Elliott Brunini

My name is Elliott Brunini. I was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana. I attended the University of Mississippi and graduated in the fall of 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in general business. I love to travel and have explored various parts of Europe, spent a month in Australia and South Africa, vacationed in Costa Rica, and enjoyed hunting in Mexico. However, my favorite country to drive around and explore is the United States, and I’ve driven across it five times now.

I’ve been skiing since the age of 5 and have visited multiple resorts in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. I grew up skiing at Deer Valley but now enjoy trying out as many different resorts as I can each season. I love exploring and discovering different mountains. As an avid outdoorsman, I recently moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, to pursue my passion for the mountains and escape the humidity. I enjoy all things related to the mountains and spend my free time skiing, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, and hunting, adjusting my hobbies to the season.

Ethan Scherer

Ethan Scherer is an enthusiastic outdoorsman with a profound love for skiing above all other activities in his life! With 7 years of experience helping individuals like himself choose skis, gear, and plan outdoor excursions, his dedication goes beyond personal passion to ensuring others have a fantastic time in the mountains. When snow falls, Ethan can often be found taking tram laps at Snowbird or cruising down Alta’s Wildcat on a 20-inch powder day. If it’s steep and covered in snow, he’s eager to ski it!
Beyond skiing, Ethan is dedicated to fitness, ice hockey, wellness, and enjoys other outdoor activities such as climbing and mountain biking.
He looks forward to fueling your passion and being a part of your next outdoor adventure!

David Collier

Raised between the big city of Chicago, Illinois, and the smallest town of Wendover, Nevada, David finally settled in Utah, where he has lived for the past 11 years—a perfect blend of city life and the outdoors. Initially coming to study for an Emergency Medical Service Degree at the University of Utah, he eventually found his passion in spreading warmth and wanderlust through hospitality. David spent 5 years as a reservations coordinator at a downtown Salt Lake City hotel.

A couple of years ago, David married his boyfriend of 8 years and took his surname. Together, they share their lives with Luna, their dog who loves the outdoors as much as they do. They’ve explored various Pride celebrations across the western U.S. and look forward to experiencing more in the East. Their upcoming trip will take them to Atlanta in October.

At Alpine, David is dedicated to ensuring exceptional client experiences and team collaboration. He excels in building relationships and creating memorable moments, making him a valuable asset to colleagues and clients.

James Williamson

I’m James, a ski-obsessed mountain enthusiast with a passion for turning travel dreams into reality. Born on skis in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, I knew from the tender age of four that my destiny was intertwined with those majestic slopes. Skiing became my first love, and the mountains became my second home.
After graduating high school, I made a beeline for Gunnison, Colorado, a cozy little town nestled near the mighty Mt. Crested Butte and home to Western Colorado University. That’s where my ski industry career kicked off, landing a gig at Crested Butte Mountain Resort while I was in college.
Gunnison, my mountain paradise, is where I hang my ski boots and keep my wanderlust alive. When I’m not conquering slopes, you’ll find me tearing up the trails on my trusty mountain bike or running trails deep into the wilderness. I firmly believe that traveling and immersing ourselves in nature can spark life-altering transformations.
Now, my mission is to sprinkle a little bit of that transformative magic into your travel experiences. Whether you seek snow-capped peaks, sun-kissed beaches, or culture-rich cities, I’ve got your back. Let’s collaborate on crafting unforgettable adventures that’ll make your heart race and your soul sing.

Jackie Yamaguchi

Jackie grew up in the Salt Lake Valley, where she honed her skiing and snowboarding skills at Brighton and Snowbird Ski Resorts. She embarked on her career in the travel industry with American Express Centurion Travel. Over the course of more than ten years, she contributed her expertise to the Waldorf Astoria Park City and the St. Regis Deer Valley in Park City.

Jackie’s favorite travel destination is Phuket, Thailand. She has also explored the Swiss, French, and Italian Alps, as well as Japan. Her passion for travel, particularly luxury travel, is evident in her extensive journeys. Outside of the office, Jackie enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her three dogs.

Eric Rystedt

Eric grew up in North Dakota, with parents who have been avid travelers since their meeting back in the day. Eric worked in Vail, Steamboat, and Snowmass Village, Colorado, in hospitality for 18 years before joining Alpine Adventures in 2015. Skiing was a family passion dating back to the 70s that eventually turned into a career.

