Dean Cummings

A pioneer of Alaskan helicopter skiing, Dean is the owner, operator and head guide of H20 Guides.  His experience and diligence in developing the highest standards in guiding and education have allowed him to secure permits on the largest tract of heli-ski terrain in North America and build his dream of sharing adventures in the unspeakably beautiful Chugach Range of Alaska with the world.The last 21 years of guiding in Alaska have given Dean an intimate knowledge of the snowpack and mountains, and coupled with his vision and commitment to guiding, have led Dean to found several education programs for both guides, and the general public. When not sharing his experience and knowledge of mountain travel, Dean, his wife Karen, their son, Wyatt Kodiak, and daughter, Tesslina, along with their overgrown Alaskan malamute, Kona, spend their time adventuring and enjoying family in Valdez, Alaska and Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah.

Karen Cummings

Karen has a compassion for her family, her community, her and her husband’s company, teaching, fitness and skiing. As a University of Utah Commercial Recreation graduate, Karen has brought her education and skills to H2O Guides as the CEO since 1999. With an extensive ballet background Karen continued to obtain certifications in health and fitness sharing her interests through instruction and classes from teaching Outdoor Emergency Care to Ski Conditioning and Ski Instruction. Karen’s 2 young children, husband, dog and 2 cats are the main force behind all of what inspires her. She coaches Little League, is a Cub Scout Leader and teaches Ballet and skiing to kids. She is also on the board of the PWSCC Outdoor Leaderhsip Program. Karen spearheaded putting a rope tow up in Valdez to accommodate beginner and intermediate skiers. Karen is an active runner and loves making turns with her family and friends; but mostly enjoys sharing her infectious enthusiasm for life and outdoorsports with others.

Aaron Karitis

Aaron Karitis grew up in Bend, Oregon, roughly 20 miles northeast of Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, where he was making his first turns on snow about the same time has was taking his first steps in the living room. No wonder he says he feels more comfortable skiing than walking. A committed  racer from childhood  through high school, it wasn’t until he went to college at the University of Utah as a freeskier that he realized his true passion —  and found a respect for the mountains. Karitis reached the pinnacle of the sport when he started working for H2O Heli Guides in Valdez, Alaska eight years ago.  He has logged more than 175 days of heli-ski guiding in Valdez and has scouted and developed big mountain and powder camps in Argentina and Japan. His experience is further highlighted by his numerous first descents and collaborations with the industry’s biggest film production companies on feature-length videos including Brain Farm Productions “That’s It, That’s All”, Matchstick Productions “Claim” and Standard Films “Black Winter” and "Global Storming". Karitis has also appeared on the cover of Powder Magazine (October 2008).  When not skiing, the 29-year-old can be found on a Central Oregon golf course or in a warm body of water in what he says is the closest thing to skiing...surfing.

Christopher Shelly

Chris grew up skiing in the Adirondacks and headed out west after college.  He has worked in the ski and outdoor industry since he was a teenager.  Having worked at 8 ski resorts in 6 different states, 4 guiding operations (heli and snow cat), and in 3 different countries (U.S.A., Canada, New Zealand).  Chris has worked as a ski patroller, snow safety director, patrol director, and mechanized guide.  He is also the forecaster for H2O Guides, so if you have a question about the weather or snow just ask.  Chris has a Masters Degree in Education and Human Resources and a long list of of certifications, accomplishments and experiences.  Chris has a true passion for skiing, guiding and the mountain lifestyle.  When not skiing, guiding, taking or teaching a class you will probably find him travelling, kayaking or spending time with family and friends.

Eric Layton

Eric first set his sights on big mountains during a snowboard trip to Valdez, Alaska in 2003. It was at this time that he knew he wanted to guide fulltime for a living. Originally from Lake Tahoe, he started to pursue climbing & snowboarding in the early 90s. Many guide courses later including an AMGA, CSGA and our very own AMSG course, Eric has found his home here at H20 Guides. When he's not guiding in Alaska’s Chugach mountains you can find him leading mountaineering trips throughout the Sierra Nevada and on Mount Shasta along with cat ski guiding in the Kootenays of B.C. Eric started guiding professionally in 2007. His passion and expertise for backcountry snowboarding have led him to search out the best powder on earth. When he’s not taking photos, splitboarding, backpacking, climbing or fly fishing, Eric heads to the ocean where he’s equally at home surfing. He holds a Level 3 Avalanche Certification and is a Certified Wilderness First Responder.

Mike Hamilton

I am 35 years old, my passion for the sport of skiing has taken me across the globe in search of perfect ski descents in places such as Baffin Island, Greenland, the Alps, the Andes, and Alaska. This will be my sixth season working as a guide for H2O. I have also worked guiding heli ski trips in Greenland, Argentina, and Chile. I have been skiing year round in the northern and southern hemispheres for over a decade now. Valdez, Alaska is hands down my favorite place in the world to ski and thats why I call it home!

