Safety & Guides
Safety is the product.
Clinicians trust us with their clients. These are the standards we hold on every event, written down so you can check them.
Guides
Professional, local, experienced
Every event is run by professional guides who work this terrain season after season.
Group size
Small groups, always
About five participants per event, plus the lead clinician.
Screening
Two professionals, each in their lane
The clinician screens for clinical readiness in their own practice. Our lead guide reviews physical and technical readiness. Nobody joins without both.
Daily decisions
Terrain chosen each morning
The lead guide sets each day's objective from the snowpack, weather and how the group is doing, and can change the plan at any time.
Emergency plan
Written before every event
- Evacuation routes and meeting points for each area
- Field communications and the nearest medical care
- Shared with the clinician before the event
Permits
Permitted access only
- Chugach National Forest special use permit
- Kenai Fjords commercial use authorization
Lead guide
Merrick Johnston
she/her · Chugach Ski Guides
Merrick has guided the Kenai backcountry for over a decade. She holds judgment over terrain, snowpack, weather and technical safety, and can change the plan at any point.
For funders and partners
We're glad to walk you through the model, our safety standards and the team.