EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hunter is a passionate snowsports enthusiast who defines his year by how many days he had on snow and how many resorts he was able to hit that season. Hunter worked in ski area management roles with Paoli Peaks and Crystal Mountain prior to CCSC. Hunter is a PSIA Level 3 alpine instructor and a USSS Level 100 alpine race coach. Hunter is involved in several other nonprofits, including serving as Board VP for PSIA-AASI Central.

Hunter has been with CCSC since it’s inception in 2018 as a coach, and became the club’s first employee in 2022. He is passionate about bringing kids from all backgrounds into CCSC, and helping them “find their niche” in one of our various programs.

For Hunter, it has been incredibly fulfilling to see CCSC transform from a start-up nonprofit into a true community resource reaching approximately 1,000 youth per year. The future is exciting for CCSC!

e: HunterSteinkamp@ccskiclub.org

p: 812-595-8439

ALPINE CO-DIRECTOR & OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Andy has brought his passion and time to CCSC since it’s inception in 2018. Andy has worn many hats in CCSC - including coach, board member, and program director.

Andy is certified as a PSIA Level 2 alpine instructor and a USSS Level 100 coach. He has been instructing skiing since 2010, and spent many winters as a full time instructor for Crystal Mountain. Andy also enjoys league racing at Crystal Mountain and riding one of his bicycles during his free time. When it’s not ski season, you can find Andy working at the Cherry Hut (where he has been employed for over 20 years).

Andy said the following about his roles with CCSC: “CCSC allows the opportunity to share my love of snowsports with others and make a positive impact on the lives of the youth who participate in our programs.”

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

Braydon is and has always been chasing snow his whole life whether it is racing across the country or spending his summers in Mt. Hood Oregon. He is a PSIA level 1 certified ski instructor at Crystal Mountain as well as one of CCSC's amazing coaches. 

Braydon is also an accomplished racer: he was a double regional champion and state runner up in high school as well as the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Central Region 3 Overall Champion. He still plans to pursue his racing career, racing FIS this upcoming season. 

A few things Braydon enjoys to do in his free time is Mountain Biking and perusing his new found passion of woodworking as well. 

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Aiden has grown  up through local ski programs at Crystal Mountain, learning to  ski at just three years old.  He believes the CCSC offerings span the snow sports realm, stressing “community” in the club’s name.  In the footsteps of his older brother, Aiden began to instruct at the age of 16 when he became a PSIA Level 1 certified ski instructor.  His love of racing led Aiden to race coaching for Crystal Community Ski Club at the age of 17, where he continues to work as both a race coach and Marketing and Communications Coordinator.  In his free time, Aiden enjoys working on his ski turns, playing basketball and golfing, as well as simply hanging out with his friends.

e: aidenodwyer@ccskiclub.org

WEBMASTER

Jeannie brings thirty years of IT experience from Indiana University to her new role as Webmaster for CCSC.

With over 25 years membership in PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America, Level II), she also aspires to join the CCSC coaching staff and has started the process. She's been volunteering with Race Academy for the last two winters.

In addition to Jeannie's alpine skiing background, she spent a few years as a certified USA Track and Field official, is a veteran of the Army Reserve, and fills her spare time with golf, kayaking, cooking, a bit of artwork, and family.

Jeannie is addicted to improvement in any endeavor and wants to share that passion on the slopes.

DIRECTOR OF RACE TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION

Bringing decades of experience in the alpine ski racing world, Chris leads our training and curriculum development for Alpine Race Academy. Chris was part of the formation of CCSC and has been with us ever since. He is also the Director of Snowsports at Crystal Mountain and an Alpine Examiner and Tech Team Member for PSIA-AASI Central.

Chris raced Division 1 for Bates College, coached for CU Boulder, and has been skiing since he was 2.5 years old. Chris holds a PSIA Level 3 Certification, and a USSS Level 200 Certification. Between his experience as racer and highly-trained coach, Chris continues to help train coaches and develop a coaching philosophy that leads our athletes to success.

Chris is passionate about sharing his knowledge with the coaches and youth of CCSC. “I love skiing, ski racing, and coaching. CCSC allows me to share those passions with others and develop kids and coaches toward the future,” remarked Chris.

ALPINE CO-DIRECTOR

Joe Dasin is a ski instructor at Crystal Mountain Resort, as well as a coach and Alpine Co-Director with Crystal Community Ski Club.

Joe has over thirty years of experience in the ski industry in management and instruction, including Snow Sports Director, Race Director, On Hill Race Supervisor, NASTAR Pacesetter, and Alpine Trainer.

Because of his Level 3 Alpine Certification with the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), Joe has the knowledge t instruct not only beginners but advanced students, and those striving to achieve their PSIA certifications. Other certifications achieved through PSIA include: Level 1 Snowboard, Children’s Specialist 2, and Freestyle 1. His is also Alpine Trainer Accredited, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Level 100, Alpine Coach & Alpine Official. Joe has attended over twenty PSIA National Academies and is ranked in the top 10 for most educational credits with PSIA Central Division. Joe prides himself as being a lifetime student and always willing to share his knowledge.

In his free time, Joe is an artist who enjoys creating sculptures from bronze, aluminum, steel, and other materials.

DIRECTOR OF MTM AND FREESTYLE

Marco has dedicated much of his life to improving opportunities for youth in our region and across Michigan. Having grown up near Lansing, he worked with various youth centered programming before making the move north to work at Traverse City High School. Shortly after that he joined the staff of The Leelanau Ski Club (LSC), and hasn't left that world since.

