Reviews of Kootenay Backcountry Guides (Travel Agency)

Gregg Coppen

Really enjoyed the Managing Avalanche Terrain course yesterday in 5 Mile Basin. Our guide Lee was excellent and we snowboarded in some beautiful terrain while learning important lessons in the field. Also was managed really well by Judson and I appreciated his willingness to move our original booking due to high risk conditions which I thought was a professional and sensible thing to do.

Taylor Weixl

I did my AST 1 course with Kootenay Backcountry Guides. Everything was well organized and professional - I learned lots, felt safe and Carla was an excellent instructor! Would definitely recommend KBG and I'm looking forward to coming back for a MAT course in the future.

Bob Nunn

Great experience with Judson the manager and Joe our guide. We wanted to take our backcountry learning another step forward and they listened great, shared their extensive knowledge and my son and I ended up with a fantastic day. Really impressed.

Donald DeSantis

Judson is an extremely knowledgable guide. Going out with him is a lesson in backcountry travel as well as amazing skiing. I honestly had my greatest of all time days with him. I'll be booking again.

Stine Linde

Did the AST1 with these guys, and I am very satisfied - the instructors were highly skilled, had great teaching skills and I found the course very educational - money well spent!

nate federau

Had an excellent experience learning from Judsm and Rowen, two great minds to pull from with the ability to explain it in different levels of language. My girlfriend and I learn very differently but came out with the same knowledge. Would highly recommend some education with this outfit for ski/splitboard touring.

Teresa Cutler

Such an awesome course and such a great experience with the all ladies AST2! Knowledgeable and amazing guides! We covered so much and had so much fun :)

Victoria Falls House

I organized a private AST 2 course and it was taught by Judson. It was a great 4 day field course with an online precourse that we completed in our own time in the weeks prior. Judson was an awesome teacher and I learned far more than I expected regarding critical decision making skills, snow pack study, avalanche terrain discernment, trip planning, online mapping, as well as group dynamics. Doing a private course was great as the dynamics are good and you are learning with the people you will be skiing with so you can further build and learn together while implementing what you all learned! I would highly recommend KBG for anyone thinking of furthering their backcountry knowledge.

William Terrall

Had an awesome weekend with Dan Swearingin doing the AST1 course. Highly informative and knowledgeable guiding and instruction. I especially appreciated the 2 days of field work and robust online curriculum beforehand. A must take for anyone venturing into the backcountry. 10/10 would recommend!

Jeffrey Nassr

I would highly recommend KBG. We went up the through the kootenay pass this weekend for our AST level 1 course. We rode amazing powder and learned avalanche safety procedures and looking at the different layers in the snow pack. This was my 1st split boarding experience, and I had a blast! Great guides, and awesome team????

Alex Balcer

THE MAT Course (Managing Avalanche Terrain) is a must for anyone who took their AST 1 and want to level up their backcountry game. Our guide Joel was amazing at pointing out different hazards and what to look for when venturing out , even in familiar terrain. A true professional! Highly recommend Kootenay Backcoutry Guides!!

Zoe Purvis

Just finished an AST 2 course with KBG. Our guide Joel did such an amazing job. We had a small group of friends doing the course and we all felt so much more confident and knowledgeable afterwards. The pre readings were a great way to get into the head space before going out into the field. The days went by quickly, with digging pits/ doing rescues/ and analyzing different zones and learning about avalanches and route planning. I highly recommend using Kootenay Backountry Guides for your backcountry learning courses :)

Dee Montie

Incredible AST I course! Hayden's delivery was fun, informative, and professional. There was just the right mix of information and experiential learning, tossed with a smattering of bad dad jokes and epic snow. This was a fantastic introduction course on avalanche safety. I began analyzing terrain and got used to properly using my avalanche tools and equipment. I came out feeling like I can be a part of decision-making in the backcountry, rather than follow along blindly. THANK YOU!

Sam Watson

We have done 3 separate tours with Kootenay Backcountry Guides over the years and they have all been top notch! Every tour we go on is an adventure. The guides are all knowledgeable of the terrain and snow science. We had a great time and learned a lot, and always feel safe. Also, we got engaged! They helped make our day extra special.

