Attitash's Ski and Snowboard School Coach Bios We asked some questions and got some answers from our ski and snowboard coaches so you can get to know our staff and help choose your coach for private lessons.
Video Bios
Doug Mayo
Russ Arsenault
Gene Blyther
Eric Bergman
Bob McGlone
Joe Sennawald
Chris Edmonds
Brian Clark
Jim Hamilton
Written Bios
Angelique ‘Lieke’ Dirkes
Hometown: Amsterdam, The Netherlands…… windmills, tulips, wooden shoes, delicious cheese!
About Me:Snowboard and Ski instructor during the weekend, and a Physical Therapist during the week where I treat patients and teach at a graduate school.
Specialty: Having fun while teaching snowboarding and working as a PT!
Years of Experience: Started skiing in the Alps while growing up in The Netherlands. Came to the USA in 1988, started snowboarding and haven’t stopped since….
Other Interests: Waterskiing, wakeboarding, mountain biking, sailing, all fun stuff!
What's for Breakfast: Cereal, juice and a lovely cup of tea!
Asher Siegel
About Me: Maine born and raised, there is nothing like spending a day outside on the snow for me. Started skiing as soon as my mother was able to teach me, and haven't stopped since. Student during the week, ski coach during the weekend, and wearing a smile no matter what my day brings.
Hometown: York, Maine
Specialty: Kids of any ability who are looking to have a great experience, as well as anyone who is looking to get into the challenge of telemark skiing!
Years of Experience: 1
Other Interests: Give me a car, a map, and an adventure and I'm there!
What's for Breakfast: Blueberry muffin
Bill Fullam
About Me: Retired educator from NY
Hometown: Sayville, NY
Specialty: Getting people to relax and enjoy skiing.
Years of Experience: 5
Other Interests: Hiking, Bicycling, Kayaking, Reading, Writing, and Photography
What's for Breakfast: Yogurt and grapefruit
Bob DiPace
Hometown: Conway, NH
About Me: I worked for over 30 years at Polaroid Corporation as a Senior Controller. Some of my experience includes regional controller positions in Europe Asia and the Americas. I was also a vice president of our Bermuda office.
Specialty: I have the right personality for working with children between five and twelve years old. I am able to help kids feel comfortable and confident in their abilities.
Years of Experience: I have been skiing for over 40 years and instructing for 4 years at Attitash.
Other Interests: I am an avid golfer, hiker and traveler.
What's for Breakfast: Whatever it takes.
Bob Paglierani
About Me:Retired Program Manager from General Electric Company. I have been teaching skiing part time at Attitash for over 20 years. I’m a level 2 certified PSIA ski coach and a level 1 certified AASI snowboard coach
Hometown: South Hamilton, Mass.
Specialty: Coaching all levels of adults and teenagers
Years of Experience: 20 years
Other Interests: Golf, tennis, biking, hiking and wood working
What's for Breakfast: Bacon and Eggs as well as oatmeal and raisins
Brittany Masse
Hometown: Hampstead, NH
About Me: Senior at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH Heading to Florida Gulf Coast University in the fall (no snow down there, but there is always winter break) to persue my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist
Specialty: Snowboard instructor and working with kids
Years of Experience: Instructor for past 3 years, skiing since I was 5 yrs old, boarding for the past 5 yrs.
Other Interests: Soccer, softball and wakeboarding, or just being lazy at the beach
What's for Breakfast: Bagel or waffles or when mom is cooking…whatever she is cooking.
Carmen Corsetti
About Me: Being a Ski Instructor gives me a chance to view the world , the people , and my surrounding differently when I am on the mountain.
Hometown: Andover Mass.
Specialty: Skiing, meeting new people, sharing my love of the mountains
Years of Experience: 30 years skiing, 15 years as an instructor
Other Interests: Motorcycle riding through the mountains, cooking Pasta dishes
What's for Breakfast: Eggs over easy, home fries, good coffee with a friend
CeCe Lewis
Hometown: Scituate Ma
About Me: Highschooler on the weekdays, ski teacher on the weekends. I have been coming up to Attitash every weekend in the winter since I was in kindergarden. I have been waiting to be old enough to teach for so long and I am so excited I now get to!
Specialty: Teaching little kids how to ski and to how have fun while doing it!
Years of Experience: I started skiing when I was four and this is my first year teaching but I already love it!
Other Interests: Lacrosse and just skiing for fun
What's for Breakfast: French Toast!
