Nikki Champion

Experience

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  Timber Ridge Ski Area

  Dec 2008 - Jan 2012

  Ski Instructor/Timber Wolves Assistant Manager

  -Teach and Lead introductory-advanced ski skills to an individual of group. -Worked and help manage the Timber Wolves Program.

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  Colorado School of Mines

  Aug 2012 - Aug 2013

  Outdoor Recreation Center Rental Center Manager

  Rental and Retail Center Manager-Supports the Outdoor Recreation Center in all aspects of renting, organizing, and maintaining outdoor equipment. As well as in charge of hiring, supervising, and mentoring all rental center attendants while assisting the director and coordinator in staff meetings, staff trainings, and verbal and written reports. -Manage the retail aspects of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation center, from putting in general orders for the rental center, to handling orders in the bike shop. Handled daily money count and report, as well as monthly and annual income reports. Trip Leader/ Rental Tech/ Ski Mechanic-Plan and organize trips and informational clinics, lead students on backcountry trips utilizing group skills and risk management.-Rent gear out of the rental center using costumer service skills. -Sell and advertise the sales of Vail Season Passes, and day passes for Copper Mountain and Winter Park.-Work and Repair ski/snowboard gear. Show less

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  Colorado State Forest Service

  Sept 2013 - Aug 2014

  Project Learn Tree Colorado Branch Intern

  - Creating and designing Project Learning Tree environmental education workshops- Assisting in environmental education workshops with preparation and clean-up- Continuing collaboration with other parties involved in Golden, Colorado’s Environmental Film Festival- Leading group activities that demonstrate energy efficiency tools for Green Schools Program

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  Montana State University

  Sept 2014 - Dec 2017

  Outdoor Recreation Program Rental Shop Manager/Trip Leader
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  Northstar Trekking

  May 2015 - Aug 2015

  Glacier Guide

  Responsible for loading and unloading helicopters on the glaciers, providing clients with safety information and instruction in using the provided mountaineering tools while navigating glaciated terrain and ice climbing.

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  RMI Expeditions

  May 2016 - now

  • Lead mountaineering, alpine and ski programs of up to nine clients in various types of alpine terrain on Mount Rainier, Denali, throughout the North Cascades and various internal peaks while demonstrating a high level of skill traveling both on foot and skis in various terrain.• Safely select summit day by creating an daily weather and avalanche forecast for the team.• Routine practice and experience in companion avalanche rescue, as well as continued education in large scale rescue in partnership with the NPS. • Train the incoming staff of 2019 in technical movement and skills necessary to guide in alpine terrain. • Collaborate with a guide team to manage clients and navigate hazards, including crevasses, rock fall, and expansive avalanche terrain in high altitude and remote areas that have no public avalanche forecast. • Effectively understand weather patterns, models, avalanche terrain, snowpack and trends in the field.• Educate clients on techniques and systems used to safely travel through the mountains, such as crevasse rescue, fixed line travel, rope travel, self and team arrest, and other various skills. Show less

  • Mountain Guide/Supervisor

    Jul 2021 - now

  • Mountain Guide

    May 2016 - Oct 2022
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  Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center

  Dec 2016 - Dec 2018

  Avalanche Educator

  • Teach students in a hands-on environment how to identify avalanche terrain, dig snow pits and identify layers, perform stability tests and understand companion rescue• Providing informational avalanche awareness, companion rescue, know before you go, and privately requested lectures and field sessions on topics relating to avalanche terrain.

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  Subzero Science and Engineerng Research Facility

  Dec 2017 - May 2018

  Research Assistant

  • Collect data and organize results in both the field and the subzero science and engineering research lab.• Two primary projects still in progress; A comparison of snow density measurement techniques for hydrological research and remote sensing applications, Development of a new wireless microscope based digital snow grain database.• Continuous research of snow mechanics and their properties as an experimenter and work as a partner in multiple on-going experiments to further the development of snow and avalanche research. Show less

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  Beartooth Mountain Guides

  Jan 2018 - Feb 2018

  Instructor/Guide

  • Provide instruction in terrain management, snowpack assessment, companion rescue, and an understanding of weather patterns taught under the guidelines set fourth by the American Avalanche Association (AAA).• Provide Avalanche Level 1 courses in the greater Beartooth Range that currently has no public avalanche forecast advisory available.

