About Me

Hi, I am Joel O’Rourke. Thanks for dropping by;

I’ve created this blog to share some of my experiences with you.

I started skiing when I was 5 years old in the (sometimes) snowy hills of Australia. However, it wasn’t until 2005 that I became passionate about skiing when I discovered the joy, adventure and rewards of backcountry skiing.

Since then I had a many year stint as a professional ski patroller in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA and adventured further afield in search of new experiences and places.

After patrolling and adventuring for many seasons I started the training pathway to become a certified ski guide through the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA) and I am now a fully certified ski guide with both the NZMGA and the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA).

The pull of exotic places and adventure brought me to ski guide all over Japan for five seasons but then I had a lucky draw in the USA Diversity Lottery and won permanent residency. I am now splitting my time between guiding in the mountains of North America the southern alps of New Zealand.

Follow along with me as I travel around the world’s mountains.

NZMGA logo
NZMGA Ski Guide
AMGA Ski Guide
AMGA Ski Guide
Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association.
Professional Member of the American Avalanche Association.
Professional Member of the American Avalanche Association.

Joel on Rishiri