Aaron Mainer - Owner/lead Guide
A native of Washington State and Co-Owner of CPC, Aaron was introduced to the outdoors at an early age by his parents, who often took he and his sister skiing, backpacking, and boating. He attended the University of Puget Sound, where he graduated with a degree in International Political Economy. He has been a professional mountain guide for nearly a decade and in that time has guided over 100 trips to the summit of Mount Rainier, several trips to Alaska, Antarctica, South America, and the Himalaya, including Mount Everest. His passion is for ski mountaineering and he has skied throughout Washington, Canada and Alaska, including first descents on Rainier, Shuksan, and Denali.
Certs: AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide, EMT, AIARE Instructor
Ryan Murray - Owner/Lead Guide
Ryan worked and skied at Schweitzer, Squaw Valley, Bridger Bowl, and Kirkwood before settling in Leavenworth, WA. In addition to scheduling groups and making sure everything is in line for your perfect powder day, Ryan can be found guiding clients, taking weather and snowpack observations, and issuing daily forecasts. Every spring Ryan makes the pilgrimage to Alaska's Chugach Range. From March-April you can find him hanging out with his other family at Points North Heli in Cordova. Ryan's favorite part of the job... exploring terrain while ski touring and searching for the perfect location for our next yurt somewhere in the PNW!
Certs: AMGA Ski Guide, AIARE Avalanche Course Leader, WFR
Austin Shannon - Owner/Lead Guide
Austin Shannon grew up in Bend Oregon where his love for the mountains began. He followed that passion to Colorado for college at Colorado Christian University. During his time in Colorado he enjoyed all that it had to offer, from rock climbing and ice climbing, to snowboarding and mountaineering. Austin has been professionally guiding since 2008 and has climbed all over the world in places such as South America, Alaska, and Mexico. When he's not guiding you're likely to find Austin attached to a tree with his chainsaw, hunting, or somewhere or on his skis pointing downhill.
Certs: IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide, AIARE Avalanche Course Leader, WFR
Dan Junk - Lead Operator
Dan is a local legend born and raised in the Skykomish Valley. There aren’t many machines that he hasn’t operated or been able to get back up and running with grace and style. Dan has over 20 years operating snowcats both inbounds at Stevens and in the BC here at CPG. In his 14 years at CPG, Dan’s skills behind the wheel have improved access to more runs, made the time in the cat smooth as butter, and saved many a guests day when mechanical issues arise. When not up at the yurt, Dan loves time on his snowmobile exploring new lines and getting his kids out fishing in the Sound. If you can get Dan to crack a smile, you’re gonna have a good day!
Experience: Terrain Park Manager @StevensPass, Ponderosa Shop Mechanic & Welder, Cutters Camp, School of Hard Knocks
Chris Petry - Guide
Chris Petry grew up in Ithica, NY and his dad was a race car driver. Chris moved out to Washington and took a job running trip logistics for Mountain Madness, which is where his guiding career started, shortly after he took our guide school in 2009 and has been with us ever since, sometimes in spirit only. Chris has spent over a decade guiding in the winters and farming in summer at his home in Leavenworth. You may have bought veggies from him at the Seattle markets where he was known as farmer Chris from “Oh Yeah Farms.” As the CEO(Chief Entertainment Officer) at our yurt, Chris is always the guy to have a story to tell at the dinner table and definitely the guy to ask for anything you need to enjoy your stay!
Certs: AIARE II, WFR
Eric Gullickson - Lead Guide
Eric was born and raised in Kansas, but now resides in Cashmere, WA. He has been guiding since 2006 and working for Cascade Powder Guides since 2014. In 2020 Eric fulfilled a lifelong goal and became an AMGA certified ski guide. When not ski guiding, Eric and his wife Anna run an animal sanctuary at their home in Cashmere. Around the yurt Eric is a good guy to approach for tips to improve your powder skiing style! Eric is also a connoisseur of the 4frnt ski collection so he is a great guy to ask about our awesome demo fleet and finding the right ski for you.
Certs: AMGA Ski Guide, WFR
Matt Kelly - Yurt Host/Guide in Training
Matt Kelly grew up ski racing, running, and spending as much time outside as possible in Afton, Minnesota. The mountains and one of the only snow science programs in the country brought him to Bozeman, Montana, where he is currently putting the finishing touches on an undergraduate degree in snow science at Montana State University. Matt was the inaugural CPG intern during the winter of 21’-22’ where hear earned the nickname “Shovel”. Matt is appreciated for his work ethic, astute observational skills, and his terrible sense of humor. Around the yurt Matt is the guy always moving and making sure your stay is top notch. Please give this guy some new jokes when you meet him!
Certs: AIARE Level 1-2, Pro I, Wilderness First Responder
Cole Panter - Apprentice Guide
Cole was born and raised on the Western Slopes of Colorado and later spent time in the Wasatch mountains of Utah where he worked building and finishing skis DPS. He has made his way to Leavenworth to enjoy mountain living and explore the Cascades. He is a passionate skier, ski mountaineer, and is currently pursuing AMGA ski guiding certifications. In his free time you will find him enjoying the outdoors and spending time with his partner Erin, and their dog Roxy. At the yurt Cole is the guy you want to ask for gear advice as he spent years testing and writing about ski mountaineering equipment. Cole is kinda new so we aren’t sure about his sense of humor yet, but he is always smiling!
Certs: AIARE Pro 1, AMGA ASC, WFR
