Our coaches
Coaching Philosophy
Personalized elite-level coaching in a fully immersive ski experience
Our goal is to give upper intermediate to advanced and expert skiers a full immersion skiing experience in some of the world’s most beautiful resorts, as well as elite-level coaching to help them achieve their personal goals. Our camps are set-up to allow each individual an adventure in the mountains with hands-on coaching, guided practice, and individual free skiing and exploration.
Camp Director & Head Coach
Eric Lipton
Eric Lipton is a 3-term member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA’s) elite National Alpine Team, and one of the world’s top instructors of instructors. Eric took his first ski turns before the age of 3 and started ski teaching while in high school and continued teaching, along with ski racing through college. After graduating from college, Eric resumed his focus on coaching others. He was selected to the National Alpine team in 2008, and remained on the National Team through 2021. It was during this time that Eric spent his winters traveling throughout the U.S. coaching racers, instructors, and recreational skiers.
It was during this time that Eric worked with CARV to develop the original education content and metric tracking, and has a current Ski:IQ of 173, ranking among the top 15 on the Global Leaderboard.
Eric is a former Co-Director of Instruction for SKI Magazine, and has been featured within its pages, as well as having written, and produced online courses for skiers of all levels – those wanting to Master the Steeps, and those taking their first turns on snow.
Eric has served as a guest coach to the US Ski Team. From Development Team athletes, through seasoned 3-time Olympians, Eric has been called upon to enhance the athletes’ skills and their understanding of skiing mechanics.
In addition to his phenomenal skiing and world class coaching, what people love about skiing with Eric is how he shares his excitement for the sport and the mountains. His passion and enthusiasm are truly infectious.
When not leading groups on-snow, Eric is the Chief Operating Officer of SNOW Operating, a company that works with inspired ski resorts in North America and beyond to grow the sports of skiing and snowboarding by improving the first-timer experience.
Eric resides in Park City, UT and in the warm weather months, he enjoys mountain biking the 500 miles of trails right outside his front door.
Jonathan Ballou
With over three decades of experience teaching skiing and coaching since 1990, Jonathan Ballou has dedicated his life to the pursuit of skiing excellence. As a three-term PSIA-AASI National Team Member and demonstrator at Interski, he has showcased his skills on international platforms. His credentials include serving as an Examiner with PSIA, being a certified Trainer with NZSIA, and holding an IASI Level 4 certification.
Currently, as the Vice President of Mountain Sales & Schools at Aspen Snowmass, Jonathan oversees the Ski & Snowboard Schools, among other divisions, ensuring top-tier experiences for all guests. His career has been a global journey, working as a coach, trainer, and consultant in countries such as New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, China, Austria, Switzerland, France, and throughout the United States. Jonathan’s coaching philosophy centers on creating personalized, progressive experiences that elevate each skier’s potential and simplify the complexities of skiing.
When not skiing, Jonathan is a professional bassist specializing in jazz and is an avid mountain biker. His passion for music and the outdoors mirrors his commitment to mastery and continuous growth, whether performing on stage, on the trail, or the slopes.
Chino Martinez
Argentinian born, American made, and Internationally known, Chino Martinez has been instructing skiing for over 30 years.
After taking his first turns on the glaciers of Austria, Chino made his way to the United States where his professional skiing career began in upstate NY in the 90’s. After obtaining his certification from PSIA-E, Chino moved West.
In the North American winter, Chino now resides in Aspen, CO, as one of the most highly-requested pros in the Aspen Ski School.
Speaking 4 languages, and holding coaching certifications in several countries, Chino is a full-time international ski professional taking clients on skiing adventures around the globe.
Chino has been featured in Forbes Magazine as a one of the world’s top ski instructors and guides, and in January 2025, he and Eric were featured together in SNOW Magazine where they shared insights on private ski coaching.
Chino now brings his talent, charm, and technical expertise to Destination Ski Camps guests.
2-Time Olympian
Kaylin Richardson
Kaylin Richardson is a ten-year U.S. Ski Team veteran, 2-time Olympian (Torino 06′ and Vancouver 10′), and four-time National Alpine Champion. After retiring from the World Cup in 2010, Kaylin fell even deeper in love with the sport when she discovered backcountry skiing. As a reincarnated big-mountain skier, in addition to winning the Freeskiing World Tour’s North American Championship in 2012, Kaylin has been featured in nine Warren Miller films, including this years Face of Winter. Kaylin has also expanded her expertise as a writer, speaker, event host, broadcaster, and television personality, notably on VH1, NBC Sports, and The Weather Channel.
While exploring every opportunity, Kaylin realized that her passion is to ignite people’s love for skiing. She found her home at Deer Valley and currently has the privilege to share skiing with guests through their “Ski With a Champion Program.” Kaylin and Eric linked up with SKI Magazine to create an online course for skiers who want to conquer steeper terrain called “Mastering Steeps.”
Kaylin’s life philosophy is “laugh often,” and she plans to do so- all the way down the mountain.
A.J. Oliver
Current PSIA National Alpine Team member, AJ Oliver brings a combination of big mountain skiing prowess and ski racing pedigree.
Admire AJ’s talent on skis and easy-going demeanor in Warren Miller Entertainment’s TIMELESS, where AJ skis alongside “the mowhawk” Glen Plake.
Growing up just outside Salt Lake City, UT, A.J. honed his skiing skills at Snowbird and Alta, and went on to attend Rowmark Ski Academy and raced competitively throughout the west. College took him to Billings, MT where he led the Rocky Mountain College ski race team to a national championship in 2011.
A.J. now spends his winters in Big Sky, MT on Lone Peak coaching skiers to supercharge their skills and conquer true alpine terrain, while sharing his enthusiasm for skiing and the sheer beauty of the northern Rockies. Additionally, as a Level 3 Examiner for the Northern Rocky Mountain Division of PSIA, A.J. travels throughout the region coaching ski instructors to reach their personal, and professional goals.
When not on skis, A.J. enjoys horseback riding and camping in Montana’s Gallatin Valley and the vast Yellowstone region.
Sponsors
These world class brands and the individuals who run them make it possible for us to do what we love, and for that we are eternally grateful.
