Stuart Macdonald

Director of Avalanche Academy Ltd. Stuart first climbed Mont Blanc at the age of 17, and immediately fell in love with the Alps. He began instructing in the mountains while serving in the British Army, and lead numerous overseas expeditions to Alaska, Canada, Greenland and the Himalayas. He subsequently spent two years instructing at the Joint Services Mountain Training Centre in North Wales, Scotland, and Norway before leaving the Forces to train as an International Mountain Guide.

His personal interest in avalanches began when he found himself in one on the slopes of Ben Nevis in Scotland. He has climbed around the world including ascents of Mt Everest and the Eiger North Face to name just a couple of routes. His personal philosophy on Avalanche Training is to "Keep it Simple" and he is a member of ANENA (French Association for the Study of Snow and Avalanches). He has lived in Chamonix since 2007, and is never happier than when in the mountains.Stuart is regularly asked for comment on avalanche accidents, and has appeared on numerous TV/radio interviews for BBC, Sky News, NBC and AP (Associated Press).