about US
Okay, so you may be asking what’s with the walrus?
It all happened one fateful afternoon at a local rock crag where I managed to use my knee to bolster myself onto a ledge on the route we were climbing. My climbing partner spotted this and immediately started heckling me from belay: “What is this?! A knee!? Are you some kind of Alpine Walrus!?”
Of course, in my head, I immediately created an image of this unlikely mammal. I spent the next 10 minutes laughing and just gripped to the wall instead of actually climbing; thank goodness I was on a ledge. I'll never forget that moment, and how for a few short minutes my lack of skill had humbled me entirely... I suppose the rest is history.
The Alpine Walrus is, first and foremost; a symbol that demonstrates how absolutely anyone, with any sort of experience, can play safely in the alpine. Humans, much like walruses, are prone to doing silly things. Fall over on the skin track? Looks like a walrus to me. Climbing up waist deep power without something to float on?
humans are prone to Making Mistakes…
The walrus is my homage to human vulnerability, to the inevitably of making mistakes, to encourage training as a means to get better, and by encouraging training as a means to limit the potential of our sometimes hilarious blunders.
patrick
Architect of Face Shots
Hi, my name is Patrick "Poody" Shier, and I am the architect here at Alpine Walrus Training.
My life in snow started at a young age growing up at the foothills of “the shore” A.K.A North Vancouver. After graduating University, I quickly gave up on the idea of a career behind a desk, and started work as a ski patroller at Grouse Mountain. It didn't take long before snow quality on the coast forced me inland to Big White where I have spent almost a decade with the Big White Ski Patrol. I am a snowboarder, and while you may find me on skis from time to time, you will definitely find me hunting berms at a local banked slalom.
I am a Duty Avalanche Forecaster with Big White Ski Resort, and I have two first aid licenses, none of which are as a paramedic. I am part of the training team for the Big White Ski Patrol. I have a long term goal of seeing improved awareness and good decision making in the avalanche terrain areas surrounding Big White.
Whether it is your first time in avalanche terrain, or your hundredth. I look forward to being part of your process.
Brydan
Professional Nerd
Hi, my name is Brydan, and I’m a huge nerd, especially when it comes to snow.
I grew up in Saskatchewan which made it pretty hard to enjoy going downhill for more than a minute at a time. I spent most of high school looking for handrails to ride around the City, which was the closest we could get to snowboarding.
I did a season in Fernie after high school, but returned to Sask for University. In 2015 I moved back to BC, took an AST 1, and totally fell in love with the backcountry.
After 10 years of working at a desk, I decided to switch careers and spend more time outside in the snow. I'm now working as a patroller at Big White Ski Resort, and am working towards becoming a professional avalanche forecaster.
I’m fascinated by the mechanics of snow, and the science behind avalanche formation and release. You may find me digging holes in the snowpack all over the place. Since I also work building bike trails in the summer, I guess I’ve become a year round professional hole digger..
I've been involved in AST education since 2020, and I love to educate people who are stoked on backcountry riding!
