Stefan Palm – Mountain Guide, Powder Hunter, Lifelong Adventurer

Sitting across from legendary Swedish guide Stefan Palm, you quickly realize he’s the kind of person who has spent more days in the mountains than anywhere else. With over 36 years as a professional mountain guide, he’s carved lines down some of the most remote and challenging terrain on the planet. From the Arctic to the Andes, Russia to New Zealand, he’s not just guiding—he’s constantly seeking out the best snow and the next great adventure.

Stefan became a full-time mountain guide in 1989 and played a key role in developing Sweden’s first mountain guide training program. He later founded Heliski Guides Sweden, where he now spends a couple of months each year guiding skiers through the pristine backcountry of Abisko. The rest of the time? He’s leading clients on unforgettable trips across the world, from deep powder in Chile to the legendary steeps of Alaska’s Chugach Mountains.

Right now, he’s in Valdez with a group of longtime Swedish clients—skiers who have followed him across the globe for years. They started their trip with ski touring before switching to heli-skiing, and yesterday was one of those days they’ll talk about for years: perfect conditions, steep Alaskan lines, and endless powder. So good, in fact, that they decided to extend their trip just to squeeze in one more day in the Chugach.

Stefan spends 200+ days a year on skis, guiding heli, backcountry, and splitboarding trips. He’s skied over 100 weeks in the Arctic, led 25+ seasons in Chile, and explored remote peaks in Russia, India, Turkey, New Zealand, Antarctica, and beyond. But for him, the most rewarding part isn’t just the places—it’s the people. With a 90% return rate, the skiers who join him don’t just book trips; they become part of a close-knit ski family, chasing powder together season after season.

When the snow melts, Stefan trades skis for a surfboard, spending summers in Biarritz with his wife. He loves skateboarding just as much—maybe even more—than skiing, and if he’s not in the mountains, you’ll probably find him on a board somewhere. His son, Max Palm, is making waves in the competitive ski world, currently competing in the NST circuit. Next month, the two of them are heading to Japan for their next ski-haut adventure.

For Stefan, the mountains aren’t just a profession—they’re a way of life. And if there’s fresh snow to be found, he’s already on his way.

More at www.heliskiguidessweden.com