Meet the Team

At Powder Mountain, your day in the backcountry is led by professionals who live and breathe the mountains. Every one of our guides is certified by Canadian Ski Guide Association (CSGA), International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) or Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), bringing world-class training and deep local knowledge to every trip.

From experienced lead guides to our expert drivers and operations crew, the Powder Mountain team shares a commitment to safety, smooth logistics, and delivering the best possible day in the terrain. Whether you're out for your first powder lap or your fiftieth, you're in good hands with a crew that’s passionate, proven, and here for the ride.

  • Chris 'Simmsy' Simm

    General Manager & Lead Guide (CSGA 3)

    Simmsy has been guiding since 2001 and joined Powder Mountain in 2017. When not managing operations or leading in the field, he’s soaking up family time in the mountains or ocean, surfing, biking, and enjoying good coffee.

  • Don 'Schwarty' Schwartz

    Guide Manager & Guide (CSGA 3, CAA 3)

    Don has been guiding since 1994 and has been with Powder Mountain since 2004. He holds top-level certifications across ski guiding, instruction, and avalanche safety. When he’s not on snow, he’s usually barefoot waterskiing, flying helicopters, or spending time with his kids.

  • Rory 'The Professor' Crowley

    Guide (CSGA 3)

    Rory has been guiding since 2014, and with Powder Mountain since 2015. When he's not guiding, he’s a Post Secondary Physical Geography Instructor - hence the nickname. His time outside the classroom and guiding is often spent biking, surfing, and with his wife and daughter.

  • Andrew 'Mac' McAloon

    Guide (CSGA 3)/Road Builder

    Andrew’s been on snow since the age of three and has been guiding with PM for 20 years. His priority is to combine world-class expertise with safety and comfort, ensuring you experience the very best of backcountry skiing.

  • Jason 'J Budd' Budd

    Guide (IFMGA)

    Jason, known over the radio as “J Budd”, earned his IFMGA certification in 2017 and joined Powder Mountain that same year. During the warmer months, he guides rock and alpine climbs and teaches mountain skills courses. His time off often includes tea, rest, and occasionally, a well-earned pilsner.

  • Melanie 'Mel' Wiese

    Guide (CSGA 3)

    Mel has been guiding since 2017 and joined Powder Mountain in 2021. Outside of winter, she works as a hiking and sea kayak guide. Her favourite ways to unwind include sailing, motorbiking, and spending time with friends.

  • A man with sunglasses on his head smiling and giving a thumbs up while leaning out of a small black train body with the number 1095 on it. The background shows an outdoor plaza with red umbrellas and plants.

    Ben Biswell

    Guide (CSGA 2)

    Ben began guiding in 2016 and joined Powder Mountain in 2021. When not chasing powder, he works as a sailing skipper and instructor. He enjoys kitesurfing and spending time in the woods.

  • Guillaume 'G$'

    Guide (CSGA 2, CAA 2)

    Guillaume, or “G$,” started guiding in the winter of 2021/22 and holds advanced certifications in both guiding and avalanche operations. In the off-season, he works as a climbing instructor and enjoys tackling sudokus when he's not on the move.

  • A man wearing winter gear, including a jacket, goggles, and a beanie, standing outdoors in a snowy environment with trees in the background.

    Kevin Sansalone

    Guide (CSGA 2)

    Kevin started guiding in 2015 and joined Powder Mountain in 2021. He spends his summers surfing and is passionate about skateboarding, snowboarding, travelling, and chasing warm waves.

  • Matthew 'Tatty Matty' Haines

    Apprentice Guide (ACMG)

    Matthew became part of the Powder Mountain crew in 2022, and has been working on his guiding certifications for the past decade. In the summer, he works as a firefighter and enjoys skateboarding, surfing, and mountain biking in his spare time.

  • Micah Handell

    Guide (CSGA 1)

    Micah started guiding in 2018 and has been with Powder Mountain ever since. Certified as a CSGA Level 1 Guide, he brings care and capability to every group. Off the slopes, he works in insurance, rock climbs in his spare time, and treasures adventures with his daughter.

  • Jenna 'Jenninja' Wilkins

    Guide (CSGA 1, CAA 1)

    With over a decade of experience as an ATV and snowmobile guide, and four years guiding on skis, Jenna recently completed her first winter with Powder Mountain. She also holds her Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 certification. On her days off, she’ll be sledding in the winter and biking in the Summer.

  • Aaron Santos

    Guide (CSGA 1, CAA 1)

    Aaron began guiding in 2022 and joined the Powder Mountain team in 2023. His background includes certifications in avalanche safety, weather interpretation, and emergency response. In the summer, he works in timber restoration and spends his free time surfing, skateboarding, and playing hockey.

  • Fraser Hinckley

    Guide (CSGA 1)

    Fraser began certified guiding in 2023 and joined Powder Mountain in 2024. When he’s not working in the snow, his goal is simply to survive until the next snowfall. He spends his time alpine climbing and moving through the mountains whenever possible.

  • Darren 'Clarky' Clark

    Guide (CSGA 1, CAA 1)

    Clarky has worked in the mechanized guiding industry since 1996 and has been part of the Powder Mountain team on and off since 2011. In the Summer, he is a commercial floatplane pilot. He enjoys taking full advantage of the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and all the activities it has to offer.

  • Peter 'Pump Track' Bechtel

    Driver/Road Builder

    Peter has been working in the ski industry since around 2016 and brings his expertise behind the wheel to Powder Mountain as a professional snowffeur. He enjoys soccer, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and family adventures.

  • Lorne 'Long Line'

    Driver

    Lorne has been with Powder Mountain for one season as a driver. A Red Seal carpenter by trade, he spends summers on the tools and winters chasing snow. He’s also into mountain biking, rock climbing, wing foiling, and sledding.

  • Duncan Sadava

    Photographer (CAA 1)

    Duncan has been a photographer for Powder Mountain since 2013, and continues his photography work into the Summer. He spends his year chasing any activity that has him spending time in the mountains.

Group of four skiers in snowy mountain landscape with snow-covered trees and high peaks in the background.
Group of skiers and snowboarders in winter clothing, wearing helmets and goggles, standing in front of a red cat in a snowy mountain landscape.
A snowboarder wearing a blue jacket and black helmet carving through fresh snow on a mountain slope, surrounded by snow-covered trees.
A snow-covered mountain landscape with a red snowcat tracked vehicle in the foreground, ski trails, and tall pine trees, with snow-capped mountains in the distance under a clear blue sky.
Snow-covered mountain landscape with trees covered in snow and a helicopter flying in the sky.
A person snowboarding on a snowy slope surrounded by snow-covered evergreen trees.