BY KAREN BOSSICK

Stephen Helfenbein has been appointed Sun Valley’s next director of SnowSports and Guest Services.

Helfenbein will succeed Tony Parkhill, who is retiring on May 23.

Helfenbein has been serving as Ski School training manager at Deer Valley for the past two years.

He grew up in Aspen where he began his career as a ski professional three decades ago. He also worked at Alta for about 25 years where he was head coach of Alta Performance Ski Camps.

He was selected to the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) Alpine National Team in 2016. That is the highest honor a ski pro can attain in the United States. He was selected for a second term in 2020 and will continue to serve in that capacity as a representative of Sun Valley.

As a member of the 2021-24 PSIA-AASI National Team, he helps set the standard for snowsports instruction. He also is tasked with serving as an inspirational leader to build enthusiasm for learning and having fun on the mountain.

His specialties include high performance off-piste skiing, teaching and training skills and certification training. He also has a PSIA-certified Alpine Leve lII and Children’s Specialist 2 credential.

Two years ago, he joined the Rollerblade team as the lead ambassador to the Skate to Ski program, which provides training for skiers using inline skating during the off season to stay in shape for skiing.

“Teaching skiing is my favorite activity,” he said when selected to the PSIA team. “No matter what I’m doing—running, cycling, paddling, strength training, skating—I am considering the implications for snowsports instruction.”

Helfenbein will move to the Wood River Valley, along with his wife Abbey and their daughters Lydia and Vayda.