The LSC morphed into the North Coast Snowsports Club (NCSC), and after many years instructing and directing that club the NCSC grew into Crystal Community Ski Club (CCSC). Marco has been Directing the Master The Mountain (MTM) branch of CCSC since, having been integral in building programs that offers teen leadership programs, freestyle camps, fostering outreach and DEI efforts that bring various downstate partners to Crystal Mountain, as well as the top notch learn to ski/snowboard programming that the MTM program is most known for.

Marco also sits on our Scholarship Committee, ensuring that deserving area youth will have the opportunity to pursue their snow dreams regardless of financial barriers. His goal is to help youth find their own personal stoke, and for kids to discover the joy of skiing and snowboarding with friends. He dreams of this becoming a lifelong pursuit for these young people, and hopes to realize that success in a chance meeting of one of todays MTM members on the slopes in twenty years, with their snow-loving kids right beside them.

NORDIC CO-DIRECTOR

Chicago native Beth Major discovered Nordic skiing at age 50 when she met and married avid Nordic racer Tim Furbacher, and never looked back. After a 30-year career as an opera singer and undergraduate professor of Voice (U of M & Adrian College), she became a XC ski technique geek, earned her PSIA Level 1 certification and, with Tim, signed on to create the nordic arm of the newly minted CCSC in 2018.

“The eternal question I had during every ski on the pristine, magical Crystal MountainXC trails was, where are the KIDS?' Thus the goal became to create a Nordic Skiculture in a place where it did not exist, serving youth from grades 3-12. After coaching her first Nordic Rocks season at Frankfort Elementary, Beth developed an in depth Curriculum using fun games & drills to teach XC ski fundamentals which was awarded ‘Best New Idea' in 2020 by CXC (Central Cross Country) Association.

In 2021, to give 4th & 5th graders the opportunity to ski at the next level on real equipment and on real trails at Crystal Mountain, Beth launched the Nordic Squirrel Team. Beth is also a passionate coach for the middle & high school Nordic teams, who placed 3rd in the State in 2024! She developed and coaches Nordic Outreach learn-to-ski programs: Grand Traverse Band, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Benzie Seeds & Homeschool programs. She has managed and coached the summer Roller Ski Camp since its inception in 2020.

In 2025, Beth will mentor 3 alums of the high school team in achieving their PSIA Nordic certification, thus creating tomorrow's coaches to carry on the legacy of Nordic skiing in Benzie County.

NORDIC CO-DIRECTOR

JR. SKI PATROL

Jess is an outdoor enthusiast who has a passion for service; when not running a Camp on the shores of Lake Michigan you can find her out on the slopes (in winter) or hiking and biking in summer.

As a second generation patroller, Jessica started out as a Mountain Host on Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol with her father before becoming a patroller and reaching the Senior Alpine level. At Crystal she serves as an Outdoor Emergency Care (medical) instructor, Outdoor Emergency Transportation (toboggan/ski) instructor and hill leader.

Jess enjoys sharing her passion for skiing, safety and helping others through our Jr. Patrol program, where she develops teens through learning medical skills, safety awareness, and personal growth. Her favorite days on the slopes are spent with family and patrol friends, making as many runs as possible!

JR. INSTRUCTOR

Carolyn loves to be on the slopes and share her passion for skiing.  She is the Jr. PSIA-AASI program coordinator and has been involved in local ski club programs for the last 15 + years. She enjoys encouraging, working with, and providing the framework for CCSC Jr Instructor participants to learn about ski/snowboard instructing and gratification that comes with helping individuals add new or improve their ski/snowboard skills and personal growth skills. 

Carolyn and her husband Kelly moved to Benzie County in 1998 and raised their two sons, who grew up on the slopes of Crystal Mt. in the winter. Early on their sons were either racing through the trees, soring off jumps, or propelling themselves through the downhill ski race course. Their passion for downhill ski racing continued through high school, into college, and beyond. Carolyn has enjoyed watching her sons, their teammates, and their friends gain skill and confidence from all the stormy to sunny days that were spent on the ski hill. Skiing together remains one of Carolyn’s families favorite activities!

Carolyn is a full time alpine ski instructor at Crystal Mt. with alpine PSIA level 2 and Children’s Specialist level 1 certifications. Carolyn grew up in Hart, Michigan and was part of the Hart ski club after school program which came to Crystal Mt. every Monday night from middle school through high school. Carolyn is a founding member of CCSC and enjoys being part of the team.  She marvels at how CCSC has grown with the variety of programs and is excited to see CCSC grow.

MOUNTAIN MOVERS

Allen is involved in may areas of CCSC. He is the Co-Director for the Mountain Movers Teen Leadership Program, a coach for Race Academy, a coach for Master The Mountain, and can often be found helping with CCSC Revenue Development.

Allen self identifies as a student of skiing, and has been for the last 57 years. Allen ha a background in ski racing, powder skiing, and instruction. Allen holds a PSIA Level 2 certification and a USSS Level 100 Certification, and was recently awarded as the instructor with the most continuing education in PSIA-AASI Central.

Now retired, Allen is a former engineer who spends his days on the slopes. Allen has the following to say about his passion for working with CCSC: “One of my greatest joys of teaching skiing is to see my student smile with pride relative to their skiing! I see myself as a helper and instigator for learning that is fun that facilitates increased safety!”