Our Guides

Kevin Krein

Co-owner and Lead Guide

Dr. Kevin Krein is a lifelong Alaskan and has been skiing for as long as he can remember. He has been skiing and guiding in the Juneau area and around the world for over 20 years. In addition to being a mountain guide, Kevin is a professor of philosophy and outdoor studies at the University of Alaska Southeast, where he teaches courses ranging from Avalanche Hazard Evaluation to Philosophy of Sport. Kevin founded Alaska Powder Descents with Sean Janes in 2007. His latest book, Philosophy and Nature Sports, was recently published by Routledge Press.

Ed Shanley

Co-owner and Lead Guide

Raised in Juneau by a passionate ski bum father, Ed strapped onto his first set of skis at the ripe old age of two. He grew up to ski race at Montana State University and has lived, skied, and climbed extensively throughout Alaska, the Rockies, Sierra, and the Alps. When not guiding helicopter skiing, Ed works as an avalanche technician for Alaska Electric Light and Powder. Ed has been lead guide on a number of professional ski and snowboard film projects throughout the state of Alaska, including Jeremy Jones’s “Further” and “Higher.” Teton Gravity Research (TGR)

John Bressette

Co-owner and Lead Guide

Johnny was born and raised in Juneau and has been skiing here for over 30 years.  He has been guiding heliskiing in Southeast Alaska for well over 20 years. He specializes in working with film crews and is regularly a lead guide for Teton Gravity Research (TGR) when they are filming in Alaska. When he isn’t snowboard guiding, Johnny works as an avalanche forecaster for the local power company AEL&P and spends his summers salmon fishing.

Sam Roche

Lead Guide

Sam is originally from Minnesota and moved to Juneau in 2010 after graduating from Montana State University in Bozeman.  He is a fully certified AMGA splitboard guide.  He splits his winter guiding season between Japan and Alaska.  He loves riding on Douglas Island and gets into the higher peaks of the Coast Range whenever he can.  Sam is supported by Weston Backcountry as part of their guide team.  In the summer season, he guides fly fishing trips throughout Alaska.

Mark Krumwiede

Guide

Coming soon…

Angela Martz

Guide

Angela grew up in the mountains of Northern New Mexico, learning to ski in jeans in the 70’s on a rope tow. She has chased powder ever since, working her way through the AMGA Ski Guide program. She is an AIARE avalanche instructor.  When not working for APD, she is a guide and instructor with San Juan Expeditions.

She is a Physician Assistant at the University of New Mexico, specializing in Pediatric Orthopedics, Emergency Medicine and Trauma Surgery. She has served as Faculty with the Diploma in Mountain Medicine with UNM since 2017. She has been a technician in Winter, Rock and Ice as well as an operational member with Albuquerque Mountain Rescue Council since 2013. She thinks there is nothing sweeter than powder skiing, mountain climbing, hiking or mountain biking with her husband Bill and her dogs Boss and Sue.

Kayla Heidenreich

Guide

Kayla is originally from Bellingham, Washington and moved to Juneau from Lake Tahoe after graduating from University.  She is a professional ski patroller at Eaglecrest Ski Area, and spends all winter on her snowboard.  In the summers, Kayla has led expeditions in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.