About Us — Our Guides
Brent McCorquodale, owner and operator of Great Northern Snowcat Skiing, has been leading visitors through the Selkirk Mountains since the company's inception in 1979. His extensive background of mountain experience, deep powder ski instruction, and understanding of weather and snow conditions comes from many years of working and playing in these mountains. All that expertise ensures the best possible wilderness skiing experience for our guests. It has been said that his humour is “as dry as the legendary Selkirk powder”, but that is just folklore…
“Brent McCorquodale was a hot young skier from Western Canada who had made his reputation on the hills
around Banff. He was looking for something to do — “I'd hidden out in school for as long as I could,” he says.
Now 31 years later, Mr. McCorquodale's resort is recognized by powder hounds as one of the finest.”
National Post, February 2005
We are pleased to introduce you to the other members of our guiding team:
Dan Nelson has been guiding with Great Northern for six years and counting, and he's excited as always to spend another bottomless winter in the Selkirks. After another summer of long road trips, epic trails, and countless miles on the bike (somehow squeezed in around that whole work thing!), Dan's ready and waiting for the best season of them all — cold, snowy winter! As always, you'll find Dan at the lodge all winter long, usually attached to a pair of skis, a snowcat, or the business end of a shovel.
In addition to certification and training in ski guiding, advanced first aid, mountain rescue, and ski instruction, Dan is Level 2 certified by the Canadian Avalanche Association, and is a Professional Member of the CAA. The other half of our lead guiding team, you'll find him on the mountain every day until the snow is gone.
Phil Burke is looking foward to spending his 2nd year with Great Northern. The mountains of British Columbia are like family to Phil. At a young age, he learned to master the T-bar at Murray Ridge in Ft. St. James, British Columbia. Phil moved on to the bigger mountains of the East Kootenays, where, confused during puberty, he took up snowboarding for nearly a decade. Maybe it was the years of living the mountain lifestyle that allowed Phil to come to his senses and take up residence at Panorama Mt Village, British Columbia. There he got back on skis — became a Ski Patroller and started his ongoing quest to learn about snow. He spends his summers in the Yukon searching for gold and soaking up the endless hours of sunlight. Phil has Avalanche Awareness Level 1 and is certified in Level 3 First Aid and CPR.
Emelie Stenberg is originally from Sweden and came to Canada in 2004 to experience BC powder. She has totally fallen in love with everything BC has to offer and 5 years later she is still here and enjoys every moment of it. A desire for traveling has taken her to many places and she has lived and worked in countries like France, England and Australia. Emelie is a graduate from the Thompson Rivers University's Adventure Guide Program and is currently in the progress of finishing her degree in Tourist Management. She is a certified hiking guide and spends her summers guiding in Sweden and Canada. She is also certified in Wilderness First Aid and holds a Level 1 in Avalanche Safety. Emelie enjoys sharing her passion for the mountains and is looking forward to spending her first season with Great Northern.
“20 years at GN on the 1st week of the year and for my birthday. It doesn't get better than this. Great powder,
great people, and great food. Thanks so much.”
Bob Gilbert, San Francisco, CA
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