Ben Stone | Global Guide

Ben is an avid adventurer, traveler, outdoorsman, and ‘dog-guy’, who has worked for 15 years in the ski industry. After attending Marshall University and obtaining a BA in Sport Management and a MS in Exercise Physiology, Ben relocated to Crested Butte, CO. He began his career there as a lift operator and bike patroller, while at the same time honing his backcountry education and skills over a three year period. During this time he also spent two Southern Hemisphere winters skiing various mountains in Chile. Ben then relocated to Park City, UT where he joined the Park City Ski Patrol and subsequently met his wife, Susan, who was also a professional ski patroller at the time. Additionally during this time, Ben met and worked alongside Jeff Easter (Global Guide at Le Grand Adventure Tours), with the two becoming close friends and respected work colleagues ever since. 

For the past nine years Ben has lived in Truckee, CA and worked as a ski patroller and avalanche dog handler at Squaw Valley, with his Belgian Malinios, Kaya. Ben is the lead coordinator for the Squaw Dogs avalanche dog program and also sits on the board of the Placer County Sheriff Search and Rescue Tahoe Dogs Team. Ben and Kaya have also trained extensively with the Canadian Avalanche and Rescue Dog Association (CARDA) over the years, including attending several week long winter schools in Canada.

Skiing, both downhill and uphill, is Ben’s favorite thing to do in the winter months and he lives for snow! In the summer months Ben enjoys anything outside, especially mountain biking. He also enjoys playing soccer, paddle boarding, camping, disc golfing with Kaya, and traveling for new experiences and cultures with Susan. Additionally, Ben loves hot sauce and on a trip to Belize several years ago became inspired to develop his own line of hot sauce called High Sierra Hot Sauce, which he hopes to produce for the public someday.

An advocate for ongoing education, Ben seeks to improve his skills and knowledge through courses and certifications in snow science, K9 training, and emergency medicine. These include Level 1 and 2 Avalanche Certifications from AIARE, AAI, National Avalanche School, and National Ski Patrol. As well as Outdoor Emergency Care specialist, American Heart Association CPR and AED certification, California Avalanche Blaster, and member of the Placer County Sheriff SAR Dog Team.