Meet the family.

We may not all be related, but our staff have been with us long enough to feel like it. We are lucky enough to have a small, core group of talented and personable individuals with a high level of expertise and extensive experience that make us who we are. We believe in real, old-fashioned customer service, the kind where someone remembers your name. So first, allow us to introduce ourselves:

Rudi Purcell’s owner and operator since 1974 and one of the grandfathers of heli-skiing itself. Rudi came to Canada from Switzerland in 1966, and has since dedicated himself to guiding and promoting Golden’s skiing community to the world. He knows our terrain better than anyone, and we’re pretty sure still has more fun than anyone, too. Don’t let the grey hair fool you, he still catches air on a regular basis!	Jeff Rudi’s son and a third-generation guide, Jeff has been heli-skiing since he was three years old. His extensive experience and love of the backcountry are easy to see when you ski with him. Jeff oversees the guiding program, leads most of our exclusive groups, and can usually be seen with a video camera attached to him to catch all the action!	Bryan A key member of the Purcell family for many years, Bryan proudly calls Golden home. Whether on skis or snowboard, his tremendous energy for guiding, customer care skills, and uplifting personality have made him an irreplaceable part of our team. Bryan even managed to beat Jeff’s record by taking his son Edward heli-skiing at age two!
Derek A translator turned tail guide turned full guide, Derek came to Purcell many years ago and hasn’t turned back. Since getting his guide’s certification early on, he has pursued skills training with determination and become a favourite among guests. He brings to the table a great ability to communicate his knowledge, along with a keen sense of humour. Did we mention he also speaks fluent Japanese?	Katie Our multi-tasker extraordinaire, Katie’s role as office manager allows her to be involved with every aspect of Purcell, from marketing and media to IT or radio coordinator, but your reservation is her top priority. You’ll usually find her answering customer inquiries, but if you twist her arm, she can usually be talked into doing some “quality control” out on the slopes!	Myriam The newest addition to Purcell’s team, Myriam is our number cruncher and all around behind-the-scenes expert, plus she speaks three languages fluently. Coming to work with us has rekindled a love of skiing for her, and she’ll be the first one to tell you what a thrill it is to heli-ski. We all love Myriam for her kind personality, and because she cuts all the cheques!
Ryan The chief pilot for our helicopter provider, HeliQwest Aviation, Ryan’s flying exudes a sense of ease and confidence that only comes with many years of experience. His attention to detail and thorough knowledge of our terrain make getting there a smooth and fun experience.	Bruno Another talented and experienced heli-ski pilot that we're lucky to work with, Bruno brings remarkable skill to the team, plus he knows our terrain like the back of his hand. He's also a world traveler, kite surfer, and fluent in French.	Claire An avid backcountry skier and professional photographer, Claire's enthusiasm and sense of adventure add great energy to the team. Her friendly and attentive attitude ensures the reservation process is easy and informative. She also speaks fluent Spanish, rounding out our international group!