About Powder Pro Lab

Backcountry Education Experts in Colorado

With decades of combined experience, our mission is founded in providing the outdoor community with training and equipment to recreate safely and responsibly in the backcountry and alpine terrain.

Based out of our outdoor education facility located in downtown Leadville, Colorado, we are equipped to offer classroom instruction, backcountry education and guided experiential learning in the surrounding High Rockies of the San Isabel National Forest.

Powder Pro Lab backcountry education experts

Instructor Requirements

As a professional guide outfitter, we provide avalanche safety and backcountry education in Colorado. We require standardized prerequisites and certifications to operate as a guide, instructor, or staff member with Powder Pro Lab, Ltd.

Trail Tour Guide:

  • At least 18 years of age

  • Current certification in 1st Aid and CPR

  • A3/ AIARE Recreation level 2 (or equivalent) avalanche safety training


Instructor & Lead Guide: 

  • 5 years of backcountry experience of primarily winter travel

  • Current certification in Wilderness First Responder training (WFR)

  • A3/ AIARE Professional level 1 (or equivalent) avalanche safety training

  • AIARE Instructor Training:  motorized or non-motorized

Meet The Team

  • Jennifer Phillips

    FOUNDER ~ “Boss Lady”

    As the Library Director at UCAR/NCAR and a Yale phd graduate, Jennifer has always had the focus and passion to succeed. With her heart in the mountains as a colorado native bagging all the 13er peaks of colorado and spending endless hours exploring the alpine in both summer and winter, she brings a motivational influence and force to our team. Hybrid access being a newly found sport has presented Jennifer a new approach to explore the deeper, more peaceful terrain gaining access for endless powder runs on her splitboard beyond the crowds.

  • Keith Hadyk

    FOUNDER ~ “Fish”

    A respected and reliable snow industry professional, Keith has experience with teaching, medical services, ski patrolling, mountaineering, guiding, international contest's and global expeditions. Based out of the central mountains of Colorado for 15 years, his career focus has been a professional athlete and snow safety professional. He holds certifications as an AIARE Motorized Instructor, A3 Pro 2, Pro AvSAR, Wilderness First Responder (WFR) along with OSHA training and expansive FEMA training.

  • Ryan Bunker

    INSTRUCTOR ~ “BUNK”

    Active RN, S&R volunteer, A3 pro 1, WFR- EMT, Grew up in Albequrquee, NM and found his passion for the mountains as his guiding and emergency medical career accelerated. Traveling the world to places like argentina for the love of the sport and working as a guide in Alaska has provided a diverse experience as a professional guide, instructor and a leader for emergency resource management.

  • Jared Berman

    INSTRUCTOR ~ “Berm Town”

    AIARE Instructor, aiare rescue, A3 pro 2, Guide, SWAT technician, a local colorado guide, raised on the east coast, found home in colorado roaring fork valley and has joined our team as our lead splitboard guide and aiare instructor. Hopes to become a forecaster for colorado central mountain region.

  • Tyler Dewitt

    INSTRUCTOR ~ “Time Lord”

    Colorado native and Summit County Local pro snowboarder, A shredder from wayback last seen rippin/ through the mountain on his sled and ripstick! Holds certifications in AIARE 2 - AIARE Rescue - WFA - with a wealth of knowledge from priceless experience.