Katie Harris

Another wonderful course with Judson! Incredible day on Managing Avalanche Terrain! Huge thank you for a fantastic day. Great learning, good vibes, solid local knowledge and avalanche insight. So much gratitude for this sweet local company! Thanks!

Tristan Lehari

We did our AST-1 and AST-2 with Kootenay Backcountry Guides and had an amazing time! Our AST-1 guides were Tammy and Dylan and our AST-2 guides were Joel and Andrew - they were all super knowledgable and did a great job teaching us through extensive in-field days. Couldn't recommend this group more!

Lara Harder

Got to participate in a female only AST2 course and it was awesome!

Zachary Lotts

I took an AST course through KBG and it was great. Our guides, Tammy & Kyle were so helpful and informative throughout our two field days. They provided an exciting energy, fun times and left us with knowledge that will help create memories for a long time coming. A+, 5/5.

Matt Canale

Big thank you to the staff at KBG, namely Joe, Tristan and Judson. Pursued the AST-1 course with KBG based on recommendations from a few friends and they exceeded my expectations. The online training course was excellent preparation before two full days in the field. It allows you to learn the basics of avalanche safety at your own pace while using real-world examples of situations you may encounter in the field. Both days in the field, we learned how to efficiently use transceivers, probes, shovels and explored the backcountry, analyzing terrain and how to make safe decisions based on what we’d learned in class and in the field. Thank you for all your help and guidance, Team KBG - I’m planning on signing up for the Managing Avalanche Terrain course with you next.

Morgan Schultz

I redid my AST-1 with Judson and KBG and am so glad I did! The knowledge that the guides have and how they present the material made for an extremely educational and fun weekend! It was such a pleasure to learn from guides with so much experience and such willingness to share. I would most certainly recommend working with KBG in any capacity. Their professionalism, knowledge, attention to detail, and passion make them exceptional guides, and the backcountry experts you want to learn from!

Jolene Milan

Great team of well informed, experienced instructors who made our course both beneficial and a lot of fun!

Jacob van Wassenaer

Had a great experience with KBG for an AST1 course. Online learning paired with 2 field days is a great addition. Very attentive and knowledgeable guides.

J.J. Sestrich

We have been out touring with Judson the last two years in a row. He's got a great personality for guiding, and has an obviously deep knowledge of the Kootenay backcountry. Even when it seemed like it might be a busy day, we were frequently finding ourselves in completely untracked terrain with nobody else in sight. I hope to be back next year, and every year after that too.

Trevor Raffard

Was recommended to take my AST-1 course through Kootenay Backcountry Guides from a friend who's experienced a few different operations; couldn't be happier. Tammy and Kyle were exceptional teachers and took the time to ensure everyone in the course understood the information. Looking forward to the next one!

Lauren McClintock

I did my AST 2 course with KBG. Our instructor Kevin and Tail Guide Tammy were great! Learned a lot and had a great time. The hut we stayed in was first class! And great food :)

Rebecca Frederick

Great four day AST2 session in March - open learning environment and up-to-date information on how to interpret the forecast and adjust tour plans based on information we can collect in the field. Would be a great refresher for anyone or continuing education for backcountry enthusiasts.

Kid Kootenay

Lol I visited this place a year ago Google tells me, but I grew up here and spent more time in the Bush than town hiking, exploring, camping, skiing, snowboarding, search and rescue you name it. Its amazing but NO JOKE if your not sure of the area or you buy your gear from LL Bean stick to the trails and in bounds runs She is beautiful out back but doesn't tolerate fools or inexperienced hikers if your used to the city stick to the parks it's as beautiful and safer.

Ray B JENSEN

Joe and Rory were great!

Fletcher FitzGibbon

I recently took the AST-1 course with KBG. It was a very professional and informative course with lots of time in the field and a well designed online primer. Would highly recommend this outfit for anybody thinking of getting their AST-1.

