DJSR Alpine Race Coaches
We strive to deliver a unique training experience for all our ski racers. At Don't Just Ski RACE, our coaches are the heart and soul of our success. Their expertise, passion, and unwavering commitment shape the future of our athletes. They create an environment that nurtures growth and achievement through their dedication to the sport and our athletes' development. Our coaches bring knowledge and skills from esteemed race clubs and high school race teams throughout the Eastern US. All of our alpine race coaches are experienced USSA-certified alpine race coaches and/or High School ski team coaches. Every program is run with our core group of coaches and special guest coaches, making it interesting and special for all our athletes. Our race camps offer a high 3:1 athlete-to-coach ratio. We believe that the combination of our exceptional group of alpine race coaches and our commitment to individualized attention is what sets our ski camps apart and contributes to the success of our athletes.
Coach Rod Calafati
DJSR Founder and Alpine Race Coach
Voted "NJ Ski Coach of The Year" by his peers three years in a row, for the 2024, 2023, and 2022 race seasons. This prestigious recognition is a testament to Coach Calafati's exceptional coaching abilities, unwavering dedication, and outstanding contributions to alpine ski racing. Rod is an inspirational coach that has a great capability to connect with racers and get them to perform at their best. He is fanatical about alpine ski racing and brings a wealth of knowledge to our program. Rod coached the NJ State High School Ski Team at the 2024 & 2023 Eastern Regional High School Championships in New Hampshire. Rod has coached the Sparta High School Ski Teams for the past seven years and in both 2023 & 2024 the boys' varsity ski team won the title of "Public School State Champions". On the weekends when he is not coaching the high school race team, Rod is in Vermont coaching the Stratton Winter Sports Club U14 & U16 racers. Rod is responsible for developing and orchestrating the "Don't Just Ski. RACE." programs.
USSA Level 200 Certified Alpine Race Coach | SWSC Stratton Winter Sports Club Alpine Race Coach | Sparta High School Ski Team Head Coach | NJISRA Vice President, Petro Chair & Coach | VARA Ski Coach | SMSS Stratton Mountain Professional Ski Instructor | USSA Alpine Competition Official (CO), Jury Advisor, NSCA Strength and Conditioning, U.S. SafeSport, CPR, First Aid, AED, Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) & Stop The Bleed
DJSR Coaching Team
Our ski camps are the perfect place to improve your racing skills.
Experience an exceptional 3-to-1 athlete-to-coach ratio with top-notch race coaches!
Coaches vary at each camp and are subject to change.
Jim Backman
Stratton SWSC & Pingry HSUSSA Level 300 CoachRobert Lincoln
Mount Peter RacingUSSA Level 200 CoachJohnny Walker
Snowmellow SWAINUSSA Level 100 CoachLucas Masi
Morristown Beard HSUSSA Level 200 CoachKyle Markovich
Sparta HSSerena Calafati
Stratton SWSC & Sparta HSUSSA Level 100 CoachClaudia Calafati
Stratton SWSC & Sparta HS / UVM ASRCUSSA Level 100 CoachAndrey Yunusov
4 Season Alpine & Bear Creek MtnPSIA Alpine Level 2Patricia Backman
Mountain Creek RacingUSSA Level 100 Coach & PSIA Level 1Francesco Sarti
Stratton SWSCUSSA Level 200 Coach, PSIA L3 Alpine, Children's Specialist 2, Advanced EducatorChristine Larsen
Pingry HSJason Baker
Mountain Creek Racing MCSRCUSSA Level 100 CoachKC Lister
Bernards HSHenrik Holm Pedersen
Stratton SWSCUSSA Level 100 CoachSteve Mones
Belleayre NYSEF & Ridgewood HSUSSS Level 100 CoachRylee Selsor
NWAC Winter 4 KidsEzequiel Usle
Stratton Alpine Training ManagerUSSA Level 200 Coach & PSIA Level 3Boris Kaushansky
Mountain Creek Racing MCSRCUSSA Level 100 CoachJonathan David
Vermont Academy At Mount SnowUSSA Level 200 CoachRoy Scovill
Wayne Hills HSUSSA Level 300 CoachDave Martin
Stratton SWSCUSSA Level 200 CoachLaura Landshof
Stratton SWSCUSSA Level 100 CoachLauren Jacobs
Stratton SWSCUSSA Level 100 CoachHunter Brown
Stratton SWSCUSSA Level 100 CoachSarah Jiottis
Stratton Mountain Sports SchoolSenior ManagerPSIA Alpine Level 2