About Us
Martin and Lisa are very passionate about what they do - so much so that even when they're not working they often go skiing and climbing during their time off.
They are based in Chamonix but find themselves constantly seeking out new exotic, adventure locations.
Martin Svensson is a Swedish qualified International (IFMGA) guide. He started out skiing in the Telemark region of Norway, neighbouring a small village called Rjukan where modern telemark skiing was born.
Possessing a quiver of mountain skills including big-mountain skier and freerider, alpinist, 'trad', big-wall and sport climber (he's climbed up to 8a in the French grading system); Martin says, "It's great to be able to practise and try to perfect different athletic disciplines in a changeable mountain environment. It keeps 'the flame burning'".
He has spent winter seasons in the French Alps since the beginning of the 90's exploring skiing's 'steep & deep' (La Grave ranks as one of his favourite powder stashes) and constantly seeking new climbing challenges. Martin is quite the technician with ropes, having had a thorough grounding working and training others in rope access. Prior to guiding he spent several years working for Petzl Sweden developing and teaching rigging and safety techniques for various industries such as telecommunications.
His latest weekend passion is fly fishing for trout in the streams that course from the mountains he was skiing or climbing last week. Martin's other interests include climbing in all forms though mostly Yosemite-style granite cracks. Oh, and surfing too!
Lisa Auer is a New Zealand qualified mountain guide (UIAGM Aspirant) though her home town is Melbourne, Australia. She is one of only two Australian female guides.
She came to Chamonix first in 1996 for the skiing and as she describes it "part of me never left". She has been going back and forth between the Alps and the mountains of New Zealand for more than ten years. Lisa says of her mountain bases: "The European Alps (and Chamonix in particular) are the ultimate playground for skiing and climbing and yet they will never be tamed. It's a complete contrast to the remotely accessed Southern Alps of New Zealand. I love the contrast. New Zealand is very raw. You can get a sense of wilderness in the mountains in NZ and imagine what it was like to be a pioneer. But, in the end, Chamonix is where I plan to lay my hat."
Lisa had skis on her feet by the tender age of three at Mt Buller, in Australia's Snowy Ranges and began climbing at the renowned trad-rock venue of Arapiles, whilst still at school in Victoria. As a member of the Australian Women's Ski Team her early skiing years were dedicated to racing - training and competing mainly in Austria. In Chamonix she dabbled with extreme skiing making several first female ski descents including the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi. Now her time is spent sharing her skills and toned-down mountain passions with clients. Her strengths are in technical instruction from ten years of ski teaching experience and as a result of the Kiwi guide schooling.
During her free time Lisa likes most of all, "...to seek out aesthetic granite lines to climb, and unhurried powder in obscure locations to ski, with my best friend and husband - Martin."
Her other interests include photography, writing, surfing, gardening (if only she had a garden) and web design.