Our Background

Gary Ashurst : Co-owner/ operator and guide
Let me share with you some of my qualifications and a little bit about myself. I am 45 year old husband and father who has maintained a passion for skiing since the age of 13. For the past 16 years I have been guiding in La Grave and throughout Europe, specializing in lift accessed off-piste terrain. During this time, I have had no major injuries to myself or any of my clients.

Also:
  • Certified Ski Mountaineering Guide- American Mountain Guides Association
  • Licensed Rock, Alpine and Mountain Bike Guide
  • Certified - National and Professional Ski Patrol
  • Wilderness first responder (first aid)
  • Coached racing for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation
  • Ski instructor
  • Certified athletic trainer- Southern Oregon State College
  • Professional member of American Mountain Guides Association
  • Level III avalanche forecaster


Matt Schonwald:Co-owner/ operator and guide
Matt is at home on rock, ice or snow having spent the last 14 years climbing and skiing in Europe, Asia, North & South America and guided in the Cascades, Alaska, Canada, South America, Nepal and Europe. Matt passion for exploring new terrain and new routes has led him to La Grave. When not out skiing, Matt lives in Seattle with his wife, Christine, his snow dog, Zoe and Makalu the cat and is the North American Program Director and Managing guide for Mountain Madness.

  • AMGA Certified Ski-Mountaineering Guide
  • Level III & CAATS Ski Ops Level 1 Avalanche certification
  • AIARE Avalanche Level 1 & II Instructor
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • B.A. in Asian Studies
  • 7 years of ski patrolling in the NW
Julie Johnson:

  • Gary's beautiful wife and mother to their daughter Alagna
  • Expert skier who sometimes tail guides with a whip
  • Helps organize and coordinate winter programs
  • Cooks great dinners for our guests once a week
  • Paints wonderful watercolor landscape pictures

Global Adventures, L.C. P.O. Box 1105 Ketchum, ID 83340
Phone & Fax (208) 726-4009 or (800) 754-1199, French Phone & Fax 011-334-76 79 97 11
information@globaladventures.net