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.

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!

Callie from the Valley loves the extended Snowwater family! She synthesizes bodywork modalities from deep tissue, Rolfing, myofascial decompression, and craniosacral therapy to create the ultimate custom massage. Callie juggles a dynamic lifestyle of adventure, creativity, and endless learning. When she is not dancing, skiing, baking, and loving lodge life, she works dam jobs in industrial construction, manages real estate, renovates houses, gardens, plays in her studio, and explores the mountains. Callie volunteers with Search and Rescue, and is a co-founder of the Mountain Trauma Support Network. Who says you can’t do it all… just not at the same time.

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!

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.

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.