about US
Okay, so you may be asking what’s with the walrus?
It all happened one fateful afternoon at a local rock crag where I managed to use my knee to bolster myself onto a ledge on the route we were climbing. My climbing partner spotted this and immediately started heckling me from belay: “What is this?! A knee!? Are you some kind of Alpine Walrus!?”
Of course, in my head, I immediately created an image of this unlikely mammal. I spent the next 10 minutes laughing and just gripped to the wall instead of actually climbing; thank goodness I was on a ledge. I'll never forget that moment, and how for a few short minutes my lack of skill had humbled me entirely... I suppose the rest is history.
The Alpine Walrus is, first and foremost; a symbol that demonstrates how absolutely anyone, with any sort of experience, can play safely in the alpine. Humans, much like walruses, are prone to doing silly things. Fall over on the skin track? Looks like a walrus to me. Climbing up waist deep power without something to float on?
humans are prone to Making Mistakes…
The walrus is my homage to human vulnerability, to the inevitably of making mistakes, to encourage training as a means to get better, and by encouraging training as a means to limit the potential of our sometimes hilarious blunders.
patrick
Owner / Instructor / Architect of Face Shots (Big White)
Hi, my name is Patrick "Poody" Shier, and I am the architect here at Alpine Walrus Training.
My life in snow started at a young age growing up at the foothills of “the shore” A.K.A North Vancouver. After graduating University, I quickly gave up on the idea of a career behind a desk, and started work as a ski patroller at Grouse Mountain. It didn't take long before snow quality on the coast forced me inland to Big White where I have spent almost a decade with the Big White Ski Patrol. I am a snowboarder, and while you may find me on skis from time to time, you will definitely find me hunting berms at a local banked slalom.
I am a Duty Avalanche Forecaster with Big White Ski Resort, and I have two first aid licenses, none of which are as a paramedic. I am part of the training team for the Big White Ski Patrol. I have a long term goal of seeing improved awareness and good decision making in the avalanche terrain areas surrounding Big White.
Whether it is your first time in avalanche terrain, or your hundredth. I look forward to being part of your process.
Brydan
Owner / Instructor / Huge Nerd (Revelstoke)
Anyone who knows me knows I love the mountains, particularly when there’s snow on them.
I learned to snowboard as a teenager and was instantly hooked on the idea of sliding on snow for the rest of my life. I spent some time in Fernie way back in the day, and eventually landed in the Okanagan working as an Engineer and being a weekend warrior at the ski hill. I found myself staring off into the backcountry from the top of the chairlifts and finally I figured it was time to take an AST and start exploring. Long story short - This resulted in a full career change into the avalanche industry.
I’m fascinated by the mechanics of snow and the science behind avalanches. There’s a good chance you’ll find me digging a hole looking at the snow somewhere in the mountains if you haven’t already. I’m an Avalanche Forecaster and a CSGA Guide and I’ve been involved in AST education since 2020.
I’ve learned that I love to teach, and taking a rowdy bunch of skiers and snowboarders into the backcountry every weekend has become one of my favorite parts of winter!
Tristan
Instructor / Guide (Kelowna)
Originally from the icy slopes of Ontario, I moved out West 8 years ago and haven’t looked back. From guiding in northern Japan, to fighting forest fires in Interior BC, I love to educate folks on how to have fun and be safe in the outdoors and can’t wait to share it with you!
