Jeff Mann – President
Serving as President of WWHSTA in an honour and challenge that Jeff is excited to undertake. The role brings together many of his lifelong interests, including: backcountry ski touring, forestry, environmental protection, tourism, fundraising and community service.
Jeff’s lifelong love of skiing began at the age of two, when he learned to ski while living in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies in Calgary. During his university years, Jeff typically had his hands on a textbook, a set of ski poles or a chainsaw. While studying Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism at Thunder Bay’s Lakehead University, Jeff honed his telemark skills and worked for the Alberta Forest Service and Parks Canada in the summer. After graduation the mountains called. Jeff worked in management at one of the big BC ski resorts, supervising liftees in the winter and working on the chainsaw crew in the summer. Jeff’s strong belief in the importance of safety and planning comes from his half-decade of work as a lead builder and trainer for one of Canada’s leading builders of climbing walls and challenge courses. Jeff has completed a Bachelor of Education and taught for many years, with a particular passion for experiential and outdoor education. Jeff has always been interested in serving his community. He has been involved in many boards or directors and strongly believes that collaboration and compassion are the keys for organizational success. Jeff’s experiences as a dad have shaped his interest in sustainability and environmental issues. Jeff looks forward to working with all stakeholders in the West Wind community and is excited to learn and grow in the role of WWHSTA President.
Contact Jeff at info@wwhsta.org.
Jeff “LeChef” Edwards – VP/Operations
Jeff first started skiing in the Highlands in the mid 1980’s when he attended a CANSI Level 2 Instructor in Huntsville, and while earning his pin, he was scolded several times for “taking it into the bush“, including his one and only time at the long gone Tally Ho Ski Hill. It was around then that he became seduced by the area’s abundant powder snow, contour lines and quiet bush country, leading to many trips into areas including Tasso Highlands and Powder Peaks (Forestry Tower) Road.
Many rumours swirl around LeChef, but we can confirm that he was a ORCKA Master Canoe Instructor, leading paddling trips all around North America and running courses for several organizations. There were stints as a ski instructor and patroller, freelance outdoor writer/editor, outdoor educator and despite being a gear luddite, in outdoor retail.
For the past few decades Jeff has worked in the bush all over Canada in forest silviculture, forest fire fighting and geological exploration. He applies this hands-on experience towards obtaining permits, planning glades, trails and future structures and organizing work days for West Wind. Careful what you promise him; he is a shameless recruiter of volunteers for our operations.
Contact Jeff at operations@wwhsta.org.
Annie Scherz – Membership
Born to a Swiss father and Canadian mother, skiing has been a big part of Annie’s life – be it cross-country, downhill, or telemark skiing, she thinks gliding over snow on two boards is pretty darned rad! She believes that any day out in the woods is a good day. Annie is always looking for ways to connect and build relationships with future friends and strengthen relationships with current friends. She is thrilled to join the WWHSTA board where the focus of her position (Membership Director) is all about bringing people together and building relationships.
Contact Annie at membership@wwhsta.org.
Gordon Baker – Secretary
Gord Baker has been a skier since childhood and loves to ski in the woods, preferably on telemark equipment with the assistance of gravity. After moving to Muskoka in the early 1990s, Gord started exploring local hills and hydro cuts for their powder turn potential. Over the years, he met and teamed up with other like-minded skiers in the area and began working on a few “projects,” with the goal of improving the tree-skiing potential. The seeds of WWHSTA were planted. Gord is the person responsible for the communications department at WWHSTA. If you want to contribute information to our website, or share your powder story on our social media channels, please contact Gord at secretary@wwhsta.org.
Scott Turnbull – Treasurer
With a deep passion for skiing and snowboarding in the trees, Scott is excited to be part of the founding of WWHSTA. Born in Muskoka, Scott is now raising his own young children here, sharing his love for sliding on snow and exploring the backcountry.
From a family of dedicated nordic and alpine skiers, Scott was schooled in the art of schussing early, at the now-defunct Curlew and Tally-Ho resorts near Huntsville.
As soon as the last bell rang in high school, he headed west to the interior of BC, learning about the satisfaction of earned turns.
Close to a decade in BC led to lots of snow adventures, and once back in Ontario, Scott continued to pursue the mountains, with regular trips to BC and Quebec for some much-needed elevation.
After years of lamenting the lack of mountains in Ontario, Scott stopped complaining, and started touring the hills close to home, finding the same joy in a 200-vertical-foot lap as you can in 2000 feet. After one visit to the Limberlost ski hill a few years ago, Scott quickly fell in with the burgeoning community of like-minded turn enthusiasts which has transformed in WWHSTA. To learn more about Scott, check out @scottturnbulltookthisphoto on the world wide web.
Contact Scott at finance@wwhsta.org.