Nils Coberger, Founder and Program Director of Coberger Academy 

Nils Coberger has had a successful career coaching World Cup and Olympic Skiers. He is a highly skilled and respected coach internationally. Coaching at the highest level for over 30 years he has  been a head coach at 5 Winter Olympics, and 9 World Ski Championships, coaching for the New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain Alpine teams. His athletes have won medals at every level, including Olympics, World Championships, World Cup, Europa Cup and Nor-Ams. He has also instructed at one of the most prestigious ski schools in the world, Schi-Schule Arlberg in St. Anton, Austria and coached in the United States at the Aspen Valley Ski Club.

Nils family has a rich history in New Zealand skiing. His grandfather started New Zealand’s first ski shop and became one of the first instructors to teach the Arlberg Technique at Mount Cook. His father was a 3x National Champ, and both of his sisters raced on the national team with him.

Nils founded Coberger Academy in 2013 and has been committed to using his extensive experience and expertise to provide world class training to his athletes.

Ben Griffin, Head Coach 

Head Coach Ben Griffin’s passion still lies deeply in skiing. He has successfully transitioned from being an athlete to coach and a conditioning trainer. Ben’s extensive alpine ski racing career included representing New Zealand at the 2010 Winter Olympics and multiple World Championship events, under the coaching of Nils Coberger. His coaching experience includes the NZ Mens Ski Team, NZ Youth Squad, head coach at Revelstoke Ski Club, and Team Hutt coach. Ben has a Bachelor of Health Science in Sport & Exercise and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Sport & Exercise

Ben finds reward in helping others to realise their athletic potential, gain competitive advantage or return from injury to function and sport.

Tim Cafe, Coach

Tim Cafe was a member of the New Zealand Alpine Team from 2005-2012. During this time he competed at two World Championships and one Olympic Games. After retiring from ski racing in 2012 Tim began his coaching and instructing career; he has also been a part of the NZ inter ski team, NZSIA and Aspen Demo team. Tim has coached for both the New Zealand and US Ski Teams. A career highlight for Tim was coaching the New Zealand Alpine team at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. 

Mackenzie Muir, Coach

Mackenzie Muir is Coberger Academy’s newest addition to the coaching staff. After retiring from ski racing in 2014 Mackenzie has been instructing and coaching internationally while gaining a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Otago. Mackenzie has previously coached for Villars International Training Academy, and has instructed in New Zealand, Japan and America. Mackenzie is based with International Ski Racing Academy for the Northern Hemisphere winter.