Meet Our Ski School Instructors
Alissa Johnson
I have been skiing for about 15 years (including 6 Birkie races!), and this will be my 2nd year with Ski School. Skiing is one of my favorite activities and I love being able to share that passion with others! I enjoy instructing all ability and interest levels, whether you are just looking to have fun on skis or have lofty racing goals for the season.
Anne Hinrichs
I’m looking forward to my 9th season as a Nordic Ski Instructor (4 here at Wirth and 5 as an Assistant Coach at Edina High School when our daughters were on the team). I love getting new skiers out on the trails so they can become comfortable and efficient on skis and really enjoy winter! Family lessons or small groups are a favorite for me too. I’ll be skiing my 4th Birkie in February (3 Kortelopets). PSIA Level 1 certified.
Annie White
My name is Annie White and this is my 3rd year as a Loppet instructor. I am PSIA level 1 certified. I am also certified in CPR, First Aid, and Concussion response. I fell in love with nordic skiing as a freshman in high school. I love being outdoors and sharing my love of sports with others. I also coach cross country running, Nordic skiing and track at Benilde-St. Margaret’s high school. In addition, I am a literacy specialist and have a tutoring business ( Leap Forward Learning) working with elementary students who have dyslexia and other learning challenges. I feel so lucky to help others learn both mentally and physically; it is the best of both worlds! When I am not on the trails, you can find me running around the lakes preparing for my next marathon. I am super excited for another great year at the Trailhead!
Bill Oyler
The only thing Bill Oyler loves more than gliding through the forest on cross-country skis is introducing newcomers to the sport. He first learned how to ski in 2009 thanks to inspiration from a multitude of Loppet coaches, volunteers, friends, and trail groomers. He is now a PSIA Level 1 certified ski instructor and is anxious to welcome everyone to the sport, while continuing his own lifelong cross-country ski education.
Greg Klave
Hi! My name is Greg Klave. I have been classic and skate skiing for decades, and in that time I received certifications from PSIA Level 2 cross country, PSIA Level 1 children’s certification, and USSA 100 and 200 for competitive XC coaching. Since 2008 I’ve worked with Loppet adult groups and Trail Kids and founded Loppet Ski School in 2010. I really enjoy working with beginners from 7 to 75, families, groups, and intermediate, advanced skiers striving to be more efficient in their technique for their 1st or 20th race/tour. I have completed 25 Birkies in classic and skate. I’d be honored if you requested me as your XC ski instructor.
Ingrid Remak
The major problem Ingrid has with cross country skiing is that “there is never a good time to stop skiing!” Ingrid has been teaching with the Loppet for 8 years, and before that with both South High School and Macalester ski teams. Teaching everything from adult to youth to adaptive ski programs, Ingrid loves working with racers to beginners and finds connection and joy in puzzling together effective ski lessons for all her students. She loves knowing people can leave a session with skills and confidence to make their ski experiences more fun whether looking for a relaxed glide through the park or pursuing racing goals.
John Horns
John Horns here and I am truly passionate about ski instruction and love all forms of sliding on snow. I am an avid back country skier and determined cross country ski racer. I am part of the Professional Ski Instructors of America Central (PSIA-C) Education Staff and a level 3 instructor in multiple ski disciplines. I am a life long skier and actively involved with ski instruction since 2000 (Alpine, Telemark, Cross Country), and joined the Loppet Ski School in 2021. I thoroughly enjoy breaking down the intricacies of ski technique and form, and my teaching mantra is “small changes can have a big impact”. That said, it is all good fun and always an adventure. I love developing learning environments for people new to skiing to help them discover the magic, people wanting more smiles in their adventures, as well as individuals looking to dial up their racing experience. I look forward to skiing with you soon.
Kent York
I love cross country skiing and sharing the sport with others. My background includes 33 American Birkebeiners, trips to trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Banff, as well as summer skiing in the Vukoti, Finland Ski Tunnel. I recently received my certification as a PSIA Level I instructor and enjoy teaching skiers of all levels in classic and skate techniques. I’m a member of Endurance United Ski Club and coach for that organization too.
Richard “Sam” Samuelson
Sam is a retired school teacher and nordic ski/ track coach at White Bear Lake HS. He was head nordic ski coach at WBL for 12 years. He is a former NOLS instructor with a WFR/CPR certifications. He was an outdoor instructor for REI’s Outdoor School for 8 years where he taught nordic skiing and multipleoutdoor activities. This is Sam’s 2nd year teaching for the Loppet Ski School.
Sophia Braun
I am Sophia Braun and I am a ski instructor, I am a 12th grader at Edina High School and love to ski! This will be my second year teaching at the Loppet and I am loving every minute of it. I have been skiing for 5 years!
Skip Fay
Skip wants YOU to love skiing too! He has skied Loppets, Birkies, a few fancy European ski marathons with thousands of Norwegians and soooo many loops at Wirth. He is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and friend groups get comfortable, gain confidence, and have fun in classic or skate techniques: all ages, all levels. He hopes you’ll ask questions about wax (or skins or waxless skis), tips for staying warm, games with kids on skis and how to keep skiing fun and simple. With years of experience, education, passion , and a PSIA Level 1 certification, he ensures a professional, and safe learning atmosphere for all. Let’s ski!!
Stephen Walker
Stephen’s love of the outdoors naturally led him to cross country skiing. He started teaching winter sports since 2009, instructing alpine skiing. Stephen found his love for Nordic skiing when he went on a ski trip in the Boundary Waters, and has never looked back. “I love the exploration aspect of cross country, it’s like backpacking in the winter!” says Stephen. This is Stephen’s second season teaching with the Loppet Ski School.
Thomas Shaw
Thomas loves to introduce new skiers to the skills and confidence that allows them to embrace the sport that has brought him so much enjoyment. He is a Professional Ski Instructors of America Level III Cross Country instructor, professional Examiner and holds a PSIA Children’s Specialist credential. His favorite lessons combine people of different skills levels and generations. Thomas has been a board member of the Minnesota Youth Ski League for nearly 20 years and is responsible for curriculum development and coaches’ training. When he is not teaching at Wirth Park, he coaches a high school Nordic racing team and teaches Alpine and Telemark skiing. He is an active Boy Scout and during the `off-season’ teaches rock climbing and outdoor skills for Northern Star Scouting.