Born and bred in Alaska, Ari has been an Alaskan ski bum and river guide since earning his biology degree from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA in 2003. He spent ski bum years in the Wasatch and Chamonix Valley, before returning home to AK in 2006. Ari has worked seasonally as a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay and Prince William Sound, a fish biologist on the Yukon River, a remote fly fishing guide in western Alaska, and a ski guide in the Chugach. He met his wife, Melanee on top of Cornbiscuit Mountain in Turnagain Pass while ski touring and they have three adventurous young kids who they have been ski touring with for the last decade, Mia (16), Col Dov (13), and Taz (9).

Skiing is my life-force! Sharing it with others makes it even better. When I'm not out in Turnagain, Alyeska, Hatcher Pass, or Valdez skiing, you can find me with my fiancée Bailey and our dog Murray nestled in our home in Indian, Alaska, or out enjoying the many fishing, biking, paddling, and music splendor AK offers with dear friends and family!

Born and raised in Anchorage, Sam grew up playing hockey to endure the long winters. During the midnight sun-filled summers, he could often be found biking, camping, and fishing around South-Central Alaska. After graduating from Bartlett High School, Sam enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving five years as a helicopter crewmember and flight mechanic aboard the Osprey tilt rotor aircraft. Upon completing his service, he returned home to Anchorage and has since found nostalgia in familiar adventures and adrenaline through outdoor sports. Sam also enjoys packrafting, mountain biking, hiking/backpacking, moderate rock/ice climbing, and really any other excuse to be outdoors. In addition to guiding, Sam volunteers with the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, teaches avalanche education, and still moonlights as a helicopter mechanic.

Merrick is a multi-talented ski guide who leads guests on randonnée, telemark, and splitboard adventures. At 42 years young, she brings over 20 years of guiding experience to the team. She completed her ski guide certification through Nortind (Skivegleder) — Norway’s national mountain guide association. Born and raised in Alaska, Merrick became the youngest person to summit Denali (North America’s highest peak) at just 12 years old and began assistant guiding by the age of 14. In 2009, she moved to Norway and co-founded Tromsø Ski Guides together with Lena Dahl and Edda Rainer. From guiding on Denali and the Tetons to creating unique multi-day adventures in Northern Norway , Merrick brings an international perspective and a wealth of mountain experience to every trip she leads. When in Alaska, she will be working with our team. She has two children and loves keeping their lifestyle active, playful, and safe outdoors. Merrick is proudly sponsored by Norrøna, SGN Skis, Safeback, and Petzl.