MEET THE BUCK HILL STAFF

Our team of coaches at Buck Hill Ski Racing Team is dedicated to developing athletes into top competitors. With years of experience in ski racing, our Olympic-level trainers and coaches provide personalized training, mentorship, and guidance to help each athlete achieve their full potential.

Contact BHSRT to learn more about our staff and how they can help you achieve your ski racing goals.

View team members:
Buck Hill, Inc.
Buck Hill Ski Racing Team
Board of Directors
Team Coaches

Buck Hill, Inc.

Dave Solner

Owner
Chip Solner

Owner
Nate Birr

Chief Operating Officer

Racing Team

Dave Ziemer

Director & U16 Head Coach
Dave grew up in Plymouth, began training and racing, and fell in love with the hard work and effort required to succeed in the sport of ski racing. With a lot of effort, he eventually found success locally before moving on to Burke Mountain Academy, earning a spot on the National Development Team, and eventually finishing his career racing at the University of Utah, where he earned a national title. Dave is looking forward to continuing his success by leading the U16s to dominate at the local and national levels this year.
Mark Halvorson

Associate Director & U14 Head Coach
Mark has a deep passion for ski racing. Growing up in Northfield, Mark began his racing career at Welch Village. Through years of hard work, training, and persistence, he competed with great success. Mark raced on the World Cup circuit, won two NCAA titles, and earned All-American status while competing at the University of Utah. He is excited to bring his experience and enthusiasm to an aspiring group of U14 athletes and lead them to multiple race wins and personal best performances this year.

Racing Club
Board of Directors

Tom Healy

President
Mary Braunwarth

Vice President
Barnaby Allen

Treasurer
Brian Miller

Secretary
Angela Dingels

Member
Marie Bauer

Member
Gabrielle Feralles

Member
Eric Krych

Member
Eric Scharrer

Member

Team Coaches

Matt Hoffman

Head of Sports Performance and FIS/U18/21 Head Coach
Matt is passionate about helping athletes reach higher goals both on and off the snow. He grew up racing USSA and FIS in the Central region before moving on to graduate from the USCSA powerhouse St. Olaf College, where he raced for four years, earning collegiate titles and furthering his passion for the sport of ski racing. With over 10 years of experience working in health, strength, and performance coaching, as well as coaching in ski racing, Matt is looking forward to another successful year helping athletes achieve their goals.
Omid Tir

U12 Head Coach
Omid brings a significant amount of international experience to Buck Hill as both an athlete and coach. He has four World Championship starts to his name and competed for several years internationally as a National Team athlete for Iran. Most recently, Omid has worked with the National Federations of Jordan and Iran, coaching athletes at prestigious events such as World Championships and Junior Championships worldwide. This season, Omid will be working with our talented group of U12 athletes, helping them gain the knowledge and skills to progress quickly in ski racing.
Grace Torgeson

U10 and Under Head Coach
Grace brings significant racing experience and coaching enthusiasm to lead the U10 and younger age groups this season. Grace is a recent graduate of the Buck Hill Ski Racing Team where she was a dominant athlete in the Jr and FIS ranks throughout the division. Grace will be dedicated to teaching the fundamentals, skills and sharing her experiences to elevate these talented and hard-working age groups.
Tor Nelson

U16 Assistant Coach
Tor returns to the Buck Hill Ski Racing Team again as an Assistant U16 Coach. Tor has been an integral part of the U16 training group. A former member of the St. Olaf Ski Team Tor brings veteran experience and knowledge to Buck Hill and will help mentor and provide his expertise to further the progress of the U16 age group. We are thrilled to have Tor back again this year for another highly successful and productive ski season.
Luca Barberis

U16 Coach
Luca is an American born Swiss raised grew up ski racing and graduate of the Swiss Olympic Ski Academy. Racing internationally for many years with over 140 starts on the FIS European circuit Luca was one of the top Swiss Jr athlete of his time at the Swiss Olympic Academy. Following his ski career Luca earned a degree in Industrial Design and has been working in the automotive industry since moving to the US. Luca will be working with the U16 age group sharing his experience and knowledge with athletes, helping them achieve greater heights.
Nelson Carlson

