About us
Founded in 2003 as an outfitting and guiding company, Selkirk Powder ® Company (SPC) provides cat skiing and heli-skiing adventures as well as self-propelled and snowmobile-assisted alpine ski tours. In addition, SPC is an AIARE (American Institute Avalanche Research and Education) course provider with an in-house staff of instructors and, for the safety of guests and employees, maintains a Professional Division of the National Ski Patrol (NSP). Uniquely, SPC is also a certified Polaris Adventures Outfitter with incredible snowmobile tours. What really sets Selkirk Powder apart from other winter guiding outfits is the tremendous variety of winter recreation sports covered and breadth of our permit area—over 200,000 acres of the rugged and beautiful Selkirk Mountain range in the northern Idaho Panhandle. We conveniently operate under a concessionaire agreement with Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, one of the largest ski areas in the United States Pacific Northwest with permits granted by the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL).
Renowned for their camaraderie and competence, our guides and staff are chosen for their inherent ability to put our guests at ease.
Guides
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Ken Barrett
Co-Founder & Chief GuideKen, 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 bicycles and skis since. In 2003, along with Chip Kamin of Pittsburgh & Telluride, he founded Selkirk Powder. Today, he manages the all aspects of the company and skis with guests upon request or on really good days when he can sneak 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
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John Grollmus
GuideJohn, 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
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James Rowland
GuideJames is our longest serving guide and has guided here since 2008. Originally from Long Beach, James now raises two spunky kids, Grady and Harper, with his wife Julie. When not providing social skills aid to area folks with needs, he’ll be faithfully found properly slaying pow lines for his new and returning cat skiing guests.
Qualifications & memberships
- NSP Outdoor Emergency Care
- AAA Level 1
- AIARE Level 2
- National Ski Patrol
- Idaho Level 2 Alpine Ski Guide
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Matt Neuman
GuideMatt, a member of our helicopter guide team, hails from western Washington and Central Idaho. He contributes his skills driving snowcats, ski guiding, and also acts as SP’s snowpack observer & avalanche technician. Second to spending dad-time with his kiddo, Matt revels in the gym and running or cycling the steep trails of the Inland Northwest.
Qualifications & memberships
- Wilderness First Responder
- AAA Level 1
- AIARE Level 2
- Idaho Level 2 Alpine Ski Guide
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Sean Corbett
GuideSean, born and raised in Chico, California, has been with Selkirk Powder since 2013. A class V whitewater kayaker with time spent with the Nantahala Outdoor Center, Sean has amassed the skills and credentials to lead the reservations team and as well as snowmobile and cat skiing tours. In summers, you’ll find him and his partner Sarah in kayaks or on the side of a steep mountain.
Qualifications & memberships
- NSP Outdoor Emergency Care
- AAA Level 1
- AIARE Level 2
- National Ski Patrol
- Idaho Level 2 Alpine Ski Guide
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Jason Hershey
GuideJason, 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
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Jason Keen
GuideJason 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
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John Cyr
GuideWhat 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
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Kevin Dombrock
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
- AIARE Course Instructor
- AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide
- AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide
- AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
- National Ski Patrol
- Idaho Level 1 Alpine Ski Guide
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Brock Browning
GuideBrock qualified as a guide upon reaching his 18th 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
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John Reese
GuideJR, 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
Reservations agents + Guides
All reservations staff guide tours as well.
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Mary Wilkosz
Reservations Lead & GuideMary brings a plethora of skills and talents to SP. Born and raised in Minnesota and a former alpine and telemark racer, Mary has lived in the West since 1984. She is a PSIA-certified L2 ski instructor, licensed snowmobile guide and accomplished yoga instructor. She's been with us since 2017 and will be pursuing more snowcat time this season while adeptly overseeing our reservations system
Qualifications & memberships
- Wilderness First Aid
- AAA Level 1
- Idaho Snowmobile Guide
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Carrie Reese
Reservations agent & GuideCarrie 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
Snowcat operators
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Kyle Bryan
Snowcat operatorKyle, 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.
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Tim Reed
Snowcat operatorTim 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
Support staff
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Emma Peel
DogEvery 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.
Employment
To inquire about employment opportunities, please send a résumé (with cover letter) to employment@selkirkpowder.com.