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Japan Powder Plus Trip Guide Bios
The Japan Powder Plus trip will be led by the following experienced guides and instructors:
Ross Matlock
Ross Matlock has been living in Crested Butte now for 15 years having relocated from Australia and Maine. Ross started Telemark skiing in 1980 and has never stopped. He has skied all over the world in search of the perfect turn; in places like Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, North America, Alaska and Japan. He has taught for over 20 years and is a current member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America's National Nordic team. Along with his teaching experience Ross is an avid backcountry skier holding a level 1 avalanche teaching certificate from AIARE. He has been to Japan for the last 2 winters and is very excited to show you this culturally rich powder capital of the world. Ross has also been involved with the Telemark free skiing movement being the head judge for the last 8 years of competitions. Passionate about the Telemark turn, he currently teaches at Crested Butte Mt resort and works for Rossignol Telemark and Nordic.
Craig Panarisi
Craig’s telemark skiing career began in 1982 when he couldn’t afford a lift ticket and was forced to backcountry ski everyday near Silverton Colorado. Ever since, his telemark skis have taken him to some incredible jobs and destinations.

Craig’s depth of experience speaks for itself as he is entering his 20th season on the PSIA National Team and 8th year as Team Coach.  He became a PSIA Examiner in 1984, was a blind skier guide for the US Disabled Ski team, International Representative for PSIA-USA and has guided and taught telemark skiers in Asia, across Europe and the USA.

Although he has guided and instructed at 7 major resorts during his life, there are some places that truly standout. According to Craig, “…the 12 seasons I spent touring and guiding in Utah’s Wasatch Range provided epic days...two in particular were a 72 inch dump and my personal biggest, a 94 inch deep 3000 vertical foot submarine run.” Craig also spent 3 seasons as a Winter Warfare trainer for Navy Seal Team #2 in Alaska. “..after Alaska and Utah, I didn’t believe there was a better place to find really, really deep snow…then I went to Japan…I can’t wait to go back…”