Get to Know Our Staff

Sara Thomson

Owner|Fitter|Spirit Animal

Hi, I’m Sara! With 12 years of boot fitting experience, I’m passionate about helping people find the perfect fit—whether it’s ski boots, cycling shoes, or anything in between. As an avid backcountry and alpine skier, as well as a runner and cyclist, I know firsthand how the right fit can transform an experience.

I love sharing my knowledge to help people feel comfortable and confident in their gear. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or new to the sport, I’m here to guide you through the process and make sure your equipment works for you.

When I’m not fitting boots, you’ll find me skiing, riding my mountain, road, or gravel bike, or spending time with my family. If you're ready to dial in your fit for your next adventure, I’d love to help—book an appointment, and let’s get started!

Mark Bettencourt

Bootfitter|Tuner

Hi, I’m Mark! With over 35 years in the ski industry, I’ve spent 18 of those working in Race Department roles with Atomic and Volkl. I’ve had the privilege of servicing athletes at every level—from U.S. Ski Team members and X Games competitors to collegiate and club racers. Summers at Mt. Hood were spent tuning and testing gear, making sure racers had the best possible setups.

While skiing has been a huge part of my life, I’ve also spent time racing bikes and still love getting out on two wheels whenever I can. Outside the shop, I’m a husband and father of four, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, an early VW car enthusiast, and a guy who never says no to a good cup of coffee. I also love fishing—because sometimes, you just need to slow things down.

Whether you're stepping into the shop for the first time or you're chasing podiums, I’m here to make sure you get the same level of expert service. If you’re looking for the right fit, the best tune, or just some solid gear advice, stop by—I’d love to help.

Cody Holland

Bike Service Czar|Ogre|Manager

Yo, I'm Cody! I'm a bike industry veteran? That seems to have happened fast. I have years of experience selling and servicing bikes of all levels, doing custom fitting, suspension service, working for bike makers and slinging demo bikes in their thousands. I have strong (read: angry) feelings about people not being able to make the most of their bikes and their chosen sport; so many out there are a few basic adjustments from a far better experience.

I have been fortunate enough to have ridden in nearly every corner of this country for the past five years and am stoked to have landed in New Hampshire. I am still completely obsessed with mountain bikes after 5 years of making them my occupation/personality/life while working as a demo driver so I don't think that will ever change. If you ask the other employees they will probably mention something about a tool/gadget fixation, this is entirely fictitious and honestly defamatory, don't listen to them, but do come to me for tool advice.

When I'm not wrenching on your prized possessions you will find me out on the trails, touring around to the wonderful downhill parks in the region, daydreaming about another van (pathologically), or trying to do questionable things on my trusty and thus-far-indestructible Surly.

Jack Steffen

Nordic Specialist|Pack Leader

Hi, I’m Jack! Originally from Wisconsin, I moved to the Mount Washington Valley years ago with my late wife, Jane, drawn by our shared passion for Siberian Huskies. Together; we bred, showed, and sled dog raced. We also ran a Nordic Ski Shop in the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation Center, helping others experience the joy of cross-country skiing.

As Mountain Sports Lab’s resident Nordic expert, I spend most of the winter on my skis—whether gliding through Jackson, competing in Nordic Meisters at Great Glen, or racing in the Cranmore Meisters Series. I also love sharing my knowledge by teaching ski-joring clinics, introducing others to the excitement of skiing with their dogs.

When the snow melts, you’ll find me on my road bike, leading group rides with the Mount Washington Bicycling Club. Whether on snow or pavement, I’m always happy to help others find their perfect setup to enjoy the adventure.

Chris Collins

Bootfitter|Doesn't Know Tennille

Hi, I'm Chris! I am a lifelong skier who grew up on the cold, steep, and icy mountains of New England, and I have shaped my entire life around being on the snow—whether it is frozen, slushy, or pow. Ever since I turned 18, I have managed to ski 100-plus days every season. I live by the motto that "you don't know unless you go."

My journey has taken me to some incredible places. I spent 10 winters living in the Teton Valley, where I routinely worked night shifts in kitchens just so I could spend my days out on the mountain. I was in Alaska working as a pastry chef and fly fisherman when I was called back to New England to help support my Mom at our family home on Bear Island. I have spent my summers on Lake Winnipesaukee, working as a handyman on Bear Island boating, waterskiing and fishing whenever things didn't need fixing. In 2018, I met my now-wife on a chairlift, which is what ultimately brought me here to the Mount Washington Valley.

Today, I have 20 years of experience as a snowsports shop employee, which includes tuning and ski and snowboard tech for over 10 years. I am also Masterfit Boot Certified. When winter arrives, my focus is on helping you get the most out of your day on the hill by matching the absolute best boots and gear to your unique individual needs, stance, and skiing style. When I'm not in the shop, I am heading out onto the mountain to look for the "goods in the woods." Once the snow melts, I trade the north country for the lakes region. In the warmer weather, you will find me behind the wheel of the US Mail Boat on Lake Winnipesaukee as Captain of the Sophie C. My heart is always in the mountains when it's cold, and right out on the lake once the bullwheel stops turning.

Jim Rocket

Bootfitter|Poisson Garçon

Hi, I’m Jim! I’ve hung around the ski business long enough now, so I guess you’d call me an “industry veteran”. After starting out as a part-timer at Ken Jones Ski Mart in the mid-90’s, I find myself still loving the business all these years later.

Little did I know that my path would lead to years as a ski industry sales rep, where I got to visit every ski shop in New England for almost 25 years. I always had a love for the retail side of skiing, too. I’ve had the opportunity to work with tons of locals and visitors to the Valley over the years. I’d like to think that the end result of all this is the fact that I love being out on the hill enjoying myself.