Justin Mallory

I had a great experience doing AST-1 with Tamy and Dylan. Dylan did an awesome job sharing his up to date knowledge. Tamy was very helpful sharing her experience from the field about avalanches and tree well. Learned a lot about the mountains and assessing slopes. We did companion rescue situation to ensure familiarity with equipment. I also did AST-2 with Kootenay Backcountry guides and had Andrew and Joel. They brought us through a bunch of terrain which allowed us to evaluate different terrain and slope to determine if they were safe to travel across. They did a few companion rescue situation. We also were able to go through planning process and compass use in planning trips. The overall online learning experience was great. It was engaging an informative. Judson did a great job creating the engaging online experienc. It used lots of videos and text, as well as little quizzes to kep you on your toes.

montana zaporzan

Great experience!!! My partner and I were very well looked after by Judson and the crew! Highly recommend, we left our two day AST 1 with a great base of knowledge to take forward into the backcountry, and help make decisions to keep us safe????

Nicole B

Really enjoyed learning in a hands-on and fun way on the companion rescue course with Dan. Thank you!

Cyrus Harrison

Highly recommended for anyone looking to increase their safety and awareness in the backcountry and explore the Kootenays. Judson and his team have a huge amount of experience and are really effective at passing their knowledge on.

Grant Cherwenuk

I recently completed my AST-2 with Judson. I've been fortunate enough to interact with many professionals in my backcountry career. While they've all been incredibly helpful and knowledgable, Judson and KBG really went above and beyond in their ability to create an effective learning environment. On top of that the amount they give back to the community is awe inspiring. Hard to recommend another choice for your next backcountry experience.

Matt Treps

I did the AST-1 and a MAT course this winter and had the chance to tour with Judson a few times. He his professional, fun and you can feel that he has safety has the number 1 priority to the core. For sure, I recommend a trip with this company!

Jordan Montgomery

Had a fantastic weekend with KBG taking our Ast 1. The guides Tammy and Kyle where a pleasure to learn from. Very knowledgable and made the course fun and enjoyable. I feel alot more confident with my back country skills going forward. Highly recomend using KBG to get your back country info up to speed.

Stephanie Ostrander

My son and I took the Backcountry 101 course and we had the guide to ourselves for the day. Roger was patient with me as I was quite slow and had some trouble with my gear. He could see that my son was a good skier and would likely continue doing some more courses so he really filled him with valuable information. Overall it was a really good day and I recommend Kootenay Backcountry Guides.

Zoe Essex-Hartas

Drew and Alex were amazing!! So knowledgeable and patient, they deliver their knowledge in a way that's so approachable, understandable and not intimidating. I walked away feeling like I'd learnt a huge amount and am definitely more confident in my ability to be safe out in the backcountry. I felt super comfortable around them as well and an added bonus, we actually had a lot of laughs and fun! Highly recommend and would be happy to have future lessons with them!

theo campbell

Knowledgeable and super friendly guides and and aim to create a safety and learning in the backcountry. Highly recommend!

Alex Peepre

I had a really great experience with Kootenay Backcountry Guidea taking their Managing Avalanche Terrain (MAT) Course. I learned many new things and enjoyed their approach to teaching decision making and terrain navigation skills. Designed for experienced skiers, I would eccomend this course as a "refresher" to anyone who spends time in the backcountry. Thanks for a great day!

Carol C

Our guide was super fun to hang with. Shared lot of knowledge even beyond what needed to that course and answered every question we had ! Plus he was so friendly and put everyone super comfortable so it was easy to ask question and not feel ashame haha. I had an amazing day and already feel more comfortable to go out with my friends ! Cant wait to take my AST1 to be fully ready to be in the backcountry and safely!

Kieran O'Sullivan

Had a great 4 days with Judson and KBG on the AST2, skiing powder and learning

kelly toole

My family and friends just finished a private AST 2 course. Judson was our guide/instructor. I had a great experience and learned so much. I think because we were a private group Judson was able to fine tune the course to meet our needs. Judson is a very good teacher who can bring everyone into the conversation/ lesson. He really brought out the best in me. Thanks Judson and Kootenay Backcountry Guides.

