San Juan Ski Company
our catskiing guides/team
Founded by Bob Rule, the San Juan Ski Company has a small group of dedicated employees who are committed to making your Colorado snowcat skiing trip an unforgettable adventure. We are one of the few catskiing operations that is independently owned and operated. And as such, we strive to offer guests exceptional customer service and a memorable snowcat skiing vacation.
Our mission is to provide an outstanding and safe Colorado backcountry powder skiing experience as well as a relaxing holiday for our guests.
Bob Rule, Owner/Lead Guide Bob grew up in San Diego, found his way to Durango in 1979, and has been chasing powder ever since. In 1997, Bob created the San Juan Ski Company to write off his powder-skiing addiction. Since then, he has been involved with all aspects of the catskiing operation. |
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Carrie Rule, Marketing/Reservations A Montana native, Carrie learned to ski powder in British Columbia’s backcountry and her love for powder and adventure took her on yearly backcountry hut and heliskiing trips. Before moving to Colorado in 2008, Carrie resided in Bozeman, Mont., for 23 years, where she received her degree in Marketing and Public Relations and skied at Bridger Bowl and Big Sky. Bob and Carrie have an 8-year-old daughter, Annika, who is shredding the backcountry and aspires to become the youngest backcountry guide. Carrie handles reservations, information and marketing for the San Juan Ski Company. |
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Kevin Devine, Guide Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Kevin has wandered the backcountry of Colorado for more than 30 years. He moved to Durango and started skiing in the San Juans three decades ago. Kevin has been exploring our terrain with Bob for over 20 years and has been a guide for us since we opened. Kevin has two sons, Conor and Chris. (Chris is a featured skier in our home page video.) |
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Kevin's training and certification includes: Level III American Avalanche Institute, National Avalanches School, Wilderness First Aid and EMT training. Kevin is a professional member of the American Avalanche Association. |
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Josh Coffin, Guide Josh has lived and worked in the Rockies, the Sierras, the Wasatch Range, and now the San Juans. A former professional ski patroller of two Class A avalanche ski areas, Josh has guided for us since 2008. He is also a backcountry ski guide for Southwest Adventure Guides. Josh instructs Level I and ll Avalanche Courses for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). He has been through the entire AIARE curriculum and |
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holds his Avalanche Level III certification. In addition, he holds certifications as an Avalanche Level l lead instructor and Level ll Assistant Instructor. He is a Wilderness First Responder and Outdoor Emergency Care provider/ CPR caregiver. In the summer months, Josh spends his time working as a guide for Western Spirit Cycling, guiding mountain bike trips all over the Western U.S. |
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Skip (Skippie) Zeller, Guide Born in Virginia, Skippie has lived most of his life in the Rocky Mountains and could almost be considered a true Durango native. He has been in the snow business since 1983, working as a patroller at Purgatory/Durango Mountain Resort, where he is the Snow Safety Director. He is also an instructor of Level I Avalanche Training courses. Skippie has been guiding for us since 1997. |
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Skippie’s training and certifications include: Level I, II and III, Silverton Avalanche School, EMT and Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshops. He is also certified as a Colorado blaster for Avalanche control and is the daily weather observer/reporter for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). |
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Kim Morton, Powder Instructor Kim Morton grew up on the slopes of Alta, Utah, where both her father and mother worked. Since then, she has worked at ski resorts in Utah and Colorado specializing in high-level training seminars, professional certification and exclusive private lessons. Kim began one of the first all-women’s ski programs in the U.S. Kim is also an accredited life coach and is available for team-building workshops. |
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Marc Snider, Guide Marc grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he skied and worked at Schweitzer Mountain, first as a lift operator and then a patroller. Marc moved on to Bozeman, Mont., to study film at MSU and to ski Bridger Bowl. From there, he moved to Durango and patrolled at Wolf Creek for five years. |
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Marc’s training and certification includes Level I and Level II, Silverton Avalanche School, Advanced First Aid, CPR, EMT. When he isn’t guiding for us, Marc owns and runs a film/television production company. |
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Amy Knight, Guide Born in Aspen, Amy has been skiing since she was knee high to a mogul. A former ski racer, instructor and current patroller at Durango Mountain Resort, and trauma nurse, Amy is the type of woman that will kick your butt on the mountain and then package you up and haul you off in a sled. Amy has been guiding for us 2002. Amy’s training and certifications include: Level I and II, Silverton Avalanche School, National Avalanche School, CPR and EMT-P RN (for medical background. |
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Andy Ward, Snowcat driver Andy was born in Butte, Montana. He grew up in Evergreen and skied at Loveland. Andy is one on those Summit County expatriates who found his way to Durango. He worked at Purgatory for 12 years cutting ski runs in the summer and grooming in the winter. Andy has been driving a cat for us 1998. |
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