Mike Ferrari

is in his 36th season at Mt. Rose, where he spent 26 years as Patrol and Risk Manager before taking on his current role as Director of Risk Management with oversight of the avalanche program. His interest in avalanche safety began while working in ski school and spending time in the backcountry before transitioning to patrol as a full-time career. A defining moment in his career came when a route partner was caught in an avalanche he was certain would be fatal—an experience that shaped his approach to assessing uncertainty and hazard. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling to Italy to visit his oldest daughter, as well as gardening, earning him the family nickname “The Gardenfather.” A recent favorite podcast is Avalanche Hour, a go-to source for insights into snow safety and mountain risk management.