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!

After growing up in Vancouver, I left the big city to explore the world. I've traveled to 36 countries on 5 continents and don't have any plans of stopping there. Between trips I attended UNBC to study International Studies and BCIT to pursue a career in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. I've worked for Blackkcomb Helicopters for 8 years and maintained the helicopter at Snowwater Lodge for 3 years going on 4 and I love it there! I spend a lot of my free time fishing on Mayne Island in the summer and skiing in the winter. I'm relocating this winter from Pemberton to Rossland.

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.

Through Mikes's adult life there have been 2 passions that have stayed consistent through the years, cooking and snowboarding. After 15 years of working kitchens, the pursuit of new techniques continues to drive Mike’s passion for the culinary arts. When not in the kitchen or on a mountain He can most often be found flipping through cookbooks looking for new ways to improve and expand his repertoire. He has enjoyed travelling to further both these passions on 3 continents and looks forward to adding more to the list.

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 sixth (!!) season at Snowwater.  Rediculously 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 rediculously 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!

My horse is my getaway car. Along for the ride enjoying the peaceful bliss from my gentle majestic giant.

Born in the Kootenays, Justin's first skiing experiences were from his dad's old cat with a plywood shack built on the back, learning in powder deeper than he was tall. After moving away, he grew up in New Zealand, Japan, and the United States before returning to Canada. He's bartended in heli ski lodges and on sailboats in the Caribbean, and also worked as a writer, photographer, tipi maker, and several other impractical yet memorable endeavours.
He recently returned to the Kootenays, and this is his first season at Snowwater. Justin is incredibly excited for the opportunity to help showcase our backyard for the Winter Wonderland it is.
The more of the world he sees, the more it confirms that he lives in one of the most beautiful parts of it, and Justin heartily agrees with Sinatra's line that "it's nice to go traveling, but it's oh so nice to come home."

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.

Dave is pleased to be returning to VPC.  He brings a diverse and valued skillset after spending years in the backcountry adventure niche; managing lodges, maintaining off the grid systems, guiding, guest services and ensuring the happiness and safety of clients.  "Providing exceptional hospitality while meeting people from all over the world is a privilege and a blast."  Prior to joining our team Dave was a polar bear guide in Churchill, Manitoba. We are excited to have him back for another season!