Skeena Cat Skiing
Team Profiles
Skeena Cat Skiing founder, Jevon Zyp, joined forces in 2021 with new partners to create a BC backcountry team: Gary Mathiesen, Owner and President of Hudson Bay Mountain Resort; Nick Holmes-Smith, Past owner of Mustang Powder; and Colin Zacharias who has been guiding since the late 1980’s, an AMCG Mountain Guide, avalanche professional and operations consultant. This ownership group will take advantage of the depth of their combined knowledge and history in the industry, to expand and enhance the Skeena experience. Learn more about our owners and the incredible Skeena team below.
Jevon Zyp
Partner, Founder
Jevon was born and raised in the Monashee Mountains, and his love for snow sports and heavy equipment led him on the path of helping to start three of BC’s biggest cat ski operations. He moved North with a dream of starting his own, and Skeena Cat Skiing was born in 2011.
Gary Mathiesen
Partner, President
Gary has been an avid backcountry and downhill skier his whole life. His diverse business career includes over a decade as the owner and operator of Hudson Bay Mountain.
Nick Holmes-Smith
Partner
Nick is the past founder/operator of Mustang Powder Cat Skiing and previously managed Monashee Powder Cats. He transitioned from the equestrian business to skiing in 1998. In the summer, he enjoys mountain biking and backpacking.
Colin Zacharias
Partner and Lead for Guide Training and Terrain Development
Colin brings a wealth of experience as an ACMG Mountain Guide, avalanche professional, and operations consultant. He has been a guide since the late 1980s and has worked with heliskiing operations in Canada, Iceland, and New Zealand, as well as with Monashee Powder and Mustang Powder cat ski operations.
Colin also sits on the standards committee for HeliCat Canada (HCC) and conducts annual audits for HCC. His extensive experience includes roles as a course leader and instructor with the Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2 and 3 programs. Colin has also served as Technical Director of the ACMG and the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and continues to refine professional guide and avalanche training curricula.
Carter Bilawchuk
Operations Manager
Carter has a passion for the outdoors and traveling, spending his winters in the mountains and summers on the ocean as a fishing guide.
He has been snowboarding his entire life and his stoke for the powder is contagious. He is newly wed to our amazing sous chef Vicki and they are very excited to return for another Skeena season!
Michaela Pye
Assistant Operations Manager
Michaela has been with Skeena for over 5 years and her love for the mountains runs deep. Guests love her energy and her ability to serve up perfect powder days. She is a truce force on and off the mountain.
Serhii Ichenets
Lead Guide
Originally from Ukraine, Serhii has been with Skeena for several years, leading with calm confidence and a deep respect for the mountains. His love for the alpine runs deep — and it shows in every line he guides.
Book your Epic Winter Backcountry Adventure Now!
Our BC cat skiing season runs from January to late March. Click below if you’re ready to book now. We look forward to hosting you!