Colton Neufeld

My friends and I recently took our AST-1 with Kootenay Backcountry Guides led by Dan 'Savage' Swearingin and apprentice Sarah. They were both professional, knowledgeable, and shared many 'tips and tricks' that they have learned over the years in the backcountry. Dan's decisions are calculated and precise, making you feel safe and comfortable in unknown terrain. Will definitely use KBG to further our backcountry knowledge. Party on Wayne!

Diana Garroway

If you have the opportunity to go out with KBG's, I'd highly recommend jumping on your chance. It is money well spent! I took a 4 day + online AST2 class this weekend with Judson and Dan. They are both professionals. Judson's online learning was well done and felt like just the right amount. Enough to digest, but not so much to overwhelm. All the route finding, planning, and navigation skills using gps tools was particularly valuable. The 4 fields days were split between the two guides. They each had their own style of teaching, which enriched the experience to get the chance to learn from each of them. We were never late, days were scheduled perfectly, but also had lots of input from our group to accommodate our preferences. Oh, and we had a lot of fun and managed some good skiing too!! For sure a bonus, given the objective of the class was learning.

Anna Prette

I did the managing avalanche terrain course and I would highly recommend this for anyone with your AST1 looking to get more experience in the backcountry. The guide Joel was awesome, full of knowledge and fun. I felt safe, had a blast and learned a lot. Thanks for a great, informative time!!

Patrick Zuccaro

My guide was named Lee. He was an awesome dude who took me on a tour to remember. We covered a ton of ground and had the runs of my life. Lee’s knowledge of the terrain was awesome. His safety information was also great. I would use these guys again.

Adam Grealish

F**king epic! Best backcountry trip of my life hands down. Would give 10 stars if possible. Judson organized an incredible 2 days for us. Expert logistics, expert guiding, awesome crew.

Kate Lindemann

I would highly recommend Kootenay Backcountry guides. I recently completed at 4 day AST-2 course and came out of it feeling a lot more confident and knowledgable. I really appreciated the online resources for GPS and weather reading they told me about that will really assist going forward. My guide Jeremy was excellent and really make the whole experience for me. Thank you so much!

Troy Trillo

Wanted to thank Audray and Kyle for the MAT course at the Pass. Excellent course, very informative, great couple of guides. Thanks! Looking forward to the AST-2 course in Feb!

laura johnson

Incredible experience taking an AST2 with KBCG. We had two amazing guides, Jeremy and Judson, who were so fun, informative and knowledgeable. All 8 of us finished the course feeling 10 times more confident about making educated decisions in the back country and understanding snow science enough to successfully compare the snow we were riding/ skinning on to the snow pack layers from previous weather conditions and how they are bonded together. Couldn't recommend the trip more. If you are looking to develop your terrain knowledge, learn more about snow science and build confidence in the backcountry, the AST 2 really does the job and is a well rounded course made flexible depending on your priorities and where you want to develop skills. Do It!

Luc Boyer

Judson and the other guides offered a very comprehensive course. Their expertise is obvious and I can’t imagine learning from anyone else. I did AST 1, MAT and AST 2. I highly recommend KBG!!

louis jolin

Just completed ast2 with kootenay backcoutry guides and Dan was our guide. I appreciated every minute of this course! Dan is a great person and teaches very well. Definitely would recommend this course to every back country skier!

Roma Kozlov

Although I have done AST1, I am still not confident in the back country. I was lucky to be invited on a private guided tour with Joel McBurney. From the moment we started out, I felt very relaxed and safe with Joel. He made me feel as if my questions were relevant, was extremely patient and encouraging, and provided great tips to improve our technique climbing. By the end, I was breaking trail for the group! Joel even sang for us. It was a delightful experience which increased my confidence in the back country. Thanks, Joel!

