For most of his life Patric has been skiing and exploring these mountains. In 1993 he and friends built a small ski touring cabin, which later became Snowwater. As a forester, his mapping and layout skills have greatly contributed to the selection of prime ski runs in the tenure area. He is also a professional tree climber and arborist and has been harvesting seed for reforestation for over 20 years, contributing to our carbon offset. In November of 2009, Patric became a certified sommelier. Needless to say, the wine selection at Snowwater has take a huge leap forward. Patric pairs every dinner at Snowwater with a selection of fine wines to choose from. Patric is a crowd favorite. When you are skiing with "El Presidente" you will definitely be shown the goods. Recently Patric obtained his pyro-technics ticket. What does that mean for you? FIREWORKS!

Originally a flatlander from Denmark, Christian discovered skiing on a holiday to Norway and has had the ski bug ever since. While working as an electrician on oil rigs he skied all over Europe, but had Canada on his 'hit list'. Once he hit it in Canada there was no going back. After spending three full winters here he decided to stay and start a new life in Nelson, BC. Christian has guided ski touring and cat skiing locally and is excited to join the Snowwater team this winter. On his time off he likes to explore local valleys on snowmobile for good ski touring.

 Maria (pronounced "Mariah"), has been with Snowwater for over 20 years now (yikes!). She is an assistant ski guide and, as one of the owners, oversees all things business with both Snowwater and Valhalla Powdercats in the off-season. After getting her BA at McGill University, she moved out west to take outdoor recreation at Capilano College, where she quickly fell in love with back country skiing. She has worked in the outdoor industry her whole life and is happy to report never having had a 9 - 5 job.

Heath moved to Nelson in 1993 in search of more snow then what lake Louse had to offer. Spending the last 20 years exploring the Kootenay Mountains by snowboard, snowmobile, and mountain bike has given him a great knowledge of the areas within. Heath started guiding in 2000 and has worked with many of the top pros in the business. Showing guests a great, safe time is what it’s all about for Heath. He is super stoked to be with the Snowwater/Valhalla team and is looking forward to showing you the goods this winter! In the off-season he is busy with this wife and three kids, coaching soccer, mountain biking and camping.

A Born and raised Nelson Boy Kevin grew up skiing at the local Ski Hill Whitewater, has a love for the snow, has spent year’s snowmobiling and ski touring all around Mountains he loves to call home. Kevin started his ski guiding career in 2000 and prides himself on making sure people have an awesome experience in the mountains. He has worked at various cat operations over the years and spent the last 5 seasons as an owner/operator of Retallack Lodge. Kevin is super excited to join the Snowwater/Valhalla Team and can’t wait to go explore the mountains with you.

Andrew joins us from Whistler this season. Andrew has been flying for 15 years. 7 of those full time with Blackcomb Aviation where he flew for Heli-skiing, SAR, Ski Hill Operations, Fire Suppression and Power Line work. Andrew is also an avid skier. He worked full time as a Blackcomb Mountain ski-patroller for 7 years and is still a part-time patroller in his free time and has been since he began full time work with Blackcomb Aviation.

Doug is originally from Perthshire in Scotland, now living in Whistler with his wife Renata, daughter Esme, 2 dogs Cherry/Kola and cat Kiki. His favourite activities are Skiing, ski touring,mountainbiking, trail running and hiking.  He has been flying helisking guests in BC for 8 years now and is a master behind the wheel.  We welcome Doug back for his second season at Snowwater!

Steve has been flying helicopters for over 20 years.  He specializes in flying filmers around for mainstream movies, but he has done many moons as a heli skiing pilot.  He is married, with three kids, and lives in Whistler.  We are stoked to have him back this season!

I started with Blackcomb in April 2014 after switching from a career in fixed wing aviation. Having spent all of my days off in the backcountry sledding and snowboarding all winter, and then dirt biking/camping/off roading all summer, working with helicopters has allowed me to maintain an outdoor lifestyle while continuing to learn and grow professionally.  I can't wait to be up at Snowwater this winter!

This is Jeremy's 9th season with us at Snowwater!  Above all else, Jeremy specializes in MEAT of all kinds.  Never will you have tasted anything more tender than what he creates!  As a snowboarder, motor cycle affianado, and racecar driver, Jeremy has found his home at Snowwater.

