HELISKI GUIDE PROFILES
Meet the guys on the ground who make your heli ski holiday what it is.
The guides are a huge part of the experience. You will spend all day with them and a good part of the evening. It can be a very daunting environment so their primary role is to keep you safe. They know our mountains intimately and will give you a free reign whenever possible, but when they ask you to ‘fasten your seatbelts’ - they mean it. We take no short cuts on who we hire – all are ACMG or UIAGM certified mountain guides – no exceptions.
Franz Fux
Director of Operations
He wears a big hat in this role. He oversees pretty much every aspect of the operation, which is why (most of the time) things run so smoothly. Franz has a ton of experience click here and is one of the main partners in Last Frontier. Franz is not a man that likes to blow his own trumpet, but if you ask him how the skiing at Last Frontier stacks up against others places a wry grin on his face will give you the answer. In short, with Franz at the helm, you cannot be in better hands.
Michael Brackenhofer
Leadguide and Operations Manager
Born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Michael grew up in a small mountain town in the Alps. Michael is a UIAGM Guide, steelhead guide and pro-photographer. He lives in nearby Smithers, BC with his partner Bobbie and two daughters (Elisa and Emma).
Jamie Whiteside
Assistant Operations Manager
Jamie comes from a generation of cattle ranchers who arrived in central Alberta on the first wagon trains across the Red Deer River. Accustomed to cowboy boots and open range, his spark for adventure lured him around the world and back into the mountains of western Canada where he makes his home in Golden, BC. His favourite beer is Fin du Monde but a Mojito will work as well to loosen the tongue and share a story or song. He has been guiding for over 15 years with many seasons in the Himalaya, Patagonia and the High Arctic. When not paddling, skiing, biking or climbing, he may be found kicking back at the family ranch, or doing a renovation project on his property in Golden, BC.
Andre Ike
Operations Manager at Ripley Creek
Canadian born, Andre spent 12 years living in Whistler before settling in Squamish, BC. A carpenter by trade and UIAGM Mountain Guide, he has worked with Last Frontier Heliskiing since 2000. An avid traveler, he has visited 26 countries around the globe many of which he has skied or climbed. Andre is part owner/operator of Squamish based company Westcoast Mountain Guides Inc. that keeps him busy in summer guiding on the rock, in the alpine and teaching courses.
Al Ducros
Guide
AL grew up on his skis, skiing since the age of three. His passion has allowed him to ski all over the world including BC. This season make his 20th season guiding and sharing turns with people. Born in Montreal, AL speaks both French and English and has been in guiding of some sort since his late teens. Previously, Al was the owner / operator of rafting operation. He currently spends time climbing and fly fishing in the summer. Terrace, BC is now his home.
Alexis Tessier
Guide
Originally from Eastern Canada, Alexis grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, where he learned to ski and climb at a very young age. His interest for ski mountaineering really took off when he moved to British Columbia, where the mountains have much more to offer. In the off season he can be found travelling around the globe for rock, surf and good food.
Christoph Dietzfelbinger
Guide
Christoph Dietzfelbinger grew up as a parson's son in Bavaria, but you should not hold that against him. He studied to be a teacher in Munich but decided that was not for him. Generations of schoolchildren are grateful. He became a mountain guide in 1981 and worked in the Alps for eight years as a free lance guide and guide's instructor. Lured by the wilderness of northwestern British Columbia, he settled in Telegraph Creek in 1986 and, when he came to his senses, in Smithers. Christoph built the Burnie Glacier Chalet in 2001 and divides his time between that ski mountaineering lodge, Last Frontier Heliskiing, teaching professional avalanche courses and avalanche consulting. He also operates a woodlot. He and his family live in the country in the Bulkley Valley near Smithers.
Colin Moorshead
Guide
He has his roots in Vancouver and is an avid rock climber, in fact he owns and runs Squamish Rock Guides. Since 2005 Colin has made Last Frontier Heliskiing his home in the winter months. He enjoys his existence a LOT so it’s likely to rub off on you.
Hannes Webhofer
Guide
Hannes has born in a mountainous region in Tirol-Austria. He has spent his life in the mountains skiing, climbing and guiding clients. After many years of teaching skiing & ski touring in the finest locations in Austria and all over Europe, Hannes moved to Canada to find deep powder & true adventure. He is a fully certified U.I.A.G.M mountain guide and Austrian level 4 ski instructor. With 40 heliski seasons under his belt, his passion for guiding is only growing stronger.
