mountain bike guides & Staff
We are committed to delivering the very best guided mountain bike adventures possible and we’re proud of our amazing office staff and global guide team.
The Whistler Office
Chris Winter
Raised with Michelin maps of France strewn across the kitchen table and parents discussing logistics for month-long European cycling trips with a group of 25 cyclists, Chris was born into planning and developing bike trips. He is passionate about travel, adventure, culture, sharing amazing experiences and of course really fun singletrack riding. Big Mountain trips that he’s ridden and researched? All of them!
Nat Grether
Nat is a powerhouse for all things mtb and travel: she’s ridden in Morocco, Peru, Switzerland, Finale Ligure, Dolomites, Tuscany, Costa Rica and layed tracks in every state except Alaska, Maryland and Delaware. She spent a decade working with the EWS, travelling the world with the fastest riders.
Crystal Steers
Meet Crystal, our Trips Manager, our office super hero liaison with clients and destination suppliers. A passionate rider and runner, you’ll often see Crystal squeezing in some kind of activity (or trip), while never knowing she was missing from her desk in first place. Crystal knows each trip intimately and has travelled with Big Mountain to Iceland, Switzerland, Guatemala, South Africa & Botswana and Mexico.
Professional local Guides.
To execute a successful mountain bike adventure in a far-away country requires intimate local knowledge. Not only knowing which way to turn on the trail and how to speak the language, but also how to solve mechanical issues where bike shops might not exist or deal with unexpected logistical challenges or unexpected changes in trail conditions or extreme weather in exposed remote places, and so much more. Our guides are the best guides in each location. Plus they’ll take you deeper into a region, offering you insight that will make your mountain bike trip truly unforgettable. Our guides are extraordinary people with the single goal of delivering once-in-a-lifetime mountain bike adventures. They are versed on the type of trails that our riders are seeking and versed on high-performance bikes and their mechanics. They are passionate about mountain biking, about respecting the environment and local population and about sharing the region’s cultural, historical and cuisine highlights. Most importantly, our guides adhere to Big Mountain’s protocol for rider safety and rider service, click here to learn more about what sets us apart.
Here are just a few of our guides that are ready to show you their culture, stunning scenery and amazing trails on your next Big Mountain Bike Adventures trip.
Emily Slaco:
Canada Trip
Based in beautiful Pemberton, BC, Emily is at home in the mountains. Specifically, she's at home riding her bike in big and remote mountains; guiding & coaching riders, exploring with friends and winning enduro races like the four-day Trans-Cascadia. She's one of the best mountain bikers you'll ever ride with, as humble and friendly as can be and a true professional guide.
Paulo Valle:
Costa Rica Trip
There is simply no one better than Paulo to show you real Costa Rican singletrack mountain biking. Wicked, technical and big trails that even locals don't know about. Beneath Paulo's layed back and soft-spoken demeanor is a strong rider both up and down, a kind person and consummate professional on all aspects of a great mountain bike adventure.
Ben Haggar:
Greenland Trip
A professional photographer and guide who resides in Squamish, BC (when not travelling the world). He specializes in remote unexplored areas and holds the highest Polar guiding certificate in the industry. A passion for mountain bikes, surfing, and photography have expanded his horizons through his travels at home and to over 50 countries on all seven continents.
Allow Louise to peel away Liguria's layers to unveil the sweet spots from the best gelato & espresso to the best local shuttles and access for hidden trails tucked away in the nearby forested mountains. One of the strongest enduro riders in Europe, Louise shares with our riders her secrets to riding well and experience best Italy has to offer.
Nicolas & Vicente:
Peru TRIP
We are so very fortunate to have Nicolas & Vicente and their team at the helm of our Peru trip. They exude all the attributes that we seek in a professional mountain bike guide: they're kind and respectful, passionate about sharing their country with riders, helpful and patient, highly organized and detail oriented and very importantly they love to ride mountain bikes! To ride with these guys in the Peruvian Andes is a once-and-a-lifetime opportunity.
Myriam Saugy
Switzerland
Lausanne-based Myriam grew up doing activities in the Swiss mountains. She was professional mountain bike racer from 2007-2011 and today she spends her time as a sports trainer, mountain bike coach, skills coach and professional guide. Let Myriam show you her amazingly beautiful big mountain backyard.
Anna
Iceland
A professional mountain bike guide and true lover of her native Iceland, there is no one more qualified than Anna to share with you this beautiful island, from it's wide-open and rugged natural landscapes to its unique and quirky character that'll surely surprise you.
Prayash
Nepal
Meet Prayash, our local super star guide. Mountain biking has been a passion for him since mid 2000’s. He took it next level, after opening a bike shop in 2009 and eventually becoming a professional MTB guide. "My favourite part of mtb biking is without a doubt getting to explore my country and getting to meet different bikers from all over the world. I personally have ridden bikes in Asia; like India, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, and more. I also value my time as a volunteer on Nepal MTB team as a coach.
Andreas Tonelli
Italy
An Italian in Norway?! Andreas' deep passion for Narvik and the Lofoten Islands is evident as he rings off names of all the peaks, shares stories of local legends and knows the region's history intimately. He is one of the only mountain bike guides in the Lofoten and we're lucky to work with him. In the Dolomites he is in his backyard. His enthusiasm and energy is infectious and his high level of organization and guiding is welcomed, to be hosted by Andreas is nothing but a pleasure.
Werner Ebner
Italy
Born and bred in Italy's South Tyrol, Werner quit his office job in 2013 to become a full-time mountain bike skills coach and professional guide. A passionate rider and nature lover with a character that'll make you smile inside and out, there is no better guide than Werner to show you the beautiful trails, culture and mountains of the Dolomites along with it's delicious cuisine & fine wine.