Meet Owen: One Of Our Expert Backcountry Guides

Our guides are pretty proud of the Australian backcountry, and we are pretty proud of our guides! Keep scrolling and join us as we shine a light on backcountry guide, Owen!

Owen’s journey with Thredbo began back in 2001, when he hit the slopes as a ski and snowboard instructor – even picking up telemarking to explore the backcountry long before it was on most people’s radar. Two decades later, he’s back with Thredbo’s backcountry guiding team, sharing his deep local knowledge and passion for venturing beyond the resort boundaries. Alongside guiding, Owen helps deliver backcountry condition reports for the Mountain Safety Collective and brings formal training in wilderness first aid, guiding and avalanche risk management to every trip.

How did you get into guiding and what skills have you developed?

As a former ski and snowboard instructor who grabbed every opportunity to be in the backcountry for my own fun, it felt like a natural progression moving into guiding. While instructing experience is great for helping guests develop their backcountry skills through a structured learning progression, I’ve needed to round out my guiding skills with advanced first aid, navigation and avalanche safety certifications.

What’s your favourite thing about guiding in Thredbo’s backcountry?

Being able to utilise the resort’s lift system to access amazing backcountry terrain is a huge advantage for guests at Thredbo – we’re out and into it immediately instead of slogging uphill for a couple of hours just to get our first turns. As Thredbo’s guiding team is fully integrated into the resort’s operations, our safety protocols and access to emergency support is something no other guiding team has in Australia.  

What kind of terrain can people expect to explore on a Thredbo Backcountry Tour?

The beauty of Thredbo is we can access backcountry terrain suitable for all levels of experience. We have three main zones that we’ll access depending on the tour, starting with gentler rolling terrain for Introduction tours, longer runs on steeper terrain for our Explore & Expand tours and very challenging, steep, terrain for experienced guests.

What’s one thing people are always surprised to learn on a backcountry tour?

Regardless of experience level, most people are surprised about what they’re capable of with an experienced guide that’s able to push them whilst maintaining a high level of safety. There’s a real sense of accomplishment for our guests after a big day touring.

What makes backcountry skiing or riding different to a resort day?

Regardless of the tour, there’s always a real sense of adventure leaving the resort boundary and heading into a vast, untracked, alpine wilderness where you need to be completely self-reliant.

Favourite snack to pack in your bag for a big day out?

I’m a big fan of nut bars for an instant high calorie protein hit!

Fun fact about you?

My 15 minutes of internet fame happened when we stumbled across a snow leopard while ski touring in Kashmir, India. The go-pro footage ended up on most major news websites around the world and got millions of views – even the National Geographic featured it!

What’s the one piece of gear/equipment you’ll never go without in the backcountry (besides your safety equipment)?

All gear in our guiding packs is safety equipment in one form or another – whether it’s a spare puffer jacket, extra snacks or a head torch. But in this everything-digital age I always carry a paper topographic map and magnetic compass so I can find my way home no matter what happens!

If you’re inspired by Owen’s story, or just keen to get out there yourself, hit the link below to explore our backcountry tours and book one in today!

Explore Backcountry Tours