Matthew Tower

Kootenay Backcountry Guides lead my group and I on a touring day of the Kootenay Pass. It was my first time Splitboarding and I learned valuable knowledge of snow study and evaluation along the day as well as Backcountry touring knowledge. Our guide was patient and extremely knowledgeable. I would highly recommend Kootenay Backcountry Guides to anyone interested in touring.

Anne Drysdale

We completed the Managing Avalanche Terrain course with Judson Wright today, and it was phenomenal. Judson is highly experienced and spared no detail when sharing his knowledge with us. Doing the online learning instead of a class room was ideal. We had a huge day out in the field and although pit digging and companion rescue wasn't on the curriculum, we did it anyway. Thanks Judson!!

Nina Sylvester

Just finished an AST2 course with Dan at KBG and Kyle. I got everything I was hoping for and more from this course! Lots of confidence and skill building in the backcountry. It was super fun and we managed to get some good skiing in!! Highly recommend.

Noah Stevens

Took the AST2 through KBG, excellent course. Our guide Dan was really knowledgeable and very professional. Taught us a ton of skills and took us on some great tours evaluating terrain. Dan also dropped us in on some awesome lines which was a bonus. Would absolutely recommend taking this course through KBG to a friend!

James Ward

We booked one day of private guided touring with Kootenay Backcountry Guides and had a great experience. My wife is new to touring and riding powder and the guide catered the day perfectly to her skills. We both had an awesome day and will definitely be booking another trip with them on our next Nelson ski trip.

Kris Beattie

Solid Guiding Team, Avalanche skills curriculum is spot on. Action packed and nutrient dense information sharing with great local folks who really shared the passion to shred and keep you breathing . Thanks for slaying it....

Carolyn Simmons

My partner and I had the most incredible experience with Kootenay Backcountry Guides. Safe, fun, and a pleasure to ski with. They are so excperienced and highly knowledgable of the area. We will definitely be ski touring with them again!

Luke Penner

Myself and my friends took an AST1 course through KBG. Dan "Savage" was an excellent guide. He led us into some amazing terrain at Kootenay Pass. We always felt safe with his decisions. The skills and knowledge he passed on to us are priceless. His sidekick Sarah was an excellent asset as well and she shared a wealth of information with us as well. Definitely will be coming back for more!

Mark Brabazon

This season I have done the AST-1 and Advanced Touring Course. KBG's are the best of the best when wanting an in depth look at Backcountry safety. Both these courses are VERY much more practical based than theory which I find is the most effective way to learn. Judson and his team were very detailed in their approach and covered a diverse range of snow and terrain characteristics. Although it has been a touchy season for Avalanche risks, I now feel more than confident I have the skillset to make the appropriate calls before and during riding in the backcountry. Highly recommend this course to anybody scratching their head and wanting to improve their confidence amongst other backcountry enthusiasts!

william fischer

Matt in the office and Joe as a guide made for a perfect backcountry experience.

Corey Scott

Can't say enough about how awesome KBG is. They are committed to backcountry safety above all else, and are fantastic stewards for outdoor enthusiast safety. I'll be doing as much backcountry education as I can through them!

Miguel Brito

Very friendly and proactive staff. We had an amazing touring experience. Awesome terrain and some of the best snow ever. The guide was awesome! Will come back for sure.

Leith

I took the AST2 at a cabin, it was the most useful 4 days of backcountry learning possible. Judson has incredible knowledge & experience and he shares it in a humble, practical way. I'll benefit from taking his course for years to come.

Anthony Yamamura

Thank you, Kootenay Backcountry Guide's for your tremendous guidance and mentorship a truly fun and engaging experience. The wealth of insightful knowledge through your Guide's was functional, practical and gratifying. Your personal Guide's knowledge, experience and professionalism is a great service to us all and I (we) are grateful. I would recommend Kootenay Backcountry Guide's for all your backcountry needs. " the apex is not the foundation of a pyramid " Anthony Yamamura

Brianna Hart

The owner and guides were clearly passionate about avalanche and backcountry safety so they put a lot of effort into making it a great experience for their guests. They were fun and at the same time pushed me to learn and gave constructive criticism.