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  Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center

  Dec 2018 - Apr 2019

  Avalanche Center Intern

  • Collected snowpack, weather and avalanche observations alongside avalanche forecasters 5 days a week publishing over 40 high quality observations for the public on an electronic and internet based public database, lead field observation and data collection days, and did road-based observations.• Completion of a season long research project – Investigating avalanche release in relation to loading events and snow climate in Turnagain Pass, Alaska• Developed new excel spreadsheets for weather data, snow climate research, and continued seasonal loading event research for CNFAIC.• Progressing through the process of writing the weather and backcountry avalanche advisory for the CNFAIC forecast area.• Partaking in weekly operational wide snowpack stability meeting with the CNFAIC Staff, Alaska Department of Transportation, Alaska Railway, Chugach Electric, Chugach Powder Guides, Alyeska and other local avalanche professionals.• Managing the Summit Lake weather information and season snowpack summary through a variety of both field-based equipment, as well as web-based weather models and forecasts.• Partake in public outreach and education events within the community.• Routine forest service winter recreation management operations, including trail and bathroom maintenance. • Mentorship in traveling and navigating mountainous terrain on a snowmobile. Show less

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  ALASKA AVALANCHE SCHOOL

  Dec 2018 - Apr 2019

  Avalanche Educator

  • Navigate avalanche terrain while providing instruction and guidance for a variety of mountain activities that travel throughout greater Anchorage Area• Instruction in terrain management, snowpack assessment, companion rescue, and an understanding of weather patterns taught under the guidelines set fourth by the American Avalanche Association (AAA)• Develop personalized curriculum for teaching snowpack, weather and avalanche topics while fitting into the guidelines and curriculum set fourth by the American Avalanche Association and the Alaska Avalanche School.• Continuing Education in the form of the Alaska Winter Weather Forecasting Course with Jim Woodmencey, learning how to read and interpret all pertinent weather maps and computer models, with an emphasis on products specific to Alaska. Show less

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  Utah Avalanche Center

  Oct 2019 - now

  Avalanche Forecaster

  -Uses data obtained through multiple sources to update avalanche conditions and issues written and verbal avalanche forecasts for the local Avalanche Center and other system network services. Interprets and evaluates raw data which is critical to issuing accurate and regularly scheduled forecasts and emergency advisories. Inspects and performs routine user-level maintenance and services on various weather equipment and instruments.-Observes weather and atmospheric conditions, records and interprets meteorological data, transmits and reports on recorded information, and provides meteorological information and advice to the general public through the Avalanche Center. Ensures that regular field snowpack observations are conducted and appropriate data is collected to inform avalanche forecast. Issues avalanche warnings when criteria are met and terminates such avalanche warnings when expired.-Uses accepted observation procedures as well as standard practices modified to meet the relevant conditions to provide current advisories. Performs such tasks as observing, recording, and transmitting atmospheric and weather information including air pressure, temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, cloud, and ultraviolet conditions, snow stability, and analyzes and interprets weather data. Practices mountain and avalanche safety measures while collecting data in high-elevation and avalanche-prone terrain.-Maintains automated data on computer systems that contain historical mountain weather information. Uses these systems to communicate with others regarding weather data and to improve forecasting methods. Composes and issues regularly scheduled emergency weather forecasts using the computer as well as disseminates and terminates advisories.-Provides training and guidance on avalanches and avalanche related work. On occasion, it provides avalanche and mountain weather education sessions to schools, professional groups, and others. Show less