Bryce Willigar
Mountains, Travel and Experiences
I am a homegrown Albertan and never tire of this landscape. I've always wanted to share and work in the outdoor industry. We founded Big Nature with the dream to create incredible opportunities and experiences for our guests to discover the Canadian Rockies.
PASSIONS
When I'm not in the wilderness guiding, I actually look forward to going into the office. I love what I do. Whether it is teaching Albertan history, skiing, hiking with guests or booking future trips, I realize I have it right. If only my dog could come on every trip! BA Ecotourism and outdoor leadership
There is no where else she'd rather be
I am happiest outside doing anything. Although hiking and biking are high on my fun list, so why not put them together? Hike-a-Bike – The act of taking one’s bike for a walk. It usually confirms I’m on a ridiculously adventurous route if I can’t ride the bike, which probably means, it’s the exact place I want to be.
PASSIONS
If for some crazy reason I’m not playing in the wilderness, then I read travel memoirs or immerse myself in pages of memories while I document past trips. I am an author and a voracious reader able to spend entire days in a coffee shop, tucked in a corner with my journals, maps, books and an unlimited supply of coffee.
Randi Klein
Our Geologist Expert
As an Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership graduate, I want to share my passion for outdoor education and interpretation with all age groups. I am experienced and strive to facilitate fun, immersive and safe programs.
PASSIONS
I love exploring new places and sharing my favourites with our guests. I never tire of taking picture of glaciers and wildflowers. I wouldn't necessarily call myself a geology expert, but I love it! I'm known to laugh at my own jokes because somebody has to.
Brett Kolasa
Awesome dude - Addicted to Snow
Guiding gives the opportunity to share my favourite places in the Canadian Rockies with others, while also being able to learn from each and every person on my trip. Every day is different and presents a new challenge, but they all feed my passion for the outdoors and exploring.
PASSIONS
My love of searching for bottomless powder days is what brought me into guiding. I’m addicted to SNOW!!!! It doesn't matter if I’m in my snowshoes, or skis, I love winter in the back-country! I love to share my knowledge, stories, and lessons I have learned in the winter with my group!
My dream trip that I have been eyeing up for a few years now, is the Wapta Traverse.
Jack Burns
Jack is Brilliant
Guiding gives me the opportunity to share my love for this Earth. Hokey? Perhaps, but I truly do see the natural world as a special place. It is my church and I get to proselytize to a relatively willing audience.
Upon retirement from my careers in the military, international aide business, it was a natural progression to become a professional guide working part time. Prior, guiding was an informal endeavour done for the pure joy of being in the mountains or desert with friends and relatives.
Jack Fact: I carry the heaviest pack full of props and extra clothes!
My ideal trip is any trip where the weather is good, the bugs are tolerable, and it isn't civilized.
Joel Michener
Outdoor leadership with songs and dance
After graduating I travelled for a few years and moved to Australia for one of those. for five months I worked as a tour bus driver at a hostel and eventually lead some small sunrise hiking tours. I knew I had a strong vocation to guiding then and there. I came back to Canada a few years later and studied Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership.
PASSIONS
An array of certifications and training programs later, and I’ve never looked back. I love guiding because people are their most authentic selves in nature. I love the human connection, and bringing that back into harmony with the outdoor world, is magic to me.
People will say my presence is unique. Now you take that however you please. I’m not afraid to sing and dance, or show my many fancy pants. I work with children and am still a large one myself.
I love the multi day multi adventure type trips. So I’d say some combination of bike-packing with kayaking/canoeing, or Cross Country with Tour Skiing that was 5-10 days long. It would be highly educational and dogs would be mandatory
Kelsey Jaggard
A very smart and funny guide
I am inspired to guide because of personal experiences with amazing educators who helped deepen my understanding of different places. I now share that knowledge so others can better understand the areas they visit and their role within them!
Bison - A modern success story
It’s new land they navigates, tentatively exploring their surroundings, but as the heavy herd pounds the ground, by deep summer they will uncover more history buried beneath their hooves. For it wasn’t too long ago when their ancestors traversed what we now call Banff National Park.
Why Hire A Guide
Let’s face it. Do you devote all your free time to being out cell service, on remote trails in crazy mountain weather? Our guides do. And they know how to make it a much safer experience. Let us Drive - You Discover.
Trekking poles
At Big Nature, not all the guides are as obsessed with poles as I am, and not all the guest that arrive are either. But the option is there. And we rely on your individuality. We welcome your own decisions. (Just don’t change your mind halfway through the day and take my poles.
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