Board of Directors 2024/25

Jean-Paul Molgat

I joined the ski club board in 2017 and have served as Director,  Vice-President and President. I have also served as a director or officer on other boards in Yukon, including a daycare board, a community association board and a school board. 

I am beginning my third year as President of the ski club board. I have an odd fascination with policy governance and the benefits it can bring to the management of non-profit organizations. 

I am  happiest when spending time outdoors with my wife and two daughters, especially when we’re on skis. I am a struggling yet persevering masters skier.

Leslie Gomm

I've lived in Whitehorse and been an active member of the WCCSC for 30 years. I was first on the board approximately 20 years ago. At that time my reasons for getting involved was to support kids programming such as Jackrabbits. My current stint on the board began in 2019 and for the last two years I've held the position of Treasurer.   

For me the WCCSC is a place for friends and family to gather and enjoy skiing on our incredible trail network. I love being out on the trails and seeing all the smiling faces enjoying our Yukon winters. 

The WCCSC has been an important part of my Yukon life and I'm happy to be able to contribute through my role as a board member.

Debbie Higgins

 I moved to Whitehorse in 2001 with my partner, Pete, and we’ve been smitten ever since with the easy access to beautiful and vast wilderness, a vibrant community, long, beautiful winters, and world-class nordic skiing. We have two children who have benefited from the Jackrabbits, Junior Development, and Squad Programs.

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I grew up in Gatineau Park, another Canadian nordic skiing hotspot. There, like here, skiing was a defining part of my winter life. I can say with certainty that my life is better because of skiing, and perhaps even that it makes me a better person. For me, it’s a way to exercise and explore, as well as connect with myself, my family and friends, and the outdoors. I never cease to feel excited about - and grateful for - the skiing opportunities we have here with so many trails so close to downtown. 

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I joined the WCCSC Board in 2021 and have enjoyed helping move forward the goals of the READI committee, working towards reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion. I hope to see a day when everyone in Whitehorse has the opportunity to ski! This means making the facilities, trails and culture as welcoming as possible and eliminating barriers to access. I have served as a director and president on the Fiddleheads (youth musical program) Board, and have worked for non-profit organizations throughout my career.

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I look forward to seeing you out there!

Sarah Aasman

I have been a member of the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski club for about 15 years. I grew up in the rainy Fraser Valley so after moving to Whitehorse, I embraced the snowy winters. It has given me a sense of accomplishment, purpose and escape to learn how to classic ski and a few years later, skate ski. I have a great love for the outdoors and our beautiful cross country ski trails. It fills my bucket every time I get out alone, with friends or family. 

I joined the board this fall after supporting my 3 daughters through the Jack Rabbit, Lynx and JDP programs. I am an elementary school teacher and it is a new way to use my brain in a different way, interacting with interesting adults, learning the ins and outs of a policy governance board and supporting a not for profit organization that has provided so much joy in my life. 

I am looking forward to giving back to our diverse and growing cross country ski community.

Christine McConnell

As an experienced board member with a strong background in non-profit board governance at both national and local levels, I am thrilled to contribute to the strategic growth of our vibrant and expanding nordic ski centre. Cross-country skiing has been a big part of my life since moving to the Yukon over 20 years ago, and I am passionate about advancing the sport and its community.

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In my role on the Board of Directors, I am particularly focused on enhancing the nordic centre’s capacity, expertise, and infrastructure to host national, and maybe even international, racing events. By modernizing our facilities and capabilities, I also aim to foster ski tourism opportunities, ensuring that Whitehorse Nordic Centre becomes a destination of choice for outdoor recreation enthusiasts from across the country and beyond.

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I have proudly volunteered with the Yukon XC Ski Team at the last two Arctic Winter Games and am an active volunteer at ski races. As a trained Nordiq Canada Level 2 official, I bring hands-on experience and a deep commitment to supporting the sport at all levels. 

Jan Downing

I look forward to snow every year.  Enjoying downhill skiing as a youngster with my family, then eventually transitioned into “earn my turns” with XC skiing.   I bought my first season’s pass for the Mt. McIntyre trails in 1989, even though the commute to the trailhead was long as I lived in Mayo back then, it was definitely worth it.   

