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Kent Vertrees

About

Kent has worked with Steamboat Powdercats as the “Master of Chaos” since 2000. He oversees all of SPC’s reservations and guest happiness, company marketing, public relations, the website and lots of additional, chaotic goodness for the company. Along with these backend jobs, he still gets out twice a week or more onto the snow and into the cats, working as either the daily photographer or as a guide.

After graduating from The Ohio State University (“OH!”) with a degree in Fisheries Management, Kent decided to follow his passion for “living the good life” and became a guiding vagabond. Using Steamboat Springs as his home base, Kent spent several years in the 90’s pursuing his whitewater rafting, fly-fishing and snowmobiling guide dreams.  Then Kent met Steamboat Powdercats.

Since 2000, Kent has been one of our managers and now a part owner.  Most of our guests talk or email with Kent at some point during their experience with us as his niche is focused on our guest experience and company culture.  His positive approach and passion for spreading the Steamboat Powdercats love is contagious.

Beyond Powdercats, Kent is raising his daughters Josephine (Jojo) and Sophie to become deep powder hounds and river rats. His wife Jules is a gorgeous, working mom who, among other things, owns her own international business – Verve Culture. Their dog Stevie, the golden retriever who you’ll see roaming the office, says “Woof Woof”.

Kent has been a leading advocate for recreational and environmental water management, doing his best to protect and enhance local and regional rivers. He has been a longtime board member and staffer with the Friends of the Yampa and sits on multiple other water related and recreation water and public land boards.  He is also an adjunct professor at the Alpine Campus for Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs teaching river and canyon orientation courses.

Kent’s most defining moment: “Climbing those last few steps toward Baxter Peak on Mount Katahdin to conclude my 2,100 mile, Appalachian Trail “thru-hike” in 1992 (trail name “Wasitu”).

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Trips

Backcountry Ski and Splitboard Touring
Backcountry ski and splitboard touring is now one of the fastest-growing activities in the winter snow sports industry. As the technology of climbing skins, AT, randonee gear, and splitboards have evolved, the world of uphill skinning and hiking to earn your powder turns has become more and more popular. Come join us to see for yourself why backcountry ski and splitboarding is becoming such a cherished experience.

Our human powered tours are a great escape from the crowds you may find at ski areas or other popular areas. All of these tours are private, where we work with 1 trip leader, and are limited to up to 4 guests with a single guide. If you are bringing more than 4 people, we would add in an additional guide to the group.

This is a very custom experience, one that we will refine with you to maximize whatever your ability level, fitness, or past backcountry skills may be. From the never ever backcountry skier to the more advanced, we will set a custom tour plan with you and work to achieve your goals with this experience.

During the day, we utilize a snowmobile or even a snowcat to bump you and your crew up into the terrain. Once up high, we park the machine and carry out the day earning our turns. Depending on experience and fitness levels we we will take 3-6 runs, transitioning from ski to hike mode many times, averaging 1500-3000 feet of ascent during the day.

Seasonality
Jan-Feb
Dec
AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course
Steamboat Powdercats offers AIARE (The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) Level I avalanche courses typically in early December and January.

The AIARE Level 1 avalanche course is designed as an introductory “stand-alone decision-makers course” for those planning on traveling and recreating in avalanche terrain. Our instructors are AIARE trained and qualified. The 24 hours of course work focuses on the basic skills necessary to manage your risk in the winter backcountry. These courses are 3-days long with the first day spent in the office and field, then the second and third day are fully spent in the field.

To be successful in this course, participants need to be comfortable in powder on Blue/Black runs at any ski area, and have a decent level of fitness as we will be hiking uphill with our skis and splitboards.

This Level 1 course utilizes the AIARE course curriculum. At the end of the course you will be able to:

• Plan and prepare for travel in avalanche terrain
• Recognize avalanche terrain
• Describe a basic framework for making decisions in avalanche terrain
• Learn and apply effective companion rescue

Seasonality
Jan
Dec
AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course
This three-day course is designed for those who have already taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue course and since then have had at least one year of backcountry travel experience. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision-making skills.

This Level 2 course utilizes the AIARE course curriculum. At the end of the course you will be able to:

• Differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape and identify avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe.
• Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to locate appropriate terrain prior to entering and while in the field.
• Demonstrate leadership skills within a small team that include facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies.
• Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absences of local supporting avalanche information.

This is an advanced level course for those who already have a AIARE Level 1 and an Avalanche Rescue course along with at least one year of backcountry travel.

Seasonality
Mar

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