Heli-ski guide, paramedic, ski racer & Outdoor Lover meet Evian Rowlands
Hailing from Northern British Colombia, she came up in the ski racing world at a young age and went on to compete internationally. Skiing has driven her life and directed her career ever since.
"It’s an incredible privilege to take people of all skill levels to places they might not otherwise experience. Even when I’ve skied a spot countless times, seeing the joy and excitement on my guests’ faces is always rewarding. The outdoors offer both a challenge and a shared experience that brings people together."
You grew up in Prince George, Northern BC. For those who may not be familiar, can you describe it and share what it was like growing up there?
Prince George is known as the Northern Capital of British Columbia. It's a rugged, industrial town surrounded by endless wilderness, lakes, and amazing opportunities for mountain biking, skiing, and hiking. Growing up there instilled in me a deep appreciation for the simple things in life and taught me the value of hard work.
You were on the local ski team, and to help fund your races, you planted trees. Can you tell us more about that experience and how it shaped you?
Ski racing is an expensive sport, and luckily for my parents, I was passionate about it. However, they owned a small business, so funding the costs of my ski races was challenging. In BC, the forestry industry is huge, and many people fund their education by planting trees, as it's a seasonal job. I started tree planting at 16 to save money for ski racing training on the glaciers in Europe before race season. Pre-season training is essential for improving results the following year. Tree planting taught me the importance of hard work and efficiency, as it’s a physically demanding job. While it started as a way to make money, I ended up doing it for 10 years and developed a deep appreciation for forest ecosystems and working in the bush.
You’re both a ski guide and a paramedic—which came first, and how did one lead to the other?
Skiing has always been my passion, and becoming a ski guide was my first career. I always wanted to pair ski guiding with another profession. My interest in para-medicine began after a serious accident involving a neighboring heli-ski company. Although I didn’t end up having to respond to the scene, I was waiting on standby with my rescue kit in hand. It made me realize I wanted more first aid experience. About a year later, there was a shortage of paramedics in BC, and the province invested in training programs. This led to an opportunity for me to become a paramedic and pursue a career in healthcare alongside my passion for skiing.
As a paramedic, do you specialize in ski-related injuries? One often-overlooked but frequent alpine injury is skin damage from sun, wind, and extreme temperatures. Can you share any insights or experiences related to this?
While most of my para-medicine work is with BC Ambulance, I frequently deal with guests that suffer skin damage from the sun, wind, and extreme temperatures. Asw guides we're out in the elements every day, and our skin takes a beating. This year, I accidentally got frostbite on my nose while ski touring up a glacier into the wind at -25°C. This has made my skin more sensitive to the sun.
As a guide, you spend long days outdoors in severe conditions. How do you take care of your skin, and which UTU formulation do you never guide without?
I use the Utu SPF 30 Moisturizer every morning and reapply with the SPF 50 Face & Lip Balm throughout the day. This routine helps protect my face and prevent skin damage from the harsh conditions I’m exposed to as a guide.
You currently guide with one of our partners, Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Ski, as well as Sorcerer Lodge and Girls Do Ski camps. Can you tell us more about these camps and what makes them special?
Girls Do Ski camps are backcountry skiing camps designed to connect women with each other and provide the tools they need to safely access the backcountry. The camps offer various courses, from beginner to expert, including navigation and glacier travel. What makes them special is the supportive, empowering environment they create. The women in these camps challenge themselves in ways they might not in more male-dominated settings. The atmosphere is always safe and encouraging, and the experience is truly transformative.
You mentioned that your focus is on using skiing as a tool to connect people with the outdoors. Why is this so important to you?
Backcountry skiing is one of the most incredible ways to explore the mountains. Many places I’ve skied are inaccessible in the summer because of dense forest undergrowth, large bouldered terrain, and broken glaciers. In the winter, the beautiful snow carpets all of this and travel is much easier. It’s an incredible privilege to take people of all skill levels to places they might not otherwise experience. Even when I’ve skied a spot countless times, seeing the joy and excitement on my guests’ faces is always rewarding. The outdoors offer both a challenge and a shared experience that brings people together.
Learn more about our partner Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Sking