Camp Staff

Doug Lewis

Doug is a 2x Olympian and World Championship medalist in alpine skiing. He created ELITEAM in 1991 with a desire to pass on his winning knowledge of world class sports to future generations. He is actively involved in every level of the ski industry as broadcaster, ski celebrity, motivational speaker, product consultant and coach.

More About Doug

Kelley Lewis

Kelley is a former world-class alpine ski racer with a passion for educating young athletes. She is the driving force behind ELITEAM’s continued success, coordinating all aspects of the camps for over 25 years. In 2016, she created ELITEAM’s Girls Power Camp (GPC) program, designed to educate and empower young female athletes.

Ben Degirolamo

It’s difficult for Ben to choose his favorite ELITEAM activity but if pressed it’s the Jello drop because he’s a big fan of Jello. As a camper Ben’s favorite memory has always been mountain biking since it’s great cross training for skiing. Ben’s favorite ELITEAM experience as a coach is the Sand Pit SL, he enjoys seeing the campers and coaches push each other’s limits and the speed aspect emulates the world of ski racing. 

When Ben’s not ski racing as a student-athlete for Saint Micheal’s College, he stays busy in the off season with XC running, playing lacrosse, swimming, biking and participating in triathlons. His advice to young athletes is to take time to work on fundamentals and technique now because it will pay off as you progress through the sport.  One skill that Ben has learned through sports is patience, when facing a challenge or obstacle staying patient will keep you in the fight.  Ben’s athletic goal for this season is to complete 30 straight pull ups by the end of the summer and his motto is mind over matter, if you don’t mind it won’t matter.

Emme Bell

Emme’s favorite ELITEAM activity is the Sand Pit SL since it’s a perfect combination of fun and competition.   As a coach she is looking forward to seeing the athletes push themselves and accomplish tasks that they didn’t previously realize they were capable of.  

Emme plays soccer and is active in Strength and Conditioning outside of skiing.  Her advice to young athletes in their pursuits is to never lose sight of what they love about your sports, even when the going gets tough. Over the years sports have taught her that a strong mindset is just as important as your physical ability.   Emme’s current goal is to always give it her all and her motto is that you are stronger than you think which will be a good reminder as she conquers her upcoming freshman year at Saint Michael’s College.  

Jimmy Krupka

Jimmy spends the winter racing on the World Cup and Europa Cup circuits and attends Dartmouth College.  Having spent four years as an ELITEAM camper himself he is very familiar with the physical and mental toughness needed.  While thinking back on his time as a camper he fondly remembers his favorite activity – the Sandpits. In his own words “I love the speed. And I absolutely love the high stakes—the need to raise your performance to the level of competition around you. Being in the zone and hucking it. Rising above.”   

Outside of skiing Jimmy also participated in Soccer and Lacrosse in high school.  Participating in sports has taught him to be resilient regardless of failures—sometimes quite horrifically and spectacularly—in sports again and again. He didn’t always know how to pick himself up and do it again, but sports slowly taught him how.”  An athletic goal that Jimmy is currently pursuing is to establish himself in the Top 30 on the World Cup and lives by his motto of “Just Send It”

Madelyn Buxton

Mads favorite ELITEAM activity is the hike because it’s an adventure that requires teamwork, you get to complete challenges along the way and the reward of beautiful Vermont views at the end.  Her favorite ELITEAM memories as a counselor is cheering on campers in the obstacle course, encouraging the campers and watching them accomplish challenges they didn’t know they were capable of achieving.

Mads attends Middlebury College where she participates in Ski Patrol, club lacrosse, crossfit and enjoys running in the Vermont countryside. Her advice to young athletes in their athletic pursuit is that competitions/races/games are important but the training is where you become the athlete you are which includes valuing the off season so that you can make the most of your season when the time comes.  Sports have taught her perseverance through tough times and conditions, building grit only makes you stronger mentally and physically. Her current athletic goal is to beat her PR half marathon time by the end of the summer and her motto is gratitude.  When she feels the stress of an upcoming event she is grateful for her successes, failures, hardwork and support system that have led her to where she is now. 

Alex Krupka

Both Alex’s favorite memory and his favorite activity as a camper were the Sandpits! Alex loves the opportunity to push himself to go for his personal best times and achieved this by using quick fit during the sandpit Slalom Days. 

In addition to skiing Alex also participated in soccer and lacrosse growing up.  His advice to young athletes in their athletic pursuit is to stay true to your identity and to be different from everyone else.  Sports have taught him the importance of being a leader, a teammate, a friend and a competitor.  Alex’s current athletic goal is to make the US Ski Team and is pursuing that goal during a gap year after graduating high school to focus on his ski racing.  Alex’s motto is “You got to do you”.

Cat Krupka

Cat  is excited to return to ELITEAM as a coach after spending several years as a camper from age 8 or 9 through 13, followed by a year as a counselor. Cat attended Colorado College, where she earned an undergraduate and a Master’s in Teaching. Currently, she is teaching 2nd grade in New York City. Her favorite memories at ELITEAM include the sandpits, the challenging Berg und Tal, and the quick feet slalom, where she loved the pace and the thrill of beating my own or my brother’s time. The friendships she formed, the energy of dress-up nights, and the sense of empowerment from pushing limits kept her coming back summer after summer. The “Dig Deep” motto has always inspired her, as a good reminder to find that extra push from within, fueled by passion and joy, which makes her feel unstoppable.

Beyond ski racing, Cat played soccer, lacrosse, tennis, and raced sailboats in the summer. Her advice to young athletes is to remember that results do not define your self-worth—your character and talents are just as important as your athletic achievements. Sports have taught her resilience, determination, and the importance of a positive mindset, helping achieve goals like running a marathon and training for triathlons. Outside of coaching, she is pursuing a future in law, focusing on Educational Law, and balancing her passion for movement with a strong belief in gratitude and continual growth. ELITEAM remains a special part of Cat’s life because it empowered her to challenge herself, foster friendships, and embrace the joy of moving your body.

Catie Nippins

Catie was an ELITEAM camper for four years and has now been coaching at ELITEAM for her first year. Her favorite ELITEAM activity is Sufferfest river walk because of the challenge! One of her most cherished memories as a camper is conquering the rope courses at GMVS, which tested both her strength and teamwork. 

As a coach, her favorite experience so far has been making and judging smoothies. During her junior years, Catie played field hockey, alpine skiing, and lacrosse. Her advice to young athletes is to remember not to let others determine their worth and to stay true to themselves. She believes sports have taught her to power through difficult times and push past obstacles, regardless of how tough it gets. Her current athletic goals are to play lacrosse and ski in college, embodying her motto, “Dig Deeper!” Outside of coaching at ELITEAM, she works, takes college classes, paddles on the Saco River, hikes in the White Mountains, and practices CrossFit.