Coaching Staff

Ruben Macaya – Alpine Program Director

A treasured member of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation for 21 years, Ruben hails from Barocoche, Argentina. Ruben represented his country in the 1968 Winter Olympics and appeared in five FIS Alpine World Championships from 1966 to 1970. Before coming to Sun Valley, Ruben coached the United States Ski Team from 1980 to 1984 and the 1984 U.S. Winter Olympic Team. He returned to the helm of Argentina for 1988 Winter Olympics. When he’s not knocking items off the “honey-do” list for his wife, Paula, Ruben enjoys mountain biking, fishing, hiking and listening to music. He absolutely loves dogs, and cooks the meanest Lamb Asada this side of South America. That means he loves lamb, too, but not in quite the same way.

 

Pat Savaria – FIS Head Coach

Pat has been a mainstay of the Sun Valley Ski Education for so long it could be measured in Mesozoic years, but he’s no dinosaur. In his 26-year coaching career, Pat has guided upper-echelon skiers for the U.S. Ski Team, coaching in the 1992 Winter Olympics and three World Championships. He also gives back to his community; Pat and wife Adele, currently the SVSEF C Home head coach, started a free youth ski program in 2001 at Rotarun Ski Area, west of his hometown of Hailey, Idaho. A Wood River Valley native, Pat grew up skiing for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation and it’s very easy to pick him out in team pictures flashing his trademark grin. Pat’s father, Jim, was one of the program’s founders and now "Sav" has passed on the SVSEF legacy with two fine racers in the program, KJ and Austin, who will undoubtedly be better than the old man – and that is saying a lot!

 

Nate Schwing – J1-J2 Head Coach

It don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that Schwing! And we’ve got him. We are keeping him, too, despite the fact that he pledges allegiance to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. Never wide right, however, Nate punches it right through the center when it comes to coaching, passing on his experience as a NorAm-level racer who competed in three U.S. National Championships. His best finish at nationals was ninth in giant slalom in 2005. Still loving the competition, Nate was the 2009 South American Masters Champion. Originally from East Aurora, New York, Nate grew up skiing at Kissing Bridge Ski Area and went on to compete for Lees-McRae College for four years. He has been with the SVSEF for four years and when not on the hill enjoys playing soccer, mountain biking and golfing, in which he does a mean impression of one infamous Bill. Shank you very much.

 

Erika Hogan, J1-J2 Assistant Coach

A New York native, Erika is the apple of our eye for her ability to hold her own against Sun Valley's fastest and finest. She is in her fourth year as a coach with the SVSEF.

 

Carl Rixon, J1-J2 Assistant Coach

If you made a list of regional races, Carl Rixon has probably won every one of them at one time or another. In the 2010-11 ski season, he finished first in seven out of eight Town Alpine Series races. The pro for Six at Sochi in the 2011 Janss Pro Am, Rixon led his team to victory in the Speed Cup - all while rocking a women's t-shirt. Grrrr. A SVSEF alum, Carl has been with the program for 16 years.