October 4, 2024 - The National Nordic Foundation, The Olympic Women’s Book Project, the Women’s Ski Coaches Association, and the U.S. Ski Team are excited to announce the 2024-’25 recipients of the Trail to Gold Coaching grants. This season’s recipients represent the third “class” of women ski coaches chosen to learn and work alongside U.S. Ski Team coaching staff on the World Cup.

The Trail to Gold coaching grants originated from funds donated by the Olympic Women’s Book Project in 2022 following the publication of their book, Trail to Gold, the Journey of 53 Women Skiers. The book, which chronicles the history of U.S. women skiing in the Olympics from 1972-2022, raised awareness of American women skiers and quickly triggered discussion among the book committee about how to continue to fight for women’s equality in sport. The idea of sending women coaches to an historically male coach/tech dominated World Cup was quickly put into effect for the 2022-’23 season to great success. The Olympic Women’s Book Project has been fortunate to partner with the National Nordic Foundation, the Women’s Ski Coaches Association and the U.S. Ski Team to bring this idea to Fruition.

This season’s eight grant recipients come from a large and highly qualified group of applicants who come from clubs, high schools, and colleges from all across the country. This group of eight women will each spend up to two weeks on the World Cup leaning into time spent in the wax truck, on snow testing skis and providing splits, joining logistics discussions and supporting U.S. athletes on and off the race course.

The 2024-25 Trail to Gold Coaches
• Kaelyn Woods (Bridger Ski Foundation)   Nov. 18-Dec. 2  Muonio, Ruka
• Ruth Oppliger (Northern Michigan University)    Dec. 1-16  Lillehammer, Davos
• Alex Jospe (Stratton Mountain School)    Dec. 25-Jan. 6  Tour de Ski
• Becca Rorabaugh (APU)    Jan. 14-27  Les Rousses, Engadin
• Avery Ellis (Eastern Mass XC)    Jan. 19-Feb. 3  Engadin, Cogne
• Lucy Glanville (Team Soldier Hollow)    Feb. 11-17  Falun
• Callie Young (Dartmouth/Craftsbury GRP)   Mar. 11-24  Oslo, Tallinn, Lahti
• Julie Ensrud (Team Birkie)    Mar. 11-24  Oslo, Lahti

We can all be part of this program by donating to the National Nordic Foundation during their November Fund Drive. When the Drive for 25 begins on November 25, select the Trail to Gold Coaching Grant button on the Drive for 25 donation page and help build coaching/teching equality on the World Cup.

Read more a the NNF website here.