Taking that thought one step further, I hope that the people I help selecting skis or fit to new boots are enjoying themselves, too. To me, having fun and spending time on the hill with friends is what it’s really all about out.

When the water isn’t hard, you’ll find me guiding bass fishing in the Lakes Region as a licensed New Hampshire fishing guide and a United States Coast Guard Captain. I look forward to seeing familiar faces walking in the door this season!

Adam Labonte

Bike Mechanic|Creamer Enthusiast

Hi, I’m Adam! Growing up in the North Country of New Hampshire, I’ve spent years skiing and cycling in the surrounding mountains, fueling my deep passion for the outdoors. Before joining Mountain Sports Lab, I completed a long and fulfilling military career, which instilled in me a strong attention to detail and precision—something I carry into every aspect of my work.

As a certified United Bicycle Institute technician, I have specialized training in Advanced Bicycle Mechanics, Wheel Building, and Comprehensive Suspension Service, ensuring your bike is dialed in for peak performance. On the ski side, I’m an experienced ski and binding technician, holding certifications from multiple major binding manufacturers. Whether it’s precision tuning, binding mounts, or anything in between, I’m here to make sure your gear is ready to perform at its best.

If you’re looking to fine-tune your ride—on snow or on wheels—I’d love to help. Stop by, and let’s get your setup just right!

Dave McDermott

Ski Tech|Ultrarunner|Basement Troll

Hi, I’m Dave! I have worked as a commercial fisherman, bureaucrat, logger, retail sales person, climbing guide, carpenter, and ski technician, among other things. I have been inhabiting the basement at Stan and Dan Sports (now Mountain Sports Lab) since 2003, where my official job title is “Lord of the Underworld”.

I through-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1974, and climbed the Salathe Wall on El Capitan in 1987. Since 2006, I have run more than 70 marathons and ultramarathons, including the Tor des Geants in 2025. I have also been learning to ski for more than 35 years, and will one day get the hang of it.

I am generally grouchy, and should be approached with caution. I am also married to an amazing woman!

Torin La Liberté

Sales & Service|Skimeister

Hi, I’m Torin! Growing up in the MWV as the son of a ski school director, I’ve dabbled in most forms of descending a hill on snow (yeah, that includes those ski-bikes that popped up in the early 2000's). I’ve bibbed up for alpine, nordic, telemark, and snowboard races, as well as in ski jumping and park competitions - a range which nabbed me the NH State Skimeister award twice as the best 5-Event skier while racing for Kennett High School right here in North Conway.

AWhile continuing my career of nordic skiing, jumping, and XC running at St. Michael’s in Vermont, I picked up the Criterium racing bug, and started racing bikes around New England in the summer. As a broke college student, I had to learn to fix my own gear, which was made easier while working under bike industry vets in various shops around the northeast.

My passion for sport eventually led me to coaching, where I led the XC and Nordic programs at Clarkson University for 7 years - with athletes going on to compete internationally in Nordic, Sky Running, and Ironman, and former assistants now coaching some of the most successful ski programs in the US! This was followed by a brief stint up in northern Maine coaching biathlon and traveling around Eastern Canada. I love supporting athletes behind the scenes to achieve their goals, whatever they may be!

Now that I’m back in the Valley, expect to see me wherever the MSL banner is flying, as I’m looking forward to getting back into the mountain scene I grew up loving so much!

Ray Gilmore

IN-HOUSE SKI COACH|SKI GEEK|PSIA EASTERN TEAM

Hi, I’m Ray! Born and raised in the Valley, my life on snow started more than 40 years ago with the Eastern Slope Ski Club. Over the years, skiing has been my constant anchor—carrying me from racing for Kennett and serving overseas with the 10th Mountain Division to coaching coast-to-coast from Mt. Hood to Sugarloaf and everywhere in between.

Today, I have the privilege of serving as the Snowsports Training Manager & Technical Director at Cranmore, representing the PSIA-AASI Eastern Team, and training toward the 2028 PSIA National Team selection.

Past podiums and titles are nice memories, but the truth is you're only ever as good as your last turn. That’s where I live: constantly learning, coaching, and chasing that next clean carve.

I’m an unabashed ski geek, and I will happily dive down any rabbit hole with you. Whether it’s dialing in your boot setup and ramp angles, checking binding deltas, matching ski flex, or talking shop about tuning base and edge bevels, stone grind structures, wax picks, right down to helmet fit and lens tints love exploring the nuances that help equipment and movement work together seamlessly.

As a shop ambassador and guest coach at Mountain Sports Lab, I love jumping on the Skytechsport Simulator to coach elite athletes and everyday skiers alike. It’s an incredible tool for breaking down edging, pressure control, and biomechanics in real time, helping you build genuine muscle memory before taking it to the snow. Whether you want to hop on the sim for some coached laps, talk gear setups, or share turns on the mountain during a clinic or a Peak Performance Ski Camp session, I’m always stoked to connect!

Tom Alberto

Cyclist|Skier

I’m Tom, a North Conway-based bike junkie who’s happiest with two wheels underneath me and a good climb ahead. I’m equally at home charging singletrack, grinding gravel, or chasing watts on the road, and I spend the racing season lining up at events all over New England.

When winter rolls in, I trade my wheels for skis, getting after it in the backcountry, dabbling in downhill, and even lining up for the occasional skimo race. No matter the season, I’m always looking for the next challenge, the next adventure, and usually a way to go a little faster or climb a little higher.