Uplift Adventures in the Canadian Rockies
We include destinations in Waterton, Castle Parks, and Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.
Our Story
Uplift Adventures is a small business homegrown in Crowsnest Pass. We have won provincial tourism awards and continue to inspire sustainable outdoor recreation throughout the Canadian Rockies. We mainly operate in the South Canadian Rockies, more specifically Waterton, Castle Parks, and Crowsnest Pass.
While we offer several year-round outdoor services and gear rental that are bookable online, Uplift Adventures also works closely with schools to provide curriculum-based programs and mentorship experiences. In addition, we provide private trips for corporations and have even worked with trauma and recovering addiction groups to help them get outside. We offer consulting services, including trail planning and mapping, interpretive programs, and environmental work.
Uplift Adventures is guided by our four main principles to create these outdoor experiences and knowledge for all types of people:
- To inspire people to CONNECT to the outdoors.
- To build CONFIDENCE in people to explore the outdoors safely and responsibly.
- To encourage an outdoor COMMUNITY to include all types of people.
- To CONSERVE the outdoors for people now and into the future to enjoy.
Our ultimate goal at Uplift Adventures is to create something we call: Conservation Tourism. We want to create either reclamation or sustainable development projects where people can give back to the places they are visiting. We have members of our team who are environmental scientists with a lot of experience in development and reclamation, and have worked on recovery programs. We want to take this experience to rebuild some of the damaged landscapes from historical mining, exploration, and neglected trail use in the Canadian Rockies and encourage people to explore with purpose.
Our Team
Dedicated, adventurous people. Getting people outside is our profession and career, not just a lifestyle.

Heather Davis | Lead Guide & Owner

Julie Allison | Apprentice Interpreter

Nathan Dahl | Hiking & Backpacking Guide
Nathan grew up in Alberta, and so he has had the pleasure of being near and in the Rocky Mountains his whole life. He enjoys all aspects of walking through the mountains - whether taking the path less traveled on remote overnight trips, or taking in the familiar sites visited by tourists time and again. Nathan has been guiding for over a decade, so you're sure to hear some interesting stories and learn a thing or two about the spectacular mountain environment that we call home.

Darren Davis | Lead Duty Officer
Every business has a behind the scenes person. Darren has a technical-working brain, which helps when gear breaks or when we need to purchase new gear. By day, he works as a Civil Engineer Technologist. You will find Darren helping our guests stay safe while we explore.

Kyra DuMontier | Brand Manager

Morgan Fines | Lead Climbing Instructor

Rachel Jamieson | Wilderness First Aid Instructor
Rachel is an Advanced Care Paramedic working full-time in the Crowsnest Pass. She is devoted to practicing paramedicine in remote and austere environments.

Duncan Maisels | Hiking & Backpacking Guide

Chris Mullally | Hiking & Backpacking Guide

Sarah Nurcombe | Cross-Country & Skate Ski Instructor
Sarah is an outdoor enthusiast, with a background in Outdoor Adventure Leadership education, as an ACMG Hiking Guide, and as an outdoor adventurer in many summer and winter activities. Sarah also runs her own business, Fit2Function, as a personal trainer and running coach. She has been enjoying the nordic ski trails at Allison Chinook for over 25 seasons, and plans to do this sport for many more years to come. Sarah spent 10 years as a volunteer coach, trained through Nordiq Alberta, with the Crowsnest Pass Nordic Club before becoming a CANSI Level 1 Coach. Sarah wants you to be successful on the Skinny Skis! It is an incredible way
to enjoy the snow and explore in the winter.

Kristine O'Rielly | Hiking & Backpacking Guide
Born and raised in the small fishing village of St. Brendan’s, an island off the east coast of Newfoundland, Kristine grew up with the Atlantic Ocean, humpback whales, and icebergs in her backyard. She attributes her rural upbringing for her love of nature. After seeing a photo of the Alpine Club of Canada’s historic Abbot Pass Hut in a 2011 issue of Canadian Geographic, Kristine felt drawn to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. A visit to that very same hut in 2015 and a little luck (or perhaps it was fate?) landed Kristine a full-time job in Calgary, Alberta and she’s been busy exploring western Canada ever since. Kristine is a certified hiking and winter hiking guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). As a guide, Kristine loves to help others push outside their comfort zone. She also loves to teach others how to minimize their impact while recreating. A type 1 diabetic for 27 years, Kristine believes that everyone – regardless of background and ability – belongs in the great outdoors.

