Hosts
PHILOSOPHY: To ensure an exceptional visit to our ski camps, all Hosted trips are guided and catered by our staff. While you focus on the turns and relaxation, your hosts routefind and take care of camp logistics. WAH hosts are passionate guides trained in avalanche forecasting, remote emergency care, and backcountry skills instruction. They are artful up-track setters, natural/cultural history interpreters, wilderness therapists, and gourmet chefs. On the trail, our hosts have intimate knowledge of the terrain and snowpack. They've been skiing up there all winter and got the place wired. Our hosts pride themselves on serving it up for the "earn your turn" skier or rider. We look forward to sharing a great ski outing with you!CONNELLY BROWN "Host" Yurtmiester/Owner
I never imagined my quest for untracked powder turns would land me in eastern Oregon of all places. After two decades of earning my turns and visiting hut operations through out the western states, British Columbia, and even Austria, I stumbled upon the Wallowas . Combining my yurtmiester apprenticeship in the Tetons and outfitting river trips on Americas foremost rivers, WAH has become a synthesis of those ski/river experiences to create a truly unique program. Along the way I have been certified by the National Ski Patrol Nordic, Wilderness Medical Assoc. WFR, Professional Ski Instructors of America Nordic Downhill Level I, Canadian Avalanche Association Ski Operations Level I, Avy Level III Ski Ops, National Interpreters Association Certified Interpretive Guide.
MORGAN JENKINS "Host"
In pursuit of celebrating the hydrological cycle, Morgan came to the Wallowas for the unique skiing experience and access to the mighty river canyons. Along the way he has earned a degree in Geography from the University of Colorado, WFR certification, and completed Avy Level III Ski Ops.. In town you might catch him performing live as a percussionist in "TODD", or providing hypnotic rythms for the local belly dance troupe. During the 'other' season Morgan operates (windingwaters.com) , guiding whitewater trips down the Snake, Grande Rhonde, and Salmon rivers.
MIKE ZOBOTT "Host" Norway Manager
Yurtslediester Zobott started his pursuit of water-based recreation in Northern AZ. The Northwest was calling. With in his first month at the University of Idaho the Wallowa’s found him. Five years of paddling, skiing and climbing all over the Northwest, British Columbia and Alaska assured him that the local’s stash provided. 8 years after walking into the Wallowa’s he is still discovering secret stashes. In between seasons you’ll find Zobott bang’n nails, trying to save enough for the next journey. Zobott has his Wilderness First Responder, Level II Professional Avy, and just enough redneck in him to enjoy snowmobiling. That coupled with his concrete shoveling background made him a perfect candidate for project Norway.
VICTOR MCNEIL "Host"
Native of western Oregon, Victor "splits" his time between Mt. Shasta summers, alpine guiding, and Wallowa winters. Rumored to be a closet skier, especially when board is in split mode. Victor spends more time sideways(snowboarding) showing WAH guests the ways of the 'split-ripper'. He holds a business management degree but prefers to seek secret powder stashes of the Wallowas. Victor is pursuing his AMGA certification. He has a WFR and Level III Avy.
MIKE HATCH (Avalanche Instructor/Guide)
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The Wallowas latest backcountry ski guide and avalanche instructor hails from the Sawtooths with a loyal following of powder skiers and chute patrollers. Mike's passion for the winter backcountry has lead him to explore countless ski lines throughout central Idaho's Sawtooth Range and now the Wallowas. He is an Avalanche Level 3, AIRIE Level 1,2 certified instructor, a AAA professional member, and holds a University of Montana BS in resource conservation. Summers find Mike battling blazes to protect vital skier habitat.
JORDAN MANLEY"Host"
"Squatch" was born and raise right here in Wallowa County. While spending years making a living exclusively on horseback (packing, cowboying, starting colts), it finally occurred to him that the Wallowas in winter where better experienced on skis not stock . He taught himself how to ski on outdated telemark gear on high elevation icefields in the summer while guiding trail horse rides in Alaska. During the shoulder seasons Squatch enjoys world travel. Ask him to share a tale from those exotic adventures. His most recent claim to fame is skiing 44 consecutive weeks in 2009 and 2010. Jordan has attained his Avy II.
TOM GUTHRIE "Host"
Tom has the same roots as Cb back in the Tetons. More recently he's been on ski bum sabatacol, raising a daughter, but is now back into skiing professionally. From Tom's porch at home in Seaside OR you can see his favorite surf break. Tom has attained his WFR and Avy Level II.
CALEBOB MARCUM "Host
Cale hails from Baker City, OR. A laid-off teacher, he 's decided to take advantage of his free winter time and help out the WAH crew. Recently married he's a little distracted by co-planning a life here and where his wife's real job takes her. Cale has been a ski instuctor at Anthony Lakes(closest chairlift to Wallowas), and attained his Avy Level II.
DANNY OZMOND "Host"
KIP RAND
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Kip spent his formative years in Boise, Idaho. When he was only eight years old, his family took him on a one-day rafting trip on the Payette River. He remembers his guide was big, strong, and very loud! He remembers this despite his guide having an aroma that was peculiar and a sense of humor that was even worse! From that day forward, Kip was inspired to one day become a river guide. With a history degree from the University of Montana, an innate fascination with the natural and cultural history of the Northern Rockies, and many years' experience exploring the Idaho backcountry, Kip takes a lot of pride in sharing his home state with visitors.
Ruby and Cusick "Porters"
*Guide Gratuities* A great way to show your hosts how much you appreciate their safety, fun, and professionalism. What's an appropiate tip? Consider you're getting mountain resturant dinning and certified professional guides, 15%.