Club Instructors
Want to become a CANSI instructor and teach with us?
CANSI certification course information is here. Passing this course is not easy! It is expected that you ski at a good demonstration level. Thus, it is advisable to either take the preparation course or at least ask to be evaluated by our CANSI Level 3 instructor before you apply. Reach out to our program coordinator to make arrangements for an assessment if you plan on teaching for our club. Email: programcoordinator@goldennordicclub.ca
Meet your club instructors
Annette Boelman
CANSI Level 3 Instructor, NCCP L2T (learn-to-Train) Coach
Annette has been cross-country skiing for a long time and has been teaching cross-country skiing since 1991 when she got her CANSI Level 1. She has taught in Edmonton, at the Canmore Nordic Centre, even in Australia, and off and on now for 22 years here with the Golden Nordic Ski Club. She is committed to making cross-country skiing fun and challenging for all! Whether it's learning the basics or mastering a technique, she will cheer you on and pass along all of her tips and tricks!
Nils Asfeldt
NCCP L2T (Learn-to-Train) Coach
Nils grew up in the cross-country skiing racing scene and started coaching Jackrabbits in Athabasca, AB at 16. With his father as head coach of the community club and racing team, Nils learned to ski early on and has continued in the sport ever since. From 2014 to 2019, he raced for the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings on the Canadian College & University Nordic Championship circuit and began coaching and waxing for the junior race team in Camrose, AB at provincial races. This is Nils’ sixth season with GNSC and he is excited to share his expertise with you and get out training!
Cole Stewart
CANSI Level 1 Instructor, Bronze Level Biathlon Coach
Cole started skiing when he was three years old; both downhill and Nordic. He came up through the Jackrabbits and Track Attack programs, eventually joining the Golden Race Team. Although he was never particularly competitive, Cole enjoyed challenging himself and the sense of comradery and community that came along with racing. Cole now enjoys Nordic and backcountry skiing recreationally. Appreciating the time outside, in nature, with friends and family. When he moved back to Golden, he wanted to become involved in the Nordic club again. Cole took the CANSI Level 1 course with the goal of sharing this amazing sport, that has brought so much joy to his life, with others. Cole has also recently been certified as a Bronze Level biathlon instructor. Biathlon is a new sport for him but he is excited to be helping bring it to the community, learning together along the way.
Luca Signorile
CANSI Level 1 Instructor
Cross-country skiing has been Luca’s first snow sport when he was in Wisconsin over 20 years ago. There, he met the most amazing people who introduced him to this beautiful sport, which allows him to have fun in nature over the winter months. Luca would like to transmit this joy to other people as well, and prove that cold and snowy months can actually be a lot of fun!
After a long break from skiing, Luca got back into it when he joined a backcountry cross-country, 6-day ski expedition in Sarek National Park, in Northern Sweden. When he moved to Golden, he could finally go skiing more regularly. He has since become a CANSI Level I instructor for classic style skiing.
Gillian Whelan
CANSI Level 1, Biathlon Coach
Gill has been skiing for 30 years.
She enjoys introducing and coaching kids and beginners to Nordic skiing and biathlon.
Nordic skiing is a fun, affordable, and inclusive sport that she wants everyone to feel comfortable to try and be part of our Nordic community at Dawn Mountain Nordic Ski Club.
It’s a pretty special place.
Sanne van der Ros
CANSI Level 1 Instructor, NCCP Community Coach, Bronze Level Biathlon Coach
Sanne’s introduction to cross-country skiing was skate skiing in the Stowe Derby, Vermont; the longest downhill cross-country ski race in the world. Luckily, she lived to tell the tale. Sanne obtained her CANSI Level 1 in 2008 when working as a teacher at a private boarding school in Quebec where all the students were required to cross-country ski and participate in the Canadian Ski Marathon (up to 160 km in 2 days!). When not teaching, she is busy in her roles of Golden Nordic Ski Club’s program coordinator and general manager.
