our team

WE'VE GOT BIG ASPIRATIONS.
WE'RE ON A MISSION TO GROW AND INCREASE ACCESS TO (SNOW) SPORTS.
WE HELP CHILDREN AND ADULTS DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS THROUGH SPORT.
​OUR LOFTY GOALS REQUIRE AN AMAZING TEAM. 
AFTERALL, TEAMWORK DOES MAKE THE DREAM WORK. 
​PLEASE MEET THEM BELOW.

meghan ochs

owner & founder

Meghan has been an extremely physical and active person her whole life. As a child, Meghan competed in many sports, her favorites being softball and competitive cheer. As an adult, Meghan realized if she had grown up without sport, she would be half of the woman that she is today. Soon after this life-changing revelation, Skiing is Believing camps and programs were born. At the age of 18, she got her first paid job as a tumbling and gymnastics coach and has been involved in coaching various athletics since. Meghan grew up skiing, but not competitively. After college, she discovered competitive skiing and became an instructor and eventually, a coach. Today she spends most of her time coaching children and instructing women on snow. She is a Level 200 U.S Ski & Snowboard Coach and a trainer at her local resort where she coaches and instructs full time in the winter. On snow, she is also a Level 3 PSIA-AASI certified ski instructor. Additionally, she is also an ambassador of the Rollerblade 'Skate to Ski' Program and a Level 1-Skate IA instructor. When she is not coaching on snow, or instructing in the transfer sport of inline skating, Meghan also spends a lot of time coaching athletes at a local functional fitness and weightlifting gym. She is a CF-L2 Trainer, a USAW Level 1 Coach and a Certified Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer (ATA). Meghan fervently believes in the power of physical activity to not only promote health within the body but also develop crucial life and coping skills that can be used in nearly any environment at any age. 

kendall brice

Assistant Director of camps & development

Raised in the state of bluebonnets and longhorns, (that's right y'all, she's from Austin, Texas!) Kendall has been playing sports for almost as long as she can remember, from recreational soccer to Division I track and field at Rice University. There is little that can get between her and athletics; Kendall joined the Rice track team after her second ACL reconstruction. She is motivated to continue her athletic pursuits out of a pure passion for movement but also to show others that an injury (or two) need not put an end to sport participation. She believes that many of the opportunities and experiences in her life have been either a direct or indirect consequence of her mobility, and Kendall hopes to get her Master's degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics and bring the joys and opportunities mobility holds to all people, regardless of physical condition. For now, you can find her in Reno, NV, but she will soon be on her way across the west in gap-year travels, running and biking her way through the mountains. Kendall joined the SIB team in the midst of the 2020 COVID pandemic and has become a huge asset, both running and planning our camps and programs. Kendall is also a Certified Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer (ATA).  

Keith becker

ski hill manager, CAMP counselor & ski INSTRUCTOR

Keith grew up in Minden, Nevada at the base of the Sierras. Growing up, Keith was heavily involved in sports and the outdoor community with the sports of skiing, motocross racing, and backpacking. He also played various team sports like football, hockey and cross country. Keith is also an Eagle Scout. His Eagle Project created a interpretive garden for the Nature Conservancy. Keith graduated as a Paramedic from Truckee Meadows Community College and is a graduate of The University of Nevada, Reno. He is now preparing to attend medical school. He has thousands of hours serving in public safety including structure and wildland firefighting, emergency medical services and in public education. Keith holds many certifications in various fields such as Pediatric Advanced Life Support and International Trauma Life Support. Keith always serves with the safety of children in mind. During his free time, Keith spends a lot of time skiing and holds certifications as a Level 1 Professional Ski Instructor with PSIA. He has years of experience instructing children on snow, and now also on The Biggest Little Ski Hill. Keith proudly helped design and construct BLSH, which is Skiing is Believing's mobile ski deck. In addition to time on snow as a Childrens ski instructor, he is also a ski patroller at a local ski area. As a hearing impaired individual, Keith has created valuable partnerships with organizations in the community that serve the needs of adaptive and hearing impaired athletes. Keith is ready to help impose the Skiing is Believing mission and create lifelong memories for children on The Biggest Little Ski Hill as well as the sport and community service programs offered through SIB camps. SIB is thrilled to have Keith as our reliable handyman as well as someone who always brings smiles and laughs to our team and those we serve. ​

ALEX CHAVEZ 

 CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

Alex was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada where he would spend much of his time outdoors. Growing up in an active family, he was always outside hiking, running, or biking with his two brothers. His parents were also extremely fit and always encouraged he and his siblings to stay active and healthy. He continued to realize the importance of an active lifestyle in high school when he began working out at a functional fitness gym in North Las Vegas. Since moving to Reno, Alex continues to both live and learn the benefits related to physical activity. Currently, he is majoring in Kinesiology at The University of Nevada, Reno and he plans to attend graduate school to become a physical therapist. Alex also works at a local gym coaching functional fitness and weightlifting as a CF-L2 trainer. Alex is always looking for new opportunities to become better educated as it relates to health and movement. As a coach, Alex loves teaching people how to move safely and motivating them to reach their goals. He hopes to encourage many more people to get outside and move on a daily basis. In his free time, he enjoys working out, playing piano, riding his mountain bike, and exploring the outdoors. Alex is excited to be a part of the Skiing is Believing team to help instill in others the love of fitness, health and sport, all while having fun!

