Meet the BCA Team

Skier, marine biologist and musician – Adam U is a true global powderhound. His big mountain descents have appeared in mags worldwide like Powder, Ski, Backcountry, Off-Piste, Men’s Journal, Ski Canada, Outdoor Japan, Åka Skidor, Skieur, and more.

Raised on the slopes of Alta’s ski mountain with a family who shreds, Andrew lives and breathes skiing. With his love for vertical feet and bottomless powder, he earned his spot in on the FWT competition alongside his sister Jackie.

Beau is an avid snowboarder that won’t miss a powder day for anything. Not only can he find good lines, but he hits the highest cliffs and throws insane tricks. Be sure to check out his skill in his Turn & Burn Series.

Not only is Blake in the Freeride World Tour, but he was a winning Freeride World Qualifier on his home mountain in Queenstown. Coming from two parents that are ski instructors and starting at the age of three, Blake is an expert in freeriding.

Tanner is one of those people who perform better in front of a camera. As former X Games skier, he knows how to throw big air and sendy tricks. Check out his movies River and Rose, Fade To Winter, and Turbo to see his skill.

Guest Instructor/Pro Skier Connor Ryan comes from the Hunkpapa Lakota tribe and is an ambassador for Natives Outdoors. He grew up on the Front Range of Colorado and formed his relationship to the mountains skiing Eldora, Winter Park, and the surrounding backcountry. He has dedicated his life to advocating for Indigenous peoples and the environmental protection of their homelands. His traditional culture and language serve as a bridge to give him greater context for the relationship skiing has allowed him to form with the land. Within the sport of skiing he seeks to create cultural shifts that place much greater focus on the depth of our relationship to nature and the importance of making the outdoors a more diverse and inclusive space for all. He and his work have been featured by Teton Gravity Research, Outside, and Powder magazine.

Corey Seeman is a prolific pro skier who has been featured on the cover of numerous ski mags.

“Born and raised in Vail Colorado. Skiing and flying is my passion in life along with having fun. I am always on the hunt to boost into pow and get airborne. Whether it’s the park to AK spines I love it all!” 

The most decorated male American Downhill and Super G skier in history, Daron’s won 12 World Cup races, 7 US National Titles, and was the 2001 Super G World Champion. Rahlves is now a big mountain movie star.

Davey Baird is a 27-year-old snowboarder from Homer, Alaska with an impressive melon grab. His passion and commitment to snowboarding qualified him into the FWQ and rained him the champion in 2016. Catch him fishing and hiking when the snow is gone.

Growing up in the shadow of the Bridger mountains amongst the bigger Rocky Mountains in Montana, the seed of big mountain snowboarding was planted early. Erika spent her formative years in Bozeman where she spent every single weekend hitting the slopes while chasing her older brother and his friends. The idea was to learn quick or get left behind, needless to say she wasn't left behind for long, and was soon leading the pack. 

Life then took Erika to the great state of Utah where she found herself surrounded by terrain parks after her move to Park City. Fast forward 3 years, and a move to Breckenridge, CO she quickly climbed to the top of the ranks in Slopestyle where she participated and made the podium at the highest level of contests such as The Dew Tour, Grand Prix, Burton US Open and even the Sochi Olympic qualifiers. However, life had other plans and during the race for the Sochi Olympics she unfortunately tore her ACL at one of the qualifying events and missed the spot to go to Russia. 

Never one to let life get her down, Erika took a season off to get extra strong and centered on her snowboard before deciding to pursue some big mountain contests. After taking 2nd place at her first ever big mountain event at the Subaru Freeride Series at Snowbird, she realized the her love of competition could be transferred into a whole new realm of snowboarding. Erika made the podium at every single Freeride World Qualifying event to get the one coveted spot for the Freeride World Tour 2018. She was named Womens Audi Rookie of the Year her first year on tour, and took 3rd overall last season.

Greg Hope is a sensational skier from Telluride, Colorado where the big mountain skiing is exceptional. Not only can he catch air, rip powder, and throw some tricks, but he does it all so safely with the correct avalanche gear. Check out his film “Locals” on Outside TV to see his skill.

A forceful skier from Alta with a slopeside upbringing, Jacqueline has worked her hardest to make it into this past year’s FWT. With her humble skiing persona, she is shredding the slopes as a child enjoys the mountain alongside her brother Andrew.

Jamesa has grown up skiing the raw and rugged Club Fields in New Zealand, where he developed his love of Freeride. He's gearing up to show off his skills on the world stage after gaining himself an invite to the 2021 Freeride World Tour.

Born in the south of France, Juliette grew up in a ski resort. Juliette competes in the Women's Ski category on the Freeride World Tour. She is also a ski instructor and Mountain Bike Guide. 

Kam lives in the San Juan Mountains where he guides rock climbing and backcountry splitboarding. With over 20 years on his snowboard, he is able to ride with style on any terrain. 

Whistler-based Pro Snowboarder Leanne Pelosi is changing the game for female athletes. The Whistler-based adventuress is known for her prowess as a competitive snowboarder and documenting the successes and journeys of female athletes.

