Guest Guides 2010-2011
Miles Smart (USA)
Miles Smart is a lifetime skier and climber. He began skiing at age three and climbing at age nine in the Cascade Mountains outside of Seattle in Washington State, USA. He has skied throughout the U.S. and has skied in Canada, Alaska, Patagonia and the Alps. Climbing has taken him to places such as Yosemite, the Alps, the Canadian Rockies, Patagonia, and the Trango Towers of Pakistan. While living in Yosemite for two years, he completed eighteen ascents of El Capitan and set speed records on a number of classic grade VI wall routes. Also, an extremely passionate skier, Miles loves skiing steep lines and good powder. Now a mountain guide for the past five years, Miles began guiding for the Skierslodge/Guideservice three season ago and fell in love with the skiing in La Grave. He feels there is no better place he has skied for lift accessed skiing. He also guides skiing for Valdez Heli Ski Guides and Doug Coombs Steep Skiing Camps. In the summer, he guides climbing in Jackson, WY for Exum Mountain Guides. He is one of only a handfullof guides in the U.S. to have gone through the entire UIAGM guide certification platform and is now a full UIAGM guide. He is a Marmot Design Team member and a Member of the W. L. Gore and Associates Mountaineering Council.
Miles Smart is a lifetime skier and climber. He began skiing at age three and climbing at age nine in the Cascade Mountains outside of Seattle in Washington State, USA. He has skied throughout the U.S. and has skied in Canada, Alaska, Patagonia and the Alps. Climbing has taken him to places such as Yosemite, the Alps, the Canadian Rockies, Patagonia, and the Trango Towers of Pakistan. While living in Yosemite for two years, he completed eighteen ascents of El Capitan and set speed records on a number of classic grade VI wall routes. Also, an extremely passionate skier, Miles loves skiing steep lines and good powder. Now a mountain guide for the past five years, Miles began guiding for the Skierslodge/Guideservice three season ago and fell in love with the skiing in La Grave. He feels there is no better place he has skied for lift accessed skiing. He also guides skiing for Valdez Heli Ski Guides and Doug Coombs Steep Skiing Camps. In the summer, he guides climbing in Jackson, WY for Exum Mountain Guides. He is one of only a handfullof guides in the U.S. to have gone through the entire UIAGM guide certification platform and is now a full UIAGM guide. He is a Marmot Design Team member and a Member of the W. L. Gore and Associates Mountaineering Council.
Lisa Auer (Australien) Guide for Women’ K2 FreeRide & Safety Week
Lisa Auer is an Australian born, New Zealand trained mountain and ski guide: one of few women in the world active in this profession. She first had skis on her feet, age three at Mt Buller, in Australia’s Snowy Ranges and began climbing at the renowned rock climbing venue of Arapiles whilst still at school in Victoria. As a member of the Australian Women’s Ski Team her early skiing years were dedicated to racing – specialising in slalom and GS, competing mainly in Austria. Lisa first visited Chamonix, France in 1996 and “. . . part of me never left”. She has been coming to the Alps ever since. Chamonix first, then the French Alps generally ‘stole my heart’. It is the ultimate playground for skiing and climbing and yet it will never be tamed. It’s a complete contrast to the remotely accessed New Zealand Southern Alps where she spends the other half of her time. “I like contrasts. New Zealand is very raw. You can get a sense of wilderness in the mountains in NZ and imagine what it was like to be a pioneer.” Taking her pioneering spirit to France, Lisa made a number of first female ski descents on the steep snowy lines between the Chamonix Aiguilles in the heady - 90’s (including the North face of the Aiguille du Midi) but she has “mellowed out” since then. Lisa’s guiding experience since 1999 encompasses ski touring and lift accessed skiing in Europe and classic mountaineering in summer.
