At Big Sky Backcountry Guides, professionalism, safety, and service come above everything else.
That's why we employ the finest guides and operate with small guest/guide ratios. But guiding isn't only about finding the safest route and deepest snow; it's about sharing experiences, making connections, and ensuring the very best mountain experience possible. Let our team of friendly, experienced guides and educators show you an amazing time in the mountains of Southwest Montana and beyond.
Drew Pogge
BSBG Owner/Lead Guide
Level 3 Avalanche
Wilderness First Responder/CPR
AMGA Apprentice Ski Guide
Professional Member, American Avalanche Association (A3)
Drew has lived and skied in Bozeman for more than 22 years, and in addition to founding Big Sky Backcountry Guides & Bell Lake Yurt in 2013, is former editor-in-chief of Backcountry Magazine, managing editor at Skiing Magazine, and an award-winning freelance writer and photographer for dozens of other publications, anthologies, and books. He serves on the board of American Avalanche Association (A3), and is passionate about avalanche education and research. Ski mountaineering has led him around the world--to the ultra-remote Torngat Mountains in Labrador, the Yukon's Tombstone Range, Arctic Norway, the volcanoes of Ecuador and the Chilean Andes, Iceland, Alaska (Denali, the Boundary Range, and elsewhere), and all over the continental U.S. Drew loves guiding as much as he loves skiing, and looks forward to sharing some incredible mountain experiences with you.
Derek Lennon
Guide/Educator
LEVEL 3 AVALANCHE
Wilderness First Responder/CPR
AMGA-Certified Ski Guide
Professional Member, American Avalanche Association (A3)
Derek has worked with BSBG for 10 years, and full time in the ski industry since 2004. He loves sharing his passion for the great outdoors with others. For nearly a decade, Derek chased endless winter as a ski instructor and ski guide in North America, Chile, and New Zealand. Today, Derek is based in Big Sky, Montana. When Derek isn't exploring the local backcountry in search of steep lines and deep powder, he's probably indoctrinating his kids with the powder bug.
Colin Snider
Guide/Educator
Pro 1 Avalanche
Wilderness First Responder/CPR
AMGA Apprentice Ski, Rock, and Alpine Guide
Affiliate Member, American Avalanche Association (A3)
M.S. Environmental Education
Colin has been guiding with BSBG for three years, grew up skiing the small icy hills of southern Indiana and got his first taste of real skiing in southwestern Montana at the age of 9. Since then, a love of the mountains has taken him to ranges around the continental US, Alaska, Europe and South America. Colin is passionate about technical mountain travel of all kinds and spends his summers guiding alpine and rock climbs in the Tetons and Beartooths when he’s not in his true happy place—making powder turns. He is an educator at heart and his calling is helping others reach their goals in the mountains.
Mike Lavery
Guide/Educator
Pro 1 Avalanche
Wilderness First Responder/CPR
AMGA Apprentice Ski Guide
Professional Member, American Avalanche Association (A3)
Mike has been guiding with BSBG for three years, and grew up ski racing in New Hampshire but has called Bozeman, MT home since 2012. Whether it’s spinning laps off the lifts or big spring ski mountaineering missions, Mike lives to ski. He’s toured extensively in the backcountry around SW Montana, the Tetons, and British Columbia, ski patrolled at Big Sky Resort, and floated through cold smoke powder at Bridger Bowl. After 15 years as a mechanical engineer, Mike now works as a guide and spends a lot more time outside! Once the snow melts, you’ll find Mike on his mountain bike or training for trail ultra-marathons.
Wesley Jones
Guide/Educator
Pro 1 Avalanche
EMT/CPR
AMGA Aprentice Splitboard, Rock, and Alpine Guide
Professional Member, American Avalanche Association (A3)
Wesley has been guiding with BSBG for two years, grew up in southern Indiana and was first introduced to snowboarding in Mammoth Lakes, CA at the age of 10. Since then, Wesley has taken his passion for Splitboarding all over the Western United States and British Columbia. When Wesley is not in search of fresh powder turns, he is guiding alpine climbs in the PNW, or climbing, mountain biking, or rafting rivers until the next season’s snow arrives. He has a deep love for splitboarding and helping others see what’s possible in the backcountry with a splitboard.
Dr. Chris Pierce
Guide/Educator
Pro 1 Avalanche
Wilderness First Responder/CPR
Professional Member, American Avalanche Association (A3)
Chris has been guiding for BSBG for three years, and first learned to ski in the epic hills of Northeastern Ohio. Despite humble beginnings, his ski career accelerated quickly in the backcountry near Lake Tahoe and throughout Colorado. Chris has skied in many parts of the world, including Alaska, British Columbia, Switzerland, Iceland, Japan, and Chile. Today, Chris is a PhD field researcher at Montana State University, with emphasis on glacier dynamics in Antarctica and the Canadian Arctic. He is a 10-year veteran of mountain search and rescue and dedicated avalanche educator. In his spare time, you will find Chris skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, and climbing.
Wyatt Hubbard
Guide/Educator
Pro 1 Avalanche
Wilderness First Responder/CPR
Affiliate Member, American Avalanche Association (A3)
After growing up in the flatlands of Chicago, dreams of powder skiing brought Wyatt to the mountains of Montana where he graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Snow Science. When he isn’t deep in a snow pit—or deep in a telemark turn—you can find him getting an early start up on a peak or in a local bakery. The only thing Wyatt loves more than seeking adventure in the mountains is sharing that experience with others.
Spencer Jonas
Guide/Educator Emeritus
Level 3 Avalanche
Wilderness First Responder/CPR
EMT
AMGA Assistant Ski Guide
Professional Member, American Avalanche Association (A3)
Spencer started guiding for BSBG since 2014. He grew up in Girdwood, Alaska and got his first taste for the backcountry at 12 years old on an old pair of hand me down telemark skis from his dad. He cut his teeth in the Chugach, but Bozeman is now home—he's always drawn back to the cold smoke of SW Montana. Spencer has skied high peaks all over the western U.S., Norway, the Andes, and volcanoes of Mexico. The only thing he finds more satisfying than making a powder turn is throwing a high five after making a powder turn—his stoke and appreciation of the mountains is infectious!