2024 recipients: Amanda Ludlow, Ian Lamoureux, Dylan Murray

Amanda Ludlow

I am Amanda Ludlow, born and raised in the prairies of Manitoba. I am lucky to have made Nelson my new home over the past few years. I’ve always had a passion for skiing and knew from a young age I’ve wanted to make it part of my career. I’m currently working at Baldface Lodge as a housekeeper and actively pursuing my guiding courses. Being in the Kootenays has opened up many new doors, and the mountains here have inspired me to get out in the backcountry and follow my guiding dreams. I am very grateful for the Nyle Mulkey Foundation’s help for my Ops 1 course, where I furthered my knowledge in the field and taken the next step towards my goals. The Foundation’s support makes the journey that much easier.

Ian Lamoureux

I grew up in the Kootenay’s with a passion to explore the mountains and challenge myself. Backcountry Snowboarding allowed me to discover a bigger world and develop the skills to travel through mountains safely. Deciding to venture into the guiding world wasn’t easy. With course costs and shifting my relationship with snowboarding, I felt hesitant to embark down that road. I was enjoying coaching kids at Whitewater and shredding powder days with friends. But eventually I realized my purpose was to lead people in the backcountry and share that passion for snowboarding. Nyle was such a genuine soul and it’s been amazing to witness all the connections he’s made in the snowboard community. I’m very grateful for the NMCBDF Foundation for supporting this dream of mine. This will help cover some costs in my CSGA 1 program.

Dylan Murray

I am incredibly grateful to NMCBDF for their support in advancing my guiding career. As the founder of an AST program for Indigenous youth at backcountry lodges, I am dedicated to creating a space where outdoor education, career pathways, Indigenous teachings, and community building intersect. Our program not only offers AST training but also promotes collaborative relationships between local First Nations and backcountry operators. With a focus on environmental stewardship and ancestral knowledge, we encourage participants to embark on a journey of personal growth that honours the land and the Indigenous communities who have safeguarded it for generations.

Thanks to this funding, I am pursuing essential certifications, including the CAA Avalanche Control Blasting (ACB) course and the Instructing in Avalanche Terrain – Basic (IAT-Basic) course. IAT-Basic will directly benefit our not-for-profit’s operations, while ACB will serve my ongoing work in the guiding world.

Thank you for the work you do to honour Nyle and his legacy.