Backroads Leader Profiles

In 1997—still in the Rockies—I was introduced to the Trip Leader position by a friend who was leading trips for Backroads. Through her encouragement and description of the job I knew it was something that I would love to do. After my first season leading trips in Canada, I saw my 'Euro' potential due to my French abilities. The following year I headed to France in the spring, returned home for the summer to lead in the Rockies, and then returned to France to lead trips in the fall.

Even with the longer trip leading schedule in Europe I was still able to maintain my winter job doing ski patrol, which worked great for me. In my third year, new opportunities at Backroads began to arise for me, from being a Trip Specialist to a Regional Expert in Ireland. I left ski patrolling and began working for Backroads full time. I always loved to travel and learn about other cultures and working for Backroads has allowed me to fulfill my passions and have a ton of fun while doing it!

In my years at Backroads, I have been fortunate enough to work in many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Canada. I even managed to attend the University of Victoria and complete my Bachelor of Education while still leading trips. Most recently, I am working with Backroads as the Ride Director for Tour DaVita. This 5 day charity bicycle ride takes place in a different state each year raising awareness of kidney disease and funds for the Kidney Trust. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with many other Backroads leaders toward a very good cause.

After my experience in the Rockies, I decided that I wanted to make Backroads more than just a summer job. Speaking Spanish increased the chances of getting work throughout the winter, so I booked a flight to Ecuador to study Spanish. I ended up studying, traveling, and spending four months as a volunteer in the Galapagos Islands, working with the National Parks Services and the Charles Darwin Station. The next winter I got a trip–leading schedule in Costa Rica. Since then I’ve been able to make my job at Backroads a career, and not just a part–time gig. I studied Italian in Venice, which gave me the opportunity to work in Italy. I’ve also designed and led trips in Nova Scotia, Switzerland, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bhutan, South Africa, Botswana, Vietnam, Tibet and China.

Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the "pura vida" lifestyle in Costa Rica. I bought a house outside of San Jose and after many years of living out of a suitcase, Costa Rica is now my home. It is the perfect combination of having a stable life in one region for part of the year, while still being able to travel, lead trips and explore new places. I took on the role of Regional Expert in Costa Rica, and I now take care of our field operations, monitor trip quality in the region, foster relationships with our subcontractors, design new trips and help mentor and train new leaders.

Although I didn’t go into conventional teaching, I believe that the world is my classroom now, and everyday is a new lesson. I guess in the end, you could say I got my B.Happy with Honours!

In my off time I study primates with my wife. I have spent 2 years in Belize conducting research on howler and spider monkeys and I currently live in Madagascar studying lemurs. I have worked in many of the best places around the world, including the Canadian Rockies, P.E.I, Central America, and Africa. Backroads has allowed me to indulge my need for travel and adventure in far off places while still being able to come home and live a "normal life" as a University student and now as a researcher.

I graduated in 2005 from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Physical Education with a major of Socio-Cultural Aspects of Sport. Since then, I have worked as a freelance writer, fitness consultant, cycle instructor, and in a marketing and community relations department. In the interim my other hobbies like skiing, triathlon, yoga and holistic healing were keeping me busy journeying towards my goals and dreams. A woman I worked with in my marketing job worked for Backroads and raved about the company and the fabulous experience it provided. I applied online and thought to myself, "Now THIS is my dream job."

I left my Marketing Job in the spring of 2007. While I was somewhere in between Riga and Warsaw I got an email from Backroads asking me to come to an interview. I flew home in enough time to go to the interview, fall completely in love with the company and move to Canmore to begin my training.

Since then, Trip Leading has provided me with an experience I could have never imagined. Working for Backroads has inspired me to try new adventures including learning Italian, working towards a Sommelier diploma and racing bicycles. My first magical summer was spent in my own backyard in the Canadian Rockies; but since then I have traveled and lead in all kinds of amazing places! From the sandy dunes of the California Deserts to the top of rocky cliffs in Ireland, I have seen the most incredible sights, almost all on foot or on wheels! The people I have worked with and met on trips have been amazing, and their stories have touched my heart and own life.

(* note that only dual citizens or those with legal working requirements can work in the US, but that many Canadian-based leaders do work in Europe.)

Before Backroads, I had spent a number of years working in a corporate environment, with a couple of weeks off a year. What drew me to Backroads and has brought me back year after year is the flexibility of the work life, the opportunity to work independently, and the fun of spending time in favorite places like Italy. Don't get me wrong ... there is work to be done and some days are long and hard BUT there are equally many days where I pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming.

And, not to be forgotten, as a leader, I get to pass my days riding a bike down country roads or hiking quiet pathways through the woods, enjoying a glass of wine or a personal favorite, cup of gelato (Italian ice cream) ... how do you like my "office" so far? Being a Backroads leader is not for everyone but I thrive because I love being outdoors, I enjoy the challenge of making someone's vacation their dream and I have fun working with a group of people and a company who support, encourage and celebrate this life. What we live, we love!

In 2009 I chose to take a year off of trip leading to work for the SPCA group "paws with a cause"—a favorite organization of mine that promotes the humane treatment of animals. I plan on returning to trip leading in 2010, and I love the flexibility the company offers me to allow me to pursue other interests and still come back.