Originally from Ontario, Neil worked his firstt season with us this year.  Neil is obsessed with making all forms of pasta from scratch.  Must be the Italian name, but we all reaped the benefits of his incredible dishes.  Neil likes motorcycles and snowboarding almost as much as he likes develping new and unique and deliciouis cuisine.  Jeremy has found his perfect partner.

"Callie from the Valley" is excited to return for her tenth (!!) season at Snowwater.  Ever eclectic, Callie has so many skills it's hard to find space to describe them all here.  She is a gifted massage therapist, recently studying cranial sacral therapy.  She is also President of Nelson Search and Rescue, a foreman for industrial construction, and loves rock climbing, rafting, and traveling.  She is also a talented baker and ridiculously fun!

Kyla is looking forward to her favourite season with old friends, new friends, and the Snowwater crew! Her favourite food is cookies which is great as she helps bake the bottomless cookie jars. In her downtime, best places you’ll find her are hiking to first peak and in the evenings on the dance floor bringing the Snowwater Vibe to life! Join her in the mornings for sunrise yoga, or for a killer après ski massage. This is her 8th season with Snowwater!

Hi, I am Jamie. I grew up in Cochrane Alberta with the Rockies as my playground. When I wasn’t on the slopes you could find me in the local arena and this is still true about me. When it isn’t winter, I am either working, traveling, or work/ workaway traveling...and waiting for winter! After a brief five year visit in Nova Scotia and one bachelor degree later, I am super pumped to be back in the mountains for an adventurous winter with the abundant beautiful views and top notch company! Cheers!

Hi I'm Dannica! I grew up on Vancouver island , having spent all my fun time at the ski hill, at the beach , and on the ocean fishing with my family. I've had the best times travelling B.C working for fishing and ski lodges. Besides Snowsports, I am also passionate about woodwork and building - I went to trade school and became a Cabinet Maker last year - Now Im ready to be in the Kootenays for winter to get deep in the light dry snow and make rad connections!  I am thrilled to be part of the Snowwater team and look forward to getting to know everyone who comes to the lodge for an epic experience with us!

After growing up in the small town of Houston… BC not Texas,  Taylor moved to the beautiful Okanagan where she has lived for the past 6 years. Growing up in the North, Taylor always loved the outdoors and spending time in the back country. She has traveled to 15 countries, and is always seeking the next adventure. Other than traveling she loves to spend her time snowboarding, camping, boating, and drinking way too much coffee. Taylor is looking forward to the season at Snowwater and all the friendships to be made and adventures to be had!

Aysha is excited to share her winter stoke and extensive customer service experience with the Snowwater guests. For the past 6 seasons she worked at Mount Cain on Vancouver Island as lodge manager so she is no stranger to the mountain life. She comes from the coastal mountainous rainforest, but since last year, she landed in Castlegar in search of new adventures and is embracing her new Kootenay life. She is looking forward to being part of an amazing team and to experience the endless champagne powder the interior has to offer. When she is not hard at work you can find her on the west coast, hiking mountains or touring with her partner.

Jared returns to us for his third season at Snowwater as Snowwater maintenance.  Not know as a small man, you may remember seeing him as the Snowwater Sashquatch last year.  Jared can fix anyting, drive anything, and doesn't seem capable of ever losing his cool.  We love this man!

John has been our head of maintenance for almost 10 years.  He is instrumental to the well-being of everything mechanical at both Snowwater and Valhalla. Originally from England, John is full of stories that will keep you laughing all night long.  If you're lucky, you'll get to share a pint with this man at the lodge!

Originally from Ukraine, Pasha (Pavlo/Паша) has had a passion for skiing and snowboarding since his early days. After finishing a degree in finance and working in insurance, the mountains were calling and so he moved to BC. Pasha studied the Ski Resort Operations and Management program here in Nelson, quickly falling in love with the Kootenays and everything the area has to offer. After seven years living and working in different parts of BC, he is very excited to move back to his favourite spot in BC. In his free time Pasha loves to hike, bike, and explore with his wife Brooke-Lyn and their dog Baloo. Winters are spent in the mountains riding, snowmobiling, and exploring BC when not busily working in the ski industry which he is so passionate about. Pasha is very excited to join the team and proud to call Nelson home once again.