I was born in Hörnefors on the east coast of northern Sweden. I grew up cross country skiing with sled dogs. I somehow became a trendsetter and creator within freeskiing's more jib-related areas. Nowadays I see the Swedish Fjälls when I close my eyes at night. My dream is to live in a cabin above the polar circle in Sweden with some huskies, good company, and wild adventures.

Melissa Riitano is a boundless snowboarder from Montana who excels on all parts of the mountain. She can shred the park, backcountry, and groomers enough to gain recognition from K2. Known for having the sickest style and a bubbly personality, Melissa is a true snowboarding competitor.

Skiing on the Freeride World Tour

Sam Schwartz is a professional skier based out of Jackson, WY. His perseverance has landed him a Junior World Freeski Champion title, published photos in elite ski magazines, and the #1 Backflipper in 2016 from Freeskier Magazine.

I'm a French freerider competing on the FWQ for the last few years. A new webserie "hunt your line" showing some nice back country missions around the alps will drop next winter. I really like using the BCA gear while doing and filming these adventures.

A Washington state native, Sophia is a freeskier, environmental educator and self-proclaimed wolverine expert who loves big lines and long walks in the mountains. You can find her on the skin track, or on the pages of magazines across the globe.

Sophia is a free ski athlete and ski mountaineer based Jackson, WY. She is a jack-of-all trades, always striving to build her skills as a skier, jumper, and mountaineer. Sophia is known for her kind smile and nerdy science facts.Sophia spent 3 years on the US Freestyle Mogul Team. She transitioned to big mountain skiing in 2017. Sophia left competition to follow her love of story telling in the mountains.

Tanner is one of those people who perform better in front of a camera. As former X Games skier, he knows how to throw big air and sendy tricks. Check out his movies River and Rose, Fade To Winter, and Turbo to see his skill.

Veronica fell in love with skiing at Squaw Valley, where she began participating actively in the sport of freestyle moguls in her early teens. Veronica competed on the NorAm Tour for five years as well as U.S. Ski Team Selections and the U.S. Freestyle Championships, etc, before moving to Jackson, WY and turning her sights towards to big mountain skiing. In 2020 she became the first woman to land a backflip into Corbet’s Couloir, and was crowned the Queen of Corbet’s. She continues to focus on portraying her skiing through film and photography, and continues to work to progress her skiing and the sport of freeride as a whole, specifically by bringing more freestyle tricks to the big mountain scene.

Big lines, soft pillows. Super playful spines, with lots of natural take offs and great transitions. Deep and dirty. Asulkan, Revelstoke, Yellow Mountain, Cooke City. Sledding and Shredding. Find him at YLESKI.

Willie works all summer on fishing boats to travel and ski all winter... Pretty much a millennial ski bum. Any day on skis is a good day.

Born & raised in Région Dents du Midi, Switzerland, Laurent De Martin traveled the globe to compete & film with various movies productions like Level 1 Productions. He is now working on local movie projects & is the founder of his young new ski brand, Simply.

Bret’s Ride Rasmussen Style clinics help snowmobile riders achieve the ability and confidence to ride in the back country without taking personal risks that would otherwise be life threatening. Click here to find an Ride Rasmussen Style Avy safety course or sledding clinic in the U.S. or Canada.

Brock is the accessories manager for Penco Power Products in Kalispell, MT and safety director for the Flathead Snowmobile Association. His love for the mountains fuels his riding on his Timbersled Mountainhorse, a very capable backcountry machine in his hands.

Brock Hoyer is a pioneer of the snowbiking sport. His uncle got him interested in riding dirt bikes, and he started riding snow bikes five years ago. Snow biking combines his two favorite sports mixed together perfectly. He most enjoys traveling all over the place and meeting all kinds of people. In his free time, he can be found hanging out with his family, riding dirt bikes, and riding mountain bikes.

Cam Chimenti is a sledding wizard with over 30 years of experience. As the owner of 3C Guiding in Wyoming, Cam knows the ins and outs of a good day in the mountains, including how to stay safe and score the most powder.

A lifelong Alaskan, Chris Yelverton knows how to ride in the backcountry. Growing up in Anchorage and being around word-class sledding, Chris has a passion for this sport. Catch him and some beautiful Alaskan views in the Braaap film series.

Dave is a 30 year volunteer with search and rescue and a professional member of the Canadian avalanche association. Dave is passionate about keeping backcountry users safe by teaching Avalanche awareness courses, snowmobile safe rider courses, with the goal to ensure that those who enjoy the backcountry come home safe.

Dove is a fun-havin’ full throttle sledder straight out of Petersville, Alaska. She has been riding for over 22 years and continues to work with AK Lady Shredders and the Avalanche Information Center to promote backcountry safety to mountain riders. Some of her favorite riding zones include Valdez, the Hoodoos, and Turnagain Pass.

