Meet the Owner and Founder
The Guy who started it all
Chris Skinner is the owner and founder of Playwest Mountain Experience, bringing over two decades of outdoor leadership and backcountry expertise to the company.
A certified hiking guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), Chris is passionate about connecting people to wild places through safe, thoughtful, and enriching experiences. His deep knowledge of the Canadian Rockies, Purcell Mountains, and West Coast Trail is matched by his commitment to Leave No Trace principles, meaningful storytelling, and creating unforgettable adventures for hikers of all levels.
Whether guiding a multi-day expedition or sharing a bad camp joke around the fire, Chris leads with heart, humility, and an unshakable love for the mountains. Connect with Chris your for next, (or maybe first!) hiking experience.
10K
Total Hikes
500+
KMs hiked each year
100s
Dad jokes told around the campfire
At Playwest our guides are local residents and are well versed in the flora & fauna as well as the history of the Invermere and surrounding regions. We hope to inspire and educate our guests in a fun and safe environment, learning about our surroundings through story telling and the odd bad joke.
Playwest Mountain Experience is a professional guiding company. All of our guides are members of several professional associations, the most notable being the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). The ACMG has set the standard for professional guiding in Canada for over 50 years. As a minimum standard all of the Playwest Mountain Experience guides are certified members of the ACMG.
Disconnect, Reconnect, Engage, Experience
The D.R.E.E Theory
For us, the D.R.E.E. theory, Disconnect, Reconnect, Engage, Experience, shapes everything we do. We believe that the mountains offer more than just a backdrop for adventure, they provide space for meaningful transformation.
Our trips are designed to help you disconnect from the noise and distractions of everyday life. From there, we create opportunities to reconnect with nature, with yourself, and with others. We encourage you to engage with the trail, with new skills, and with the challenges that come your way. And through it all, we invite you to experience the landscape in a way that leaves you grounded, inspired, and changed.
D.R.E.E. isn’t just a framework, it’s the heartbeat of every Playwest journey.
A hiking experience you won’t forget
Why choose us?
Top-Ranked Hiking Guide in Invermere
Hikers have spoken! We only have 5-star reviews on Google and TripAdvisor. Check it out for yourself and see what other's are saying.
Local Hiking Experts
The Canadian Rockies and Purcell Mountains are our backyard, they are our home. We've been exploring this area for decades and know all of the peaks, valleys and the best waterfalls.
Professional Outdoor Guides
All of our guides are members of several professional associations, the most notable being the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). They aim to inspire and educate our guests in a fun and safe environment, learning about our surroundings through story telling and the odd bad joke.
All-Inclusive Guided Hikes
You're on a hiking vacation, so won't have to lift a finger...but you will need to lift a foot. We handle the transportation, hiking permits, freshly packed lunches and can even rent you gear, if you need it.
