Aaron Karitis

Aaron Karitis grew up in Bend, Oregon, roughly 20 miles northeast of Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, where he was making his first turns on snow about the same time has was taking his first steps in the living room. No wonder he says he feels more comfortable skiing than walking. A committed  racer from childhood  through high school, it wasn’t until he went to college at the University of Utah as a freeskier that he realized his true passion —  and found a respect for the mountains. Karitis reached the pinnacle of the sport when he started working for H2O Heli Guides in Valdez, Alaska eight years ago.  He has logged more than 175 days of heli-ski guiding in Valdez and has scouted and developed big mountain and powder camps in Argentina and Japan. His experience is further highlighted by his numerous first descents and collaborations with the industry’s biggest film production companies on feature-length videos including Brain Farm Productions “That’s It, That’s All”, Matchstick Productions “Claim” and Standard Films “Black Winter” and "Global Storming". Karitis has also appeared on the cover of Powder Magazine (October 2008).  When not skiing, the 29-year-old can be found on a Central Oregon golf course or in a warm body of water in what he says is the closest thing to skiing...surfing.