Live for snow! Nothing better than being out in the backcountry exploring. Check out my adventures on Instagrtam @mercier4colorado or Facebook @jeremy.mercier.7

Marshall Dempster is a professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association, recognized avalanche forecaster. Marshall is also an Avalanche Skills course instructor and back country snowmobile guide with Frozen Pirate Snow Services. Marshall's experience comes from his extensive career as an avalanche forecaster with Marmot Basin, Jasper, AB and contract work. Marshall has 19 years of mountain experience focused on safe travel as well as mountain rescue and a passion to share his knowledge. Marshall is based in Kamloops, BC.

Matt is an avalanche instructor, guide, and co-founder of The Mountain Riding Lab - a motorized-specific avalanche education provider. In 2020, he was one of the first snowmobilers to complete American Avalanche Association (A3) accredited Pro 2 training. Blurring the line between athlete and educator, Matt is passionate about riding, teaching, and expanding avalanche safety throughout the snowmobile industry. More information can be found at www.themountainridinglab.com.

Mike Buck is no amateur as he has traveled more than 100,000 miles by snowmobile all across Alaska. He is a certified avalanche instructor and Backcountry Safety Education Contractor for AAIC. With his leadership and knowledge, he can rip a sled safely and in style.

Mike Duffy is an American Avalanche Association certified instructor who teaches motorized specific avalanche classes and mountain rider skills courses nationwide. Follow him @avalanche1.colorado.

Tony teaches Ride Rasmussen Style backcountry snowmobile clinics and works with Ski-Doo Mountain. He has been featured in Sledheads, SnoWest, American Snowmobiler, Mountain Mod Mania, Crazy Canadian Adventures, 208 productions, 509 and Schooled films.

Tony teaches Ride Rasmussen Style backcountry snowmobile clinics and works with Ski-Doo Mountain. He has been featured in Sledheads, SnoWest, American Snowmobiler, Mountain Mod Mania, Crazy Canadian Adventures, 208 productions, 509 and Schooled films.

Trish Panich is a backcountry snowmobiler hailing from Creston BC. She is very active within the sport, regularly volunteering her time to mentor others. Each season, she teams up with Polaris Industries, Cycle Works West, Frozen Pirate Snow Services, and fellow Polaris and BCA ambassadors to deliver the Cycle Works West Ladies Ride Clinic that has grown each season. This upcoming year will mark the fifth Clinic delivered in Valemount BC. Trish is a sports writer focusing on safety and stewardship and current events for multiple publications and organizations throughout Canada and the United States. She is a member of Avalanche Canada's Sledcom committee which serves as a liaison between Avalanche Canada and the Snowmobile community in Canada. 

Will is a backcountry snowmobile guide and avalanche instructor based out of Jackson, WY. Riding over 4,000 miles per season, Will spends his days with clients riding hard while emphasizing the importance of safe backcountry travel. 

AJ is an outdoor junkie living in Colorado who loves to be in the backcountry, rock-climb, and hike. He has had his fair share of avalanche scares and attributes the airbag to saving his life on Berthoud Pass. He is now an AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide with lots of knowledge in avalanche safety.

Billy Macdougald is a Colorado skiing expert who knows how to find good powder and stay safe in the backcountry. He works as a ski patrol and avalanche technician for Vail Resorts and has over 35 years of experience in snow safety.

Bret’s Ride Rasmussen Style clinics help snowmobile riders achieve the ability and confidence to ride in the back country without taking personal risks that would otherwise be life threatening. Click here to find an Ride Rasmussen Style Avy safety course or sledding clinic in the U.S. or Canada.

Brock is the accessories manager for Penco Power Products in Kalispell, MT and safety director for the Flathead Snowmobile Association. His love for the mountains fuels his riding on his Timbersled Mountainhorse, a very capable backcountry machine in his hands.

Cam Chimenti is a sledding wizard with over 30 years of experience. As the owner of 3C Guiding in Wyoming, Cam knows the ins and outs of a good day in the mountains, including how to stay safe and score the most powder.

A professional mountain guide for over 20 years, Chris hung out his own shingle - Simmons Mountain Works. He splits his time between the Cascades, Italian Alps, and Antarctica, and has experience in Japan, Canada, and the Sierra Nevada too.

Diego Allolio is the AIARE South American leader who teaches courses in Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador through his company Aprendica. A certified AIARE/AAA trainer, PSIA Telemark Instructor, AAGM guide and NOLS leader, he’s translated many avalanche safety resources for Spanish speakers. Alongside his professional career, Diego is also a father of Benno. 

Dove is a fun-havin’ full throttle sledder straight out of Petersville, Alaska. She has been riding for over 22 years and continues to work with AK Lady Shredders and the Avalanche Information Center to promote backcountry safety to mountain riders. Some of her favorite riding zones include Valdez, the Hoodoos, and Turnagain Pass.

Bruce Edgerly (“Edge”) is the co-founder and lead brand ambassador for Backcountry Access. He started the company in 1994 with Bruce (“Bruno”) McGowan and now heads up BCA’s education and pro outreach programs. He is an expert in avalanche rescue, presenting BCA techniques regularly at the International Snow Science Workshop and other global industry events.