Jamie Pierce
Level 2 Lead AIARE Instructor

Jamie has been a Mountain & Ski Guide for 20 years. He is a certified IFMGA Guide and an AMGA Rock, Ski Mountaineering and Alpine Giude, a professional member of the American Avalanche Association, and an AIAIRE Level 2 Course Leader. He has personally and professionally climbed and guided on 6 Continents.

Jamie's approach to teaching comes from his vast experience as a guide. It is not only practical and educational but a whole lot of fun in the process.

His true passion is cooking and eating with friends!

Susan Purvis
Level 1 AIARE Instructor

Susan is an AIARE Level 1 avalanche instructor and Wilderness EMT. She brings a unique perspective and practical experience to all of her courses. Sue has been involved in avalanche education, wilderness medicine, search and rescue, and avalanche deployment since 1995. Sue and her dog Tasha have responded to numerous avalanche missions with the Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment Program (C-RAD). Sue owns and operates Crested Butte Outdoors (www.cboutdoors.com) where she teaches wilderness medicine and K-9 avalanche courses around the world. For more information on Susan's recent activities log onto www.susanpurvis.com. Currently, Susan and her dog Tasha live in Whitefish, Montana where she is working on a memoir about her decade long K-9 career with Tasha.

Ben Stormes
Backcountry Skills Instructor

After 25 years in the manufacturing business, Ben moved his family to Whitefish for the quality of living and the proximity to the outdoors. His wife Jennifer and two sons, Ben and Mark are all avid skiers and love the outdoors. Ben is a world class sailor, professional ski patroller, ski instructor, cat ski and river guide. He spent the summer of ’06 as the lead guide at the Walk in the Treetops Adventure on Big Mountain. He is currently a guide for Valhalla Adventures Powder Skiing here in Whitefish. Ben has skied extensively in North America including Alaska, as well as Japan, the Alps and South America with some of the world’s best adventure skiers, and has 3 first descents in the Andes to his credit.

Ben is a PSIA Level 2 instructor, a NOLS Wilderness First Responder, an NSP Outdoor Emergency Care technician and a Whitewater Rescue Technician with Rescue 3 International. He has completed courses in Avalanche 1 and 2, as well as the National Avalanche Foundation’s National Avalanche School phases 1 and 2. He is also a pro-rep for Lange/Dynastar here in NW Montana.

Ben has a passion for skiing which he loves to share with others. Known as a full on “gear geek”, he always has the tool, the goggle wipe, or 1st aid item someone in the group needs. Ben brings a wealth of experience and energy to Whitefish Backcountry.

Tucker
Therapy Dog

Tucker is a Bernese mountain dog and Certified Therapy dog. Born March 25th, 2001 in St. Clair Shores Michigan, Tucker joined the Stormes’ family when he was 8 weeks old. His name comes from Tuckerman’s Ravine, a very steep bowl on the backside of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. Hiking Tuckerman’s has become an annual rite of spring for skiers since it is far too avalanche prone to ski at any other time of year. Tucker lives for winter and being in the snow, he just can’t get enough of it.

Tucker visits hospitals, nursing homes and Veteran homes to share his gift of love with others. He loves to be with people of any age. Tucker can be seen with his handlers Ben and Jennifer almost anywhere in town. If you see him, stop and say “Hi” that just makes his day!