In recent years, Eric has traded skiing for the travel bug and has visited Japan, Africa, Thailand, and the Philippines in search of nature’s beauty both above and below the water. His extensive knowledge of the Mountain West in the US and Canada, as well as Japan and parts of Southeast Asia, brings a unique skill set to the travel industry. He has also worked in hotel and condominium operations and brings this expertise to Alpine Adventures in the operations side of the business.

Kurt Schroeder

At age 3, Kurt was already in the tracks of his dad’s leather-booted, slope-packing herringbone, up and down the woodsy pitches of the family backyard in Pennsylvania. Growing up within earshot of the snow guns at mighty Spring Mountain (and its 250 feet of vertical and two rope tows), fast forward to today, Kurt has visited virtually every ski resort in North America plus another twenty or so across Europe, South America and New Zealand. Many of Kurt’s finest experiences have included skiing and the mountains – he even met is wife in the ski industry. The marriage prompted a move from Mammoth Mountain in California’s Eastern Sierras to Banff in the Canadian Rockies and eventually, dual citizenship. During his fifteen years in Banff, Kurt dedicated a decade to directing the branding, marketing and communication efforts for Banff and Lake Tourism, promoting Canada’s iconic mountain destination and national park. He and his wife now live near Victoria on Vancouver Island, a short paddle away from the beautiful Gulf Islands and an inspirational ferry ride/drive to Whistler. They are also passionate cyclists, hikers, surfers, curators of their little beach cottage in Cardiff-by-the-Sea north of San Diego and are utterly indefatigable travel addicts.

J.MAK doesn’t think it’s all about just a great hotel room. There is much more to it, where Hospitality meets Personality. Please meet the Personalities behind the Hospitality of these great places and spaces. J.MAK Hospitality is a brand that emphasizes the importance of relationships, social media, constant activity, and most importantly, success. J.MAK helps clients find their individual flair, relax, feel confident and stand out from the herd. Clients learn to trust their instinct and create their mark, focusing on what makes their property or service so attractive and unique. We work together combining our passion for the industry that is so deeply embedded in us.

Marlene Christopher

Marlene Christopher, a New Hampshire native, grew up skiing but found her true home once she hit the slopes out West in Aspen. She has skied all the major mountains in the Western US and Canada, from Whistler to Telluride, hiked the canyons of Utah, and camped and fished from Alaska through Montana and Idaho to Wyoming. She also spent several years as an outfitter for hunters seeking big game in the high Western mountains.

Marlene was an extreme skier before it became popular and was one of the many to hike up Independence Pass (above Aspen) with her skis to get in those last wild runs in the spring snow. She is an accomplished horsewoman and, for many years, operated Snowmass Stables and a retail store in Snowmass Village that specialized in authentic Native American jewelry.

Marlene has been selling ski vacations since 2000 and is well-versed in the mountains, lodges, restaurants, and all the fun outdoor activities available in the Alpine Adventures destinations.

Susanne Beckett

Growing up, Susanne had two passions: dogs and travel. She often visited the airport to watch planes arrive and depart, dreaming of becoming a flight attendant and traveling the world. However, she later discovered she suffered from severe motion sickness. Undeterred, she found an alternative path by marrying a pilot and working in tourism.

Susanne has acquired a vast array of skills in the tourism industry. She began her career working with group ministries tours to Israel. She then moved on to property management for waterfront properties on both the east and west coasts of Florida. Her next role was as a call center manager for Allegro Resorts, overseeing multiple Caribbean properties.

Despite her motion sickness, Susanne’s love for aviation remained strong. She took a job with the airlines, starting from the ground up by loading bags and parking planes on the ramp. She worked her way up to the gate before being offered a Station Manager position. After 9/11, Susanne transitioned to private aviation, managing a small charter operator on the East Coast of Florida. She helped grow the business into a thriving Bahamas operator by forming partnerships with multiple vendors and engaging in grassroots marketing. Her efforts in marketing and promotions led to interviews on various radio stations.