U18/21/FIS Coach
Nelson is a Buck Hill Alumni and veteran coach of 22 years and new member of the Buck Hill staff but no stranger to the sport of ski racing. Nelson brings a significant amount of National and International experience as an athlete and coaching with St. Thomas Academy. Nelson’s passion for coaching and mentoring athletes will add tremendous value to the Buck Hill program.
Tommy Anderson

U16/18/FIS Coach
A standout Buck Hill alumni and NCAA athlete at University of New Mexico, Tommy has compiled a deep resume of FIS victories and experience racing on the NorAm circuit. Tommy has been providing powerful knowledge and insights in the sport of ski racing to our athletes and continues to have a significant positive impact within each age group. He will again be working with our U16s through the FIS age groups and we look forward to having him on the hill again this season.
John Peterson

U16/18/FIS Coach
John is a seasoned veteran coach who has coached many champions throughout his tenure with the Buck Hill Ski Racing Team. A veteran coach with a modern approach, he has been a student of the sport ever since his days as an athlete. John has the ability to push and mentor athletes to dig deep and put the work in to achieve their goals. Over the years John has been an integral part of why Buck Hill remains the fastest team on the hill.
Skye Sonnega

U18/21 Coach
Skye returns in 2025 after a year of hiatus and will be back working with the U18/21 age groups. As a former St. Olaf Ski Team athlete Skye accumulated a broad level of experience, and knowledge to be shared with our U18/21 athletes.
Hailey Ziemer

U14 Assistant Coach
A standout Jr racer and FIS athlete Hailey prefers DH to Slalom and has always had a keen sense for speed on the mountain. In her second season with Buck Hill Hailey will again bring her passion for going fast, knowledge of building skills and fundamentals while working with the U14 age group. Currently earning her master’s in education, she is a perfect fit in working with our U14 athletes to reach their potential.
Theo Stiffler

U14 Coach
A veteran of the hard-core ski racing scene in the East, Theo grew up racing in the rain and ice with minus-20 degree temperatures all in the same day. Theo brings great technical knowledge and the ability to energize athletes in a fun productive environment.
Mikayla Doefler

U10 Coach
Mikayla, a Colorado native, started her coaching career at the famed Loveland Ski Club and Ski Area. Mikayla has extensive experience working with U10s and younger helping them build fundamentals of skiing and ski racing while making it fun and inviting to all young enthusiasts of the sport. We are fortunate to have her with our staff while she completes her undergraduate studies at St. Olaf College.
Nathan Girk

U10 Coach
Nathan is another one of our St. Olaf graduates skiing four years for the Ole’s contributing to their continued success on the NSCA college circuit. Nathan brings a ton of passion and positive energy to hill every day. Nathan is an integral part of elevating our younger age groups effectively teaching and breaking down the sport of ski racing to athletes in a way they can quickly learn and grow in the sport.
Abby Osborn

U12 Coach
Abby is no stranger to Buck Hill growing up learning to ski and racing throughout her high school and college years she is proud to call this her home mountain. Abby is another one of our coaches who is truly a student of the sport and has a great ability to motivate young athletes to work hard and at the same time have fun doing it. We are excited to have Abby on staff again this year working with our U12s.
Brad Kastner

Development Coach
Brad’s reputation proceeds him as the most veteran coach with over 30 years at Buck Hill molding young athletes into champions on the hill. Throughout the years Brad has touched the lives of nearly every athlete that have been a part of the Buck Hill Ski Racing Team. We are lucky to have Brad’s experience, knowledge and passion to keep mentoring young athletes and be a role model of hard work, effort, perseverance and grit the sport of ski racing requires to achieve goals. Brad will be working with our high school development groups as well as helping mentor staff throughout the year.