All Guides:

Are certified as Wilderness First Responders and hold current CPR cards.

Have completed at least an Avalanche level 2 course.

Perform routine timed beacon drills with at least three buried beacons. Results are recorded.

Carry first aid supplies, avalanche equipment, extra food, water and warm clothes.

Lead Guides:

Have at least five years professional ski guiding experience, and extensive local terrain familiarity.

Dig routine snow pits and keep season-long records of snow stability tests, weather and avalanche observations.

Carry a rescue sled kit, fire building kit, and an emergency communication device, either satellite phone or vhf radio.

Guests:

Complete a “fitness to ski” form and sign a liability release.

Receive a thorough safety briefing prior to embarking on every tour.

Receive instructions in the use of avalanche rescue equipment.

Are encouraged to maintain open communication with our guide so we can serve you best.


Mountain Goat is permitted to operate on public lands by the U.S. Forest Service and the B.L.M. and in order to obtain this permit a comprehensive operation plan was submitted and approved. This is a public record available at the Columbine Ranger District field office in Bayfield, Colorado.

                                                 Guides  

            “Come with me if you want to live”

                                            Arnold Schwarzenegger

Michael Barton is Mountain Goats founder and lead guide. He has been

a ski guide  and ski patroller at Silverton Mountain for six years, during which

time he has safely guided hundreds of guests each year in avalanche terrain.

As a patroller he gained experience in injury treatment, high angle rescue, and

performed extensive snow stability analysis and avalanche mitigation using

explosives. Michael says, “ This was the most intensive period of avalanche

education of my life.” Over the previous four winters he also worked as field

assistant to Chris Landry,  the director of the Center for Snow and Avalanche

Studies, in Silverton.  Under Landry’s mentorship Michael honed his skills in formal

scientific snow analysis. During the previous six summers Michael has led multi-

week mountaineering courses for high school students for Deer Hill Expeditions.

Here he cultivated skills in risk management and expedition planning.  Michael

was born and raised skiing in Colorado and founded Mountain Goat because he

says, “I want to provide the opportunity for people to

experience the challenges and rewards of backcountry skiing.

For learning  humility, reverence for nature and responsibility,the mountains are great teachers.”

Chris Landry is a guest instructor. Landry has had an illustrious career as a

pioneer in the world of ski mountaineering. He has accomplished first descents

in Alaska and Colorado and has spent more time in the mountains than most.

Currently Landry lives in Silverton where he spends his time directing his own

organization, the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies. This non-profit

supports snow systems research and maintains three remote weather and

climate monitoring stations on Red Mountain Pass. Landry has learned

through a long and adventurous career that “ an attitude of humility

in the mountains is an essential quality for a long life.”

Mike Barney is an assistant guide. He also guided and patrolled at Silverton

Mountain for  the past five years.  As an avalanche control route leader,

Barney conducts routine explosive testing and stability analysis. Additionally, he

has spent the previous three spring seasons guiding  helicopter skiing in the Chugach

Mountains near Valdez, Alaska. Through this he has gained experience in reading

terrain, high angle and crevasse rescue, and guest care.

                                  Guiding Policies and Procedures: Backcountry skiing is inherently hazardous. 

                                               Here is how Mountain Goat Ski Guides minimizes risk to our guests and guides.

guides