Craig Sheppard
Program Director/Forecaster
CAA Ops Level 3 /Wilderness First Responder 80 hrs/CSIA Level 2
Craig comes to Australia from beautiful Banff Alberta where he worked as an Avalanche Forecaster (at the Lake Louise Mountain Resort), Avalanche Educator for the Canadian Avalanche Association and Apprentice Ski Guide through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.
He now calls Jindabyne home and serves the MSC as the Program Manager where he co-ordinates the Backcountry Field Observations Teams, conducts training, and ensures the daily Backcountry Condition Reports are delivered to the highest standard.
Kyle Boys
Forecaster
NZ Avalanche Stage1 (Level 5)/Canadian Avalanche Association Avalanche Practitioner/CSGA Level 2/Anwarter Snowboard Instructor (Austria)/ Wilderness First Responder 80 hrs.
Kyle is a carpenter by trade that lives in Jindabyne. He has chased snow all around the world. In Austria he worked as a snowboard instructor for two seasons then went to New Zealand and completed the Avalanche Stage 1.
Kyle has worked for Hokkaido Backcountry Club in Japan for 4 winters as a cat, heli & touring guide. He has been fortunate to have had great mentors and has undertaken many pre-season training in search & rescue, rope & survival skills.
Since 2019 in the Australian winters Kyle has worked as a backcountry guide & instructor for Alpine Access Australia teaching AST1 courses and guiding single and multi day backcountry trips.
Kyle is currently working towards the CSGA 3 and CAA Operations Level 2. He has completed the Intro to Weather, AvSAR and glacier courses in Canada and worked for Skeena Cat Skiing and Backcountry Snowcats as a guide for the 2022/2023 season.
Alex Sinickas
Forecaster
CAA Ops Level 2/Avalanche Consultant
Alex is relatively new to the fold. Mild mannered and considerate of where we have come from, Alex is helping usher this platform into a recognised credible outfit. Her background and expertise as an engineer and snow wonk was born of a couple of years researching extreme avalanches at the Applied Snow and Avalanche Research Centre in Calgary.
An Australian, who thankfully for returned ‘down under’ as a very well researched, seasoned avalanche expert and young mum to boot. Welcome back Alex.
Owen Lansbury
MSC Field Observer
CAA Ops Level 1
Owen loves sharing his own stoke for the mountains, whether it’s taking guests into the Thredbo backcountry or being open with his time and knowledge off the slopes. Starting life as a skier with a 20 year diversion into snowboarding, he’s been back on planks in the backcountry for the past decade spending most spare moments hunting snow at home and abroad. His parallel life in digital media and working with other non-profits means he brings a mix of marketing and financial skills to help MSC fund its operations and maintain its services for the local backcountry community.
Matt Clarke
MSC Field Observer
NZ-Avalanche risk management (Level 5)/ NZ-Snow Patrol (level 4)/ ASPA National Ski patrol certificate/ ASPA Advanced emergency care/ CSIA Level 2
Matt can be found in the mountains or the ocean, he travels from season to season patrolling at Thredbo in our winter and working as part of the NSW MSC team. He has also worked as a backcountry guide and ski instructor, bringing a mixed set of skills to the team. He studied in New Zealand on a program to achieve his NZ avalanche and patrol qualifications where he became inspired to keep learning about snow science. Matt looks forward to getting out in the mountains and keep exploring new places.
Drew Jolowicz
MSC Field Observer
CAA Operations 1
Having spent his entire life in the mountains of North-East Victoria, Drew and his family call Hotham home during in the winter months where he loves exploring the surrounding backcountry. Drew’s passion for skiing has taken him all around the globe in search of adventure with memorable destinations including Canada, North America, Japan and New Zealand.
As Australia’s backcountry community continues to grow and prosper Drew is a strong advocate for safe backcountry travel. A CAA Operations 1 certificate holder Drew is a member of the Victorian Field Observations Team for MSC and is looking forward to sharing the stoke of the mountains with everyone!
Flora Hunt
MSC Field Observer
NZ-Avalanche Risk Management (Level 5)/ NZ-Snow Patrol (level 4)/ ASPA National Ski Patrol Certificate/ ASPA Advanced emergency care/ NZSIA Level 2
Born in NZ, Flora has been hooked on the outdoors from day one. In our winter you will find her patrolling at Thredbo and working as part of the NSW MSC team. She has worked in the ski industry in multiple countries and has become passionate about the backcountry and the community that surrounds it. She thrives on new adventures and finding new places to explore. Flora is excited about the upcoming season and being part of the team.
Art Hodder
MSC Field Observer
CAA Operations Level 1
Senior Ski Patroller/ Ski Instructor & Guide
You can rearrange his name to spell 'rather odd'. That's a decent personality summary.
Art has been patrolling since 2012 in Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States. In this time he has developed a strong interest in snow science and safety. He is a fan of powerful stances and monoskiing. Art spends his spare time in the backcountry, the ocean and at the dog park.
Kelly van den Berg
MSC Field Observer
CAA Ops Level 1 / Backcountry Guide / Outdoor Educator
Wilderness First Aid / Expedition Medicine UTAS
Kelly is a mountain and wilderness enthusiast that loves building community and bringing people together to enjoy the outdoors. She is passionate about education, safety and fun whilst dividing her time between Mt Hotham and her farm in Sth Gippsland. In the summer she works as an outdoor educator and guide as well as enjoys whitewater sports, surfing and operating an equestrian coaching and sports mindset coaching business.
Taylor Rogers (Tay)
MSC Field Observer
CAA Operations 1 / ASPA Emergency Care / ASPA National Ski Patrol Certification / Remote & Wilderness First Aid / Ski Guide
To Tay, backcountry evokes all the best things: pure stoke for a big line, satisfaction from a tough ascent, mental clarity from a long sunny-day skin and a special connection to the Australian Alpine landscape. Having patrolled and guided, Tay values safety and responsible decision making in risky environments. He believes the more we know about the environments we are in, the safer we can play. Tay looks forward to sharing knowledge about the places he goes and the info he gathers, while also promoting respect and inclusivity among Australia's awesome BC community.
Alex Parsons
MSC Field Observer
CAA Operations 1/Wilderness & Remote First Aid/Cert III Outdoor Recreation – Alpine Guiding, Backcountry Guide/APSI Level 2
Alex is a splitboarder on a mission. Since her first backcountry trip in Japan in 2015, Alex has been entranced by life beyond the boundaries and wants to share it with as many people as possible. With a background in marketing, professional writing, guiding and instructing – you’ll find her writing articles, featuring in films, creating social media and training guides as Thredbo’s backcountry Program Coordinator. She’s excited to provide observations for MSC and help usher in a culture shift of safety, environmental protection and inclusion in the Australian snow community.
Joe Deppeler
MSC Field Observer
CAA Operations level 1
ASPA Advanced Emergency Care
Victoria Police Patroller Steep Snow & Ice Course
Joe began ski touring near Red Mountain, Canada in 2012. Ever since then he has been captivated with the remoteness, skiing untracked snow, the personal responsibility and the endless learning associated with being in the backcountry.
He now calls North East Victoria home and spends the winters ski patrolling at Mt Hotham and skiing in the nearby backcountry.
He loves the sometimes challenging touring conditions in Australia which really makes you appreciate the good days when it all comes together.