Chris Turpin, a Whistler, BC, local and freeskiing innovator, has recently been given the chance to serve as the head coach for the National Russian freestyle program. The 2014 Olympics, where ski halfpipe and slopestyle will make their Olympic debut, will take place in Sochi, Russia.

In years past, Turpin has coached at the now-defunct Whistler summer camp High North, and he was the head coach and lane feature designer at Momentum ski camps in Whistler. He has made many contributions to the freeski world, including one of the first all switch runs in a halfpipe. The Russian athletes he's working with will most likely not be seen this year in the professional circuit, but with Turpin's coaching skills, we will undoubtedly be hearing about them soon. Turpin currently speaks very little Russian, but this is something that he says he is working on. He spoke to us in English about his new job.