Olivier Ratté

The river caught hold of me early on in my life. Summer Camp Kéno in Québec was a wonderful place to grow, learn and go on adventures. I kept going year after year. Trips were growing longer and going further. Later, I became a counsellor. When I started taking kids on trips, I discovered how much I liked sharing my passions: for the river, for nature and for adventure.
On a trip around the world, I figured that adventure needed to become my job and way of life. I came to the realization that I wanted to learn more. The Outdoor leadership program at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi served that purpose. It led me to become a leader in several fields.

It does not matter if I’m paddling a canoe, a raft, or a kayak on the rivers, I will find happiness! And when the rivers are all frozen up, then I take my skis out, and the mountains welcome me. My endeavours took me on adventures on the rivers of Québec to the peaks of British Colombia followed by the mountains of Japan and the flows of the North American West.

Big Canyon Rafting, and its owner Tyler Dinsdale, led me to learn about expedition rafting. This life-changing experience is what brought me to guide for CRE/NRA.

I now teach outdoor leadership, canoe, kayak, swift water rescue, skiing and avalanche safety. Sharing my passions is what thrives me.

I’m Oli, and nature is my home. I am looking forward to sharing it with you!