Eli joins Vermont Academy after seven years at Holderness School, where he founded and led the school’s Freeride Ski Program. Under his leadership, the program grew into a highly respected and competitive offering known for its emphasis on technical progression, mountain awareness, discipline, and team culture. He oversaw all aspects of the program, including training design, athlete development, competition planning, and domestic and international travel.

Prior to Holderness, Eli coached at Palisades Tahoe, working with high-level freeride athletes in one of the most demanding mountain environments in North America. His background also includes serving as Director of the Great Basin Outdoor School, where he led a residential environmental education program focused on curriculum development, staff leadership, and experiential learning. In addition, Eli is the founder of North Country Kayak, an outdoor outfitting business in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, reflecting both his entrepreneurial spirit and lifelong connection to outdoor adventure and leadership.

Eli holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from University of Vermont and brings a thoughtful, student-centered approach to coaching and mentorship. Throughout the interview process, colleagues were struck by his authenticity, humility, technical expertise, and ability to build meaningful relationships with young people. One member of the search committee noted, “Eli has the rare ability to push athletes toward excellence while also creating a culture where students feel deeply known, supported, and inspired.” Others pointed to his vision for athlete development and his belief that mountain sports can serve as a powerful vehicle for confidence, resilience, independence, and joy.

As Assistant Director of VAMS, Head Freeride Coach, and Head Mountain Biking Coach, Eli will help lead and expand Vermont Academy’s year-round mountain sports programming while supporting the continued evolution of the Mount Snow campus. He will play a central role in athlete development, recruitment, program design, and cultivating the distinct culture that defines Vermont Academy’s approach to healthy excellence in mountain sports.

“Eli is exactly the type of leader we hoped to find for this role,” said Mike Peller. “He brings extraordinary technical expertise and mountain credibility, but what stood out most throughout the process was his humanity, humility, and deep understanding of how young people grow through challenge, adventure, and community. He believes deeply in the connection between high performance and whole-human development, and he understands how to build programs where excellence and joy coexist. Eli’s energy, vision, and authenticity make him an exceptional fit for Vermont Academy and for the future of Vermont Academy at Mount Snow.”

Coach Sobel joins Vermont Academy alongside his wife, Kelsey, their son, Baker, and their dog, Sole. Outside of skiing, he enjoys mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, and Nordic skiing, and is most at home spending time in the mountains with family and community.

Vermont Academy looks forward to welcoming Eli and his family to Saxtons River and to the leadership, energy, and vision he will bring to the growing culture of mountain sports and outdoor education at the school.