Building on her success, Susanne continued her career managing an FBO (Fixed-Base Operator). One of her favorite aspects of this role was working with Young Eagles events, which aimed to get children involved in aviation. Eventually, Susanne decided to return to Florida and took a job with an American Express Travel Agency in South Florida. When COVID-19 hit, the agency’s owner decided to leave the industry, providing Susanne with an opportunity to join Alpine Adventures. The family-like atmosphere at Alpine Adventures feels like home to her.

When Susanne is not working, she and her husband enjoy restoring their mid-century modern home, spending time with their dogs (Sunny and Ruffy), traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

A.J., also known as Amanda Jo, went on her first trip at the tender age of 6 weeks and hasn’t stopped traveling since. A.J. spent most of her childhood summers with her family, exploring the National Parks, small towns, and out-of-the-way places in the western and mid-western United States. She finds it easier to tell you where she hasn’t been in the U.S., as opposed to where she has been. She spent three seasons working at a small luxury guest ranch in Wyoming and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the West.

A.J. completed her B.B.A. in International Business at Florida Atlantic University in 2004. As a result of working for Alpine Adventures, she went back to school, finishing her Master of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Central Florida in 2009. A.J. now spends most of her time teaching the “Travel & Hotel Management” program at a small university in Ohio, where she enjoys sharing her experiences with her students. In her spare time, A.J. enjoys exploring new places and spending time with her dog, Ruby.

Lee Grossman

Lee has lived most of her life in Roslyn on Long Island and now resides in South Florida. Her earlier experiences in the fashion industry include acting as a buyer for 500 stores nationwide and teaching business marketing in the New York school system. As a world traveler and avid skier, it was a natural fit for Lee to enter the travel industry.

Lee has skied extensively throughout the world’s most beautiful mountains and is familiar with the best places to stay, ranging from budget accommodations to 5-star luxury. She has planned group ski trips from start to finish, as well as group trips to non-ski destinations including Latin America, Europe, and ocean cruises. Besides travel and skiing, her other interests include competitive tennis, theater, art, film, and meeting new people.

Gary Nicoll

Originally from Scotland, I moved to Connecticut in the US when I was 11 years old. I first visited Africa in 2008 to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Although this was a major focus of the trip, the few days spent on safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti following the climb immediately became a lifetime highlight and ensured that I would visit the continent again. The combination of amazing scenery, game viewing, wonderful local hospitality, and endless adventure experiences make Africa a very special place.

I most recently returned from a trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe, where I experienced the majesty of Victoria Falls, the thrill of whitewater rafting the Zambezi River, the excitement of Big Five game drives in the Greater Kruger Park area, the stunning beauty and culture of Cape Town, and the history of Johannesburg. Africa always delivers on all fronts and ensures that you’ll start planning your next visit as soon as you return home.

I have been in the travel industry in various capacities for close to 30 years, much of that time spent selling adventure travel. With a love for travel and a thirst for experiencing new places, people, and cultures, I look forward to helping you customize that dream trip to Africa and experience all it has to offer firsthand.

Denise Gordon Rusboldt

Denise grew up in Pasadena, California with parents who loved a good long distance road trip. Destinations included National Parks, the Southwest deserts, oceans, and mountains. Her father was an engineer from Jet Propulsion Lab and often their family vacations included ‘science’ lessons on the stars, lakes, rivers, snowpacks, desert winds, and ocean life. Her mother was more interested in fine dining and boutique hotels. So, the combination made for a first-hand travel education early on. This spirit of adventure and exploration guided her career working in the Outdoor Industry as a Brand Retail Marketer for over 17 years in Seattle, Washington. Her clients included Patagonia, Salomon, Giro, Smith Sport Optics, Burton, Merrell, Columbia Sportswear, Outdoor Research, The North Face, and Teva to name a few. Many of her client travels took her to ‘their offices’ and included a ski or other outdoor adventure as part of ‘getting to know the brand’ followed by the finest local dining experiences. Spending time in communities guided by locals gave her further insight into the delights of travel. This led to a leap of faith moving to Boulder, Colorado in 2005 to start her own branding company with a focus on the Outdoor Experience. It was during this time she met her husband, a Swiss-Canadian ski coach, and Heli-ski guide. She now splits her time in Boulder, British Columbia, and the Hawaiian Islands. Having traveled to almost all 50 states, and over 20 International countries, her travel experience is firsthand. Since 2015 Denise has worked as a Travel Agent in the Ski Industry and has experience in European River Cruises. Her goal is to tailor each and every vacation to exceed expectations, surprise and delight her guests. No vacation is one size for everyone, and thus she values listening, details and getting to know how to make each trip uniquely memorable. In her spare time, you’ll find Denise skiing, hiking, paddling, kitesurfing, and traveling. She loves to cook, does a little yoga, and makes a daily walk a daily practice.