Chris Whalen
About Me: Certified to teach skiing, snowboarding, telemarking. In the real world work in Venture Capital in Boston as well as speaking engagements and teaching Entrepreneurship making teaching just a great way to spend the weekends!
Hometown: Gloucester, MA
Specialty: Anything that slides…
Years of Experience: 26 years between Attitash and Wildcat
Other Interests: Fly fishing, kayaking, and all Boston pro sports teams.
What's for Breakfast: Coffee and advil
Dave Burnett
About Me: I am a University of Connecticut student majoring in Environmental Engineering. I love skiing more than anything else in the world. After racing for 8 years I switched over to park riding and never looked back.
Hometown: Peabody, MA
Specialty: Park skiing
Years of Experience: 3 years of working, 16 years of skiing
Other Interests: Mountain biking, golf, soccer, rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, longboarding, and snowboarding
What's for Breakfast: bacon egg and cheese on a plain bagel with some homefries!
Doug Avery
About Me: Learned how to ski at Blue Hills Ski Area under the Austrian influence of Hans Seisl
Hometown: Milton, MA
Specialty: Development, Fundamentals, Racing, Freestyle
Years of Experience: I’ve been in the industry since 1988. Wildcat 88-90, Black 90-93, Attitash 93-present. Seasonal Program Coordinator. PSIA Level 3 since 1998. Just received 20 year PSIA pin. USSA Club level 100 coach in racing and freestyle.
Other Interests: I am a huge sports fan loving the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics. I also enjoy camping, traveling and cycling; I follow golf and The Tour de France.
What's for Breakfast: Anything, it depends how hungry I am. I do try to eat healthy (i.e. banana, yogurt/cereal and OJ).
Frankie Hennigan
About Me: Graduated from Mass Maritime in 2009 and been working for the Navy Planning Yard since graduation as my real job. Teaching freestyle is way too fun to be a real job!
Hometown: Braintree, Ma
Specialty: Freestyle, preferably moguls
Years of Experience: 11 Years- 2 in Buddy Bears/Adventure Kids; 9 in Freestyle. Also competed in USSA Freestyle Events for 8 Years
Other Interests: Sailing the world. The other ¾ of the year you will see me racing sail boats somewhere around the US/ Caribbean.
What's for Breakfast: Attitash Breakfast (2 eggs over easy, English muffin, home fries) in the South Wing at 10A.M. Everyday with a Vitamin Water and coffee to drink mmm…
Gail Ferreira
About Me: I started skiing in high school, and have loved it ever since, though I took a break when my son was born and my job marketing high tech products was really busy. Now I’m up as much as time allows.
Hometown: Westford, MA
Specialty: I love helping kids enjoy skiing! Whether they have never been on skis, or if they want (or their parents want them) to make a breakthrough and ski the next bigger slope, I love helping them!
Years of Experience: I’ve been coaching for a decade, ever since my son started taking a season-long ski instructional program.
Other Interests: I love the mountains, skiing and coaching during the winter, and hiking them in the summer. I’ve hiked the 100 Highest Peaks in New England, and also enjoy helping others enjoy hiking and backpacking!
What's for Breakfast: Since I like to get to the mountain early for the best snow, I keep breakfast simple and fast, like a toasted bagel with melted cheese or almond butter for some protein, along with some robust coffee with lots of milk, followed by fruit mid to late morning.
Jack Lee
About Me: Married, Father of two, Grandfather of three
Hometown: Intervale, NH
Specialty: Introducing skiers of all ages to Alpine skiing
Years of Experience: Five
Other Interests: The Boston sports scene and playing golf
What's for Breakfast: A protein shake. A banana, strawberries. skim milk, ice and protein powder, blended.
John Swymer a.k.a Jack
About Me: I love to shred, anytime I get the chance i do.
Hometown: Hampstead, NH
Specialty: Freestyle
Years of Experience: 4
Other Interests: Running XC and Track also High Jumping
What's for Breakfast: Snyder’s honey mustard and onion pretzels
Jack Young
ABOUT ME: Retired from the financial services business and moved from the coast of Maine to the Mount Washington alley to enjoy all that the area has to offer.
HOMETOWN: Conway, NH
SPECIALTY: Evaluate skier abilities and offer remedies for improved and safer alpine skiing and most important-HAVE FUN!
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: Returned to enjoying the many benefits of alpine skiing after a 20 year hiatus. Became PSIA certified and have been teaching at Attitash for 5 years.
