Mountains make the greatest teachers and provide us with countless opportunities to contemplate, question and learn. At 99, Richard Guy has had nearly a century of lessons during his life-long relationship with the mountains. In this installment of “Three Things I’ve Learned”, writer Lynn Martel taps into the wisdom of this mathematician and mountain adventurer, who truly embodies a life lived to the fullest.

We all go outside to clear our heads, but some of us have more clearing out to do than others. Margo Talbot delves into the destructive forces of post-traumatic stress and how nature's healing power can bring us back into balance. 

When you have an opportunity to join mountain man Jim Buckingham in the outdoors (or anywhere), you take it. Writer Nathan Jones spends a day on skis with the Banff legend, and comes away with some great turns – and wisdom to go with them. Turns out, the only way to have the good days is to get out every day…

Bernie Schiesser calls it fate, but the cast of characters in his bio reads like a who’s who of Rockies history. Over the course of his long life, Schiesser’s positive energy and remarkable contributions to many aspects of mountain life have firmly established him on that same roster. Here’s the story behind the man – the pioneer, guide, and backcountry host – who will forever have a legacy in the Canadian Rockies.

Few people have spent as much time in the mountains, and know them as intimately as Chic Scott. As a historian, writer, and ski pioneer in the Rockies, Chic has gained extensive knowledge and wisdom about the mountains he calls home. In the latest installment of “Three Things I’ve Learned,” Joanna Croston profiles Chic’s contributions and taps into the wisdom of this Rockies legend.

Nature is our greatest teacher. Charlie Russell learned this over a lifetime, as a child on his father’s ranch just outside of Waterton Lakes National Park, as a rancher himself, an eco-tourism leader in British Columbia and, most famously, living among grizzly bears in Russia. Sky England interviews Russell, now 74, about his life’s work and what the natural world has taught him.

Mountains make the greatest teachers and provide us with countless opportunities to contemplate, question and learn. As a climber, member of Canada’s 1982 expedition to Mt. Everest, ACMG/IFMGA guide, Summit of Excellence Award winner, and beloved member of the Rockies community, Lloyd “Kiwi” Gallagher has had many such moments. Turning 80 this year, Kiwi shares what he’s learned throughout his many decades spent in the mountains.

Ask Dave Carlson where the name ‘Unlimited’ comes from and he’ll tell you it’s all about optimism, opportunism and having a “no boundaries” attitude. We caught up with the Banff/Canmore storeowner to get behind the scenes at one of the Bow Valley’s favourite independent retailers. We came away with a whole lot more.

Only one woman can become the first woman to ski down Mt. Everest. It was a lofty goal for Canmore’s Maegan Carney, and one that slipped through her fingertips in 2003. Lynn Martel reports on how Carney’s journey intersects with Kit Deslauriers’ successful descent of the world’s highest mountain in October 2006. Deslauriers recently presented her new book, Higher Love: Skiing the Seven Summits, at the 2015 Banff Mountain Book Festival.

It’s hard to come by a better spokesperson for avalanche safety than Marty Schaffer. This ACMG Ski Guide has grown up in the ski industry his whole life, works closely with Avalanche Canada, and now runs his own ski guiding operation, CAPOW – Canadian Powder Guiding. He gives us the low-down on why backcountry ski and snowboard enthusiasts should upgrade their Avalanche Skills Training, what an AST 2 course has to offer, and what the biggest mistakes are that he’s seen in avalanche terrain assessment.

Christine Feleki is a Canmore native who is about to push some serious boundaries. Contributor Abby Cooper caught up with Christine to hear about her current venture to become one of the first female splitboarding guides to take the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) test. Turns out, she is one of those incredibly humble and driven human beings that make you want to live a better life, love more, and be a better person. She must be from Canmore…

Good things come out of the Bow Valley, and this new craft distillery is just the latest. Bringing together local grain, local water, and local people, Wild Life Distillery offers authentic Rockies spirits made in small batches 100% on-site. We talked to co-owner Matt Widmer about the ins and outs of the distillery industry, and what to expect when they open their doors.