Miranda Styles

Since joining the Alpine Adventures family, Miranda has set a goal to become proficient in skiing and snowboarding within the next five years. Working in the international operations department of Alpine Adventures, this opportunity is a dream come true for her.

Originally from Fayetteville, Northwest Arkansas, Miranda grew up in an area not particularly suited for skiing. Despite this, she remained active in various pursuits such as hiking, mountain biking (both manual and motorized), swimming, canoeing/kayaking, horseback riding, and martial arts. She began studying Karate at the age of four and, after switching to Taekwondo at six, earned her 1st degree black belt by thirteen.

A natural performer, Miranda’s passion extends beyond sports. She was deeply involved in her high school’s debate team and continued competing regionally at the University of Arkansas. Outside of academics, she is also a dedicated philanthropist, regularly volunteering at local food banks and other nonprofits supporting the unhoused. She also volunteers at her local American Legion post when time permits.

In her leisure time, Miranda enjoys exercising, crafting, baking, cooking, gardening, reading, and writing. She is currently working on a manuscript titled “Mom’s Hardest Truths: A Trilogy,” showcasing her aspirations as an author. Recently certified as a Switzerland Travel Expert and fluent in Spanish, Miranda hopes to combine these skills on a future group trip to Europe.

Don Hartman

Don is a Utah native who first tried skiing at age 6 at Snowbasin, back when it was a small, family-owned operation with no amenities. He skied at Park City (then called Treasure Mountain) during their grand opening at Christmas in 1963, enjoying their unique little gondola. He has worked in Park City for nearly 25 years, always in some aspect of the travel business—whether as a tour operator, in property management, at a retail travel agency, or in resort food and beverage management.

These Wasatch Mountains are his lifelong home. His favorite ski resort is Deer Valley, where he has come to appreciate their grooming as he, and his legs, get older. For après-ski, he loves The Beach at Silver Lake while the sun is up and then the No Name on Main Street when the sun goes down. He has spent 24 years in the ski industry, and his go-to skis are K2 Comanches.

Rebecca Armstrong

Rebecca brings over 20 years experience in the Adventure Travel and Luxury Hotel business. Armstrong is a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she grew up riding horses, skiing, ice skating and just spending as much time outdoors as possible. She moved to Berkeley, California in 2008, so she could do more mountain biking and snow skiing and eventually joined Backroads Active Travel as a bike and hike guide where she spent over six years leading trips in Europe, South America and the USA. Her travels took her further south of the equator, and she moved to work and live in Chile in 2002 where she continued to guide for Backroads. Settling down in Chile, she moved into the role as Sales and Client relations at Chile Nativo Travel as well as some guiding in Torres del Paine National Park and then managed the outdoor activities for all Explora Hotels in Chile. Her most recent job was at Ski Portillo Chile where she worked for over six years as their International Marketing Manager. You’ll find her now in Pucon, Chile surrounded by the beautiful lakes and volcanoes of that area where she enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle with her family.

Max Jensen

Max Jensen, a fun-loving globetrotter, has spent her life immersed in the world of travel. With experience living in numerous countries, she is an accomplished escort for group trips, taking pride in curating unforgettable journeys that blend excitement, discovery, and a touch of the unexpected.

Whether it’s sailing the Adriatic, skiing in the Alps, or engaging in thrilling adventures, Max thrives on sharing the joy of travel with others. Her trips are designed to make you feel like a traveller, not a tourist, ensuring each journey is memorable and unique.

For those seeking individual or group trips, Max Jensen is the perfect guide, dedicated to making every adventure an extraordinary experience.

