Ptor’s 36 years of ski mountaineering and global guiding experience combined with his passion for unthinkable ski adventures makes him a perfect match for 40 Tribes. His work as a freeride alpinist, product design consultant, heli ski guide and ski tour guide has sent him on pioneering expeditions in the far reaches of Pakistan, India, Turkey, Bolivia and Colombia, and has helped him develop a name as “one of the 48 most influential skiers of the last 35 years” (Powder Magazine) and “one of the top 50 most influential backcountry pioneers” (Backcountry Magazine). In 2013, Ptor was inducted into the first class of the Action Sports Hall of Fame. Ptor has held his Canadian Avalanche Association Level I Avalanche Certification since 1990, is certified in Advanced Wilderness First Aid and Advanced Outdoor Emergency Care, and has mentored with many famous guides like John Falkiner and Doug Coombs. Originally from Canada, Ptor has made the ski mountaineering mecca of La Grave, France his hometown, where he now lives with his wife and 2 sons. After 8 years lead guiding for 40 Tribes in Kyrgyzstan, Ptor took a respite in 2019 to pursue a couple of top-secret projects. He returned in 2023, couldn’t say no to 2024, and is back again to lead guide WKS4-6 of our 15th season with support from our local partner and soon-to-be Kyrgyzstan Mountain Guides Association guide, Kasidin Musaev. While we missed Ptor during his sabbatical, we knew he’d be back one day. In his words, “40 Tribes’ Kyrgyzstan operation is a perfect fit as a tranquil and undeveloped mountain scenario that will provide great skiing without an exploding scene for years to come. It’s how I prefer to ski.” Also for the 2025 season Ptor will lead guide our Ptor’s Backyard (duh!!) and Svalbard expeditions.

Recent Projects:

• Premiere ski descent Pico Simmons (5,675m), Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

• Development of the "Wolverine" ski with the Germany-based snowboard/ski manufacturer, POGO

• Guiding and exploratory skiing in the Tamokdalen region of northern Norway

• Exploratory skiing in the Nanga Parbat region of Pakistan for Endlessflow Films’ documentary feature, ‘Dreamline’; Premiere ascent and ski descent of Liver Peak (5,500m) and premiere ski descent of the Shina Face on Geshot Peak (6,800m)

• Premiere ski descent SW Face direct Lyskam Oriental (4,538m), Switzerland/Italy

• Exploratory skiing with Sweetgrass Productions while filming for ‘Solitaire’ in unskied regions of the Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru; Premiere ski descents of the Yerupaja Glacier, Sarapo Glacier and E Face of Sarapo

• Premiere ski descents on 20 day self-contained traverse, St. Elias Mountains, Yukon – NW Face Mt. Vancouver (4,813m), N Ridge Mac Arthur Peak (4,300m)

Required Reading:

• “Go Your Own Way,” Backcountry Magazine, April 2019.