Allie's links:

Instagram: @tahoeallie

Website: www.allieace.wordpress.com

Episode Intro:

Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, happy Wednesday. This is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Our guest today is Allie Ace. We met in an SPI course. She told me that she had been an active listener of the show and resonated deeply with a few prior guests, especially Mia Tucholke. She mentioned that she had a very positive experience with her AMGA courses and wanted to encourage other aspirant female guides not to be afraid to take the first steps to become a guide.

Originally from the east coast, Allie learned to ski in the Poconos at the age of 3. In 2010, she moved to Tahoe to pursue bigger mountains and a full time career in the ski industry. She has traveled all over the country and the world to teach skiing and coach ski racing. Allie is a USSS Level 400 Alpine Coach, Coach Developer and Alpine Official, has her PSIA Alpine Level 3, Children’s Specialist 2, Freestyle Specialist 1, Resort & Divisional Trainer, and Snowboard Level 1. With her eye on steeper and deeper lines, Allie started backcountry guiding in 2020. She is an AIARE Course Instructor, has her Pro 1, and is an AMGA Apprentice Ski & Alpine Guide. Allie currently lives in Truckee, CA, works for Alpenglow Expeditions, NASTC and is the lead alpine trainer at Sugar Bowl Resort. She is working towards her avy Pro 2 and the PSIA National Team this season. When not skiing, Allie enjoys whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing and yoga.

Allie is very passionate about continuing education and training. She is serious about being outstanding in her job and equipping her clients and students with current and relevant knowledge. I learned so much from her. We found there are many analogies between the ski and rock disciplines. Without further ado, let's dive in this episode with Allie Ace.

What We Talked About:

What We Talked About

From PA to CA

Taught ski racing and coaching in resorts

Headed to AK and got into backcountry skiing

How long did it take Allie to make the shift from resorts to mountains?

Allie used to have a dream to heli ski but when she skied in the mountains in AK, she realized she didn't need a helicopter

Allie had a great schedule when she was in AK, which allowed her to ski much on her own in the mountains

Moved back to Tahoe but the pandemic shut down resorts

Due to the pandemic the demand for guides for backcountry skiing increased dramatically

Would love to transition the ski racing kids to backcountry skiing

Think it's really cool to equip those kids with good decision making ability in the mountains

What are the steps Allie took to feel comfortable guiding in the backcountry?

Had great mentors in AK

Took AIARE and AMGA courses, did in house training and shadowed many trips and courses

Certification in ski industry?

Recreational track and pro track

How and why did Allie start her AMGA journey?

Allie had a very positive experience with the AMGA

What's next on Allie's plate?

How long is Allie's guiding season?

What do people do off-season?

Via Ferrata in Tahoe area

Proudest moment

One big take away?