Maddie Crowell
Growing up right here in the San Juans, I was raised with the “work hard, play hard” mentality. Born and raised on Hastings Mesa, a little forest oasis 45 minutes outside of Telluride, my family’s log home is located off-the-grid and a three-mile snowmobile ride away in the winter.
At the age of two, my parents strapped skis on my feet and there was no looking back. Racing competitively in high school, I switched my focus to big mountain and backcountry skiing when I moved to British Columbia to attend the University of British Columbia.
Returning to Telluride in 2017, I decided to call Telluride my home base again. Winters are my season and you can find me guiding for Mountain Trip in a variety of aspects: backcountry skiing, teaching avalanches courses, and dabbling with ice guiding. When summer rolls around you can find me guiding the Telluride and Ouray Via Ferrata, rock climbing, hiking, and alpine ascents in the San Juans. I have also helped guide Mountain Trip expeditions on Denali for four seasons!
My main obsession of skiing has taken me to Europe, Japan, Canada, Alaska and all over the western U.S. I seek to maintain a balance of pursuing my own big mountain dreams with my professional guiding goals. As a guide, I strive to always create meaningful and authentic connections in the mountains, while obtaining objectives in the safest way possible.
I’m currently on track to become an AMGA Ski Guide and hope to complete my AMGA Ski Exam next spring! I’m also an AMGA Apprentice Rock and Alpine Guide. I have pursued my avalanche education through the Canadian Avalanche Association and have completed my Operations Level 2, Advanced Search & Rescue and Mountain Weather courses. I currently hold certifications for a Wilderness First Responder, Outdoor Emergency Care, Leave No Trace, and I’m member of the Salomon Ambassador Team.
When I’m not skiing, I try to make time for yoga, reading, potlucks and sewing fleece hats. I recently put down roots in Ophir, CO, and I’m fulfilling a lifelong dream of building a house with help from my dad, and partner, Will.
