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Brandon Gulstene

@mr.stoke

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Friluftsliv 🏔️
@acmg.ca Guide
Ski Mountaineer, Climber, Runner, and Warhammer enthusiast
@skiuphill.ca | @norrona
📍Treaty 7 Territory - 🇨🇦

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This cowboy earned his spurs.

Somewhere out there, beyond dusty Highway 93 and a long way past their first nervous kick turns, these fellas rode out into the Wild West with plenty of Stag Chili, heavy packs, and a sense of adventure, looking to test their mettle in a wild place.

Through blazing sun, early mornings, valley-bottom bush, glacier ice, tired legs, occasionally questionable snow, and more than a few conversations with the inside of their own heads, these folks were eager to prove that this wasn’t their first rodeo anymore.

A week later, they emerged. Tired, stoked, and ready for rock climbing, having successfully completed their ACMG Ski Guide Exam.

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Now that I’ve had a bit of time to sit with it, passing my SGE still feels pretty surreal. It’s one of those things that was on the horizon for so long that when it finally happened, it almost felt hard to wrap my head around.

It’s obviously a huge professional milestone, one that I’ve been working towards for essentially my entire adult life. But more than anything, it reminded me that this whole thing is a process. Years of learning, mentorship, mistakes, feedback, doubt, growth, and slowly building toward something, one small step at a time.

But here we are. Those steps have indeed led somewhere, and it’s a bizarre sensation to be standing where I am now. My eyes are definitely still looking out at the horizon, toward those next steps, but I’ve also been doing my best to sit here for a bit and enjoy the view.

It has been an absolute privilege to pursue my passion as a career, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The ups, the downs, the hard lessons, the uncertainty, and the moments where it all comes together have made the entire process worth it.

None of this happens alone, and there are far too many people to thank properly in one caption. I’ll try to do some of that in the comments.

I’m proud of the work it took to get here, but I know this is not the end of the trail. It’s a big marker, and one I’m going to take some time to celebrate, but there is still a lot of country left to ride.

For now, I’m grateful, tired, proud, and excited for whatever comes next. 🐎🤙

#staystoked taken in Icefall Lodge by @mr.stoke

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5 months ago

Cold smoke and spring light.

As amazing as this season has been, spring in the Rockies is always somehow an even more magical time, and I have a feeling this year will be no different. Chasing powder, harvesting corn, soaking in the splendor of this incredible place, and looking forward to the long days, even if not the early mornings.

@cloudnineguides

📸: @maguire_brice

#staystoked #backcountryskiing #earnyourturns #cloudnineguides taken in Banff National Park by @mr.stoke

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6 months ago

Dry January

Fewer storms than December, but not without its moments. The Guide’s Line blog is back with a new post. Link in bio.

📸: @jorisvbergen taken in Banff National Park by @mr.stoke

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8 months ago

Eat pasta', ski fasta' 🍝⛷️

Long days, plenty of trail breaking, and a season that’s already moving fast. Keeping the calories flowing because winter isn’t slowing down, and neither am I!

📸: @jorisvbergen

#staystoked #backcountryskiing #earnyourturns #alwaysbringyourrenegades taken in Banff National Park by @mr.stoke

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8 months ago

DEEPcember 2025

This month is one that I’m sure we’ll be talking about for years to come. It’s easily been the best start the Rockies have seen that I can remember, and I feel incredibly lucky to have spent as much time out there trail breaking as I have over the last few weeks, even if my hip flexors may disagree. Even more so, I’m grateful for the people I’ve been able to share it with, both personally and professionally.

I can’t imagine anyone expected December to shape up like this. I know I certainly didn’t. By the end of November, I was expecting the usual slow and cold December, but then the storms came and didn’t stop coming.

As incredible as the skiing has been, I’m already starting to cast my gaze forward. Deepcember was a gift, but there’s a long season still ahead. Feeling thankful, motivated, and excited for what’s next. Bring on 2026 and the rest of the winter! 🤘🤘

Photo Credits:

1+2: @thomasvanmaren
3: @satumerii
4 + 5: @riley__lockett
6: @juuangel
7: @skiradly

#staystoked

#skitouring #backcountryskiing #rockymountains #earnyourturns

@skiuphill.ca @norrona @atkbindings @dynafit @raide.research @smithoptics @4frnt_skis taken in Banff, Alberta by @mr.stoke

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10 months ago

Stunning views, great skiing, and a yes! 💍✅

Had a particularly special touring today behind SSV with @jesslafreniere seeking out some pre Christmas powder turns and finally popping the question!

