Meet our team

Sharing the joy of cross-country skiing with you.

Programming is developed and led by certified nordic ski instructors and coaches who have years of experience coaching and instructing adult cross-country skiers. We want to help you have your best day on snow — every time!

Coaching team for Bow Valley Nordic XC - a cross country ski club based in Calgary and Canmore. Heather Opseth, Jenia Tishkina-Norman, Colin Norman, Karla Handy, Joy Mekechuk.

  • Colin Norman

    Head Coach, CANSI IV, NCCP Advanced T2T

  • Jenia Tishkina-Norman

    CANSI III, NCCP CC

  • Heather Opseth

    CANSI II, NCCP CC in-training

  • Karla Handy

    CANSI II, NCCP CC

  • Joy Mekechuk

    CANSI III, NCCP T2T

  • Julian Benner

    BSc, Strength & Conditioning Coach

Coach bios

  • Head Coach, CANSI IV, NCCP Advanced T2T

    Colin’s love of skiing shines through in his coaching.  He has developed and led masters programming for over 10 years and has coached many years with Supercamp in Silver Star.His favorite time skiing is travelling to mass participation loppets in Alberta, North American and Europe with friends!  He loves taking slow-mo technique analysis videos and munching homemade chocolate chip cookies. 

    In the summer Colin loves to ride his bike(s) and enjoys finding that perfect ridge-top hike with Skoki (not a certified coach, but loves sniffing the flowers).

  • CANSI III, NCCP CC

    Jenia’s bubbly coaching style is a treat for all.  She brings to the table over 20 years of ski experience, growing from the never-ever to one of the advanced certified coaches in Canada.  Jenia has seemingly boundless energy and makes every gruelling technique session fun through positive feedback delivered in a personal caring style. Not only will your skiing improve, so will your self-confidence!

    She is dedicated to seeing you achieve your personal best: be it a smooth gliding technique or a fulfilling Loppet experience. Jenia’s XC skiing coaching resume includes Masters, Adult Learn to Ski and Silver Star SuperCamps.  She is a multi-sport athlete, and has unique perspectives to offer grounded in current advancements in our sport.

    Jenia spends her summers chasing that elusive perfect kilometer and the athletes’ high marathoning, cycling and hiking in the beautiful Canadian Rockies and around the world.

    She is also an accomplished artist creating scenes depicting skiing and biking locally in the Bow Valley, and designing athletic gear.

    Her artworks over the years have supported the Kananaskis ski marathon, are worn at races and social outings, and adorn many walls in our ski community.

  • CANSI II, NCCP CC in-training

    Heather has been skiing for fun and racing in loppets for over 30 years and has participated in several masters’ nordic ski training programs in Saskatoon and Calgary. She has previously coached with Foothills Nordic Ski Club, and is a ride and event coordinator with the Elbow Valley Cycle Club. This is her third season coaching and instructing adult ski programs, always with a big smile and encouragement for all! When not out on skinny skis, her happy place is somewhere out biking on skinny tires. 

  • CANSI II, NCCP CC

    Karla is a long time Calgarian who loves sliding on snow in the winter and fishing and paddling in the summer. She has a degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership from Mount Royal University, CANSI Level II and NCCP Coaching Theory II.

    Karla has been coaching many years with Foothills Nordic and joins Bow Valley Nordic in its inaugural year.

  • CANSI III, NCCP T2T

    Joy Mekechuk is a long time cross country ski enthusiast, competitor and instructor, and coach for the past 7 years. She has relocated from Edmonton to Canmore for the mountain experience. She brings a passion for the sport and  knowledge and skills from time with Edmonton Nordic Ski Club, the Birkebeiner Society, and Trail Sports at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

  • Julian is one of the Strength and Conditioning coaches in the PTC at WinSport, having joined the team in June of 2023.

    Growing up, Julian focused his training efforts on hockey in which he competed for the Northwest Calgary Flames before spending time in the BCHL with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Following his career in hockey, Julian turned his focus to strength and conditioning where he continued to learn the techniques of Olympic Weightlifting, Powerlifting, and general movement patterns involved in building strength and muscle mass. During this period, he also attended the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Project Management.

    Currently, Julian spends his personal time strength training and competing in endurance cycling events, as well as attending jiu jitsu classes with friends and spending time away from the gym with family. He’s passionate about sport and loves working with athletes from all backgrounds to help them achieve their athletic goals.