The SME winter family
At Selkirk Mountain Experience, our staff lives with us for months at a time. So we feel they are our family; a big extended family. This connection and warmth felt by the staff extends to our guests, who are visitors in our home, making them feel this warm welcome as well.
SME Head Guide
Ruedi Beglinger
Certified Mountain Guide with:
- Canadian Mountain Guide Association ACMG, Swiss Mountain Guide Association SBV and International Mountain Guide Association IFMGA
- Avalanche Operations Level 3 with the Canadian Avalanche Association, CAA
- Professional member Canadian Avalanche Association, CAA
- Started his guiding career in the Swiss Alps in 1976
Ruedi was born and grew up in the Kanton of Glarus, Swiss Alps. He started skiing at age 2 in Linthal GL, in the Swiss Alps. He started ski-mountaineering at age 6 with his dad, who nurtured Ruedi's love for the mountains.
Ruedi is inspired by remote mountains, adventures into wild places and most of all by his ski and climbing guests he guides in winter and summer.
His lifetime goal is to still ski, climb and guide guests at age 90.
SME's Heart and Soul
Nicoline Beglinger
Nicoline may humbly call herself a housewife or the food and beverage manager, but she is truly the heart and soul of SME. Balancing her roles as a caregiver, mentor, and hospitality expert, she ensures that both guests and staff feel supported and valued. Whether she’s packing the helicopter, organizing summer hikes, skiing with winter guests, or managing the office, Nicoline’s dedication is unmatched.
Her days are filled with making beds, doing dishes, baking, shoveling snow, raking summer trails, chopping firewood, handling bookings, and answering emails—often all before lunch. Beyond her daily tasks, Nicoline is the steady hand guiding the team, offering encouragement, kindness, and leadership to ensure the chalet runs seamlessly. She embodies the modest warmth of SME, offering a welcoming hug when you arrive and a cheerful wave as you set out on your adventures.
Nicoline finds joy in fostering the chalet’s welcoming atmosphere and cherishes the moments when her family, near or far, can share in its magic.
Ski Guide
Florina Beglinger
- ACMG Ski Guide
- Apprentice Alpine Guide
Florina was born in Revelstoke, B.C. She grew up and went to school at the Durand Glacier Chalet. Yes, she is an authentic mountain girl: funny and friendly and an absolute joy to spend time with. Florina loves shredding deep powder in mean slopes. Florina completed a degree in film production and creative writing at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Her years in Vancouver made her realize that her rightful home is in the mountains. In the winter 2017 Florina came home to the Durand Glacier. Florina now can follow her true passion, skiing great mountain terrain and its untouched powder snow, spending time with people who have the same interest. Living her dream of living in the mountains and sharing the experience with her friends and guests and also continuing writing and filming.
Assistant Ski Guide
Tyler Jay
- Assistant ACMG ski guide
Tyler is as passionate about ski touring and mountain adventure as peanut butter is to jelly. He is currently pursuing his certification in Rock, Ski and Alpine in the hopes of becoming a ACMG certified Mountain Guide. Tyler is inspired by the enjoyment of experiencing wild, untamed landscapes and is fueled by a passion for human-powered exploration to push deeper into the backcountry or higher up the mountainside. With a heart firmly anchored in the mountains, Tyler is motivated to guide by the opportunity to share in these unique experiences and learn about what drives others to do the same.
Ski Guide
Shep Howatt
- ACMG Ski Guide
- Apprentice Alpine Guide
Shep is a favourite among guests and staff. His passion for the mountains, and for life, is infinite. Guiding comes naturally to him, growing up in Revelstoke with a Mountain Guide father. Shep's enthusiasm is contagious. He is able to make tough decisions while at the same time keeping a warm sense of shared camaraderie in the group. And his story telling is legendary!
Shep lives with his wife Julie and dog Yuki in Revelstoke.
SME Guide
Ian Snowsell
- SME Guide
- Canadian Avalanche Association: Operation Level 2
Ian was born and raised in the Canadian mountain resort Banff, Alberta, where he learned how to ski at the young age of 2. Already as a young teenager Ian started to ski-tour in the Canadian Rockies.
Ian is a very passionate mountain person who lives for the snow and the inspiration of mountains. His gentle personality, quiet sense of humour and incredible mountain knowledge is well liked by all ski guests and everybody who knows him. Ian is a genuine friend to all people.
Ian likes guiding for the simple reason of sharing true skiing experiences and the endless mountain environment with as many people as possible.
SME Head Chef
Carl Wilks
Chef Carl’s experience ranges from Michelin starred restaurants in Europe to luxury sailboat cruises in British Columbia. His extensive resume reads like an adventure travelogue. Carl has a passion, not only for cooking, but also for nature, travel, wildlife, and photography. 2025 will be Carl's second season with us at the Durrand Glacier. We are looking forward to sharing many more happy hour cocktails, tours to Woolsey and delicious meals with Carl.
SME Chef
Dan Green
Dan returns to the Durrand Glacier Chalet after an exciting chapter cheffing aboard a private sailboat. Originally from the UK, Dan brings a wealth of culinary expertise paired with a love for adventure. When he’s not in the kitchen creating memorable meals, you’ll likely find him kiteboarding, mountain biking, skiing, or exploring new destinations. With his passion for travel and the outdoors, Dan is excited to share his talents and stories from around the world with our guests this season.
Office & Operations manager
Bree Northway
After many adventures all around the world Bree found her home just 80 km east of where she grew up. Bree has been in Revelstoke since 2019 and is passionate about all that Revelstoke has to offer. Mountain biking, climbing, snowboarding and the great active outdoor social life that the community is known for. This is Bree’s 3rd winter with us and makes sure everything runs smoothly from town. She takes care of us all! One of her greatest achievements is beating Florina Beglinger in an arm wrestle and will make sure she never forgets it.