Beyond excited for the times to come!

#staystoked

Huge thanks to @juuangel for helping me out with the surprise and capturing the moments!

Photo 1: Trying not to drop the ring in between wind gusts
Photo 2: Jess and I, getting some powder turns in
Photo 3: Toque and hat going for a ride mid photoshoot taken in Trappers, Sunshine Village Ski Resort, Banff, Alberta, Canada by @mr.stoke

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10 months ago

A question I seem to get asked all the time is, “Where is the best place you’ve ever skied or climbed?”

It’s a totally fair thing to wonder, but I’ve always had a hard time answering it. Not because I don’t have places that mean a lot to me, or days with incredible skiing and climbing, but because the answer is more complicated than naming a single mountain or run.

The more time I spend in the mountains, the more clear it becomes that these sports are really just the vehicles for the experiences we get to have and the connections we build with the people around us. Sure, I love those deep powder days (especially right now) as much as anyone. But when I think back on the moments that actually stick, it’s the memories I’ve made with my partners that stand out the most.

So for International Mountain Day, I wanted to honour the amazing friends and partners I get to spend time out there with. You’re the reason these days matter as much as they do. To the days we’ve had and the many more to come. Much love.

Here is a collection of some of those moments. There were far too many to pick from, and many more I could have included. I’m fortunate to have such rich experiences in my life.

#staystoked

#internationalmountainday #mountainliving #adventures #getoutstayout

@skiuphill.ca @thegearshop @norrona @atkbindings @dynafit @raide.research @smithoptics @strts.equipment @garmin @deorumski @mammutna @travelalberta @explorecanada by @mr.stoke

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10 months ago

The cold finally showed up, the snow is stacking, and the snowpack is finally starting to look like something we can work with.

Spoiler: it's better than expected, at least for November 😉.

Safe to say I'm pretty excited to start trading beacon targets for powder turns again.

Blog Post 3 is up on the @cloudnineguides site with conditions, observations, and a few thoughts on where to find the good skiing right now. Link in bio.

📸: @satumerii

#skimountaineering #backcountryskiing #skiguide #rockymountains #avalancheeducation taken in Banff National Park by @mr.stoke

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a year ago

If I’m not skiing, I’m shovelling
If I /am/ skiing, I probably shoveled first anyway.

Blog Post 2 is up — go check out what we found out there this week. Link in bio. 🪏🪏🪏

📸: @satumerii

#mountainliving #skimountaineering #backcountryskiing #rockymountains #guidelife #fastupfuriousdown #getoutstayout #powder #protectourwinters #cloudnineguides taken in Banff National Park by @mr.stoke

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a year ago

Stoked to see the snow starting to fall again!

Got out today to stretch the legs and take a look at what's going on in our beloved mountains now that winter's waking up. It felt amazing to move around again, and I'm so excited to see where this season takes us. Things still need a bit more time to cook before everything's good to go-but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day.

This season I'll be writing regular updates on the @cloudnineguides blog about what we're seeing out in the mountains. Feel free to follow along on the website (link in bio)!

📸: @satumerii

#mountainliving #skimountaineering #backcountryskiing #rockymountains #guidelife #fastupfuriousdown #getoutstayout #powder #protectourwinters #cloudnineguides taken in Banff National Park by @mr.stoke

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a year ago

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a year ago

Eulogy for an Adventure Rig.

It is with great sorrow (and a rusted, cracked frame) that I announce the passing of Blue—my beloved Tacoma, my trusty adventure rig, and my companion through nearly a decade of alpine ambition.

Blue wasn’t just a truck.
It was a ski locker, a mobile gear shed, a trailhead nap spot, a late-night Annie's kitchen, and an ever-willing accomplice in backroad bad decisions. It took me to places I probably shouldn’t have gone—and got me home from places I definitely shouldn’t have been.

It rattled. It squeaked. It leaked things I never identified. But it never quit until the end. And even then, it went down swinging.

To every scratched panel, seized bolt, and muddy floor mat—thank you.
To every cold morning you started on the first turn—thank you.
To every sketchy pass, every roadside bivy, every trip into the unknown—thank you.

You lived a good life, Blue. You earned your rust.

May the Machine God receive you. May your bolts be loctited, your frame rust free and your roads forever dirt filled and beautiful. Ave Deus Mechanicus.

#TacomaForever #AdventureRig #GoneButNotForgotten #SkibumEngineering #ToyotaLife #MountainLiving #PreRunnerSpirit #EulogyForBlue by @mr.stoke

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a year ago