Himal: snow-covered mountain; the high, snowy ranges.

I chose the name Himal Ski Guiding to try and capture the spirit of the mountain culture in Nepal. The Nepali people are famous for their skill and strength in the high mountains. They are also some of the kindest and most welcoming people I have ever met. If you ask anyone who has been to Nepal why it is such a special place they will usually give the same reply: It’s the people.

In my experience, I have found Nepalis always view safety and helping fellow humans as more important than reaching a summit. Himal Ski Guiding holds these same principles at its core, in addition to environmental stewardship and sustainability. All Himal Ski Guiding trips are predominately human-powered, with motorised vehicles reserved solely for access/egress at the start or end of a trip. We keep the group size small on all of our trips to reduce our impact, but also because group dynamics are just better with a small team.

I started Himal Ski Guiding as a way to connect skiers and splitboarders with the ski-mountaineering potential in the Himalayas. For me, a trip to Nepal is as much about the cultural experience as it is about the skiing. You will find this reflected in the way our expeditions are organised, using local staff and seeking out interaction with the local villagers we meet along the way. As all of our Nepal expeditions are led by an ACMG Ski Guide in conjunction with a local Nepali Mountain Guide, we are able to combine this cultural experience with the highest Western safety standards in guiding.

We also organise ski mountaineering and ski touring trips in Western Canada, with a focus on the high icefields and remote locations. I have been exploring the mountains of Western Canada on skis for the last 15 years and would love to show you around!

All of our lead guides are certified by the Association of Mountain Guides and the Canadian Avalanche Association. Read more about our guides HERE

Ali Hogg - Owner of Himal Ski Guiding

[Porters in Nepal] Photo credit: Ali Hogg