Originally from rural Massachusetts, Gabe grew up climbing and skiing through the beautiful hardwood forests of New England.  After moving to Washington to earn a BA in Economics from Whitman College, he relocated to Central Oregon in 2003 to work as a rock climbing guide at Smith Rock. “Once I saw how much snow we get in the Cascades, I was hooked on living here year round!  I can’t get enough of storm skiing through quiet old growth forests.” 

Now Gabe lives in Bend with his family and their puppy Shea.  He works year-round as a mountain guide and instructor.  During the winter he teaches AIARE avalanche awareness courses and enjoys helping folks explore the OR backcountry.  He has completed an AIARE level III, and is a course leader/instructor on the Level I and II courses for Three Sisters Backcountry.  Additionally he is a professional member of the American Avalanche Association.

Aaron is an Oregon native and started skiing at a young age. After being introduced to backcountry skiing, he started climbing and skiing the Cascade Volcanoes to prolong the ski season. He is currently a guide at Oregon Ski Guides and Timberline Mountain Guides. Aaron is AAI Level 3 trained and a professional member of the American Avalanche Association. He is passionate about skiing and snow safety, and excited to be involved with COAC.

In addition to an avid backcountry enthusiast and winter superfan, Annie Pendygraft is a PMBIA certified mountain bike coach and licensed psychotherapist. After earning her doctorate in counseling psychology from Oregon State University, Annie cultivated her adult learning skills through training other mental health professionals in both clinical and academic settings. Driven by her passion for supportive, encouraging, and effective learning environments for all, Annie combined her love of adventure sports and enthusiasm for teaching to develop a brain-based approach to build confidence, understand fear responses, and improve skills in higher-risk environments. She combines her expertise in brain-based learning, fear management, and mountain biking to support all genders to find flow and harmony in their sport.  Annie can most often be found in the mountain of Central Oregon or Western Maine. She is a practicing psychotherapist specializing in trauma recovery and sports-based trauma. In addition to her private practice, she also works as a head coach for Ladies AllRide mountain bike skills camps for women. 

Introduced to skiing as a young boy, Lowell Skoog became a ski instructor in high school and an avid climber in college. He began backcountry skiing after graduating from the University of Washington in 1978. Since then, he has explored the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, becoming the first person to ski, in stages, over 350 miles of the Cascade Crest from the summit of Mount Baker to the summit of Mount Rainier. Along the way, he gained a deep appreciation for the region's outdoor history, serving as chairman of the Mountaineers History and Library Committee, publishing the online Northwest Mountaineering Journal, and helping launch the Washington State Ski and Snowboard Museum in 2015.  Lowell's book, Written in the Snows: Across Time on Skis in the Pacific Northwest, received the National Outdoor Book Award for History in 2022. A retired engineer, he lives in Seattle with his wife, Nancy Mattheiss.

Ken has been a life-long adventurer. Certified internationally as a mountain guide with the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA), Ken is a leading human hazard management innovator. Through his business, Archetypal his work is to help people understand how they are showing up to critical decision-making processes. To recognize decisions that originate from shadow and to elevate actions to a higher place.

Sage Cattabriga-Alosa is an acclaimed American professional skier, widely recognized for his contributions to the world of freeride skiing. Since bursting onto the scene, Sage has become known not only for his incredible athleticism on the slopes but also for his artistic vision and unique approach to the sport. His skiing style is characterized by fluid movements, bold jumps, and a fearless approach to lines that others might shy away from. Beyond the powder, Sage's passion extends to filmmaking and photography, making him a multifaceted talent in the skiing community. Over the years, he has been featured in numerous skiing films, earning accolades and awards for his performances. His dedication to the sport and his continuous pursuit of innovation have solidified his place as one of the greats in modern skiing.