Our Staff

Kurt Kinnear

Director

Kurt Kinnear, Director of the Outdoor Centre, considers sports and outdoor pursuits his passion and the outdoors his playground. After honing his skills in the outdoors as a youngster on his family's central Alberta 20, 000 acre ranch, Kurt achieved a Diploma in Leadership and a degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership that he puts to the test everyday. While always striving to pursue new and challenging outdoor experiences, he keeps fit by cycling nearly every day and scuba diving whenever he can. His goal this year is to ride to work 90% of the time leaving his car parked whenever possible. This season, Kurt hopes that the Outdoor Centre programs will entice inexperienced and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts alike to do as his mother always told him....Get Outside!

John Janssen

Rental Equipment Manager, Telemark, Hang Gliding, Paragliding, Kiting, & Bike Repair Program Coordinator

John Janssen has over 30 years of cycling, skiing, and flying experience in Canada, USA, and Australia.  He began working at the Outdoor Centre upon graduating, in 1989, with a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree, Major in Outdoor Pursuits.  In addition to managing the rental equipment, John coordinates the telemark, flying, and biking programs and holds the following certifications;  CANSI Level II cross-country and telemark Level I ski instructor, HPAC Master rated pilot, HPAC senior hang gliding instructor responsible for curriculum design and instruction for introductory through instructor level courses.

Do you have any questions for John about telemark, paragliding, hang gliding, traction kiting, kite skiing or bike repair courses? Email

Albi Sole

Glacier Hiking, Ski Touring and Avalanche Safety Coordinator

Albi Sole has been guiding since 1979 and has spent the last fourteen of those years working at the Outdoor Centre at the University of Calgary programming avalanche awareness, ski touring and climbing courses. Albi has an extensive resume including: writing the World's first waterfall ice climbing guide, first climbing ascents in Europe, North and South America, and the Himalaya. Albi worked as a heli-ski guide for 13 years, has guided groups to Aconcagua, Huascaran, and Denali, led two expeditions to Himalaya, and was a participant in lightweight sieges of the West Ridge of Makalu and the first ascent of the West Ridge of Everest from Tibet.

In 2008 Albi completed an MSc. researching risk taking in avalanche terrain. Since then Albi has lead the foundation and growth of the Outdoor Council of Canada.

Do you have a question for Albi about avalanche safety, backcountry ski/boarding, glacier hiking or ski touring course? Email

Rachel Oggy

Hiking, Backpacking, Snowshoeing, Caving, Navigation

Details to come!

Angela Harder

Water Programs, Out- tripping, Cross Country Skiing, Wilderness First Aid Coordinator

Angela Harder has worked at the Outdoor Centre for over a decade. Angela's outdoor specialty is whitewater solo canoeing and extended wilderness canoe trips. Angela graduated from the Outdoor Pursuits Program from the U of C and has worked as a guide on the Nahanni river and as an instructor at an outdoor education centre in Australia. She could not imagine a summer without teaching others about the joys of canoeing and kayaking.  In the winter she inspires others to stay fit and have fun in the cross country ski loppet program.  Her passion is to get people outside and encourage them to see and do things that they could not have imagined!

Do you have a question for Ang about water programs, cross country skiing or wilderness first aid courses? Email

Finlay MacNeill

River Kayaking, Canoeing, Stand Up Paddleboard, Sea Kayaking, Rafting, Cross Country Skiing

Finlay (Fin) MacNeill is an avid paddler and nordic skier. This is his first year working as a programs coordinator with the Outdoor Center.  Fin graduated from the Ecotourism and Outdoor leadership program at Mount Royal University and has worked as an outdoor instructor and guide in Alberta for eight years.  Being passionate about teaching, Fin can be found most days out on the river - passing out his expertise and love for paddling.

Do you have a question for him about River Kayaking or SUP programs? Email

Logan Jones

Outdoor Camps for Kids and Teens,Mountain Biking Coordinator

I am the one who takes the kids to the trees

I am the one who puts bandaids on their knees

I make sure they drink water and play on a raft

I organize the camps and make sure they are staffed.

I make sure that the kids do see,

What we have left of those beautiful trees!

Do you want to ask Logan a question about winter and summer camps for kids and teens or the mountain biking courses? Email

Ian Turner

Front Desk and Customer Relations

Ian is here to help you with any questions you may have about our gear rentals, repair shop, course offerings and how to register.

Do you have a question? He's got the answer! Email