The Team

Great Coaches Build Great Teams – And We Have the Best!

At Foothills Nordic, we believe that exceptional coaching is at the heart of every successful athlete and team. Our coaching staff is one of the most dedicated and qualified in the country, including 2 full-time professional coaches, 2 full-time seasonal coaches, 65 part-time coaches, and an incredible group of volunteer parent leaders. Whether you're just starting out or you're aiming for high-performance goals, our coaches are here to guide, inspire, and support you every step of the way. With their expertise, passion, and commitment, our team will help you reach your full potential and exceed your personal goals in cross-country skiing and biathlon. Join us and experience the difference great coaching can make!

Man in red jacket with blue headband and sunglasses in snowy mountain landscape.

Tyson Smith

Biathlon Head CoacH
EMAIL | INSTAGRAM

Tyson’s journey with Foothills Nordic began at a young age, competing in his first cross-country ski race, The Cookie Race, at just five years old. While he finished last, Tyson was still the champion when it came to eating cookies. Over the years, he became involved in Foothills Nordic’s ski and biathlon programs, where he quickly realized that improving his skiing didn’t mean sacrificing his love for cookies. By the age of ten, Tyson claimed victory in his first Cookie Race, and from there, he continued to excel. He went on to represent the club at provincial and national levels in both cross-country skiing and biathlon. Now, as a coach with FNSC, Tyson is dedicated to creating biathlon programs that foster success for athletes of all ages and skill levels, from recreational skiers to highly competitive biathletes.

    • Head Biathlon Coach, Foothills Nordic Ski Club (Current)

    • Team Alberta Head Male Coach 2019 Canada Winter Games

    • Team Alberta Head Male Coach at 2015 Canada Winter Games

    • Team Alberta National Championships coach from 2013-2016

    • Head Coach at 2015 Biathlon Alberta South Korean Biathlon Exchange

    • First year nordic ski racing: 1992

    • First year biathlon racing: 1995

    • Canadian National Team biathlete 2005-2012

    • Team Alberta biathlete 2000-2012

    • First year coaching: 2012

    • 2016 Biathlon Canada Coach of the Year

  • NCCP Competition Development Certified

Man in red jacket and headband standing in snowy mountain landscape with houses and trees in the background. Snow covers the rooftops and trees, and mountains rise under a partly cloudy sky.

Georg Jalkotzy

Cross Country Head Coach
Email

Georg’s journey with Foothills Nordic began in first grade when a school friend invited him to join the club. His earliest memories on skis are of struggling to stay upright on the icy, windy grid at Canada Olympic Park. As he progressed through the cross-country program, Georg became increasingly drawn to the personal growth and challenge of competition. One of his favorite events each year was the Alberta Cup finale at Mount Shark, where the prize for podium finishers was blocks of parmesan cheese—a tradition that remained unchallenged until he raced in Italy and France on a European tour, where prosciutto was the coveted prize. Georg went on to represent Foothills Nordic at the provincial and junior national levels. After transitioning from racing to coaching while living in Quebec City, Georg now shares his passion and expertise with the next generation of skiers.

    • Head Cross Country Coach, Foothills Nordic (Current)

    • Assistant Cross Country Coach, Foothills Nordic (2023)

    • Youth Cross Country Coach, Foothills Nordic (2019-2022)

    • Head Cross Country Coach, Foothills Nordic (2011)

    • Assistant Cross Country Coach, Skibec (2009-2010)

    • Introduction to skiing through Foothills Jackrabbits program in mid 90s

    • Canadian Junior National Team 2006-2008

    • Competed at World Junior Championships 2006, 2007

  • NCCP Competition Development Certified - In Training

  • "Photo coming soon" text placeholder on a plain background.

    Accounting : Deb Hall

    accounting@foothillsnordic.ca

    Manages all day to day club finances.

  • Smiling person with gray hair and a small fluffy dog wrapped together in a knitted blanket.

    Administrator : Cynthia Mate

    foothills@foothillsnordic.ca

    Handles all of the day to day workings of the club. If you need help with anything, reach out!

  • Woman in a red jacket and white knit beanie with a pom-pom, smiling outdoors with blurred trees in the background.

    Adult program Manager : Elise Konoff

    adultprograms@foothillsnordic.ca
    Oversees the development and implementation of the Club’s Adult Programs

  • "Photo coming soon" placeholder text on a gray background.

    Alberta Cup Chief : Roy Custodio

  • Two people in winter clothing standing on snow with ski poles, surrounded by trees in a snowy landscape.

    Biathlon Bears Coach : Wallis Siemens

  • Person in winter clothing beside a telescope on a tripod, snowy mountain landscape in the background.

    Biathlon Assistant Coach: Matt Neumann

    biathloncoach2@foothillsnordic.ca

    Supports head coach of Biathlon in all things coaching related.

  • Placeholder image with text "photo coming soon" on a gray background.

    Biathlon Manager : Jodi Glassford

    biathlon@foothillsnordic.ca
    Oversees the development and implementation of the Club’s biathlon programs and supervises the biathlon head coach as well as supporting coaches.