Max Wittenberg

My name is Max Wittenberg and I am 24 years old and live in the small mountain town of Soda Springs, California up on Donner Summit. My life revolves around mountains, whether is it mountaineering, snowboarding or mountain biking. I work in the outdoors teaching for Colorado Mountain College in their outdoor leadership program, I have guided on Mt. Shasta and currently guide sled dog trips for Wilderness Adventure Dog Sled tours. When not working in the outdoor field I build mountain bike trails for North Star at Tahoe and working on starting Donner Summit Mountain Guides. I have been snowboarding for about 17 years and have explored deep into the mountains from the Sierras, Wind Rivers, Cascades, Chugach, and the Rockies. I will be taking my AMSG Level 2 course this winter and this will be my first season working for H20 Heli guides.

Jason Champion

Passionate about snowboarding and climbing mountains, Jason shares his reverence for the environment and imparts personal knowledge and technique. He has been guiding professionally with H2O Guides for six years and has spent eight heli-ski seasons in the Chugach Mountains.
In the winter he leads backcountry split boarding and powder ski expeditions in the Sierra Nevada, and Cascade ranges. Jason also provides guiding and production assistance for film crews. Summers find him leading mountaineering trips for
Shasta Mountain Guides and Backpacking adventures for California Alpine Guides.
Jason has over ten guiding certificates including AAA and Aiare Avalanche II, American Mechanized Ski Guide, Crevasse Rescue, Wilderness First Responder and LNT Trainer.

Trevor Gavura

I have been sliding on p-tex since the age of 2.  35 years skiing 25 years snowboarding.  I spent a big part of my life as a technical director for skiing and snowboarding at various locations but big mountain riding finally won me over. When I am not in Alaska I play in the interior range and icefields of British Columbia.  The mountains are inspirational to me and provoke a deep respect for the power and fragility of nature.

Chad Mickschl

Chad is new to the H2O team for the 2012 season.  Chad comes to the team with a variety of guiding and snow experience.  Currently Chad is a Lead ski guide, Avalanche Forecaster and Snow Safety Tech for Chicago Ridge Cat Skiing in Colorado.  He also is a guide for Aspen Alpine Guides, Apex Mountain School and Alpine World Ascents in Colorado.  He works with Flight For Life as an Avalanche Rescue Tech and for the Colorado Mountain College as an Outdoor Education Instructor. Chad has extensive ski mountaineering experience throughout Colorado and has also spent time in the Spearhead Range in British Columbia and the Chugach Range in Alaska.  He is currently pursuing an AMGA Ski Mountaineering certification, having completed the Aspirant Exam and already been certified as a Single Pitch Instructor.  He is an AIARE level I & II Avalanche Safety Instructor and has completed the Level III certification.  Chad is also a National Registry EMT and an OEC provider.

Paul Krekow

Paul was born and raised in Seattle, WA where he grew up exploring the Cascades and Olympic mountains. He has been pursuing a ski guiding career since 2007 when he spent a year enrolled in a CMGA guiding program in interior British Columbia. Since then he has spent two seasons ski patrolling at The Deer Valley Resort in Utah and spent the winter of 2011 guiding for Peak Adventures Snowcat Skiing in Northern Idaho. He has extensive skiing, mountaineering, climbing, and biking experience in the US, Europe, South America, Canada and New Zealand. He looks forward to continuing his education in Alaska and bringing his love for the mountains to the H2O Team.

Heather Kroll

Heather first fell in love with the outdoors on a backpacking trip through the Sierra Nevada   Range in 2006. Since that time she has been an avid outdoor recreationalist and wilderness guide, leading backpacking and rock climbing trips throughout California and sea kayaking  expeditions in  Mexico and Alaska. Additionally she  has worked as an outdoor educator, teaching science and love for the outdoors to students. Currently Heather works in the H2O office, preparing for the spring heli-adventures.  This is her first winter/spring season in Alaska and first season on a board enjoying the plentiful snow that Valdez has to offer.

Elliot Doe

My name is Elliot and I am originally from Vermont, but have been living in Utah now for almost four years, spending most of my time skiing, biking, and fly fishing in the Wasatch Mountains.  I attend school at the University of Utah studying commercial recreation and also have been working up at Alta for the past few seasons. Since my time out here, I have had a pass both to Snowbird and Alta and have been spending a large chunk of time finding freshies in the backcountry.  My love for skiing comes from its ability to take me away from all the stressful components of my life allow me to enter a whole new realm of creativity.  There's really no way to explain it, it's like being a kid again every time I'm on the mountain.  This will be my first year up in Valdez working as an intern for H2O Heli Guides and I'm really looking forward to explore what Alaska has to offer.