Reese Pagnucco | Apprentice Interpreter, Hiking & Backpacking Guide
Reese was an Outdoor Ambassador for Uplift back in the day and we love having her on the team. Reese is an Adventure Tourism Business Operations graduate and aspiring ACMG guide. Growing up in the Crowsnest Pass, she had the Rocky Mountains right at her finger tips. This sparked a love for all things outdoors, hiking, skiing, etc. Reese has been living in Fernie, BC the past couple of years working for a sustainable tourism project and fine tuning her backcountry skills/knowledge! Reese is passionate about connecting people with nature and If you’re looking for mushroom facts or trail snacks, she’s got you covered!

Laura Rance | Cross-Country & Skate Ski Instructor
Laura started coaching with the Crowsnest Pass Nordic Club in 2020 where her passion for teaching cross-country skiing as a CANSI-certified coach was ignited. While living in Canmore, she was drawn to the sport for the intensity of the work-out, but over the past 14 years cross-country skiing has become so much more. Moving to Pincher Creek in 2019 she discovered that cross-country skiing is something you can enjoy on groomed trails, across the field behind your house, or through the winter wonderland wherever you decide to go. Whether you’re brand new to the sport or want some pointers to improve your confidence, Laura is keen to make the experience fun!

David Relkoff | Climbing Instructor

Sabrina Ryans | Hiking & Backpacking Guide

Sara Quackenbush | Interpretive Guide
Outdoor Ambassadors
Meet Uplift’s ambassadors
We are delighted to announce that Uplift Adventures has welcomed two new ambassadors for the 2023 winter season! These passionate advocates for the outdoors will share stories about the hikes, courses, company values, and other unique experiences that Uplift Adventures offers. These ambassadors will provide invaluable contributions to our mission of promoting exploration and respect for the natural world, understanding that every adventure, big or small, can uplift your day. Say hello to Victoria and Sarah!

Victoria Bedard| 2023 Brand Ambassador
"To me, it's all about finding connection,” says Victoria. “Connection to the natural world around us and to like-minded humans. I cherish the time I get to spend exploring what the outdoors has to offer and extend great gratitude to the Indigenous peoples, past and present, and their traditional lands that we live, work and play on.”
Victoria’s favourite hike: Carthew Alderson Trail in Waterton.
You can follow Victoria’s adventures on Instagram.

Sarah Schenx| 2023 Brand Ambassador
Sarah was born and raised in Germany and moved to Calgary as a teen (she's almost 40 now). She has her own business as a contract personal trainer specializing in injury rehabilitation.
“I spend every waking second in the mountains with my two dogs, Maya and Maisy, either climbing summits or chasing waterfalls,” says Sarah. “I absolutely love all animals. If I'm not taking pictures of them in the wild, I take care of them in my spare time volunteering for several animal sanctuaries in Calgary and the surrounding area.”
Sarah’s favourite hike: Lillian and Galatea Lakes in Kananaskis.
Past Outdoor Ambassadors

Jack Bailey | 2022 Outdoor Student Ambassador
Finds adventure whereever he goes

Reese Pagnucco | 2021 Outdoor Ambassador
Mushroom finder
Inspiring others to feel connected
Reese is an Adventure Tourism Business Operations student, working her way towards a degree. Growing up in the Crowsnest Pass, she had the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains right at her finger tips which sparked a love for the outdoors right from the beginning.

Hillary Erickson | 2021 Outdoor Student Ambassador
Gear organizer
Encouraging a positive attitude
Hillary is the outdoor student ambassador for Uplift Adventures this summer. She was born with a heart for adventure and a love for the outdoors. Hillary loves telling bad jokes, country music, singing and eating Costco trail mix (mostly the M&Ms).