Lead Guide A rare combination of explorer, academic and artist, Jason spends half the year leading photo safaris in his home town of Whistler BC, and the other half following academic pursuits. A recent graduate of Harvard University, Jason achieved the highest academic honors by graduating with distinction at the top of the 2018 graduating class. He’s also an award-winning graduate of the Western Academy of Photography with over two decades of commercial photography experience and still maintains a select group of commercial clients. Jason may well have logged more time observing bears and their natural habitat throughout Whistler's Callaghan Valley than anyone else, and his exclusive agreement with the Whistler Olympic Park provides unprecedented access. His unique perspective and fascinating ability to offer up plenty of bear related anecdotes make his tour unforgettable. @bohopro
Sherry has been leading bear safaris for several years and has intimate knowledge of the habitat. She is pursuing a Bachelor Of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management at Royal Roads University while managing Whistler Photo Safaris and raising her family in Whistler. Having an extensive background in the film and television industry, a passion for business start ups she is thrives on the fast pace of Bear Safaris and tries to hibernate when the bears do. @sherry_hilliard
Joel is a professional hiking and back country guide with decades of experience leading adventurers of all ages into the wilderness. Joel attended Mount Royal University for his BA in Eco Tourism and Outdoor Leadership. He enjoys traditional climbing, ice climbing, caving, kayaking, mountaineering, wilderness first aid and wilderness survival. Joel has traveled extensively but mostly has a passion for his home, Whistler. When not on Safari Joel can be found on overnight hiking trips in the mountains or working with adults and youth through the many social programs he is involved with including emergency social services.
Andrea is originally from Montreal, Quebec. She has been living in Whistler for 10 years now and originally came here to pursue her passion for snowboarding. Not long after, she discovered how beautiful summer is in the mountains and decided to make Whistler her forever home. When she isn't out on the field being a safari guide, she can be found kayaking on the local lakes and rivers or hiking up steep mountains. She loves to share her enthusiasm for the outdoors with people and also through her stunning outdoor photography. For her, the expression on people's faces when they also fall in love with Whistler is priceless. @adv_bird
Erik grew up on Vancouver’s North Shore with world class outdoor recreation at his fingertips, Erik naturally gravitated to pursuing a career that would facilitate sharing his love of the natural world. Since 2018 he’s worked as a guide onboard small ship wildlife viewing expeditions on the remote coasts of British Columbia. Working in close proximity to whales, wolves, and bears - including Kermode bears! - sparked a passion for photography, leaving him unable to put his camera down ever since. Erik spends his free time climbing, highlining, sailing, and backpacking out of his new home in Squamish, BC. @ejacksoninaction
Sam is a snowsports professional and Geoscientist. While finishing a Geology masters degree in the UK, Sam heard the call of the mountains and decided to answer. After one winter season in the Austrian alps, He was convinced that a life outdoors was the
way forward. Now having spent 20 winter seasons teaching snowsports between Canada and New Zealand, Sam is based year round in Whistler and spends his time sharing a passion for the geological, ecological and historical wonders of the region with guests from around the globe. In his free time, Sam can be found skiing, biking or poring over a map planning the next adventure.
Shea is a landscape and adventure photographer originally from Riverview, New Brunswick Canada. He has worked as a photographer all over the world combining his passions of photography, adventure and travel. A lover of all outdoor sports and an enthusiast for adventure, he moved to Whistler in 2013 with the plan of staying for one winter season. Although once he got a taste of summer in the mountains there was no going back! A ski bum at heart, his love for winter landscapes slowly shifted into a passion for summertime hiking and exploring all the mountain peaks throughout the Sea to Sky. If he’s not currently in the mountains, he’s probably planning his next trip there, always with his camera in hand. @sheamacneilphoto
Ollie comes from a freelance career in the UK working internationally as a camera and drone operator for broadcast. His specialism is Wildlife and Adventure programming and includes a great deal of grounding in photographic technique and equipment; he was a photographer before transitioning into the moving image. Ollie has regularly worked for a number of large internationally recognized wildlife channels, these include National Geographic, Discovery Chanel, and the BBC Natural History Unit. His work has bought him to BC to capture fishing and coastal wildlife in the Pacific Rim national park, and to photograph Bears on the Salmon run along the Fraser river. During these assignments he fell in love with British Columbia; it's tall trees and diverse wildlife. @ollieinstagram