Johann Slam
Guide
Johann Slam is a resident of Stewart, B.C. and spends much of his time in Northern British Columbia and Alaska. Johann has been snowboarding since 1977 when the sport was in its infancy and is one of the first snowboarders to pursue his ACMG certification on a snowboard. Johann comes from a highways avalanche forecasting background, where he worked in the infamous Bear Pass near Stewart. He continues to work throughout North America on Industrial Avalanche programs and teaches a variety of recreational and professional avalanche courses.
Jos Lang
Guide
Jos was born in New Zealand, graduated in Chemistry and worked in research before beginning her mountain guiding career. She learned to ski in Canada and that was it – Canada called! For several years Jos did back to back winters between Canada and New Zealand, but surprising as it may sound to skiers, there can be such a thing as too much winter! So Canada is now home. Jos has been with Last Frontier since its second year of operation. Summers, she spends as a hiking guide in the Canadian Rockies. After 30 years of heliskiing Jos is doing a mix of guiding, snow safety and ski tech work...and yes, still luving it.
Jun Yanagisawa
Guide
Born in the concrete jungle of Tokyo, Japan, Jun immigrated to Canada in 1988. Jun has been heliski guiding since 1993 including two seasons in New Zealand and joined Last Frontier Heliskiing in 1999. In summer, Jun enjoys hiking guiding, horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing, etc. in Whistler, which he calls home.
Lucas Holtzman
Guide
Lucas was born in St. Catharine’s Ontario. At 19 he moved west in search of high adventure. He spent several years climbing and skiing in the West. After touring around various mountain towns, he settled in Smithers BC. Skiing tiny ski hills as a child, Lucas feels very fortunate to guide the amazing terrain at Last Frontier. Lucas also works in the winter guiding ski touring and teaching avalanche courses. In the summer he can be found operating heavy equipment in various Northern BC towns.
Mark Stanley
Guide
Originally born in Liverpool England, Mark's family emigrated to Canada when he was only 18 months old [so no British accent here]. Mark is an ACMG Ski Guide and CAA level 3 Professional Member. He has worked in all aspects of Canadian Ski Guiding –Touring / Snowcats / and Heliskiing for the last 15 years. His favourite run is the one he is on! When he is not ski guiding, Mark is busy planning white water rafting trips for his wife Ann and their two beautiful daughters Ava and May. In the off Season Mark works as a Paramedic for the BC ambulance Service.
Mike Gajda
Guide
Born and raised in Canada’s Niagara Peninsula, Mike emerged from the mist of the falls in search of grander views and deeper snow immediately after graduation from university. After spending the next four winters exploring the Alps on skis, he relocated to the coast mountains of British Columbia and over 20 years later now calls Pemberton home. When not guiding at Last Frontier Heliskiing, Mike works at a variety of avalanche control projects in North America and spends his summers guiding ski tours for Powderquest in South America. Each year after he’s had his fill of snow, you’ll find him chasing wind, waves, and wayward adventures on a beach somewhere in Latin America.
Olivia Sofer
Guide
Olivia started her guiding career at 18 years old as a white water rafting guide while attending university in Montreal, Quebec. Later, she began leading river expeditions in remote areas of British Columbia and Alaska. She then added to her skills by becoming an ACMG Hiking Guide and Assistant Ski Guide. Her hometown is Canmore, Alberta where she lives with her husband Robson Gmoser and their son Max. In the winter months she works at Last Frontier Heliskiing, teaches avalanche courses and guides ski mountaineering groups at various backcountry lodges in British Columbia.
Ross Berg
Guide
Born on the prairies of Alberta, Ross spent the majority of his childhood traveling to Canada’s finest ski destinations. Finally he discovered the world of being a mountain guide and never looked back. In the following years he completed his certification as an international mountain guide at a quick pace, making himself one of Canada’s youngest. “I feel privileged to be able to work as a mountain guide, and look forward to sharing the thrill of the mountains with my guests.” Ross has guided, climbed and skied all over Canada and the European Alps. When he’s not heli skiing, he can be found working as an alpine guide in Chamonix or skiing in his own backyard - the Coast Mountains of British Columbia.
Sean Fraser
Guide
Sean is an ACMG Ski Guide and CAA Professional Member and has been guiding at LFH since 2006. He has been in the industry since 2000, guiding both heliskiing and ski touring throughout BC and two seasons in New Zealand. Sean also works as an avalanche consultant on industrial projects throughout the local area. In summer, Sean is an avid white-water kayaker and works with Wildfire Management. He lives nearby in Smithers, BC.
