New Alpine Team Head Coach Joins National Ability Center

PARK CITY, UT (November 2016) – The National Ability Center is thrilled to announce Erik Leirfallom as the new Alpine Team Head Coach. Leirfallom joins the NAC after holding highly respected positions with both the US Paralympic alpine national team and the International Paralympic Committee as the Alpine World Cup race director.

With more than 20 years experience in the alpine industry, Leirfallom will be instrumental in the development of the NAC’s organizational relationships in the competition and alpine industry, as well as with the growth and development of the NAC’s entire competition program in the non-winter months. As a PSIA Level 2 alpine examiner, Leirfallom will also oversee staff development for the NAC’s alpine program.

 “Erik’s extensive knowledge in adaptive sports, team management and athlete developmentis an incredible asset for the National Ability Center and Park City community said Gail Loveland, National Ability Center’s executive director. “As an avid year round athlete, ski racer and long-time coach, we look forward to the direction he takes our programs for emerging and elite winter and year round Para-athletes.”  

Leirfallom’s His experience working with children and coaching all ages dates back to high school when he began working as a camp counselor, a canoe and backpack trip leader, a ski instructor or a ski coach. In order to stay on the snow and continue to improve his abilities, Leirfallom began teaching skiing at Purgatory/Durango Mountain Resort in college. While there, he became a certified PSIA clinician and examiner and was put in charge of the ski school’s youth programs and directed the ski team. He also spent his summers coaching at Mt. Hood in Oregon. In 2007, Leirfallom started working for the Adaptive World Cup team, which included coaching at World Cups, World Championships and the Winter Paralympic Games in Vancouver. He joined Team Summit Colorado as the alpine program director in 2011. He was also a competitive collegiate racer.

“As a coach, I have learned you cannot be set in your ways and you cannot have one specific philosophy,” said Leirfallom. “Every person is so unique and needs to be coached in a way that fits their learning style and physical ability. I have been able to teach all ages, from four up, and all abilities, from those just learning to ski to professional athletes. Coaching is remarkably rewarding and I look forward to experiencing that fulfillment everyday with the National Ability Center and the inspiring athletes in our program.”

For more information on the National Ability Center’s new alpine team head coach, please contact Christa Graff with Graff Public Relations, LLC, at 435.640.7921 or christa@graffpr.com. Additional information about the NAC is available at www.discovernac.org.   

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About the National Ability Center

The National Ability Center empowers individuals of all abilities by building self-esteem, confidence and lifetime skills through sport, recreation and educational programs. Located in Park City, Utah, it is one of the leading community programs in the country that provides sports and recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The National Ability Center is recognized as a chapter of Disabled Sports USA and a US Paralympic Sports Club. World-class facilities and program excellence have also elevated the National Ability Center to be a premier provider and partner in the delivery of programs directly supported by the Wounded Warrior Project and the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. The National Ability Center provides more than 30,170 experiences each year. For more information, visit www.discovernac.org.