Spencer Herford

 

Spencer Herford is a contributing writer for Gear Junkie. He has been writing about avalanche safety, splitboarding and backcountry ski gear for a year, but he’s been studying avalanche safety and guiding for over 5 years. 

In the winter, Spencer works as a backcountry ski and splitboard guide and an AIARE Course Leader. He is a graduate of the Colorado Mountain College Avalanche Science Program and has been split boarding in the Colorado backcountry for 15 years.

Based in Salida, Colorado, Spencer is obsessed with splitboarding, but you might find him riding a mountain bike or out hiking with his dog. 

• Title: Contributor
• Email: beardedsplitboarder@gmail.com
• Location (City & State) Salida, CO
• Instagram: @spencerinthesawatch
• Pronouns He/Him

Expertise

• Topics of Expertise: Backcountry ski and splitboard gear, Avalanche safety
• Years in This Expertise: 15
• Number Of Products & Number Of Hours Expert Has Tested: 20 products, 150 hours

Experience

Spencer grew up in Summit County, Colorado, and started skiing and snowboarding at the age of three. As the mega-resorts began to get more and more crowded, his father slowly showed him the ropes of backcountry skiing. After ten years of recreational backcountry experience, he decided to move into the professional realm, studying snow science at Colorado Mountain College’s Avalanche Science Program. He completed an internship with a local guide outfit and has since completed his Professional One and Two certifications and is an AIARE Course Leader. 

Career Highlights

• I completed my Professional 1 course. I was studying during the height of the pandemic, so my testing was rescheduled so many times that it was hard to remain positive and motivated. When I finally did test, it was an incredible relief!
• My first day guiding on my own was a beautiful day in January when the zone I was taking my clients to received a nice overnight snowfall. I was very nervous, but I ended up with some awesome skiers, and we had a wonderful day riding fresh snow and having a great time! Truly an awesome job to take people into the winter backcountry world!

 Education & Certifications

• Education: 
  • Colorado Mountain College Avalanche Science Certificate
  • Colorado Mountain College AAS Professional Photography
• Certifications:
  • Avalanche Professional 1 & 2
  • AIARE Course Leader
  • Wilderness First Responder
• Club or Association Memberships:
  • American Avalanche Association Professional Member (in review)

A Word From Spencer Herford 

I work in avalanche education and backcountry guiding because I had a great mentorship team as I started my journey into the winter backcountry, and I wanted to give back to help other people gain the skills to get out and enjoy the snow safely. 

I began skiing and snowboarding when I was three years old, and have been backcountry skiing and splitboarding for about the past fifteen years. I graduated an intensive two year avalanche science program, where I dove deep into snow science and avalanche rescue.

I love splitboarding, and I do it quite often. I also enjoy mountain biking and hiking with my dog, and I love to paint in watercolor my backcountry adventures!