About us

Established in 2003 as an outfitting and guiding company, Selkirk Powder ® Company (SPC) provides snowcat, helicopter, self-propelled, and snowmobile-assisted alpine ski ski excursions and guided snowmobile tours. Uniquely, SPC is a verified outfitter of Polaris Adventures, an AIARE avalanche education Provider, and a member of the National Ski Patrol. With license and permits that cover over 200,000 acres of the rugged and beautiful Selkirk Mountain Range, SPC conveniently operates at Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, Idaho, one of the largest ski areas in the United States Pacific Northwest.

We are a small group of professionals with similar passions and interests revolving around powder snow and all that's fun in it. We are diverse: skiers, snowboarders, telemarkers, sledders climbers, alpinists, heavy equipment operators, cdl drivers, deputies, firefighters, professional EMS, loggers, fishing guides, entrepreneurs, professors, recording artists, moms, dads, conservatives, liberals, veterans, hippies and rastas. We assemble seasonally, ready to tackle all that it takes to bring you the “best day ever”. Early Fall has us busy with prep of machinery, slopes and annual in-house training while guides reapply for licenses, go through medical and avalanche certification refreshers. As early winter comes on we participate in on-snow training, and when the resort opens the Great Escape Quad, it's game on! Come mid-April we’re all pretty tuckered (except Ken) and we part ways to relax, recline and recover. And as the bright rays of summer glow we resurface on bikes, for beers and all sorts of shenanigans.

Guides & staff

Ken Barrett

Co-Founder, President & Chief Guide

Ken, the last kid of an FIS racing–oriented New Hampshire family, grew up on the slick and fun slopes of Mt. Sunapee and Cannon Mountain. In 1994, he was invited to Sandpoint, and it’s been a whirlwind of skis and bikes ever since. In 1999 he stated his first outfitting and guiding operation, All About Adventures. In 2003, along with Chip Kamin of Pittsburgh & Telluride, he founded Selkirk Powder. Today, he manages the all aspects of the company and skis when he can sneak into a seat. Connect with Ken on LinkedIn

Qualifications & memberships
- NSP Outdoor Emergency Care
- AAA Level 1
- CAA Ski Operations Level 1
- AIARE Level 2
- LFN Safe Utilization of Air Medical Helicopters Landing Zones, Communications & Operations
- National Ski Patrol
- Idaho Level 2 Alpine Ski Guide
Ronnie Smith

Reservations Manager

Ronnie came to us last season from Vail where he was heavily involved in the front-end of slopeside luxury lodging providing concierge and transportation services and skiing powder. After his early days in Maryland, the western powder snow beckoned; Colorado proved to be more his lifestyle until he was clued into Sandpoint and Selkirk Powder Co. When not dialing in the front-end of SPC, he can be found chilling in Sandpoint riding his MTB, paddling his SUP, making music and awesome BBQ.
John Grollmus

Senior Guide

John, born and raised in the Inland Northwest, is a fantastic lead ski cat skiing guide. When not showing folks the ultimate powder experience, you can find him managing a group of great local restaurants, riding all sorts of bikes, or cat skiing in Canada with his wife Kim.

John details a normal day in “The serious responsibility and epic joys of a backcountry ski guide” for the Inlander.

Qualifications & memberships
- Wilderness First Responder
- AAA Level 1
- AAA Level 2
- Idaho Level 2 Alpine Ski Guide
James Rowland

Senior Guide

James, our longest serving snowcat guide, came to us in 2008 after catching the powder bug in the deep Sierras as a wee-lad and crafting his guiding skills in southern Colorado. James is Selkirk Powder’s Guide Development Coordinator and High School Internship Mentor.

When not dishing out “best day ever” mountain experiences to our guests, James can be found serving in our community in the mental health and substance abuse recovery fields supporting our most vulnerable populations; he is also a private, single-engine pilot. James and his wife Julie can be found chasing their two tenacious toddlers from sun-up to sun-down while James looks forward to sharing the guiding craft with his pedigree one day.

Follow James’ daily powder stories on Instagram: @jrowski77.

Qualifications & memberships
- National Ski Patrol (since 2008)
- NSP Outdoor Emergency Care
- AAA Level 1
- AIARE Level 1 & Level 2
- Idaho Level 2 Alpine Ski Guide
Jason Hershey

Guide

Jason, aka Powder Animal (and O-Shen—Google that one), is a dad, entrepreneur, and reggae recording artist who just perhaps might have the most time spent skinning and riding the mountains of eastern Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana. To keep the paddle—powder vibe going all year long, Jason operates Inland Board Riders, a SUP and backcountry snowboard / splitboard rental business. In winter, he’s one of our go-to guides for cat skiing and—specifically—backcountry ski touring.

Get to know Jason a little more with the piece “Exploring the Northwest’s mountains turned Jason Hershey from a water man into a mountain man” from the Inlander.

Qualifications & memberships
- Emergency Medical Technician
- AAA Level 1
- AIARE Level 2
- AIARE Avalanche Rescue
- AIARE Pro 1
- Idaho Level 2 Alpine Ski Guide
Jason Keen

Guide

Jason lives a very active lifestyle and leads our helicopter skiing guide team. When not keeping things straight as a Lieutenant for Spokane Fire Department, you’ll find him skinning, climbing, mountain biking, or just about anything else with his wife Heather and their dog Koda. This season, Jason will be completing his credentials to join our avalanche education course leader team.

The Spokesman-Review covers a couple of Jason’s adventures: a characteristic photo and a full weekend.