OTHER INTERESTS: Hiking in the mountains, cross country skiing, canoeing, golf and outside activities in general.
WHATS FOR BREAKFAST: Like lots of things, to name a few would be bacon and eggs, oatmeal with fruit and nuts, blueberry muffins and must have fruit juice and coffee.
James Zensky
Hometown: Pittsfield NH
About Me: Husband, Father to three, Soccer Coach and Medical Liaison Monday thru Friday. Back in school to get my MBA. Can’t wait to get to the mountains every Friday night!!!
Specialty: Started skiing at 8 and made the switch to snowboarding when I was 15. Worked as an instructor at Shawnee in PA during High School and at Killington during College.
Years of Experience: Took a long hiatus after teaching for eight years to raise my family and so excited to be back.
Other Interests: Spending time with my family, camping, ATV’ing, going to Disney and being up in the mountains as much as we can.
What's for Breakfast: Taylor Ham Egg and Cheese on a hard roll with SPK (SPK is Salt, Pepper & Ketchup. It’s a Jersey thing) But since I can’t find Taylor Ham in New Hampshire it’s mostly Oatmeal.
Janet Dow
About Me: Enjoy “playing” with children! I’m inspired by their imagination and free spirit. I love spreading that spirit to adults that have forgotten how to play. Working & playing at Kids Club, which is the younger version of Boys and Girls Club of Nashua. I’m a huge sports fan! (Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, Celtics). Played girls hockey in High School and softball leagues at places of work. But my favorite sport was always skiing (even though I didn’t ski for 35 years when I lived in Chicago) When I moved to NH in 2004, I picked up those old “boards” … which had changed quite a bit … and rekindled my passion for snow and skiing. I am a woman of winter! I’d like to share my passion with you.
Hometown: Nashua, NH
Specialty: Children and woman that are hesitant to ski
Years of Experience: 4 years at Attitash with Adventure Kids, Seasonal Program, and privates
Other Interests: Hiking, Sailing, Gardening, Native American Indian studies, Early Childhood Advocate, music, and visiting my daughter in Denver and my son and grandson in Chicago
What's for Breakfast: Oatmeal and Emergen-C (not together)
Jessica Sponseller
Hometown: Cobalt CT
About Me: I love skiing!! I am married and have a four year old golden retriever, Cody bear. He is the love of our lives!!!
Specialty: I love teaching children. The really little ones and adventure kids are my favorite.
Years of Experience: I have been skiing since I was two, and teaching for three seasons now. I just got my level one last year.
Other Interests: I enjoy working out, running, hiking, cooking, and photography.
What's for Breakfast: toasted English muffin with orange marmalade and peanut butter!!!
Joe Quinn aka Dr. J-Town
About Me: I love skiing the trees and backcountry. You won’t find me on the trails on a powder day.
Hometown: Peabody, MA
Specialty: Buddy Bears
Years of Experience: 3
Other Interests: golf and environmental conservation
What's for Breakfast: Breakfast Sangy from Bart’s Deli
Joe Sennewald
About Me: Skiing in my 4th decade. Coaching/instructing for fifteen seasons @ Wildcat, Bradford-yes 249’ and Attitash. Although I’m stout, I love soft deep powder. In 2011 skied knee to hip deep pow in Blue Sky Basin @ Vail.
Hometown: Born in Motown, live in Beverly,MA
Specialty:Alpine with vestiges of tele.
Years of Experience: 15 officially.
Other Interests: Golf, Fishing, Advanced certified SCUBA Diver, Outdoors.
What's for Breakfast: Porridge, Oatmeal but I can get coo coo for cocoa puffs
John Dinn
About Me: Member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) Alpine Level 3, Telemark Level 1. I am also, a member of the Attitash instructor training staff.
Hometown: Chelmsford, MA
Specialty: I like teaching anyone who wants to learn from beginners to experience skiers. I especially like working with people that are anxious and need someone to get them over the hump so they can enjoy the sport with family and friends. Also, skiers that want to refine their skills and take advantage of the ski design to really carve a turn. My goal is to make sure that you have fun while you learn something new.
I teach both Alpine and Telemark skiing. Why not try something new and take a Telemark lesson today!
Years of Experience: 14+ years as a member of Attitash ski school
Other Interests: I love the Mount Washington valley, because it is a great place to do all the things that I love, riding my motorcycle, kayaking the Saco, hiking, playing golf, and of course skiing at Attitash.