My passion lies in seeing the smiles on faces like when a new skier gives 2 thumbs up after mastering a hill with the elation at reaching the bottom.  I consider myself fortunate to have worked with the Recreation and Parks Association as the Winter Active for Life Coordinator seeing the simple joy of being outside in our Yukon winter.  Trained as a Nordiq Canada Learn to Compete coach , I’ve had the privilege of coaching various programs across the country, most recently our own Jr. Development Program (JDP). This honor fills my cup with the coaches and athletes I’ve had the privilege to work with.  

The day is complete after heading out on the trails on skinny skis with family, friends or a gaggle of athletes as a coach.  I’ve been fortunate to be able to enjoy XC skiing in Eastern Canada/US, BC, Alberta, Washington, Greenland and of course Yukon and Alaska.  See you on the trails.

Moya Painter

I have been a member at the ski club for most of my life. I grew up in Whitehorse and the ski community was a huge part of my childhood. I went from Jackrabbits through to Blue Squad and worked at the Ski Base through high school. I spent some time skiing in Ottawa and Gatineau while in university, and while that was a great experience, it made me realize how lucky we are to have such easy access to the amazing trails and facilities in Whitehorse. 

I am now a coach with the Junior Development Program and ski to keep me sane during the winter. I am fortunate enough to work just a short walk from the ski trails so I try to chase the sun at lunch whenever I can. 

I am a new member to the board in 2023 and am looking forward to learning lots.

Tracee Vickerman

Skiing on the amazing trails at Mount Mac has been a highlight of my winters in Whitehorse since the mid 80's. Every day that I ski on our trails; with friends, family, my dog or instructing with the Adult Ski Program is a great day!

This year I wanted to give back to the club a bit more and so with some hesitancy I put my name forward to be a director on the WCCSC board. I've been on various other boards and committees; the majority of them health related. Right from the first board meeting I was impressed by the depth of knowledge, dedication and inclusiveness of the returning board members. I look forward to working  with these great volunteers and the awesome staff of the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club.

Dahria Beatty

Hi, I’m Dahria. I am a born and raised Yukoner and I spent the first 18 years of my life racing around the Whitehorse Nordic Center trails. When I graduated highschool, I left the Yukon to pursue my dream of competitng for Canada on the World Stage. For a little over a decade I lived out my dream representing Canada, Yukon and Whitehorse at 2 Olympics, 3 World Championships and in over 100 World Cup races. Despite having skied on four continents, our home trails are still one of my favourite places to ski. Gliding along, immersed in the silence of winter, and the beauty of nature is my happy place. 

After retiring from professional ski racing, I moved back home to Whitehorse in 2024. This is my first year on the Board and I am looking forward to giving back to a community that has been so impactful in my life. I have joined the Land Tenure Committee and am helping create the Competition Committee. Most days you can find me at the nordic center either skiing with friends, coaching, or helping organizing a race! 

Stephanie Coombes

I have been a member of the Whitehorse Nordic Centre since my arrival in Whitehorse in 2016. I started cross country skiing in western Newfoundland in university and fell in love as it was both affordable and accessible compared to other winter sports. I grew up in Australia and cross country skiing gave me a sport that was fun, even in the cold!

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I have been lucky to ski all over the Yukon, in Newfoundland and Labrador, and a bit in Nunavut. I enjoy Nordic backcountry skiing out my backdoor and throughout the territory. I love spending time at the Nordic Centre where I can enjoy the incredible network of trails and then relax in the sauna. My favourite winter moments are when I am out on the trails with my friends and family. As a passionate recreational classic skier, and a fair-weather skate skier, you will now see me getting left behind by my two kids who skate ski like it is easy.  I am a dedicated participant in the Air North Challenge as it gets me out on those trails I don’t always choose.

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I joined the board in 2024 as a Director because I wanted to contribute to the cross country community. As a member of the READI committee, I am passionate about supporting recreational skiers in Whitehorse.