Benn Porter - Performance Head Coach

As Head Coach of the Norwesters Alpine Club, Benn oversees the full athlete pathway—from U8 development through to provincial-level competitors.

With over 14 years of coaching experience across all ages and skill levels, Benn brings a truly global perspective to athlete development. He has coached extensively on the European circuit (4 years), in New Zealand (5 years), and in Australia (4 years), allowing him to pursue a year-round coaching career split between hemispheres. Currently, he works full-time with the U16 High Performance Team in Australia and leads the U14/U16 performance program here in Thunder Bay.

He is deeply committed to long-term athlete development and is known for his ability to foster both strong results and a love for the sport.

Steve Tollefsen - U14 Performance Lead

A highly respected and experienced coach who brings a lifetime of dedication to ski racing. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Steve grew up skiing in Thunder Bay, where his passion for the sport led him to an 18-year racing career. Coming from a multi-generational racing family - dating back to his grandfather - his love for the sport naturally evolved into coaching. With an incredible 45 years of coaching experience, Steve has made a lasting impact on countless athletes, helping them develop and achieve success. Coaching is more than just a role for him - it’s a lifelong passion and a core part of his lifestyle. His greatest strength lies in his years of experience, and his dedication to guiding and mentoring athletes is truly inspiring. NAC is incredibly fortunate to have Coach Steve on the hill with our Performance group, where he will lead the U14s.

Keith Simons - EDGE Head Coach

Keith grew up in Murillo, just 20 minutes from Candy Mountain Ski Resort, where his love for skiing took root thanks to his mom, who passed on her passion for the sport. Keith raced for 8 years as a youth and continued competing in Master's leagues in Thunder Bay and Ottawa.

His journey in skiing has been diverse, with experience coaching in Thunder Bay and Ottawa, instructing at ski resorts across Ontario and Quebec, and even learning ski tuning from World Cup technicians during his time working in ski shops.

What Keith enjoys most about coaching is watching athletes progress, seeing their smiles after their best runs, and hearing about their exciting experiences on ski trips.

Tim Flye - EDGE Coach

Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Tim Flye developed a passion for skiing at an early age, growing up on the slopes of Caledon, ON, and HoliMont, NY. After four years of competitive racing during high school, Tim remained active in the sport, eventually bringing his enthusiasm and experience to the Thunder Bay ski community. Now in his fifth year of coaching and his second season with the Norwesters Alpine Club, Tim is committed to supporting the foundational stages of athlete development while helping young skiers build confidence in competitive environments. As the parent of a former FIS athlete and another currently competing with the Ontario Freestyle Team, Tim brings valuable insight into the full athlete journey. He is passionate about fostering a love of skiing, promoting technical growth, and cultivating a strong sense of community both on and off the hill. Tim’s knowledge, dedication, and leadership continue to be a tremendous asset to NAC and the broader ski racing community.

Jenna Marinigh

Originally from Peterborough, Jenna moved to Thunder Bay for university and has called it home for the past nine years. When she's not on the slopes, she serves the community as a paramedic—balancing her passion for skiing with a dedication to helping others.

Jenna grew up racing competitively and found her way into coaching and instructing as a way to stay connected to the sport she loves. She is a Development-Level trained coach and holds her CSIA Level 2 Instructor certification. Now in her 16th season coaching—and her 8th with the Norwesters Alpine Club—Jenna brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to every training session.

She’s committed to growing both as a coach and athlete and looks forward to pursuing additional ski certifications this season.

William Cooper

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Coach Will has been a part of the local ski racing community since he was 4 years old, competing for 12 years before transitioning to coaching. While he decided not to pursue FIS racing after U16, his passion for the sport kept him on the slopes, sharing his skills and knowledge with the next generation of racers.

Ski racing runs in the family, both his sister and dad raced, and his sister also became a coach (Coach Amy!). Now in his 5th year of coaching, Coach Will loves helping young athletes develop their skills and take their racing to the next level. He especially enjoys seeing U14 and U16 racers excel and even surpass his abilities at their age.

With his recent racing experience, Coach Will brings a fresh perspective and relatable advice to his coaching. We’re lucky to have him on the team!

Morgan Carson

Morgan  brings her passion for ski racing to every session! Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Morgan hit the slopes at a young age, starting her ski racing journey at just 8 years old and competing for 9 years. Following in her dad’s footsteps—who was also a ski racer—Morgan not only learned from him but also passed those skills on to her younger brother. Now in her 4th year coaching with NAC, Morgan loves sharing her experiences and inspiring kids who share her love for skiing.

Morgan’s passion for coaching comes from seeing young athletes discover the joy of skiing and helping them develop their skills. We're thrilled to have her on the team!

Haley Koopman

Haley has been a ski coach for the Norwesters Alpine Club for the last 8 years now. She’s had some great success with developing athletes at all age groups and abilities. Haley is currently taking Business Commerce at Lakehead University.

Growing up with a passion for alpine ski racing, she raced with Norwesters Alpine Club and then moved into the Lake Superior Division Alpine Training Group. She competed at the U16 National Championships with some great success. Skiing, racing, and coaching have been a big part of her life for the past 12 years.

Jacob Bergsma

Originally from Goderich, ON, Jacob has called Thunder Bay home for most of his life. He discovered his love for skiing at Loch Lomond, racing in the U14 category before stepping away from competition. His passion for the sport brought him back as a coach through the NAC apprenticeship program.

Now in his 4th year of coaching, Jacob has even turned his family into ski enthusiasts! He loves sharing the thrill of ski racing with young athletes, helping them grow, and constantly improving himself along the way.

Connor Williamson

Connor is a former racer with the Norwesters Alpine Club. This will be his 2nd year coaching and he is excited to pass on his knowledge to other athletes. Connor is looking forward to having a great season with all the athletes and can’t wait to hit the slopes and begin skiing. 

Serena Radley-Hansen

Originally from Thunder Bay, Coach Serena recently returned home after living on BC’s Sunshine Coast. She grew up ski racing at Loch Lomond for 10 years, starting at a young age alongside her brother, making ski racing a true family affair.

This is Serena’s 4th year coaching, having spent her first two seasons with Cypress Ski Club in Vancouver. She pursued coaching to give back to the sport she loves and now enjoys inspiring young athletes and sharing her passion for ski racing.