Master The Mountain Course Diary - Week Five - Boulder Hut

Following an awesome week at the Boulder Hut this week, with 50cms of fresh powder, I caught up with one of our clients. Michael talked us through what led him to join the Master The Mountain course, and what his plans are for the rest of the season...

Michael heading off to the Boulder Hut in the heli

Howdy Michael Perryman, can you tell us where are you from and what were you doing prior to the MTM course?

I was born in Liverpool and lived in Bristol. I have worked in the Middle East as a communications engineer for past 10 years; five in Iraq and five in Afghanistan.

How long have you been dreaming about a year away in the mountains?

Five years ago I started to think about leaving the Middle East. I wanted to spend a good amount of time in the mountains. I got a quick fix living in Big White for seven weeks but since then it’s been two full years of dreaming of the opportunity to spend a full season away.

How did you find Nonstop and the MTM Course?

I found Nonstop through Google initially. Then, after chatting with Max in the Bath office he told me about the opportunities with Nonstop and the style of trip that would suit me. Nonstop is the only company who could offer me a full season with objectives to focus on time in the backcountry and the second six weeks with the options to focus on CASI Level 2 or All Mountain Pro.

What were your objectives coming to Canada or Nonstop?

I wanted a full season with tonnes of focus and time spent in the back country.

Have our Nonstop pros had any influence on your time in Fernie?

Massively, it’s been great having a variety of instructors to relate and learn from with different teaching styles.

Was the exposure to the back country one of the key reasons to join the MTM? If not, what was the attraction?

It was, but surprising one of the coolest elements for me has been meeting the awesome guys on course. So many course-mates are my age and at similar stages in life. We can all relate, and share this passion of powder snow.

Enjoying the back country at The Boulder Hut

What has been the highlight of the MTM course for you?

Training days and the Boulder Hut this week. You absolutely can’t beat the time being unplugged in the remote Canadian wilderness. Mark and Sarah were fantastic hosts up at Boulder. I would love to return there, it’s a very special place. 

Will you find yourself split boarding the back country in the future?

Without a doubt, can’t wait to train more and spend my days in paradise.

What do you see yourself doing in the future? Or next winter, more importantly?

I'm unsure at the moment, this was a huge life changing year for lots of us in the program. I sold my house and gave up my job for this opportunity and the exposure to changing my life for the adventure. I want to take my CASI Level 2 this year and would love to stay in Canada and the mountains.

Thanks Michael! Well, it keeps my stoke alive knowing that you are having so much fun and a life changing year; just goes to show what great things can happen in life if you go for it and put yourself out there. Enjoy the final week of the MTM with your coursemates, and the rest of the season. 

USEFUL LINKS

The Master the Mountain course is a six week program that gives you the best possible training in big mountain skiing or riding. It's an ideal course for a career break, culminating in a trip to a remote backcountry lodge accessed by helicopter. The ski camps and snowboard courses are a great way to make sure that you don't just cruise around on the mountain, but that you actually improve. They are great fun, super sociable and you come away being able to tackle terrain you could only have imagined before your Nonstop program. Come and join us in Fernie and find out for yourself.

Like what you've read? Check out the course diary for the final week of the program.