Pete Kovacevic

Pete Kovacevic was born and raised in Yugoslavia, which is now a small landlocked country called Serbia. He studied to be an expert in geography, tourism and hospitality. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Novi Sad. He has travelled extensively throughout Europe and has enjoyed learning about different countries, people and their cultures.After graduating from college Pete went in search of new opportunities and he moved to “the country of freedom”. Raised in the spirit of US culture and thanks to his father’s influence, he adapted very quickly. He joined Alpine Adventures in 2006. He has actively participated in the growth and development of the company. He currently oversees international markets and he coordinates international supplier relations, including negotiations for the best terms with industry partners. As the ‘go to’ person, much of Pete’s time is devoted to assisting Alpine’s agents in getting the best products and amenities for their clients.Pete loves the mountains and the outdoors. He is fascinated with the mountain world and the adventures it inspires. “I enjoy meeting new people, traveling, and immersing myself in new cultures. It’s great when you can make a living doing what you love. Skiing always means good times, good food, and a great adventure! The more I travel, the more I appreciate the diversity of our planet” Pete’s greatest love is for soccer, and he says this passion will last forever.

Marion Johnson

Francoise, or as most people call her Marion, has been with Alpine Adventures for 19 years and has close to 40 years of experience in the travel industry between France her native country, and here in the United States. She has been in charge of the Air Department at Alpine for many years now, manages our Operations Team, and enjoys her position which also includes servicing some of Alpine’s group clients and her French clientele. If someday you get tired of skiing, Marion is your “gal”; she will help you with any other possible trip option such as a cruise, a safari, or a European tour. Her personal interests include, you guessed it, traveling with her family! As well as going to the gym, taking Pilates classes, and attending plays and musicals.

Alene Peaceman

Alene’s journey began in the charming coastal town of Rockaway Beach, NY, where she discovered her love for skiing during high school with the Ski Club. She pursued her academic ambitions at Hofstra University, and her professional adventure started with American Express in the heart of Manhattan.

Alene’s career then took her to sunny California, where she has worked with some of the most prestigious tour operators in the upscale market, including Micato Safaris, Ponant, Viking River Cruises, Scenic, JDB Fine Hotels and Resorts, and Club Med. During her impressive 9-year tenure at Club Med, she excelled as the Business Development Manager and the Team Ski specialist.

With a passion for crafting memorable experiences, Alene enjoys collaborating with individuals, families, and groups. Her extensive travels have taken her across France, Italy, Africa, and Israel, enriching her global perspective.

In her spare time, Alene embraces the great outdoors, whether it’s snow skiing, water skiing, hiking, or indulging in wine tasting. She is also a proud mother of two young adults and calls the picturesque town of Los Gatos, CA, her home.

Richelle Blanken

Richelle was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, where she started skiing Mt. Hood at the tender age of 3. She spent her high school and college years, at the University of Utah, ski racing. After graduating from college Richelle lived in Mexico where she enjoyed the beach, playing volleyball, and drinking Corona. Six months passed and she missed the mountains and ski racing so much that she returned to Oregon to get back into competition shape for the European ski-racing season. Richelle was a member of the US Ski Team from 1991-1994, competing in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.After retiring from the US Ski Team Richelle moved to Florida and formed Alpine Adventures with her brother Rick. Alpine Adventures began by organizing ski groups to Europe, however, they quickly recognized a need for other adventures and the company grew. Richelle’s favorite places to ski are off-piste in Courmayeur, Italy and Chamonix, France.Her preferred non-snow adventures are rafting in Costa Rica and kayaking in Thailand.

Rick Reichsfeld

Rick was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He started skiing at the age of 3 and attended the Mt. Hood Academy and grew up racing for the Mt. Hood ski team. Weekend races during the school year and family vacations took him to many western ski resorts throughout Oregon, Washington, Nevada, California, Montana, Idaho and Utah.
Rick’s summers were spent training on the Palmer Glacier in Government Camp, Oregon, the summer training center for the U.S. ski team at the time. Notables Phil and Steve Mahre, Marc Girardelli, Picabo Street and Tommy Moe attended the camp. After high school he attended the University of Washington where he was on the ski team.Rick’s start in the travel industry was a post-university stint in CanCun Mexico. His favorite winter activity is Heli-skiing in Val Grisenche, Italy. Away from the office Rick is a certified PADI scuba diver.