The Ascending Spiral of Mentorship with Nina Marienthal

The Avalanche Hour Podcast

Episode Overview:

In this compelling episode, Brooke sits down with Nina Marienthal, Lead Guide at Beartooth Powder Guides (BPG) in Cooke City, Montana, where she landed after starting her career heli-guiding in Alaska. After growing up the daughter of a heli-ski guide and ski instructor—doing her homework at the helibase every spring in Alaska while her parents were out in the snow—it only makes sense that Nina went on to become one of the youngest people to be an AMGA Certified Ski Guide.

Currently the lead guide at BPG and an Educator at the American Avalanche Institute, Nina dives into her beginnings working her way up from being an apprentice at Black Ops Valdez in Alaska, to her draw to pursue more human-powered guiding as she progressed in her career and desires for her work. Nina shares unique perspectives on the pace of mechanized vs. human-powered guiding, navigating the industry as a woman, and most importantly how the ascending spiral of mentorship develops over time.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Beartooth Powder Guides

• Black Ops Valdez

• Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center

• Eastern Oregon University Motorized User Survey

• AIARE Transceiver Terminology Survey

• Boilen/McCammon Human Factor 2.0 Initial Survey:

Crew:

• Host: Brooke Maushund

• Guest: Nina Marienthal (@nina_marienthal)

• Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)

Sponsors:

• Wyssen Avalanche Control

• Gordini

• OpenSnow

• Arva Equipment

🎶 Music by Ketsa: My Sunny Lounge, Sandstone