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Sarah Edlin

Adaptive (ski) instructor & camp counselor

Growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey, Sarah did not have a lot of exposure to the wonders of an active lifestyle. She experienced tastes of it as a kid through summer camps and family trips. Incorporating sports and outdoor activities into her daily routine have only recently become a regular part of her life. Feeling empowered when progressing in a sport, learning perseverance when struggling through a particular skill, and feeling strong and confident within her own body are just a few of the reasons why she is so passionate about sharing these activities with others. Sarah has a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and serves as an OT year round. She is also a certified ski instructor with PSIA and in the winter works for a local ski resort, as well as The Achieve Tahoe program for adaptive athletes. Her background in teaching kids how to swim, teaching English as a second language, plus her education and certifications related to people with (dis) abilities, make her a great fit for the Skiing is Believing team. Sarah’s goal is to help Skiing is Believing expand their current programming to be more inclusive of individuals with disabilities and unique abilities and needs. 

MICHAEL ESENARRO

CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

Michael Esenarro was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Growing up in Norther Nevada Michael has been incredibly fortunate to be fully immersed in athletics and healthy movement from a very young age and in every season. He grew up competing in gymnastics, skiing, and playing baseball. He later transitioned to running track and cross-country throughout high school while also being a part of the ski team. He then attended Florida State University where he was casted in FSU’s Flying High Circus. Whether it was soaring through the air on the flying trapeze, walking across a solid steel wire, or holding onto his partner while hanging from his knees twenty-five feet in the air on the double trapeze, the circus exacted his focus and inspired pure joy. Michael’s passion for coaching was fueled by his time as a circus camp counselor, which allowed him to share his passion for circus with younger generations. After moving back to Reno, he was hired as a ski team coach and worked with the developmental program at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Michael’s connection to nature and active lifestyle has been completely transformative in his development and believes that exposure to sports and physical activity establishes diversity and balance in other aspects of life. He is thrilled to be a part of the Skiing is Believing team.
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KARALINE GRIFFIN

PROGRAM COACH

​Karaline was born and raised in beautiful Northern Michigan but didn't discover mountains until moving West from Chicago in 2013. She first experienced REAL mountain biking while living in South Lake Tahoe and got involved with the Women's MTB Experience in Northern CA. Partaking in many guided group rides, skill building clinics, and even racing on the women's enduro team, Karaline worked on progressing her own skills before becoming a BICP Level 1 Certified Coach. Currently also teaching at Tahoe XC in Tahoe City, Karaline is beyond excited to be on the Skiing is Believing coaching team, and will be teaching beginner and intermediate fundamental skills with the Gravity Girls and The Summit Camp programs in Summer 21'. Teaching fundamental skills is a passion of hers since fun on a bike starts with safety and control. When you properly learn to ride a bike, anything is possible on the trail!  When not riding in Reno or North Lake, you'll find Karaline camping in the woods, swimming in a river, gardening, or working the local farmers market in Reno.

MEGHAN KELLEY

PROGRAM COACH

Raised in Crystal Bay, NV the outdoors have always been Meghan’s favorite place to be. She grew up camping with her family, downhill skiing, XC skiing, and XC ski racing. Initially, she only began mountain biking as a way to cross-train for skiing in the summer. However, one  summer of riding was all it took to make it her favorite sport. She began training and racing with her high school mountain bike team and competing in the Northern California high school mountain bike league. Success at the high school level drove her to compete at the national level, which ultimately led to several years of national and international XC racing. Now, her passion for cycling goes well beyond the race-course, expanding into many aspects of her life. She works on the marketing team for a company that makes training software for cyclists and triathletes. She’s a volunteer coach for her local high school mountain bike team, and she's a part of the Skiing is Believing's mountain bike program. Outside of that, she still races mountain bikes any chance she can get. Through Skiing is Believing she hopes to help another generation of athletes find joy in the trail and confidence in themselves. She’s a firm believer that participating in sports can be an important step in developing a life-long passion for exercise and the outdoors. ​

KAYLA HUBBLE

SKI INSTRUCTOR & CAMP COUNSELOR

Kayla has had a passion for skiing her whole life. She started racing at a very young age and was competitive worldwide through her teens. Right before the age of 17, she had an injury that would lead her to become a coach. She has now coached over a decade in the ski racing industry, as well as helping in other youth actives in the years since. Kayla believes that getting involved in new outdoor actives pushes you to grow physically and mentally. Learning to plan ahead, change tactics quickly and interact with new people are a few examples she has experienced, and seen herself. She has worked with all ages sharing her passion of both the outdoors, and fitness. She feels you are never too young to take a new interest or too old to try again. Kayla believes that incorporating multiple outdoor actives into one's life, can help you develop in your core activity but also  other areas of your life. Kayla is a certified U.S Ski & Snowboard coach who works full time in the winter at a local Tahoe resort. In the summer, she helps operate Skiing is Believing camps and spends a lot of time at home and in the outdoors with her husband and their house full of adorable pets. SIB is happy to have Kayla, her organizational skills, as well as her years of ski experience and time working with children to contribute to the SIB team! 

