Martin Papillon is part of Ski Patrol at Sunshine Village ski resort in Banff, Canada. He’s chirpy, and apologises at the start of our interview because he’s on standby to respond to emergencies, so might have to cut our Skype call short.

He leads a team of 40 ski patrollers to take care of everything from snow maintenance to risk mitigation to actual avalanche emergency rescues. He has skied his whole life and has worked in the mountains since becoming a ski instructor whilst finishing high school.

Martin’s passion for mountain life is clear as he stumbles over his words trying to express what he means. “Skiing is…it’s very hard to explain for somebody that doesn’t know snow or has never skied powder before. But skiing powder is just a different feeling.

 If it’s that powder hitting you in the face just as you’re flying through it, the speed and the adrenaline rush felt all the way through it at the same time as the view around you and the mountains and being with friends…it’s not comparable to anything else I don’t think.”

 But what happens when it goes wrong? And, like how John Stifter, who was involved an avalanche at Stevens Pass, puts it, the powder we love becomes evil?

Listen to Martin below speak about what he does on a daily basis:

 

What’s one piece of advice you can give to all back country skiers?

“Educate yourself. Be humble to Mother Nature and train yourself for the worst case scenario; always hope for the best. But the most important thing? Have the knowledge and respect for the mountains.” 

 Below is a photo gallery of Martin and his team at work: