Michael Ackerman

michael ackerman

director/guide : Silverton avalanche school

year you started guiding

2000

what guide services do you work for and where?

- Deputy Director - Silverton Avalanche School, USA.
- Splitboarding Mountain Guide - San Juan Mountain Guides, CO. Mountain Trip, AK & guest guide appearances for select outfitters and organizations nationwide.
- Course Leader/National Trainer - Continuing Education - AIARE
- Journey Lines Crew

what do you teach? any specific certifications?

Michael is a Professional Member of the American Avalanche Association (A3) and a leader in shaping avalanche and backcountry education in the United States.

Ack earned Pro 1&2 Trainer designation with A3, completed AIARE Level 3 certification and has been an AIARE instructor/course leader since 2003. After completing his BA in Adventure Education, Ack completed rock and ski guide training with the AMGA.

As a snow pro, Michael leads, designs and oversees recreational, professional, tactical and custom training for operational, industrial, transportation, military and law enforcement clients. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the San Juans and is the Habitat Watch Volunteer for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers in San Juan National Forest.

what inspired you to become a guide?

A passion for education, a devotion to the natural world and an inexhaustible commitment to human powered adventure.

any advice for upcoming guides?

- The ego is not your amigo. 
- There’s nothing safe out there; just less dangerous options, decisions, behaviors available to us.
- You'll never get it right, you just won't get it wrong enough.
- The more you learn, the less you'll know.
- The mountains are always telling us a story. Are you listening?
- Mother nature bats last. And she’s fond of hitting walk offs in the bottom of the 9th 

booking pages

Follow Ack's blog and see his full line up of domestic avy courses, backcountry trainings, guiding availability, speaking events and international trips:

backcountry weapon of choice

Backwoods Carbon Split 163