Meet the Team
High Mountain Guide UIAGM
Paul Verdier
UIAGM Splitboard Guide
Jean-Yves Fredriksen
BASI 4 Snowboard & Splitboard Instructor
Rory Burton
Crew Support
Paul Shirley
Crew Support
Jeremy Gordon
Splitboard and Snowboard Instructor
Quentin Keller
WHAT IS A UIAGM SPLITBOARD GUIDE?
A snowboard instructor (ISTD) can teach to pro level and can guide off piste on slopes of up to 45 degrees. A high mountain (UIAGM) splitboard guide is qualified to take you into more technical backcountry and glaciated terrain necessitating the use of ropes. They can also take you to ride slope aspects of 45 degrees and above.
RIDER SOCIAL UIAGM GUIDES ARE ALSO INSTRUCTORS.
The Rider Social currently has 3 UIAGM splitboard guides on its roster. They also all hold the ISTD qualification. This is a rare thing and it means that they are also qualified to teach splitboard & snowboard technique at altitude or on backcountry expeditions.
WE ARE SPLITBOARD SAVVY
All of our guides are splitboarders too. The benefit is that the routes they choose & the skin tracks they make on the ascents will always be suitable for splitboarders.
“Groups of 4 mean we can move quickly and safely”
SAFETY
Backcountry snowboarding is by its nature prone to danger. Every day on every trip we constantly assess the snow pack, terrain, group ability and weather conditions.
We aren’t afraid to shut down on a route if it’s not the safest it can be. Aside from your lead UIAGM guide you will also have a crew support member trained in mountain specific first aid accompanying the group who can lend advice, binding spares and a general helping hand if needed.
We only take small groups on most trips (4 max) meaning we can move quickly and safely in the mountains.