Whitney Bownes

I was very happy with the professionalism, knowledge and teaching skills of our guides (Hayden and Tammy) at Kootenay Backcountry Guides. These two were the best guides!! They were both so knowledgeable of the area, patient and kind. The really knew how to put you at ease and make sure you were comfortable and felt safe. Bonus: they both had a great sense of humour which made the weekend vibe so lovely. I preferred doing the pre learning online and spending two whole days in the backcountry. It was nice to have that knowledge base and terminology before hitting the field. I liked the fact that we spent the two days in different terrain. First day at Whitewater and second day at Kootenay Pass. Would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to get a better understanding of the risks and rewards of the backcountry.

Riley Peck

Took the ast1 provided through Kootenay Backcountry Guides and could not be happier. Our guide Hayden was super knowledgable, professional and fun. Had some seriously cool times on Kootenay Pass and will definitely be returning to Kootenay Backcountry Guides for all of my future backcountry learning.

E- Muny

Just took the AST1 3-day with lead instructors Kevin and Roger. Would absolutely recommend this over 2-day. 1st field day at Whitewater, 2nd field day at Kootenay pass. The extra day in different terrain really drove home slope evaluation while considering terrain traps and snow conditions. Safe descent and route finding also covered. You think you know how to handle your beacon after finding one buried in the back yard (I did)? Nothing like a group rescue response exercise to find and recover a buried skier to find out what you don't know (esp group dynamics). First time - grand melee. After review and discussion, 2nd try WAY more organized and recovery of 2 buried within 10 mins. Priceless. Would recommend this to anyone who loves riding the backcountry and wants to keep doing it for a long time. Erik T

Brandon Malone

I just completed the AST-1 course with Kootenay Backcountry Guides. Tammy made it easy and fun to learn the basics of being safe in the backcountry. Looking forward to taking my AST-2 next year. Thanks so much!

grahamrobinson182

I first met Judson in 2017, and have returned to ski with him in each subsequent year, despite it taking 2 days each way for me to travel to Nelson from the UK. Great guy, great guide, great sense of humour, very professional and confidence inspiring. He is clearly driven by involving others in the backcountry. However experienced you are, I would be surprised if you don't learn something useful just being in his company. I cannot recommend him and KBG highly enough. Edited Decemeber 2021. Just had another epic 4 days with Judson. Safe, fun and professional as ever. The weather was so bad 2 weeks ago he called me to discuss options further afield, and researched them for us. As it happens the weather Gods smiled and snowed, and we had fabulous conditions. I still cannot recommend Judson and KBG enough.

Ryan McCarroll

Skied two days with Judson and had a awesome time. During our trip it hadn't snowed in more than ten days but Judson was still able to find us the goods. I would highly recommend Kootenay Backcountry guides and I will be skiing with them again in the not too distant future.

Brad Pedersen

Judson took us on a 2 day back country adventurer which it was my first experience in over 20 years. The professionalism was world class and made us feel super safe and his coaching was exceptional. We had an amazing experience in some extraordinary terrain both in Kootenay pass and 5 Mile basin. I would recommend him and his outfit to anyone who was looking to explore the area around Nelson.

Elliott Hart

Took the AST 2 course with Dan and Jud. Phenomenal experience. I really enjoyed the course. Professional and very knowledgable guides. They both made the course extremely fun and got to see some really great terrain. I would highly recommend these guys to anyone looking to gain some knowledge to travel more safely in the mountains. Toby rocked as well!

Stef

(Translated) What a beautiful day in the hinterland. I did Splitboard101 with Joel and it was a really fantastic day. We learned tips to move around more efficiently, all in a relaxed atmosphere. Joël is very professional and experienced. I encourage everyone to take this course to start off well. (Original) Quelle belle journée dans l’arrière-pays. J’ai fait le cours de Splitboard101 avec Joel et c’était vraiment une journée fantastique. Nous avons appris des trucs pour se déplacer plus efficacement tout ça dans une ambiance relaxe. Joël est très professionnel et expérimenté. J’encourage tout le monde a fait ce cours pour bien débuter.