About Us

With decades in the backcountry, instructing AST 1 courses since 2009 and snowmobile guiding for just as long, we are Hangfire Training.  We make every effort to make our courses fun, informative with relevant learning for mountain riders.  We hope you’ll enjoy your course with us.

Our Instructors

Ryan Johannesen

Ryan lives in Golden, BC and has spent the past 20 seasons in the mountains as much as possible as a snowmobile guide, semi-pro snowboarder, filmmaker and avalanche instructor.  As a Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2 and Professional Member, Ryan is looking forward to continuing the rewarding work of avalanche education.  Ryan and his partner Carmen also own and operate Whitewater Lodge and in the summer, Glacier Raft Company.

Travis Johnson

Travis also lives in Golden, BC.  He’s been riding snowboards and snowmobiles for a long time.  A CAA level 1, snowmobile guide with GSR and super world travelling adventurer, Travis is a wealth of knowledge and experience who is always looking for the next mission.  His AST 1 courses always get such great feedback.  Travis works in the TV industry as a producer when he’s not in Golden and gets to see some amazing places.

Rob Hicks

Rob has worked in the avalanche industry for years.  With CAA level 2 and a pro patroller at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, he’s a guy who spends much of his free time on his sled.  Rob has been teaching AST courses since 2017.  Look for him teaching out at Quartz Creek here in Golden.

Mac Cochrane

Mac has been in the game for many years.  Teaching AST courses, part of Search and Rescue, exploring new zones for the first time.. he’s done it all.  Mac is one of our Valemount/McBride instructors who happens to live near the Horsey Creek trail head, which we use for our AST 1 field days.  You will enjoy all of the wisdom and experience Mac brings to the AST 1 course.

Will Chitty

Will loves sledding and he loves teaching avalanche courses.  His enthusiasm is infectious and he wants to make sure you are learning the right way…hands on.  A Polaris ambassador, Will is one of our Valemount and McBride AST 1 instructors.

Gord Kerslake

Gord is our resident Revelstoke AST 1 instructor.  He’s equally at home on his snowmobile or skis and spends as much as as possible in the snow.  He’s been around he block a few times and is happy to share all that he knows to his students.

Corwin Boechler

Living in the Columbia Valley, Corwin has experience riding all over the place.  Fernie, Forster, Golden, Revy, Sicamous and more.   A keen observer of the mountain environment and a love for spreading the knowledge, Corwin is a great asset to the Hangfire instructor team.

Kris Hawryluik

Kris is from Kelowna, BC and is our principal instructor for our Ski/Snowboard AST 1 courses in the Okanagan.  He was the ski patrol director at Big White for many years and is a professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association.   Kris now spends his winter ski guiding at Keefer Lodge and teaching avalanche courses.  His wealth of knowledge and experience along with a passion for the mountains ensure you will get a lot out of a course with Kris!

Denny Reed

Denny live in Golden, BC and has been riding these mountains for decades.  An avid learner with great mountain awareness, Denny is a great asset to the instructor team.  He also works out at Chatter Creek Cat Skiing in the winter months and teaches AST 1 courses when his schedule permits.  He’s got the biggest smile out there and is a keen AST 1 instructor.

Colin Wallace

Mountain man in many ways.  Colin loves being out there and has decades of experience.  He’s a snowmobile guide and a ski guide.  In the summers he’s a bike tech and a full on auto mechanic.  Bit of a jack of all trades kind of guy who’s a ton of fun to spend a day in the mountains with.  He’s completed his Canadian Avalanche Association level 2 and is currently working his way up through the ski guiding courses.