AIDEN LAJOIE 

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, SKI INSTRUCTOR & CAMP COUNSELOR

BROOKS RESNICK

CAMP COUNSELOR & SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR

Brooks was born and raised in Venice, California, and has been surfing, skating and snowboarding her entire life. Her dad made sure she was comfortable on any and all boards. For the past 10 years, off and on, Brooks has been leading a children’s surf camp in Santa Monica, which made her realize that she was born to teach. Surfing was her first love, and her parents plopped her on a surfboard right away and she hasn't gotten off since. Every summer she usually spends at home, in the ocean, or at Cardiff beach in San Diego, for the family annual surf camp trip. A few years ago, Brooks moved to Big Bear where she worked as a kids snowboard instructor for 5 years. This past year, Brooks moved to Reno and began instructing at Mt Rose. She is a PSIA-AASI Level 1 working towards her Level 2. Brooks love of snowboarding began when she was a kid when she would spend every winter at the mountain honing her skills and having a blast. Brooks passion is anything having to do with the outdoors. She is a seasoned childcare worker and instructor of all outdoor activities. She is CPR certified and is very comfortable being the only adult with multiple children in her care. Brooks can't imagine doing anything else but continuing to teach kids the things she loves the most for the rest of her life. 

NOLAN SMITH

CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

Nolan, who grew up in Las Vegas, has been an athlete for his entire life, given his parents background it was only natural. His parents were both cyclists and avid fitness enthusiasts. He started playing football at a very young age and attended Bishop Gorman High School. Once Nolan started studying finance at the University of Nevada, Reno, he gave up football for CrossFit. Nolan has his CrossFit Level 1 certification and is also a a competitive CrossFit athlete. Between his coaching hours at the University, and at Reno Power House Fitness, Nolan finds time for his own training. Additionally, Nolan also works for a local family as a nanny and caretaker. Despite growing up in the dry desert of Southern NV, Nolan has been snowboarding since he was five years old. Given his active lifestyle and affinity for caring for young children, Nolan's skill set and interests make him a living embodiment of what Skiing is Believing stands for. 

SADIE WHITELEY

SKI INSTRUCTOR, CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

​Sadie Whiteley is a born and raised Nevadan. She grew up on the Mount Rose Ski Team and got her first job as a coach for them after she stopped racing. Skiing has always given her confidence. This is one of the reasons the Skiing is Believing goal of helping kids learn self esteem through skiing, and other sports, resonates with Sadie. Yoga, Pilates and softball are also hobbies of Sadie's and they help keep her body in shape for ski season as well as clear her mind. Sadie also currently works for DL Freight Solutions in the accounting department. Prior to her current full time job at DL, she worked at Sierra Sage Academy with the young women in their Right of Passage program. She met Meghan, the owner and founder of Skiing is Believing, while working for the Mt. Rose Ski Team where she is a Level 1 certified Professional Ski Instructor with PSIA-AASI. Sadie always looks forward to participating in new sports with the children in the Skiing is Believing camps. Sadie is a natural creative and is often the creator of many of the Skiing is Believing graphics. She is a bright, competent, empathic and patient counselor. SIB is honored to have her as a part of our team. 

BRIANNA ZOLTIE

SKI INSTRUCTOR, CAMP COUNSELOR & PROGRAM COACH

From the moment her boots clicked into her bindings at the age of 1.5 years old, Bri has had a strong passion for skiing, and for sports in general. Growing up in San Jose, CA, and making her way to Reno, NV for college, Bri has used her passion for sports, especially skiing and softball, to make a home here in Reno. In an attempt to meet new people since she moved to Northern Nevada without knowing anyone, Bri decided to apply for a job at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Her job at the local ski area simultaneously allowed her to make new friends and get more time on the slopes. Bri has now worked at Mt. Rose for 5 seasons and has since achieved her Level 1 Alpine Cert. with the Professional Ski Instructors of America. She loves every minute she is on the mountain and even spends most of her days off there sliding on snow for fun! She recently was awarded employee of the year in the Children's Ski School. In the summer seaons, Bri coaches softball. When she is not teaching skiing, working out, or playing softball, she can be found hanging out with her dog, Nugget. Brianna recently graduated with a degree in Business Marketing from the University of Nevada, Reno. She has found that sports are her true passion and wants to help share her love of sports to a younger generation through Skiing Is Believing.

 SKIING IS BELIEVING & THE BIGGEST LITTLE SKI HILL ARE A PSIA-AASI PROUD MEMBER SCHOOL OF THE WESTERN DIVISION