Bruce Gardave has over 25 years in the search and rescue field in BC. Bruce has taught avalanche rescue and mountain rescue with the province for over 15 years. Also, a certified CSGA Level 1 ski guide, Bruce guides for Selkirk Snowcat Skiing Snowcat in Meadow Creek. As a certified CAA level 2, Bruce loves to keep up on all the latest snow science and rescue techniques and pass them along to his students. Home for Bruce is Nelson BC where he lives with his wife and his son enjoying all the Kootenays has to offer.

Kevin Armstrong is an Apprentice Ski Guide from Nelson BC. He has over 6 years of experience working at ski touring operations in the Kootenay Mountain ranges, ski patrolling, cat skiing, teaching avalanche education courses and avalanche forecasting. Originally from Ontario, he has an appreciation for icy conditions, though he prefers neck-deep coldsmoke and has been enjoying BC pow for the past 10 years. On the off season, he works as a Ministry of Forests Initial Attack Fire Crew Leader. He also likes climbing and road biking and recently participated in his first Gran Fondo. He lives in Nelson with his wife, Nashira, and their son, Mica.

Equally adept on skis or a splitboard, Joel has been guiding snowy adventures for 20 years. In that time he has worked out of numerous backcountry touring lodges, heli-ski guided in the Selkirks and Monashees, and did a four-year stint as the head guide at Baldface Lodge. In summer he designs single track climbs for the Nelson Cycling Club. It seems his life is a continuum of smooth up tracks and long descents.

Roger is a fully certified A.C.M.G. ski guide and professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association.  Roger is a bundle of good times and great humour.  Two things Roger does really well are finding powder and cook incredible food.  Roger is a long time Kootenay resident who knows the area inside and out.  When not working for Kootenay Backcountry Guides you can find Roger at Retallack Lodge,  and Powder Creek Lodge.

Tammy has over twenty years of experience ski touring, exploring, and adventuring in the backcountry. She has been a member of the Volunteer ski patrol for 18 years, a mechanized ski guide for ten years, and has five years of experience teaching AST courses. Tammy is also a proud active member of the Canadian Avalanche Association.

Tammy’s passions are skiing, climbing, mountain biking, and the natural surroundings of the environment. She enjoys spending time in the garden growing flowers and trying to keep up with her son. Tammy loves sharing her mountain enthusiasm and love for the mountains with others. Tammy believes in the power of education and enjoys being a part of the KBGuids as an educator. In the off-ski season, Tammy is an environmental technologist by trade and an extreme momma with a backpack full of band-aids and treats at all times.

Kyle is a lover of the rivers, oceans, and mountains of the world and is passionate about sharing his stoke with those who want to explore those areas more. While studying Adventure Tourism at Thompson Rivers University, a fateful ski trip to Nelson, BC made him fall in love with both skiing and Nelson. After a few years of ski bumming, slanging pizzas, and learning, he pursued a career in the snow and avalanche industry. Kyle now teaches AST courses, works as a Ski Patroller, and Tail Guide, all while pursuing his guiding certification. Once he's done shredding the slopes in the winter, he follows that snow all the way down the valleys and creeks as it melts and begins filling the rivers - where he can be found guiding a raft or paddling his kayak through the rapids all summer long. 

Sasha Podolchak is dedicated to mountain safety and mentorship in the backcountry. Her approach to the mountains is grounded in teamwork, safety, and a deep respect for guiding principles. With a calm presence, she helps others feel connected and more confident in the backcountry.

Sasha loves the mountains and is very passionate about helping others find peace, freedom, and empowerment in the outdoors. As a recipient of the Blizzard Women 2 Women Hilaree Nelson Scholarship, she is recognized for fostering confidence and inclusion among women in the guiding community and the outdoors in general. Building on years of ski patrolling, firefighting, and paramedicine, she is now pursuing the guiding path with a focus on snow safety and avalanche education in the ski industry.

Originally from Montreal, James has spent the last 10 years skiing across the interior mountains. Starting up in the Rockies, then making his way south to Revelstoke before finally settling in Nelson. He spends his summers mountain biking, climbing and working in the environmental science field. Working as a tail-guide with White Grizzly and Kootenay Backcountry Guides, he is excited to share his passion for the mountains. He is currently focused on promoting avalanche education and facilitating accessibility to the backcountry for all.