SSWSC Hires University Of Colorado Alpine Assistant Coach Chad Wolk

Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC) announced today University of Colorado Alpine Assistant Coach Chad Wolk will join the SSWSC coaching team as Head Coach of the FIS Alpine Ski Program, working with U18/U21 and post-high school athletes. Chad joins a staff of current SSWSC alpine coaches who are passionate and committed to excellence in youth alpine athlete development on and off the mountain. He will start on May 1, 2024.

Chad grew up in the small town of Dresbach, Minnesota, and began skiing on the slopes of Mt. Lacrosse, Wisconsin, when he was two and a half years old. He spent his younger years at Mt. Lacrosse skiing and racing and later attended and graduated from Burke Mountain Academy. He raced nationally and internationally during his athletic career and was on the U.S. Ski Team in 1997. In 1998, Chad was recruited by the University of Colorado. He was a five-time All-American from 1998-2001 and part of the NCAA Championship teams in 1998 and 1999. He was team captain in 2001 and received a degree in business administration from the University of Colorado in 2003.

He has impressive credentials working with top-level athletes. He began his coaching career coaching for Team Summit and then Buck Hill in Minnesota under the mentorship of legendary coach Erich Sailer. He held multiple positions coaching for the Park City Ski Team FIS programs. He was U.S. Ski & Snowboard Assistant Men’s National Training Group (NTG) Coach from 2013-2015, identifying talent and helping athletes like River Radamus develop the skills to have continued success and advancement through the U.S. Ski Team pipeline and was named NTG head coach in 2015-2016. He transitioned to be assistant coach of the Europa Cup Team, helping Team USA pick up gold and silver medals at the World Junior Championships. Chad returned to Burke Mountain Academy from 2019-2020 and was the lead coach for the Elite Team postgraduate and top FIS athletes.

“Skiing has filled my life with so many opportunities to continue to learn and grow as an athlete, a student, and most importantly, as a person,” Chad reflected. “With all of the success across multiple age ranges and ability levels, the thing that keeps me going is inspiring people to believe in themselves and develop the skills required to keep getting better.”

In 2022, Chad joined the University of Colorado staff as alpine assistant coach tasked with helping CU win another National Championship. He served as the interim alpine head coach for the 2023 season, helping the team to a second-place finish at the NCAA Championships. This year, in Steamboat, Wollk helped lead the team to the NCAA National Championship title, the program’s first championship in nine years, with Magdalena Luczak and Filip Wahlqvist sweeping the slalom individual National Championships.

“I am thrilled to announce the arrival of our new FIS/PG Alpine Head Coach, Chad Wolk, whose talent and passion are ideal to invigorate our alpine program with a fresh wave of energy and innovation,” said SSWSC Alpine Program Director Tyler Shepherd in an announcement to staff and alpine program parents. “With a proven track record of success and impressive skills, Chad brings a wealth of experience that promises to elevate our program. Chad’s enthusiasm for tackling challenges head-on and his dedication to fostering collaboration are inspiring. I’m eagerly anticipating the contributions he will make not just to our FIS/PG alpine program but throughout the club, propelling us towards greater achievements on and off the mountain! With Chad’s dynamic presence and the passion and commitment to excellence of our existing talented alpine coaching staff, the FIS/PG alpine program is poised to embark on an exciting journey of growth and success!”

SSWSC Athletic Director Dave Stewart was excited about the addition to the staff, “I have been impressed by the positive energy and culture Chad brings to the hill, the athletes he works with, and his track record and results speak for themselves. The depth and breadth of Chad’s experience will help our athletes pursue their full potential and contribute to our coaching staff, who share his passion and commitment to improving every year. I look forward to having Chad here in Steamboat.”