SELKIRK POWDER DESCENTS
The relationships that we have with our Guests is what makes us so grateful to be able to call this a job. We are humbled by the friendships formed with such amazing people from all over the world. We all have the common goal of being in awe of the views and skiing the incredibly good snow that falls in the Columbia Mountains of western Canada every year.
Having a young family ourselves, we completely understand the importance of safety for you and your family. Our guides are all certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Our guides are hand picked by John, having is full faith in them to provide you with a safe rewarding ski touring experience.
We strive on understanding what you want for your ski vacation and to deliver results for you. We have skied enough powder, our goal is to get you what you want out of visiting Revelstoke and skiing in the Selkirk Mountains. We want to show you the experience that has captivated us for the last twenty years.
Meet our team
Genuine, top quality, kind, professional people is the best way to describe the staff at Selkirk Powder Descents
For quality and safety purposes we only hire certified IFMGA/ACMG Guides. Our Guides are all certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and are members of the Canadian Avalanche Association.
John Everts
Owner/Lead ACMG Ski Guide
John has been an ACMG Ski Guide for eleven years now. John grew up in the picturesque mountain town of Canmore, AB in the Canadian Rockies. Raised by a National Park Warden, John was exposed to the mountains as a child and has not stopped since. A former Canadian Cross-Country Ski Racing Champion, John gave up the groomers and skinny skis a long time ago in order to ski the deep powder of the Selkirk Mountains in Revelstoke. John is all about having a good time in the mountains and skiing top quality snow. Join John for an exceptional Ski Touring experience.
Katherine Dalman
Operations Manager
Katherine is the friendly organizer for all trips run through Selkirk Powder Descents. A native of Canmore, AB Katherine also left the thin snowpack of the Rocky Mountains years ago for the deep snow and incredible terrain offered by the Selkirk Mountains in Revelstoke. Katherine has a wealth of Ski Touring experience in the Revelstoke area, being able to help you organize a perfect Ski Touring holiday when visiting Revelstoke. She may even grace us with her presence on a Ski Tour once in a while.
Philip Widmer
IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide
I grew up in the Rockies of Banff, dreaming of Selkirk powder. In 2020 I made the move to Golden and am now a little closer to the beautiful ski summits of the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges. Throughout my life I've been a passionate skier. My whole Family is stoked on skiing and so I come by it naturally. My primary motivation in guiding is foster fun and safe days in the mountains with good people. Ski touring and ski mountaineering with Selkirk Powders Descents has resulted in many of these types of days!
Kate Bell
ACMG Ski Guide
Born and raised in the countryside in England, and although far from the mountains Kate has chased winters since the opportunity arose to flee the nest. She has been backcountry skiing extensively across BC for the past 10 years with a passion for exploratory expeditions. Ventures have taken her deep into the Yukon mountains, Chile and Argentina, New Zealand and to remote BC Coastal locations. Her favourite location to ski however remains around Revelstoke and in Rogers Pass. Kate passed her ACMG apprentice exam in 2023 and is looking forward to her ski guiding career and sharing backcountry experiences
Filip Mertlik
ACMG Ski Guide
A native of the Czech Republic, Filip came to Canada with a strong downhill ski racing background both racing and coaching. Intrigued by the deep snow surrounding the resort in Revelstoke, Filip developed a healthy backcountry ski touring resume skiing all of the big lines in Rogers Pass. Try to keep up to Fil, we dare you!
Nigel Fisher
ACMG Splitboard Guide
A Western Canadian with grassroots, Nigel Fisher more often than not has the wind in his hair. Previous to becoming an ACMG Guide in 2016, he was a dedicated backcountry snow enthusiast of many years and locales. Other professional pursuits include, but are not limited to; Airborne Reconnaissance Infantry, Smokejumper, Tree Faller, Ski Patroller, and Avalanche Forecaster. Nigel has been based in Golden since 2007, and now has 2 wonderful young children with his lovely wife. His passion to safely explore with, challenge, and elevate his clients to new heights keeps him eager for every up track and descent.
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Mike Smallwood
ACMG Ski Guide
Mike arrived in western Canada in 2009 via England, South Africa and the Netherlands. After skiing and working in Banff, AB for nearly ten years, Mike now lives with his family in Revelstoke, BC, where they all enjoy the bottomless powder of the Selkirks. Mike has specialized in avalanche safety for ski resorts, ski touring, highways and industrial projects as an avalanche technician, forecaster, mountain rescue professional and volunteer including several years working full time in Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park as well as the Rockies, Coast Range and The Yukon
Ari Bruns
ACMG Ski Guide
Ari grew up on a small farm in Mara BC. When he was young his family spent many summer weekends hiking in Roger’s Pass and this inspired him to attend Thompson Rivers University in the adventure guide diploma. Since its completion he has been passionate about spending time with guests in the mountains starting out as a tail guide and working through the ACMG ski guide program. He continues to love showing guests a good time in the mountains weather it is a chill powder day, a big day in the alpine, or as part of the many courses offered by Selkirk Powder Descents.
Dan Kooymans
ACMG Apprentice Splitboard Guide
Dan is originally from Brisbane, Australia and made the permanent move to BC in 2019. He studied and then worked as a physiotherapist before leaving that behind to pursue a career outdoors in the mountains. For the last 6 years he has called Revelstoke home. He enjoys the uptrack almost as much as the ski down as well as sharing good quality times with people in the mountains.
Paige Mansveld
ACMG Apprentice Ski Guide
Paige grew up on a chicken farm in Harrop BC. She's an avid outdoor enthusiast and has always found she's happiest working and playing in the woods. She's always loved skiing, beginning to ski at about the time she learned to walk. It wasn't until her late teens that she discovered backcountry skiing and her love of it has grown since then! She enjoys everything from multi-day traverses and basecamps to squeezing herself into couloirs, deep powder to spring corn. She worked as a tailguide at mechanized and ski touring operations before passing her ACMG Apprentice Ski Guide Exam in 2026. She stoked to share the stoke!
Philip Gibney
ACMG Splitboard Guide
Phil Gibney is an ACMG Ski (Splitboard) Guide. Phil grew up in the flatlands of Alberta but his mom grew up in the Dolomites and he's been obsessed with mountains as long as he can remember. Before discovering guiding Phil completed a Mechanical Engineering degree, but has built his life around ski touring since his first taste in Roger's Pass in 2014. He has lived in Revelstoke full-time for the past 7 years spending time working at various backcountry touring lodges and heli-ski operations over the years. Whether you're looking to pop pillows, learn more about snow science, or pick up some tips on how to tour more efficiently Phil is stoked to make the most of your days in the backcountry!
CONTACT US
We respond within 24 hours to all inquiries. Due to the many options that we provide, we prefer to communicate with you first prior to confirming a booking.
