Arden Bailey: Owner of Yellowstone Expeditions: Arden began working in Yellowstone in 1979 and started Yellowstone Expeditions in 1983. He has spent several summers working for the National Park Service as a park naturalist and also as a research geologist. In more recent years he has spent the spring, summer, and fall working as a geologist for engineering and environmental firms, working the last several summers in Alaska. Arden is a PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) Nordic ski instructor and PSIA backcountry ski guide. He has completed the Red Cross Advanced First Aid as well as the American Avalanche Institute avalanche safety and forecasting courses. His goal is to share his knowledge and love of Yellowstone with our visitors.

Erica Hutchings: Office Manager: Erica began working in Yellowstone as a tour guide and bus driver in 1987 and has been with Yellowstone Expeditions since 1989. She has summered as a National Park Service ranger in Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. She is an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and has completed the American Avalanche Institute backcountry avalanche safety and forecasting course. Erica is a PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) backcountry ski guide and Nordic ski instructor. Erica manages our office and reservation system as well as helps out at the skier's Yurt Camp.

Connie Dover: Camp Cook: Connie started with Yellowstone Expeditions in 2011. She has spent many summers in the Yellowstone Area cooking at Guest Ranches just east of the Park. In addition to being our camp cook, Connie is a singer, poet and Emmy Award-winning producer and composer. Connie has produced several solo CDs, including: Somebody, The Wishing Well, If Ever I Return, The Border of Heaven, and most recently a CD of traditional Christmas songs and carols with the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, entitled The Holly and the Ivy.

She received a 2007 Emmy Award for her production of acoustic music for the KCPT public television production Bad Blood: The Border War that Triggered the Civil War. Her original music earned a Grand Prize in the 2007 Yellowstone & Teton Song Contest, sponsored by the Western Folklife Center (Elko, Nevada), and she is a recipient of the Speakeasy Prize in Poetry for her book of poems, Winter Count, published in 2007 by Unholy Day Press.

Connie can be heard on NPR Radio's "Whats in a Song". Her broadcast performances include guest appearances and features on NPR's Weekend Edition (Saturday and Sunday), A Prairie Home Companion, The Thistle & Shamrock, Mountain Stage and E-Town. Connie's Web Page can be found at https://www.ConnieDover.com

Nadia Garbaj: Ski Camp Manager and Senior Photography Guide: Nadia's love for Yellowstone runs deep, and it's no surprise she has discovered the magic of living and working in this incredible landscape. She traded in her desk job for a life of adventure and excitement and has never looked back!

Working in Yellowstone has opened a world of opportunity for Nadia. As a guide with 18 seasons of experience, a Wilderness First Responder, American Avalanche Association Level 1 Avalanche Course Certification, and Certified Interpretive Guide her extensive exposure, and training from the royalty of legendary Yellowstone guides (Arden Bailey included), she provides an unforgettable ski camp experience, complete with epic adventures, a wealth of knowledge, a focus on safety, and endless laughs.

From Alaska to Yellowstone, Nadia thrives in the great outdoors and loves sharing her passion with others. When she isn't out exploring the park, you may find her chatting with guests all about Yellowstone's history, flora and fauna or cracking jokes and keeping things light-hearted back at Yurt Camp. With her infectious energy and sense of humor, she has a way of making every experience fun and memorable. For Nadia, Yellowstone isn't just a job - it's a way of life.

Piper Gillard: Senior Ski Guide and Ski Instructor: Growing up in Vermont as a competitive skier, Piper was drawn to the vast beauty and recreational opportunities of Montana. She has a degree in Environmental Studies from Montana State University, has called this area home for the past 14 years and has guided with YE since 2018, With this background, Piper can see these mountains are alive in the winter and has been drawn to the Yellowstone backcountry, both recreationally and as an instructor. As a guide and educator she has gained an unparalleled appreciation for the dynamic nature of our ecosystem as well as amazing topography/route planning skills. She feels privileged to work in the mountains, to share and experience that passion with Yurt Camp visitors. Let Piper show you that skiing the untouched powder of the parks backcountry is the ideal way to enjoy and experience the scenic splendor of a Yellowstone winter. Piper is a certified PSIA Cross-Country Ski Instructor, a Wilderness First Responder, and has completed the American Avalanche Association Level 1 Avalanche Course and Certification.