What's for Breakfast: Two eggs over medium, hash, toast and black coffee! (Maybe not the breakfast of champions, but it keeps me going all day)
John “Luddy” Ludgate
About Me: Enjoyed PE for 32 years, coaching soccer for 50 years now like being a ski instructor at Attitash after beginning at Wachusett.for the past 20 years.
Hometown: Bartlett New Hampshire
Specialty: Downill/Alpine from beginner to expert
Years of Experience: 18 years with PSIA level I and II – grew up on the slopes
Other Interests: Family, soccer, traveling and reading
What's for Breakfast: The works whenever I can – bacon, eggs over lightly with blueberry pancakes. Add fried potatoes if my son is here.
Lauren Swymer
About Me: I’m an energetic snowboard fanatic who loves teaching kids and adults how to snowboard. I always have a positive attitude and love having fun out in the snow. Besides my beautiful smile and sense of humor, I know many techniques on teaching all different learning styles. What I love most about teaching snowboarding is when my clients get that “Ah ha, I get it moment” when they make their first turns, or have a smile on their face when on the chairlift for the first time. It’s such a rewarding and fun job.
Hometown: Hampstead, NH
Specialty: Teaching anyone to shred the gnar and I am an American Sign Language major at Northern Essex Community College.
Years of Experience: I have been snowboarding for 7 years and teaching at Attitash for 4.
Other Interests: Longboarding, kayaking, music (DAVE MATTHEWS), professional snowball maker.
What's for Breakfast: Dunkin Donuts ham egg and cheese on a croissant with an ice tea sweetened with a lemon. Aka Breakfast of Champions.
Maggie Lewis
Hometown: Scituate, MA
About Me: I’m 16 and have been skiing for 10 years at Attitash. I love to ski!
Specialty: Teaching children 3-6 years old.
Years of Experience: 1 year
Other Interests: Tennis
What's for Breakfast: Homefries
Matt Burnett
Hometown: Peabody, MA
About Me: Currently I am a student at the University of Connecticut. I have been skiing for my entire life and I wish I could ski every day. I love work because it allows me to get out on the slopes while teaching others this awesome sport.
Specialty: Any skiers on the younger side of life.
Years of Experience: 6
Other Interests: Hockey, Hiking, Football
What's for Breakfast: Bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel with home fries and a hot chocolate.
Merv (Swerv) Smith-Hodge
ABOUT ME: Skiing has dominated my life since my early teens. Surfing was my chosen sport/lifestyle until I got close enough to snow to touch it and feel it. That changed the course of my life.
HOMETOWN: I was born just outside Auckland City, New Zealand on the Pacific Coast.
SPECIALTY: Ski race coaching. Reintroducing people who have had knee or hip surgery to the sport of skiing. Ski skills development in general.
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 40 plus ski seasons teaching skiing in New Zealand, Austria, and the US. Certified in New Zealand and US. Three years as Operations Manager at Turoa Ski Area in New Zealand.
OTHER INTERESTS: Riding my 1968 Triumph Bonniville motorcycle. Golfing, fly fishing, motorsports, and wood working.
WHATS FOR BREAKFAST: A huge bowl full of fresh powder sprinkled with a bit of hard pack and groomies and a few turns on the side.
But it all adds up to one thing: Always downhill, never straight!
Michael Peters
About Me: I’m 24 years old and I live in Bartlett village with my girlfriend and her two awesome kids. I work as an exercise tech for Mountain Center Physical Therapy when I’m not playing on my snowboard or skis.
Hometown: North Reading, MA
Specialty: Snowboarding (Skiing as well if ever needed)
Years of Experience: 6 years all together off and on since I was 14 at Attitash; I’ve also taught at Titcomb Mt. in Farmington, ME, Black Mt. in Rumford ME, and with Maine Handicapped Skiing at Sunday River in Bethel, ME for the four years that I attended college.
Other Interests: I like to hike, swim, camp, just enjoy the outdoors as much as I can. I also like to play guitar when I have time.
What's for Breakfast: An egg and cheese sandwich with either bacon, sausage, or ham on a bagel. Can’t get enough of it.
Mike Reppucci
Hometown: Methuen
About Me: Ran 8 Marathons. Also Involved in Yoga
Specialty: Alpine Skiing
Years of Experience: 16
Other Interests: Running and Hiking
Morgan “Mo” McGraw Bentley
About Me: I’m a current sophomore at the University of Vermont. I’ve been skiing at Attitash for about 7 years. I love working with kids and young adults and to see the incredible progress they can make in a relatively short period of time.
