BRUCE GOODLAD
Ski+board’s backcountry guru on mountain guiding, planning the ultimate adventure and combining his twin loves of skiing and sailing
Bruce loves to share his passion for wild exploits
MY JOB IN A NUTSHELL...
As a mountain guide my job is to take people on adventures in the mountains, be it on skis in the winter, or mountaineering in the summer. I am lucky enough to be able to share my passion for wild and adventurous exploits with my guests.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN...
My parents were both teachers in Scotland. They had a passion for sailing and my dad built his own boat that we spent every holiday on, so outdoor adventure was part of my life from a young age. When I was 16 I had the chance to go skiing in Scotland with the Scouts, which gave me a taste of it, but my life was very much focused on climbing back then. The first time I went to the Alps climbing in winter I realised I needed to learn to ski to get anywhere, and on the way I discovered my love for skiing, which has now taken me all over the world.
MY TYPICAL DAY...
The great thing about my job is the variety; over the course of a winter I might start skiing in Tignes guiding lift-accessed off-piste and teaching avalanche courses, then finish six months later skiing from a boat in Svalbard, keeping a wary eye out for polar bears.
If there was any typical aspect to the day it’s the meticulous planning that goes into making sure we are at the right place at the right time to give my guests the best possible experience. When teaching young guides, I use the swan analogy: we are smooth and effortless on the surface and paddling like crazy underneath.
Any day, no matter where we are, starts with studying the avalanche and weather forecast then comparing this to what has actually happened overnight. If the forecast is wrong, then so will the avalanche forecast be, and that’s when I start deciding which of the plans I’d made the night before will work. If you get the planning phase right, you set yourself up for success and you can get on with making sure guests have the best possible day out. It’s all about matching their aspirations and ability with the weather and conditions.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY CAREER...
In 2016 we chartered a yacht and sailed to Antarctica from Ushuaia to go ski touring with some guests. I had been to Antarctica twice before, once working for the British Antarctic Survey as a field guide, and the second guiding for a season on the Vinson Massif (Antarctica’s highest mountain at 4,892m). These were incredible experiences, but I always wanted to go back on a trip where we could have more self-determination. Combining all the sailing skills I learnt as a kid, with the ski touring and mountaineering skills I have as a guide, then sharing that with my guests as part of a dream trip.
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT MY JOB...
Taking guest to places and giving them experiences they couldn’t have had without my help. Sharing a summit with a guest who has become a good friend, and anticipating the descent to come, is a real privilege.
THE HARDEST PART IS...
Being away from my family. I have two young children and an incredibly tolerant wife who I miss when I’m away, but I try to balance life by not taking work in the school holidays and being at home for most of the summer.
IF I HAD TO CHOOSE ONE PLACE TO SKI FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE...
It would be Norway – the shear variety of terrain, the proximity of the sea and the lack of people is a magical combination. I’m sure I could live there but the family think the summer is too short!
From ski to surf, Bruce embraces every adventure