Qualifications & memberships
- Emergency Medical Technician
- AAA Level 1
- AIARE Level 2
- AIARE Avalanche Rescue
- AIARE Pro 1
- Idaho Level 2 Alpine Ski Guide
John Cyr

Guide

What can we say about Poppa Smurf? Not enough! Originally from Maine and Alaska, John is a tremendous snowmobile guide. Married for many happy years to his wife Pam, in summer, John rides a marine patrol boat and a Harley; in winters, why he’s for quality time skiing powder (with Pam, of course!), snowmobiling, and shooting skeet.

Qualifications & memberships
- Emergency Medical Technician
- AAA Level 1
- Idaho Snowmobile Guide
Kevin Stolbrock

Guide

@gowestyoungman3 is pursuing guiding full time now. From the Midwest until he wised up, Kevin is happily climbing big granite and instructing avalanche and other outdoor education courses for Kaf Adventures out of Seattle and guiding backcountry touring and cat skiing for us. Kevin spearheads the avalanche education courses taught here at SP.

Qualifications & memberships
- Wilderness First Responder
- NSP Outdoor Emergency Care
- LNT Trainer
- Professional Avalanche Level 1
- Professional Avalanche Level 2
- AIARE Course Instructor
- AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide
- AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide
- AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
- National Ski Patrol
- Idaho Level 2 Alpine Ski Guide
Brock Browning

Guide

Brock qualified as a guide upon reaching his 18^th birthday because he had all the prerequisites in the bag already. Sprouted in So Cal and transplanted to No Idaho, Brock’s natural tendency is to take people under his wing on fun adventures. Following his passion, Brock is now studying Recreation, Sport & Tourism Management at University of Idaho and rallying with us as much as he can.

Qualifications & memberships
- Wilderness First Responder
- AAA Level 1
- Idaho Snowmobile Guide
Sage Geurber

Guide

Sage comes to us from Rathdrum and is a very experienced IOGLB fly fishing guide, snowboarder, and snowmobiler. An expert in fish biology, he can take you to some of the fantastic fishing holes down below in the Priest River valley. If you are looking for a guide to take you down the Coeur d’Alene during the fishing season, land a hook with Sage through Castaway Fly Fishing Shop.

Qualifications & memberships
- Wilderness First Responder
- AAA Level 1
- Idaho Snowmobile Guide
John Reese

Guide

JR, a northern Idaho native, joined Selkirk Powder a few seasons ago. A husband, father, runner, mountain biker, state athletic record holder, college professor, and entrepreneur; he is also a Level 2 guide working on all tour teams, including helicopter. This season, John is finishing his prerequisites for lead avalanche courses…and he can ride!

Qualifications & memberships
- NSP Outdoor Emergency Care
- AAA Level 1
- AIARE Level 2
- AIARE Avalanche Rescue
- AIARE Pro 1
- National Ski Patrol
- Idaho Level 1 Alpine Ski Guide
Johnny Schulte

Guide & Ski Patrol Director

Johnny, a So Cal boy, is a retired Flight Controller and former Squaw Valley ski patrolman who loves everything-outdoors. Accomplished at crafts from woodworking to engine repair, from drone piloting to skiing, he stays busy making Alix’s and his riverside home a retired couple’s paradise while helping to dial in SPC’s safety-related protocols. “Well-rounded, retired, and enthusiastic’, sums-up this guy James has started to fondly refer to as “Shooter” ;)

Qualifications & memberships
- NSP Outdoor Emergency Care
- AAA Level 1
- National Ski Patrol
- Idaho Level 1 Alpine Ski Guide
Carrie Reese

Reservations agent & Guide

Carrie joined Selkirk Powder in 2017 as a member of our ski patrol. A native of Coeur d’Alene, an excellent skier, mother and wife to JR, Carrie’s National Ski Patrol history started under the direction of Dave Alley at Silver Mountain. Thank Carrie when you receive a delicious soup—she’s usually responsible.

Qualifications & memberships
- NSP Outdoor Emergency Care
- National Ski Patrol
Alix Schulte

Reservations agent

Alix grew up in the PNW and has had wonderful life experiences all around the world. Her passion has always been skiing and now after a stint in Tahoe working at Diamond Peak and volunteering with Squaw Valley NSP, she’s taking on the less-gory details of our reservations system. We’ve never asked, but somehow she partnered with Johnny. They came up to SPC in 2018 to go cat skiing with close friends from the Tahoe area, had an epiphany, and moved to a wonderful Pend Oreille river-side home. Art, music, home rehab, private tutoring, and work on the couple's small enterprise, Ponder Productions, keep her busy when not making the front-end of SPC hum like a fine tune.
Kyle Bryan

Snowcat operator

Kyle, who grew up on the buff corduroy slopes of Crystal Mountain, liked riding it so much he made it one of his professions. In his long grooming career, he has worked on multiple continents and acted in the capacity of grooming supervisor at Crystal and The Canyons before feeling the overwhelming gravitational pull of his Schweitzer mountainside home.
Tim Reed

Snowcat operator

Tim is a firefighter & EMT and a small business owner when he’s not driving a snowcat or ski patrolling for us. Tim was raised in Sandpoint, and after a few years of grooming at Park City, has returned to raise his two talented sons Jackson and Russell.

Qualifications
- Emergency Medical Technician
Emma Peel

Dog

Every business needs a support dog, and we’re super lucky to have Emma Peel hanging around the lodge whenever Ken can bring her. She’s an American Field Labrador adept at riding snowmobiles and a lover of riding in snowcats. Look forward to meeting this fun-loving and cuddily powderhound.