Hometown: Wellesley, MA
Specialty: Working with intermediate skiers and turning them into incredible skiers who use their edges to tear up the hill.
Years of Experience: 5
Other Interests: I love to sing, cook, do yoga, travel, hike, and meet new people
What's for Breakfast: Honestly, I’m a little bit of a late-sleeper so I usually grab an English muffin to go. (And maybe some homefries when I get to the mountain.)
Tom Dolan
About Me: I was introduced to skiing at the age of five. It’s been my passion ever since. There’s nothing better than gliding down a hill, sharing laughs on a chairlift, and soaking up a day’s worth of sunshine! I live for winter.
Hometown: Westborough, MA
Specialty: Sharing my love of the sport with kids.
Years of Experience: Skiing at Attitash since 1994. Instructing since 2010. PSIA Level 1.
Other Interests: Day-dreaming about skiing, reading magazines about skiing, and talking about skiing. Other than skiing? Hmm… I like to hike, bike, savor delicious food, and listen to live music.
What's for Breakfast: Yogurt, granola, blueberries, walnuts and a HUGE glass of orange juice.
Sami Brouillette
Hometown: Ipswich Ma
About Me: I am 16, I am a junior in high school, I want to go to Colorado for college, I hope to be able to travel the world and lastly I love to ski.
Specialty: making skiing fun especially for the kids that think it’s too cold!
Years of Experience: I have been skiing for 12 years, I have been in the ski programs at Attitash since I was 6, and I have been working as an instructor since last season.
Other Interests: I absolutely love reading, and going to the beach is one of my favorite things to do. I also am a pitcher for my school’s varsity softball team.
What's for Breakfast: My favorite thing to have for breakfast is an everything bagel with cream cheese and a huge glass of milk.
Shirley Young
Hometown: Taipei
About Me: Founder of two companies. Yup! I am a left brainer. Like food and skiing fast.
Specialty: Zen Skiing - smooth and peaceful. Speak fluent Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese, some French and Japanese.
Years of Experience: 17 years?? Have I been at Attitash that long?
Other Interests: Travel
What's for Breakfast: Eggs and steel cut oatmeal.
Stacie Korroch
Hometown: Northbridge, MA
About Me: I enjoy skiing with my kids and teaching other kids to enjoy the sport.
Specialty: kids and nervous first time skiers
Years of Experience: 5 years
Other Interests: hiking, biking and weaving
What's for Breakfast: Granola and yogurt
Sue Paglierani
About Me: I’m a Retired Physical Therapist. I have been teaching skiing part time at Attitash for over 20 years. I am a level 2 certified PSIA Instructor
Hometown: South Hamilton Mass.
Specialty: Coaching adults and teenagers
Years of Experience: 20 years
Other Interests: Golf, biking, hiking and sewing
What's for Breakfast: Coffee, cereal and english muffins with home-made raspberry jam
Thomas Bouchie
About Me: I learned how to ski when I was four years old. Started skiing at attitash at the age of 13 and haven’t stopped since. I got that love for the mountains that keeps me coming back! It’s my second home!
Hometown: Moultonborough, NH
Specialty: beginner Freestyle, Teaching young kids, and HAVING A GOOD TIME SKIING!
Years of Experience: I have been with Attitash for nine seasons on the staff
Other Interests: Mountain biking, hiking, longboarding, and river runs on the mighty Saco!
What's for Breakfast: what ever is in the fridge, Fruit with a side of Toast.
Timothy F. Willis
About Me: Just a big likable lug that loves to ski fast and share his passion with our customers.
Hometown: North Andover, MA
Specialty: Shrimp Scampi and Tip Rolls.
Years of Experience: Yes!!
Other Interests: The Theory of Relativities effect on Dark Matter.
What's for Breakfast: Kidneys on toast points.
Tom Quinn
About Me: Hey, I’m Tom Quinn. I’ve been skiing since I was 12. I am very passionate about teaching kids to love healthy activities. Skiing provides the perfect opportunity for enjoyment while still getting out all of your energy. In addition, skiing provides a great place to make lifelong friends. Skiing gives everyone an exciting way to bond with family and friends and to get an amazing workout at the same time!
Hometown: Peabody, MA
Specialty: getting kids to love skiing!
Years of Experience: 4
Other Interests: Football, hiking, swimming, jogging, cross country skiing, neurobiology
What's for Breakfast: Usually some cereal or whatever’s at the house