From left to right:
Carl Skustad, Lisa Portune and Matt Murphy

Carl Skustad
Director, Forecaster
cskustad@fs.fed.us
(907) 754-2346

Carl grew up in Minnesota canoeing and racing motorcycles. After graduating with a Forestry degree from Stevens Point, WI, he headed north to Alaska. Carl started the CNFAIC in 2000. Patterned after similar avalanche centers in Sun Valley and Jackson, the CNFAIC has grown since its infancy. He leads the avalanche education efforts and enjoys working with the Friends of the CNFAIC group. When Carl's not climbing, skiing, or riding he's skiing with his daughter Ava "Ava-lanche". Extras: wildland firefighter, tele-rondo-snowmachine, professional outhouse and snow removal technician.

Matt Murphy
Forecaster
mattmurphy@fs.fed.us
(907) 754-2349

As a kid in Southeast Alaska, Murphy became fascinated with mountains and learned how to ski at Eaglecrest in Juneau. One of Matt's first jobs after attending college on the east coast was working as a lift operator for Eagle Crest and later at Alyeska Resort before becoming a professional ski patroller for Alyeska in 2001. He still works as a part-time patroller. Big storm mornings may have Matt running from a CNFAIC forecast, to a howitzer mission at Alyeska, then back to plow snow at the Forest Service parking lots, before climbing for snow observations in Turnagain Pass. Extras: Boat operator/cabin maintenance worker in Prince William Sound, tele-skier, aspiring sled head, Alaska Region Forest Service Employee of the year 2008.

Lisa Portune
Forecaster
lportune@fs.fed.us
(907) 754-2351

Lisa is one of the hardest, most dedicated workers you will meet. Her passion for the backcountry has her heading into the mountains on most of her days off. She grew up in Ohio and started skiing at age 13 where she shredded the couple hundred vertical feet of the now-defunct Sugarcreek Ski Hills. After graduating with a degree in Biology, she worked on trail crews and fire crews for 14 summers in Colorado, California, Montana, and Alaska. She started backcountry skiing at Mt Shasta, CA and had the great fortune of taking her first avalanche course from the late Norm Wilson. Whether it's running a chain saw, building trail, canyoneering, or boarding big lines, Lisa does it all with style. She also does her best to keep Matt and Carl's junk show in order! Extras: splitboarder, snow plower, all things desert southwest

Jeff Nissman
Honorary Forecaster

Jeff was killed in a roof avalanche in 2003 in Portage Valley while working for CNFAIC. Jeff helped Skustad in the early years of the avalanche center as a forecaster. Jeff's love and spirit for the mountains can be felt above tree line in Turnagain Pass most every day. Jeff developed the first avalanche website for the Avalanche Center and this new site is dedicated to his memory. The primary fundraiser for the Friends of the CNFAIC is named in his honor - The Jeff Nissman Memorial Telepalooza Telemark Festival and is held each spring at Alyeska Resort.