  • Man in a winter jacket smiling

    Calforex Cup Chief : Trevor Baine

  • "Photo Coming Soon" placeholder text on a white background.

    Funding Manager : Vacant

    Oversees the application and fulfillment of club grants and other funding opportunities.

  • A person in outdoor attire stands in a forested area with fallen trees and greenery. They are wearing a blue shirt, glasses, a green vest, and a black cap. The surroundings include trees and a small water body in the background.

    Confederation Operations : Marcus Mueller

  • Man smiling in a red shirt with short hair and a beard against a plain background.

    Confederation Operations : Lenny Valjas

  • Person wearing winter gear and sunglasses skiing in a snowy forest.

    Cross Country Manager : Carly Frank

    cross-country@foothillsnordic.ca
    Oversees the development and implementation of the Club’s cross-country programs and supervises the cross-country head coach as well as supporting coaches.

  • Person taking a selfie while wearing winter gear, standing in a snowy forest. Another person is skiing in the background. Snow-covered trees surround the scene.

    Cross-Country Assistant Coach: Mark Toth

    xccoach2@foothillsnordic.ca

    Supports head coach of cross-country in all things coaching related.

  • Placeholder image with text "photo coming soon" on a gray background

    Events Manager : Vacant

    Develops and implements a calendar of fun social events for members that supports the Club’s needs.

  • Woman in sunglasses and winter hat smiling, standing in snowy landscape with frozen lake, pine trees, and snow-covered mountains in background.

    Marketing Manager : Bonnie Presser

    funding@foothillsnordic.ca
    Oversees all things marketing and communications related to the club.

  • Man in hat and sunglasses in front of mountains

    Grooming : Jamie Grant

    jamie.grantxc@gmail.com

    Manages grooming operations for our club at Confederation Golf Course. Keeps the trails skiable for all.

  • Person outdoors in a snowy setting holding a wooden beam, wearing a blue and black jacket with orange and white accents.

    KSM/Cookie Race Chief of Race : Tom Lambert

    cookierace@foothillsnordic.ca

    A man of many cookies. Manages the annual Kananaskis Ski Marathon.

  • A man skiing in a biathlon event wearing a numbered bib with the logo 'Biathlon Alberta.' He is dressed in a blue jacket, black gloves, and a black hat, holding ski poles.

    Past President : Yves Matson

    pastpresident@foothillsnordic.ca
    The Past President shall assist the President and serve as adviser to the Executive Committee.

  • Person wearing a bike helmet and blue sunglasses, standing outdoors.

    President : Marisa Tosi

    president@foothillsnordic.ca
    Oversees the running of the Club and acts as an advocate on behalf of the Club’s interests in the community.  

  • Person skiing on snowy slope with mountains in the background.

    Program Manager : Serena Moar

    programs@foothillsnordic.ca
    Oversees the development and implementation of the Club’s Youth programs

  • Women skiing in the snow

    Seasonal Coach : Natalie Benoit

    trackattack@foothillsnordic.ca

    Coaches Track Attack cross country ski program

  • Man in orange jacket and sunglasses very excited smile

    Seasonal Coach : Nicolas Bennet

    masterscoach@foothillsnordic.ca

    Coaches Master’s cross country ski porgram.

  • Man with glasses and a collared shirt looking directly at the camera

    Secretary : Kris Ellens

    secretary@foothillsnordic.ca
    Takes minutes at Executive Committee meetings and the AGM and maintains the Club’s records.

  • Person wearing snowshoes holding a large dog in a snowy forest with pine trees and mountains in the background.

    Ski At School : Rachel Smith

    skiatschool@foothillsnordic.ca

    Manages our Ski at School cross country ski program.

  • Placeholder image with "photo coming soon" text.

    Ski Club Clothing Coordinator : Angela Ng

    clothing@foothillsnordic.ca

    Manages our club clothing orders.

  • Man in a hat and sunglasses with mountains in the background

    Treasurer : Rich Macdonald

    treasurer@foothillsnordic.ca
    Oversees the Club’s budget and finances and supervises the Club’s bookkeeper. Maintains the Club’s standing with Corporate Registries and the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.

  • Women wearing a toque and glasses on her head and smiling

    Vice President : Tania Baxter

    vice-president@foothillsnordic.ca
    Supports the President and the Executive Committee and becomes familiar with the Club, its operations and history.

  • Placeholder image with the text 'photo coming soon' in gray letters on a white background.

    Volunteer Manager : Juan Carlos

    volunteer@foothillsnordic.ca
    The Volunteer Manager shall appoint and chair a committee responsible for determining the club strategy

  • Smiling person wearing a race bib with number 140, holding ski poles, prepared for a biathlon event, with snow-covered ground and trees in the background.

    Dan McCleary

    Elected Member At Large

  • Placeholder image with text 'photo coming soon' on a plain background.

    Stephen Moses

    Elected Member At Large

  • "Photo Coming Soon" placeholder image with gray text on a white background.

    Shaun Parker

    Elected Member At Large

  • Placeholder image with text "photo coming soon."

    Diane Lassila

    Elected Member At Large

  • Placeholder image with text 'photo coming soon'

    Scott Jensen

    Elected Member At Large

follow us @foothillsnordic