About Us

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Join the Movement

Top left to right – Brianna Lukkar, Curtis Pawliuk, Marshall Dempster, Iain Stewart Patterson

Bottom left to right – Jason Smith, Steve Scott, Jason Ribbi, Chris Granter

From Back Left to Right

Brianna Lukar – moved to Revelstoke for the snow and mountains 10 years ago, where I worked as a guide for Great Canadian Tours and coach/guide for LaNina Sled Camps, and Avalanche Technician for Nakimu Ventures. I have Avalanche Operations Level 1, and Non-Urban Emergency Care Level 3, and in the summer months I’m a Registered Forest Technician.

Curtis Pawliuk – out of Valemount BC, working as an Executive Director for a public rec non profit group and owner operator of Frozen Pirate. Practicing Professional Member of the CAA. Backcountry snowmobile guide, SAR, Avalanche Canada and BC Snowmobile Federation Director.

Marshall Dempster – Marshall Dempster is a Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association, professional avalanche forecaster, lead backcountry guide/instructor for Frozen Pirate Snow Services. He has 20 years of mountain experience focused on safe travel and mountain rescue based both on a snowmobile and skis. In the summer months you can find him building custom homes in the Kamloops area and riding anything with wheels a much as possible.

Iain Stewart Patterson – Iain has been guiding snow, rock, and ice adventures for over 40 years. Blending theory and practice, he is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and earned a PhD, in which he investigated the decision processes used by expert heli and snowcat guides in avalanche terrain.

He is a risk management and curriculum development consultant. His client list includes: Canadian Avalanche Association, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, Avalanche Canada, Emergency Management BC, Alpine Club of Canada, Yellowhead Helicopters, and Outward Bound Canada.

He is an active avalanche educator with the Canadian Avalanche Association Industry Training Program and has been the course leader or instructor for the ITP snowmobile courses since 2012. He is a Professor Emeritus and was one of the founding members of the Adventure Studies Department at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops BC.

Jason Smith – TCA since 1998. Operations Manager, Avalanche Forecaster and Guide. CAA Level3 and EMR, certs. initial SledComm. Summer, Flyfisherman!

Steve Scott – ITP Level three. Operations manager for Great Canadian Snowmobile Tours, SAR team leader, and so good at just about everything is gross

Jason Ribi – Sicamous British Columbia. Operations manager at Carl Kuster Mountain Park and snowmobile guide of 12 years in interior Bc. Riding and teaching on off road motorcycles keeps the summer months rolling.

Chris Granter – Golden, BC ITP Level 3 with 22 years working in the avalanche industry

15 years as Avalanche Forecaster/Safety Supervisor – Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 11 years as ITP Instructor Sled & Ski – CAA 12 years Sled AST Provider – Owner/Operator, Trigger Point Snow Services

Where We Started

For the last fourteen months a dedicated team of volunteers has been working to professionalize the motorized backcountry guiding industry. What began as a high level conversation amongst peers over several years, is now becoming a reality.
Through formal discussions, a dedicated group of industry professionals has created Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association (CMBGA), a not-for-profit society incorporated in British Columbia, led by a volunteer Board of Directors.

Vision Statement

Institute an industry standard of skillsets, procedures and avalanche training for motorized backcountry guides to enhance the level of safety and proficiency in this profession.

Association Description

We are an association dedicated to improving the professionalism, qualifications and training of snowmobiling and snow biking professionals. We provide training and assessment for guides and instructors to the highest standards. We develop the matrix of qualifications and skillsets needed to be certified as a motorized backcountry guide and a platform to examine these on an individual basis. We also provide training and assessment for aspiring guides and instructors to the highest standards of risk management.

Overview

The CMBGA is a professional association of trained and certified guides and instructors that is dedicated to protecting the public interest in motorized mountain travel and instruction.

We set technical standards for motorized backcountry guide and instructor certification as well as admission standards for CMBGA membership.

We provide a voice for the motorized guiding industry and community.

We aspire to operate an internationally recognized training and assessment program. Training is extensive and the examination is both rigorous and fair.

We are a not-for-profit society incorporated in British Columbia, led by a volunteer Board of Directors and managed by a small administrative support team.

We strive to build and maintain close affiliations with the Canadian Avalanche Association, Avalanche Canada, the British Columbia Commercial Snowmobile Operators Association, British Columbia Snowmobile Federation, Heli-Cat Canada,the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides as well as the commercial snowmobiling tenure holders in Western Canada.

Diversity, Inclusion and Mental Health

The CMBGA is committed to building and supporting a diverse and inclusive community of guides and instructors.

The CMBGA believes that developing and maintaining a strong and resilient association stems from kindling an inclusive and diverse culture. We endeavor to create an environment where guides from all walks and persuasions feel welcome.

The mental wellness of all members of our association is of the utmost importance. The CMBGA will provide tools and resources to support health and wellness across our membership