An exciting new chapter is unfolding for the local Nordic community as Olympian, World Cup champion and Basalt resident Sophie Caldwell Hamilton was recently named Nordic program director for the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club (AVSC). She will replace longtime friend and colleague August Teague who held the position for nine years and is now AVSC’s executive director. Lina Sutro, AVSC alum and retired professional skier, has been promoted to Nordic’s race team head coach, Hamilton’s former role.
“I am so passionate about the development of the sport and community,” said Hamilton. “As program director I have the opportunity to be involved in every level from Bill Koch [Youth Ski League] to the race team. The more I thought about this job, the more I realized it really is my dream job. I am so thrilled this all worked out.”
Nordic is considered one of AVSC’s largest athletic programs. Alongside over 60 staff members, Hamilton will use her ski expertise — including high-performance athletics, time on the Rocky Mountain Nordic organization and National Nordic Foundation boards and previous AVSC roles — to elevate the sport and support over 350 athletes.
“We have this incredible group of coaches, which is a huge part of why I wanted this job,” she said. “I’m part of an amazing group of people and we have so much momentum with this staff.”
The excitement is mutual as Teague shared his sentiments on Hamilton’s promotion. “I can’t imagine anyone more qualified than Sophie for this critical role at AVSC,” he said. “She is passionate about the sport, intimately understands our goals and our athletes, and is dedicated to their growth as both athletes and people.”
Hamilton initially connected with AVSC during visits to the Roaring Fork Valley with her partner and fellow Olympian Simi Hamilton. At the time she was a professional skier and would volunteer at practices offering insight and support. In 2021, she retired from professional skiing and moved to the Valley where worked full-time outside of skiing, but still made the time to be the assistant national competition coach. Nearly two years later, the trails called her back when she was asked to become the full-time race team head coach.
The new role was deeply fulfilling for Hamilton who drew upon eight years of professional skiing to mentor and train the young athletes. “I spent a lot of time ski racing and I knew how things were supposed to feel and I knew what I was supposed to do, but I had to learn how to explain it from the coaching side,” she described. “August was the program director and we worked really well together. I was really happy in that role.”
Specializing in sprints, Hamilton’s ski career included time as Team Captain for the National Team, two Olympic berths and numerous World Cup starts that resulted in multiple podium finishes and two individual championship titles. In 2016, she became the first American woman to win a classic World Cup championship.
When the program director position opened, it was clear that Hamilton’s experience, excellent rapport with colleagues and eagerness to learn made her the perfect candidate for the role; and while her professional background outlines her ability to succeed, it is her childhood upbringing that shows the future of AVSC.
Committed to growing the sport
Growing up in Peru, Vermont, Hamilton was immersed in a small, but vibrant ski community. Her paternal grandfather, John Caldwell, was an Olympic skier who penned gold standard books about cross country skiing while her dad, Sverre Caldwell, was a legendary ski coach at Stratton Mountain School. Her mom, Lilly, also successfully raced throughout high school and college.
Hamilton recalled fond childhood memories skiing with her brother and sister in their local Bill Koch League, where hot chocolate, games and informal races ending with lollipops took precedence. Raised with this support, Hamilton surrounded herself with coaches and people who were truly invested in her success and gave her ownership of her plans and career.
“I owe a lot to my parents,” she said. “They did a very good job of not applying pressure to be a racer. It was up to my siblings and I if we wanted to take it more seriously, and I think that’s why we all skied through college and never burnt out, because it was always fun.”
For Hamilton, she is excited to share her love for Nordic with the next generation of skiers. Notably, she intends to expand AVSC’s Re-2 school district program that brings New Castle and Rifle students to Spring Gulch or Aspen for a day of skiing complete with Dos Gringos burritos and hot chocolate.
“My goal is to get as many kids on skis as possible,” concluded Hamilton. “I think Nordic attracts really good people. It makes their lives better, healthier, and it’s an easy thing to feel passionate about … I want to give all kids the opportunity to fall in love with Nordic and help them become lifelong skiers.”
On Oct. 4 from 9am to 2pm, the community is welcome to attend AVSC’s longstanding Sports Swap at the Willits Town Center. Visit www.teamavsc.org/Aspen-Valley-Ski-Snowboard-Club to learn more about the ski swap, upcoming events and AVSC Nordic in general.