Lisa Auer is an Australian born, New Zealand trained mountain and ski guide: one of few women in the world active in this profession. She first had skis on her feet, age three at Mt Buller, in Australia’s Snowy Ranges and began climbing at the renowned rock climbing venue of Arapiles whilst still at school in Victoria. As a member of the Australian Women’s Ski Team her early skiing years were dedicated to racing – specialising in slalom and GS, competing mainly in Austria. Lisa first visited Chamonix, France in 1996 and “. . . part of me never left”. She has been coming to the Alps ever since. Chamonix first, then the French Alps generally ‘stole my heart’. It is the ultimate playground for skiing and climbing and yet it will never be tamed. It’s a complete contrast to the remotely accessed New Zealand Southern Alps where she spends the other half of her time. “I like contrasts. New Zealand is very raw. You can get a sense of wilderness in the mountains in NZ and imagine what it was like to be a pioneer.” Taking her pioneering spirit to France, Lisa made a number of first female ski descents on the steep snowy lines between the Chamonix Aiguilles in the heady - 90’s (including the North face of the Aiguille du Midi) but she has “mellowed out” since then. Lisa’s guiding experience since 1999 encompasses ski touring and lift accessed skiing in Europe and classic mountaineering in summer.
Mike Wright (Sweden)
Mike Wright is an experienced climber and skier, and as a UIAGM mountain guide he have started to guide in the Alpes both in the summer and the winter. His personal climbing experience ranges from long alpine climbs in the Alps to expeditions in South America, Himalayas and setting up new rock-routes on Greenland. As a skier Mike have spent many winters in the French Alpes. Mike is living in Chamonix, France. As a mountain guide, Mike wants to help his clients to reach their goals and full-fill their Mountain dreams.
Mike Wright is an experienced climber and skier, and as a UIAGM mountain guide he have started to guide in the Alpes both in the summer and the winter. His personal climbing experience ranges from long alpine climbs in the Alps to expeditions in South America, Himalayas and setting up new rock-routes on Greenland. As a skier Mike have spent many winters in the French Alpes. Mike is living in Chamonix, France. As a mountain guide, Mike wants to help his clients to reach their goals and full-fill their Mountain dreams.
Mikael Amlert (Sweden)
36 years old and a Swedish UIAGM/IVBV/IFMGA Mountain Guide. Mikael is based in Kiruna, Sweden – 200 km above the Arctic Circle. Mikael is a former Special Forces Senior Mountain Training Officer and a experienced member of the Swedish High Mountain Rescue Team. He really enjoys the contrasts between the lovely scenery of the Alps and the remoteness of the Scandinavian mountains where he works as a full-time guide the rest of the year. He starts his season in La Grave and continues guiding on skis in Arctic Scandinavia until mid-June.
36 years old and a Swedish UIAGM/IVBV/IFMGA Mountain Guide. Mikael is based in Kiruna, Sweden – 200 km above the Arctic Circle. Mikael is a former Special Forces Senior Mountain Training Officer and a experienced member of the Swedish High Mountain Rescue Team. He really enjoys the contrasts between the lovely scenery of the Alps and the remoteness of the Scandinavian mountains where he works as a full-time guide the rest of the year. He starts his season in La Grave and continues guiding on skis in Arctic Scandinavia until mid-June.
Anders Swensson (Sweden)
In 1985 Anders did his first ski season in Chamonix, France. He has been working as a professional guide for the last 9 years climbing in Lofoten and Jotunheimen, Norway and Yosemite, USA. During the winter month he has been guiding ski touring and heliskiing in Riksgränsen, Sweden. He has spent a lot of time of exploring remote ice and mixed winter climbs in the northern part of Scandinavia. He was a member of the Swedish telemark expedition to Muztagata, China 7546m in 1993. In 1998 he became a certified SBO/UIAGM guide. Since 1998 he has worked in La Grave as an off piste guide.
In 1985 Anders did his first ski season in Chamonix, France. He has been working as a professional guide for the last 9 years climbing in Lofoten and Jotunheimen, Norway and Yosemite, USA. During the winter month he has been guiding ski touring and heliskiing in Riksgränsen, Sweden. He has spent a lot of time of exploring remote ice and mixed winter climbs in the northern part of Scandinavia. He was a member of the Swedish telemark expedition to Muztagata, China 7546m in 1993. In 1998 he became a certified SBO/UIAGM guide. Since 1998 he has worked in La Grave as an off piste guide.
Mikke Eriksson (Sweden)
In the beginning of the '90s, Mikke left Sweden to do some studying and climbing in Norway. He returned after three years, with a hundred of multi pitches in his log-book. He started skiing at the age of three and today he is most of all an alpine skier ( '93 he put his snowboard on the shelf but you will see him time to time on his big board. Mikke works full time as a mountain guide, and has an international mountain guide authorization. Most of his time he spends in Chamonix and La Grave, . but he also works in other parts of the world, like ski touring in Marocco... if not for the skiing - he loves drinking coffee at the cafés...His favorite holiday resort is Stockholm, where he spends most of his time drinking even more coffee and going for walks with his dogs. Hidden talents: six years of philosophy and ethnology studies.
