Giacum (Jake) Frei
President and Lead Guide (UIAGM)
Jake was born and raised just 3 hrs south of the Skeena Mountain range to Swiss parents. Jake left Canada at a young age and started his career as a professional skier and guide in Europe. In 2003 he started exploring the new skiing terrain of the Skeenas and subsequently launch Skeena Heliskiing.
Working in the heliskiing industry for over 15 years, Jake has also been involved with the Swiss Institute of Avalanche Research, Developer of the “Free Ride Mini Guide”, various avalanche control activities, ski resort safety planning and numerous year round guiding activities around the globe.
Jake’s experience in the industry and commitment to developing a world renowned Heliski operation has helped him develop the best possible team to ensure our clients safety and enjoyment in the air and on the snow.
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Martin Wehren
General Manager
Martin grew up in the Swiss ski resort of Meiringen-Hasliberg. He is an enthusiastic skier, snowboarder and mountain biker and has skied in many places around the world.
For the last 11 years Martin has been working for Scott Sports in marketing, events and product management. His work and skiing experience combined with his desire to search for the perfect skiing adventure helps us make your trip to Skeena Heliskiing the perfect one for you.
For this reason in our opinion it makes him the ideal person to complete the Skeena Heliskiing team.
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Michael Cater
Lead Guide (UIAGM) / Operations Manager
Born in Austria, Michael moved to Canada seven years ago. Before starting his Canadian heliski career he was a member of the Chamonix Mountain Guide Association and developer of a Russian heliski company.
A certified UIAGM guide and level 4 ski instructor for over 15 years, examiner for the Austrian ski instructor federation and a former teacher for skiing and mountaineering at the University of Graz, Michael spent most of his life in the mountains around the world.
Besides his involvement at Skeena Heliskiing he is working in the avalanche safety equipment sector and is the director of Pieps Canada.
“It is a hard and long way to be ready for guiding in the heliski industry, but every day out there, seeing smiles in your faces, and enjoying the untracked powder in the Skeena mountain range makes it worth it.
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Urs Renstch
Lead Guide (UIAGM)
A guide for over 20 years Urs has always searched for new lines and has traveled as far as to Morocco to ski the Hightatlas and to the dunes of the Sahara. His journeys around the globe brought him to Alaska, Colorado and the Rocky mountains and finally to Skeena Heliskiing. When not at Skeena, he can be found in his home town, Gstaad, in the Bernese "Berner: Oberland.
In the last ten years his main line of work in the winter is Heliskiing in Gstaad. "I really enjoy guiding folks to untracked slopes and mountains. I still enjoy traveling around but time goes quick when you get older, so make sure you only go for Gold.
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Stephane Poirier
Lead Guide (ACMG)
With numerous seasons working for the avalanche control department at Lake Louise under his belt Stephane became an ACMG guide to pursue his passion for skiing and guiding people.
Stephane’s passion for skiing and love of the mountains lead him to work in New Zealand and more recently in Iceland, where he explored new Heliski terrain.
When not guiding for Skeena Heliskiing he spends the winters in the interior of British Columbia guiding Heli, Cat and Ski touring enthusiasts alike.
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Robert Reindle
Lead Guide (CSGA)
Born and raised in an Austrian ski village, Robert has been on skis since the age of three. After finishing his ski instructor and guiding certificates, the search for endless powder made him move to Canada in 1994 - where he has guided heliskiers ever since. Robert and a group of Canadian downhill racers still hold the world record for the most vertical feet skied in one day. Skiing and guiding at numerous operations in BC and Alaska gave Robert a good understanding of how to put together a great heliskiing program. The promise of exploring new terrain combined with the relaxed atmosphere at Skeena Heliskiing brought Robert to our team here, where his years of experience will flow into the program offered at Skeena Heliskiing.
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Mike Adolph
Lead Guide (UIAGM)
Alberta born and currently residing in Nordegg, Alberta, Mike runs Custom Outdoor Experience out of the Sheiling Mountain Lodge, built by his family in 1995. Mike has 7 years experience as a heliski guide and completed his international UIAGM mountain guide certification in 2008. Always one for new challenges and exploration, Mike helped set up a ski guiding operation in Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand, where he met Jake while working Mountain Safety for a big mountain competition. While not seeking out fresh lines, Mike likes to combine his passion for climbing with skiing and can be found hauling his skis up some of the classic ridges and north faces around the Canadian Rockies. When not guiding, climbing or skiing, then he is kiteboarding somewhere in warm waters working on getting huge air!
"I really like Skeena Heliskiing because we can ski in almost all weather conditions and with the right powder seeking nose, fresh lines can always be had! I look forward to skiing with new and familiar faces in the coming seasons".
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Shane Spencer
Asst Ski Guide (ACMG)
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Lucas Holtzman
Asst Ski Guide (ACMG)
Lucas lives in Smithers, BC has been with Skeena Helisking since 2006 as an avalanche technician. During the day he can be found in the depths of a snow hole digging a snow profile and examining the stability of the snow pack or skiing at the back of the group making sure everyone gets back to the Heli. If your looking for Lucas at the lodge you can usually find him in the kitchen drinking his 20th cup of coffee for the day.
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Craig Roy
Helicopter Pilot
Craig has been with Skeena Heliskiing since its inception and has over 9,000 hrs of flying time. His local knowledge and experience with our Heliskiing operation ensures that our clients access the best possible terrain for the conditions.
A local man from Terrace BC Craig has a love for all engines from the smallest to the biggest ones. His favorite mode of speedy transportation during the winter months is his beloved "Enticer" snowmobile (Circa 1971).
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Jean Marc Messmer
Helicopter Pilot
Jean-Marc, a native of Switzerland, has been flying with Skeena Heliskiing
from the early beginning and now lives in Campbell River BC, where he
teaches pilots in between seasons at Coast Mountain Helicopters. Gathering
over 9000 hrs accident free, his modus operandi is all about safety and guest
satisfaction!
After hours, if he is not in the hot tub, you will find him
racing Craig's Enticer around the block!
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Gene Allen
General Manager of "The Cliff at Kispiox River"
Local identity, renowned bronco rider, local fishing guide, Gene and his wife Joy have been involved with Skeena Heliskiing since its inception. Gene is a true host, making sure your stay is full of laughter, great stories and memories.
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David Freuden
Skeena Heliskiing Advisor
Since 2007 David has been an investor and member of Skeena’s Board. Initially working with Jake in the restructure and repositioning of the business.
David continues to be actively involved in the long term strategic planning and growth for Skeena Heliskiing and brings to the Board his expertise in strategic business development, brand building, financial management and marketing.
A highly entrepreneurial and enthusiastic builder of businesses, David runs a Marketing Communications Agency in Sydney Australia (www.monsterplay.com.au) that specializes in Brand Experience and Customer Engagement Marketing.
