as a private coach in Stowe, Vermont. Mary has coached Droppin’ In at Loon for three seasons and is excited to bring the fun, all-mountain-park-riding style of the Progression Sessions to the other resorts this March!
GRETCHEN BLEILER
Birthday: April 10, 1981
Hometown: Aspen, CO
Sponsors: Oakley, K2, Nike, Coca-Cola, AT&T, Mission Skincare, Giro, Mattel, Aspen/Snowmass, Playmaker Mobile, Makeitpro.com
Hobbies: Surfing, MTB, golf, yoga, traveling, apparel design.
BIO: Emerging victorious with a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy wasn’t unexpected for Gretchen, who aspired to compete in the Olympics since she found her passion at age 11. She has been at the forefront of snowboarding ever since, winning countless titles and awards, appearing on talk shows and traveling the world like a jet-setting celebrity. Despite the media blitz, however, the aspen local is still the girl next door who is never too busy to smile and say hello. Her glowing personality, combined with sheer talent, rendered her a true role model and pioneer in the sport. More info… Follow Gretchen Bleiler on Twitter
GRETE ELIASSEN
Birthday: September 19,1986
Hometown: Minnesota, Norway
Sponsors: Redbull, Volkl/Marker, Tecnica, Dakine, Backcountry, Kicker Audio, Swix, Snowbird/Alta/Brighton/Park City Resorts.
BIO: This American born Norweigan is anything but average. Not only is she a mish mash of genes but also of interests and style. With influences from the rap music scene to Oprah to 80’s stuff, Grete is a mosaic of strong core values mixed with unique style and flare. She likes to be bright and bold but can transfer to mellow mode as quickly as her ipod switches from rap idol TRINA to LADY GAGA.
Her skiing reflects this same type of diversity and intensity. From her roots in ski racing, Grete has progressed into one of the most celebrated park and urban women’s freestyle skiers and in the last few years, taken a step further into the backcountry and finally to a world record. In her most recent movie project, “Say My Name”, Grete pushed her own boundaries for women in all sports. The movie will be available for download in iTunes this winter. Grete progressed in her style as well, moving from a ultra baggy park fit to a more trim fit that accentuates a female figure while giving attention to critical areas that are needed or performance. More info… Follow Grete Eliassen on Twitter… Watch her at the Powder Video Awards…
KRISTI LESKINEN
Birthday: February 10, 1081
Hometown: Uniontown, PA
Sponsors: Oakley, Moster, Giro, Faction, GO211.com, Mammoth Mt, CA. more info…
Follow Kristi Leskinen on Twitter
SILVIA MITTERMULLER
Birthday: August 8, 1983
Hometown: Munich, Germany
Sponsors: Rome, Vans, Elm, Eesa, Planet Sports, Purl
BIO: Silvia calls Munich Germany home, but can be found at major contests, secret pow stashes, city rails, and perfect parks all over the world. Silvia filmed last winter for Neu Media’s all girl film “Float” and she has also appeared in films from Runway films, Misschief films, and Isenseven. This coming winter Silvia plans to continue competing, as well as film for the upcoming Rome movie “No Correct Way”, from Kids on Shred Productions. More info…
MARIE-FRANCE ROY
Birthday: April 17, 1984
Hometown: Les Ebloulements, Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada
Sponsors: Redbull, Rome, Thirty-two, Etnies, Whistler Backcomb and Empire Boardshop.
BIO: Marie-France started snowboarding in 2001 and was a hidden gem in Quebec, Canada until she broke out into snowboard scene of BC after conquering her university degree early. Since then, the snowboard world has been blessed with unarguably one of the most versatile and impressive all around women’s snowboarders in history. With urban, park and backcountry talent, MFR has been awarded multiple Rider of the Year titles by Transworld Media as well as picked up multiple awards for her movie part series in both Rome and Absinthe movies.
Her incredible talent in her sport is matched with a down to earth, humble and giving nature with a fun and goofy twist. MOFO enjoys and cherishes the simple things in life like nature, her friends and family – as well as her garden and chickens. But her calm friendly personality is mixed with fire and flare which results in a unique style and way of thinking.
Both her skills and personality are reflected in her 2011-influenced technical outerwear pieces. MFR requires technical fabrics incorporated in a streamlined but baggy fit to accommodate for the work she does on the mountain. Her color influence reflects her “earthy” style and trims were chosen in fabrics and metals to bring a unique look to the pieces. More info…
CHRISTINE SAVAGE
Birthdate: August 23, 1984
Hometown: Truckee, CA
BIO: After learning to ride at Mountain Creek in Vernon, New Jersey and quickly falling in love with snowboarding, Christine moved north to Vermont in search of bigger mountains and a college degree. After graduation, Christine made the pilgrimage out west where she now divides her time between Tahoe winters and Mount Hood summers. She has coached privately in the Tahoe area and spends summers in Hood at the Burton Demo Center working closely with High Cascade and Windells Camps, where she runs programming for women both on and off hill. In addition to snowboarding experience, Christine brings an innate understanding of body-mechanics from years of coaching gymnastics, allowing her to break down tricks in an effective way. Christine can’t wait to to share her passion for freestyle riding with women all over the country this winter at the Oakley Progression Sessions!
CHANELLE SLADICS
Birthday: November 17, 1984
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
Sponsors: Oakley, Jones Soda, Omatic Snowboards, Kicker Audio, Nixon Watches, Neff Headwear, Capix Helmets and Gloves, Flux Bindings, Breckenridge Resort, Sector9 Skateboards
Hobbies: Surfing, Skateboarding, playing the guitar, golfing, tennis, filming, editing, taking photos, music, and working on my house!
BIO: Yes, Chanelle Sladics is most easily identified as a professional snowboarder but this girl is smoking hot on a surfboard and skateboard as well. Born and raised in Newport Beach, CA, Chanelle found her roots in boardsports in the ocean across the street and the concrete jungle she finds home. Beginning her snow career as a weekend warrior with trips to Bear and Mammoth, she found her love of competition and excelled quickly in order to keep up with her competitors that had a home mountain advantage. After succeeding on the junior tour, she entered the professional snowboard scene only a few years ago with some great contest results but she always set the XGames as her pinnacle. In 2007, Chanelle’s dreams were almost squashed while taking a hard bail in practice and suffering a painful back injury. With only one goal in mind, Chanelle sucked up the pain for both her final runs and made a dream come true for herself, taking the podium in slopestyle at the Winter XGames.
Chanelle has a bubbly but serious personality and she likes to screw around as much as she takes business very seriously. Chanelle will be successful in any project she pursues because she refuses to fail or even miss a beat. She has suffered numerous injuries from broken collar bones to broken toes but she always gets up and keeps on pushing. She may be late for everything but she will never miss a call. She is an electronics junkee and is never seen without her IPod, her computer and her digital camera which she finds joy in filming her friends in the sports she loves. These days you can find Chanelle anywhere from China to Colorado snowboarding or taking a quick 10-day trip to enjoy some surf with her friends on tour in Tahiti or Mexico. More info… Follow Chanelle Sladics on Twitter
DOMINIQUE VALLEE
Birthday: April 9, 1981
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
Sponsors: Oakley, Pow Gloves, Elan Snowboards, Powder Room, Bern Helmets, Northwave, Ogio bags, Whistler Mountain.
BIO: Dominique has had 10 years of competitive experience on the Canadian National Snowboarding Team where she has competed in the Winter Olympics, World Championships, and the Women’s Pro Circuit.
