About Well Lived: There are people who spend their time in interesting ways. They build, explore and create, following their curiosity wherever it leads. They are multifaceted in life, work and play, finding opportunities where others see constraints. In short, they’re cool people doing cool things. They’re also the inspiration behind the design and development of the RUX System. The Well Lived series captures a small part of who they are and what they do.

Decision Making

As his guests settle into a snow-covered backcountry ski lodge and start reliving the day's best turns over a warm bowl of soup and a cold beer, Lars Andrews and his guide team are already thinking about tomorrow. While wet gloves dry near the roaring fire, they weigh the day's avalanche observations against updated weather models. Long before anyone clicks into a pair of skis the next morning, dozens of quiet decisions have already been made.

"We're not paid to say yes," Andrews says. "But unfortunately, sometimes we have to say no because the conditions demand it."

It's not the philosophy you'd expect to hear from someone who has spent more than three decades overseeing operations in some of the world's most remote locations. Andrews knows that finding adventure isn’t the hard part. The real work lies in managing everything that comes with it.

He describes his relationship with risk as "complicated." Rather than viewing it as something to eliminate, he sees it as an ongoing process of evaluation. As conditions change and group dynamics evolve, decisions need to be constantly reassessed. Unfortunately, that sometimes means disappointing guests who have spent years dreaming about a particular line or summit.

"I've always tried to be very direct in those situations," he says. "You can't hide from the reality of nature."

Comfortable In The Wild

At nineteen, Andrews was fascinated by untamed environs which gave him a vision for the life he wanted to live. Those ambitions weren't built around career goals or recognition. "I wanted to be able to travel comfortably in all the wild places on the planet."

For him, comfort had nothing to do with convenience. It meant developing the skills and judgment to move through difficult landscapes under his own power. Guiding wasn't the original goal, but it became the profession that allowed him to continue developing his unique set of skills.

That curiosity grew into Whitecap Alpine Adventures, the company he founded that handles everything from heli-ski trips to behind-the-scenes logistics for far-flung television productions. Now, 33 years later, he realizes his career has grown into something much larger than he'd ever imagined.

"The thing that's driving me right now is building the brand," he says. "I really enjoy the creative process." 

These days, he enjoys refining the guest experience and strengthening the business side of Whitecap. While the problems Andrews solves have changed, his mindset hasn't. 

Helping Others Grow

As impressive as his accomplishments are, Andrews rarely talks about those moments as personal milestones. Instead, his attention shifts back to the people around him. Ask Andrews what keeps him motivated and he doesn't mention an international expedition or first ski descent. He talks about the development of others. 

"The biggest reward for me is witnessing people leave a trip after having a transformational experience," he says. ”The ultimate goal isn't just leading people through the mountains. It's giving them the confidence to push themselves into places they would not have otherwise found.”

That process isn’t defined through dramatic moments or summit selfies. He describes guests who arrive with little experience in the backcountry and return season after season with increased confidence. They take avalanche courses, improve their fitness and begin exploring on their own. The mountains become a vehicle for personal growth, and he’s happy to play a small role in that evolution. 

Leadership Through Humility

Over the course of his career Andrews has worked alongside elite athletes, heralded television crews and veteran mountain guides. While technical ability is certainly important, he believes the strongest teams are built on humility. The best leaders take on the small tasks, communicate honestly and admit mistakes openly. That type of leadership must be earned long before it's needed.

"When I think of alpha males, they're the ones helping everyone else," he says. "They're the ones washing dishes and making sandwiches for the group. The people who quietly support the team are the most valuable.”

He has also watched the pro ski culture evolve. Early in his career, professional athletes often arrived with oversized egos and little interest in collaborating outside their own objectives. Today, Andrews sees something different. Many of the skiers he works with are more willing to listen, ask questions and learn from experienced guides and local knowledge.

"It's become much more collaborative," he says. "And it's also a lot more fun to work in an environment like that."

The Next Generation

"As Whitecap has grown, my career has naturally evolved from guiding to mentoring,” he says. “Now it's really cool to watch the people I mentored helping out a younger generation."

Back at the lodge, the first rays of morning light shine through the window while coffee steams from the guests’ mugs. One of the younger guides stands at the front of the room and outlines the day's plan. In a friendly, yet serious tone, he explains how rising avalanche danger has changed the objective. 

Quietly organizing the group’s lunches in the back of the room, Andrews thinks back to when that guide was a curious teenager eager to learn more about layers in the snowpack. Today, he’s the one in charge. 

When the briefing ends, Andrews positions himself by the door. Carefully watching each guest load their backpack, he makes sure nothing is left behind. After the last member of the group exits, he gives the room one last look, then shuts the door and follows them into the wilds of the B.C. backcountry.

Subject Snapshot

Name: Lars Andrews
Homebase: Squamish, B.C., Canada
Sports/Activities: Ski, Surf, Bike, Moto, Boats, Dogs and Friends
Business: Whitecap
Vehicles: Ford F-350, Jet Boat, Dirt Bike
Favourite RUX products: Duffel Box and Waterproof Tote