Aidan Denison: Ski Guide: Aidan started guiding with Yellowstone Expeditions in the fall of 2019. She studied Outdoor Recreational Therapy in college with the intention of providing adaptive, inclusive and compassion based outdoor experiences. Since then she has worked seasonally leading a variety of trips based out of her home state of Minnesota. Her guiding experience includes trips to Glacier National Park, The Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Voyageur National Park, Namekagon River, and much more around the mid-west. Her spring and fall seasons are spent traveling the country with 24-ft Voyageur canoes to take students paddling on their local waterways. On these trips, she provides ecology, wildlife and conservation based education. Her days off are spent on paddle trips with the rest of the YE crew. Aidan is a Wilderness First Responder and has completed the American Avalanche Association Level 1 Avalanche Course and Certification.

Shamus Olson: Ski Guide: Shamus started with Yellowstone Expeditions in the fall of 2020. Shamus came to YE after years of teaching abroad in Armenia, Kenya, and Zambia. Here at YE he is known for both pioneering and blazing trail. Shamus spends his summer months as a canoe guide in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, St. Croix, and Namekagon rivers. Being from Minnesota, Shamus loves the cold of the winter but also enjoys a little warmth in order to get out climbing and paddling. Shamus is a Wilderness First Responder and has completed the American Avalanche Association Level 1 Avalanche Course and Certification.

Sage Chimo: Ski Guide: A Montana local, Sage is used to a long and cold winter season. She learned to ski at 2 years old, and every winter since then she's found a way to hit the slopes. With 4 years of experience skiing in the backcountry, she knows how to have an epic and safe day in the mountains. When she's not living out of a yurt in Yellowstone, Sage tours the country living out of her van, Stan. She travels to find the coolest places to hike, rock climb, take photos, and paint! Sage is a Wilderness First Responder and has completed the American Avalanche Association Level 1 Avalanche Course and Certification.

Julie Hotz: Ski Guide: With 6 years of experience leading outdoor expeditions all over the country, from Florida to Alaska, she has a true passion for the outdoors and has honed her skills to become a true master in the world of guiding. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder, with a passion for exploring remote wilderness areas and providing safe and enjoyable experiences for all. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, she will guide you through the snow-covered landscape with ease, offering tips and tricks along the way to help you improve your technique and get the most out of your Yurt Camp adventure. But what truly sets Julie apart is her infectious enthusiasm and love for Yellowstone in winter. She believes that getting out in nature is good for the soul and loves nothing more than sharing her passion with others. So, come join Julie at Yellowstone Expeditions for an unforgettable experience that you'll be talking about for years to come. Julie has completed the American Avalanche Association Level 1 Avalanche Course and Certification.

Risa Berman: Ski Guide: Risa is known for her warm and welcoming personality, and her smile is contagious! She has a natural ability to put people at ease and make them feel comfortable - her upbeat, positive attitude helps create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere at Yurt Camp, making guests feel like they are part of the family. With years of experience leading hiking and horseback expeditions all over Yellowstone, Risa brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. As a lover of the outdoors, Risa is passionate about creating unforgettable experiences for our guests. From providing guidance on ski and snow-shoe trails to spotting wildlife, Risa is always eager to share her knowledge and make our guests' stay as enjoyable as possible. Risa is certified in American Avalanche Association Level 1 Avalanche Course and a certified Wilderness First Responder, trained to provide emergency medical care in remote wilderness environments. Come join Risa on an adventure through the breathtaking wilderness and experience the beauty of Yellowstone like never before.