MARK BAUMGARDNER

BIO

After racing, coaching and teaching skiing in the Midwest through high school and college in the early 70’s, Mark found himself working in a ski shop in Sun Valley Idaho. After his wife bought him a gift-certificate for a day of heli-skiing, Mark bought the business and has been dedicated to heli-skiing and showing friends the back-country ever since.  A highlight of his long career is the avalanche search and rescue work he has done with his dog, Otto. “While it is not our primary focus, guides have to be prepared for avalanche rescue. I am very fortunate that Otto is such a clever and hard working partner and he has proven to be an asset to the community on several occasions”.

Mark also owns and runs the Smoky Mountain Lodge, the only fly-in heli-ski lodge in the lower 48 states, surrounded by National Forest and some of the best heli-skiing terrain in North America.  “Augmenting our daily operations with a multi day custom package for a small groups in some of the most remote terrain in the Lower 48 has always been a dream of mine. The Lodge is a very special place indeed.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
  • A highlight of his long career is the avalanche search and rescue work he has done with his dog, Otto.
DESTINATIONS
Snow
Rockies