In the beginning of the '90s, Mikke left Sweden to do some studying and climbing in Norway. He returned after three years, with a hundred of multi pitches in his log-book. He started skiing at the age of three and today he is most of all an alpine skier ( '93 he put his snowboard on the shelf but you will see him time to time on his big board. Mikke works full time as a mountain guide, and has an international mountain guide authorization. Most of his time he spends in Chamonix and La Grave, . but he also works in other parts of the world, like ski touring in Marocco... if not for the skiing - he loves drinking coffee at the cafés...His favorite holiday resort is Stockholm, where he spends most of his time drinking even more coffee and going for walks with his dogs. Hidden talents: six years of philosophy and ethnology studies.
Pierre Rizzardo (France)
Pierre is the president of the Syndicate des Guides de La Grave. He is also one of the Swedish training officer for the Swedish Guide organization. It was here, in the latter half of the 19th century, that early mountaineering pioneers, accompanied by native guides came to conquer the summit and seek new challenges. With the years of guiding experience and mileage from alpine climbing, expedition in Himalayas and South America, Pierre always has a smile on his face, even when the route you are skiing or climbing with him gets a bit epic. It is a smile of self control and safe conscious that will impress the most alpine skier and climber. If you ask him how his summer was? His answer...Oh this summer I did 23 new climbing routes. He is also a excellent snowboarder.
Pierre is the president of the Syndicate des Guides de La Grave. He is also one of the Swedish training officer for the Swedish Guide organization. It was here, in the latter half of the 19th century, that early mountaineering pioneers, accompanied by native guides came to conquer the summit and seek new challenges. With the years of guiding experience and mileage from alpine climbing, expedition in Himalayas and South America, Pierre always has a smile on his face, even when the route you are skiing or climbing with him gets a bit epic. It is a smile of self control and safe conscious that will impress the most alpine skier and climber. If you ask him how his summer was? His answer...Oh this summer I did 23 new climbing routes. He is also a excellent snowboarder.
Armin Ficher (US)
Armin Fisher was born and raised in the Napa Valley, California. As the owner and chief guide of mountains and more he likes to guide most trips himself making sure that quality and safety standards remain high. Armin has lived in Europe since 1980 and was the first non Italian to become certified through the Italian UIAGM/IFMGA program. He has over twentyfive years mountaineering experience with numerous first and solo ascents, including the Integral Peuterey Ridge on Mont Blanc (20 hours solo) and the North Face of the Matterhorn (six hours) to his credit. Ascents of El Capitan, including "Sea of Dreams, A5", and his 5.12 on sight ability demonstrate his versatility as a climber - skiing the 7000ft Marinelli couloir with clients and guiding the steep intricate ski terrain of Alagna also demonstrate his skills as a well rounded skier. Armin is also fluent in German, Italian, and English. His language and cultural knowledge (having studied music at the university of Vienna, Austria for seven years) combined with the professionalism of a UIAGM certified mountain guide will make your skiing, climbing, or hiking trip to the European Alps an enriching and unforgettable experience.
Armin Fisher was born and raised in the Napa Valley, California. As the owner and chief guide of mountains and more he likes to guide most trips himself making sure that quality and safety standards remain high. Armin has lived in Europe since 1980 and was the first non Italian to become certified through the Italian UIAGM/IFMGA program. He has over twentyfive years mountaineering experience with numerous first and solo ascents, including the Integral Peuterey Ridge on Mont Blanc (20 hours solo) and the North Face of the Matterhorn (six hours) to his credit. Ascents of El Capitan, including "Sea of Dreams, A5", and his 5.12 on sight ability demonstrate his versatility as a climber - skiing the 7000ft Marinelli couloir with clients and guiding the steep intricate ski terrain of Alagna also demonstrate his skills as a well rounded skier. Armin is also fluent in German, Italian, and English. His language and cultural knowledge (having studied music at the university of Vienna, Austria for seven years) combined with the professionalism of a UIAGM certified mountain guide will make your skiing, climbing, or hiking trip to the European Alps an enriching and unforgettable experience.
