Meet The Team
Central Colorado’s Backcountry Education Experts
Our team is built on a shared passion for the mountains, backcountry exploration, and avalanche safety. With diverse backgrounds in professional sports, guiding, emergency response, and snow science, each instructor brings a unique set of skills and experience to the table. Whether leading courses, chasing deep snow, or pushing the boundaries of hybrid access riding, our crew is dedicated to sharing knowledge, fostering safety, and creating unforgettable backcountry experiences. Get to know the experts who make it all happen.
Jennifer Phillips
Founder | Business Director
Jennifer Phillips is a Colorado native, lifelong mountain explorer, and dedicated splitboarder. As the Library Director at UCAR/NCAR and a Yale Ph.D. graduate, she brings intellect, leadership, and passion to the team. With a deep love for the alpine, she has spent countless hours exploring Colorado’s 13ers in all seasons. Hybrid access riding has become her winter sport, allowing her to reach deeper, untouched terrain and endless powder runs beyond the crowds.
Keith “Fish” Hadyk
Founder | Operations Director
Keith Hadyk is a highly respected snow industry professional with extensive experience in teaching, medical services, ski patrolling, mountaineering, guiding, international competitions, and global expeditions. For the past 15 years, he has been based in the central mountains of Colorado, dedicating his career to professional athletics and snow safety. Fish holds a variety of certifications, including AIARE Motorized Instructor, A3 Pro 2, and Wilderness First Responder (WFR), in addition to OSHA and extensive FEMA training. He is an Ortovox Motorized Ambassador/Athlete, serves as an AIARE IT/Pro Trainer and is an acting judge for FWQ/IFSA competitions. Fish also holds an A.S. in Avalanche Science from Colorado Mountain College, further solidifying his expertise in the field.
Sam Chipkin
Avalanche Safety Instructor
Sam Chipkin, also known as Sammy, is a certified avalanche safety professional with AIARE 1, 2, Rescue, Pro 1, ITC, and WFR certifications. A member of A3, he has lived in Colorado for 13 years and is based in Minturn, where he can ride Meadow Mountain from his front door. While the Vail area is home base, he loves exploring new terrain. He rides a Skidoo Summit 850 and is an avid skier and snowboarder. In the off-season, he enjoys moto, mountain biking, and backcountry backpacking. Originally from New York City, his journey into avalanche science is as unexpected as it is exciting.
Mike Thurston
Motorized Guide
Mike Thurston is a certified snowmobile guide with AIARE 2 Motorized, AIARE Rescue, and WFR certifications. He has spent ten years in Colorado, with the last four based in Leadville. He chases deep snow across northern, central, and southern Colorado, riding a 2027 Summit Expert Turbo. While primarily a snowmobiler, he also enjoys snowboarding a few days each season.
Tina Huelsmann
Motorized Guide
A Hawaii native and Summit County local, Tina is a seasoned snowboarder and backcountry rider. With AIARE 2, AIARE Rescue, and 1st Aid certifications, she brings a wealth of hands-on experience to rider clinics and progressive coaching opportunities. Whether on her sled or snowboard, she’s always chasing deep snow and good lines from her home in Breckenridge. Tina comes with high-energy and breadth of mountain knowledge behind her; we are lucky to have her as a coach and team member!
Nate Dumais
Motorized Guide
A Maine native and Leadville local, Nate is a seasoned sledder, skier and all around backcountry rider. With AIARE 2, AIARE Rescue, and 1st Aid certifications, he brings a robust level of experience and patience to clinics and mountain adventures. Whether on his sled, skis or in the Weston snowcat, deep snow and good times are guaranteed. Nate comes with professionalism, passion and a deep Colorado mountain knowledge; we are honored to have him as a senior guide and team member!
Dane Wiederspahn
Motorized Guide
Dane grew up in Pine, CO and has been deeply involved in snow sports since childhood, primarily snowboarding and skiing in both resort and backcountry settings. He has since spent a significant amount of time in the backcountry and progressed his avalanche knowledge along with his advanced riding abilities. Dane holds AIARE Level 1 & 2 certifications, search and rescue experience, and current 1st Aid and CPR certification. When Dane is not chasing powder stashes he enjoys living in Denver and being the captain of a wakesurf boat during the summer season.
Contact Us
Explore our complete list of backcountry skills clinics and avalanche safety courses.
Phone
(720) 591-5352
Location
115 Elm Street, Leadville, CO 80461