Growing up in Kimberley, Dan Pinchette always felt drawn to the mountains, but it wasn’t until enrolling in College of the Rockies’ Adventure Tourism Business Operations (ATBO) program that he found his path.
After graduating with his certificate in 2006, Dan stepped fully into the world of avalanche safety and ski guiding—a journey that has taken him across some of Canada’s most spectacular terrain.
Today, he works year-round in the outdoors as an Industrial Avalanche Technician and ACMG Ski Guide. During the winter, he guides clients in the backcountry and contributes to avalanche safety programs. In the summer months, he is part of a mountain safety and rescue team at a mine site in the Northern Yukon.
Dan’s first role after graduating was as a ski patroller at Whitewater Ski Resort where he was fortunate to work alongside experienced avalanche forecasters. That early mentorship helped him gain the knowledge and confidence he needed to work toward his Ski Guide certification with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.
“The skills I learned through the ATBO program gave me a solid baseline to safely pursue a career in avalanche forecasting and ski guiding,” he says. “It gave me the confidence to step into this world.”
Completing his ACMG Ski Guide Certificate remains one of his proudest career milestones. Just as meaningful, however, has been the opportunity to lead avalanche safety projects in remote mountain ranges across western and northern Canada.
Looking back on his time at the College, Dan credits the small class sizes, welcoming outdoor community in Golden, and passionate instructors with shaping his career.
“Our main instructor that year was incredible,” he recalls. “He pushed me outside my comfort zone in such a supportive way and always reminded us, ‘It’s a great day to be alive.’ I think of those words often.”
The support he received as a new student moving to a different town also left a lasting impression. “I always felt very well supported at the College. The ATBO program was such an excellent step—it helped me explore the world of adventure tourism and find my place within it.”
Dan encourages today’s students to recognize the power of community:
“Make connections with your classmates and instructors. Those relationships will be essential later in your career. A successful career in adventure tourism requires mentorship.”
Dan continues to expand his expertise with ongoing training in mountain rescue and avalanche forecasting. For him, the journey is as rewarding as the destination.
“The ATBO program really helped me in my career, and I’m so glad I started with this training as my foundation.”