Kent Vertrees

Kent has worked with Steamboat Powdercats as the “Master of Chaos” since 2000. He oversees all of SPC’s reservations and guest happiness, company marketing, public relations, the website and lots of additional, chaotic goodness for the company. Along with these backend jobs, he still gets out twice a week or more onto the snow and into the cats, working as either the daily photographer or as a guide.

After graduating from The Ohio State University (“OH!”) with a degree in Fisheries Management, Kent decided to follow his passion for “living the good life” and became a guiding vagabond. Using Steamboat Springs as his home base, Kent spent several years in the 90’s pursuing his whitewater rafting, fly-fishing and snowmobiling guide dreams.  Then Kent met Steamboat Powdercats.

Since 2000, Kent has been one of our managers and now a part owner.  Most of our guests talk or email with Kent at some point during their experience with us as his niche is focused on our guest experience and company culture.  His positive approach and passion for spreading the Steamboat Powdercats love is contagious.

Beyond Powdercats, Kent is raising his daughters Josephine (Jojo) and Sophie to become deep powder hounds and river rats. His wife Jules is a gorgeous, working mom who, among other things, owns her own international business – Verve Culture. Their dog Stevie, the golden retriever who you’ll see roaming the office, says “Woof Woof”.

Kent has been a leading advocate for recreational and environmental water management, doing his best to protect and enhance local and regional rivers. He has been a longtime board member and staffer with the Friends of the Yampa and sits on multiple other water related and recreation water and public land boards.  He is also an adjunct professor at the Alpine Campus for Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs teaching river and canyon orientation courses.

Kent’s most defining moment: “Climbing those last few steps toward Baxter Peak on Mount Katahdin to conclude my 2,100 mile, Appalachian Trail “thru-hike” in 1992 (trail name “Wasitu”).