Montana Guide Kristi Scott

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Guide: Kristi Scott

Austin-Lehman Guide Kristi Scott at Grand Teton National Park Short Bio: Kristi was born in Missoula, Montana. Much of her childhood was spent playing in the rivers, lakes, and mountains of Montana. After graduating from high school in Great Falls, MT, Kristi began to study art at the University of Montana (UofM). Kristi spent several seasons in the ski community of Big Sky, MT where she transitioned well from a university student to a ‘ski bum.’ Kristi first worked with Adventures Plus during the summer of 2001, which soon partnered with Back Country Adventures to become Austin-Lehman Adventures. Since this time, she has led trips in Montana, Grand Teton, Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska, as well as Bryce, Zion and Escalante Parks in the South West.

Kristi finished her bachelor’s degree with concentrations in Anthropology and Museum Studies spring of 2006 at Montana State University in Bozeman (MSU). She went on to serve as Curatorial Assistant at the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, MT for the then upcoming permanent exhibition, The Bison: Heart of Plains Indian Culture, American Icon. Kristi is now finishing her Master of Arts in Native American Studies at MSU which has provided exciting opportunities such as: a research fellowship at the Smithsonian (summer 2009), teaching undergraduate courses in Native American Studies, and presenting at conferences Nationally. Kristi finds culture fascinating and enjoys working with and learning about people. She is passionate about museum work and responsibly educating students (both K-12 and university), and the general public. Kristi continues to adventure into the wilderness as often as possible, enjoying weekends and active vacations skiing, hiking, camping, fishing, biking and being on the water. She plans to pursue a doctorate degree in Anthropology or Museum Studies in the near future.

Trips Guided by Kristi:

Kristi's Guide Survey:

Kristi Scott bicycling Alaska What’s your favorite vacation destination?
Anywhere outdoors! The Mountains, the Beach, multi-day Rafting trips…

What’s your favorite hike?
Hiking up to the Nanatuks (mountains and valleys buried with snow so that just the peaks are sticking out of the glacial mass) at Exit Glacier on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska or going into the Bob Marshal Wilderness in Montana.

What’s your favorite bike ride?
The Antelope Flats ride on the Grand Teton trip still takes the cake! I love it because of the fabulous views of the Tetons AND the great opportunity to see abundant wildlife.

What’s your favorite trip to guide?
I have truly loved every single trip that I have guided, but my favorite is the Montana trip that is right in my own backyard! Montana has so much incredible beauty and adventure to offer!

What do you do that makes a guest’s vacation special?
I enjoy connecting with each guest on a one-on-one level to find out what they want out of their vacation! It is important for folks to feel comfortable, and this is easy to accomplish by catering to their strengths, weaknesses, desires, and concerns throughout their Austin-Lehman Adventure so that they can have the best trip ever! Everyone seems to come to the trip with a focus, dream,

Favorite Movie: Goonies, Princess Bride, Beetle Juice – I’m a child of the 80's!

Favorite Book: Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins

Favorite Song: Three Little Birds, Bob Marley

Kristi Scott Gulf Islands Describe the most amazing experience you’ve had while guiding a trip:
In Alaska while on the all day private boat cruise with ALA, we found ourselves in the middle of a 'mega-pod' (large group coming together during mating season) of Orcas. They were communicating with each other (we lowered a microphone into the water to hear their sounds) and showing off for one and other - jumping into the air, raising fins, slapping the water surface, etc. It was breathtakingly incredible! Everyone on the boat was speechless and many of us had tears of joy in our eyes, marveling at the amazing spectacle of nature that we were witnessing! It was incredible and unforgettable!!!!

When did you first catch the travel bug?
One of my earliest childhood memories is of camping around age 3 in the mountains of western Montana. I remember looking up at the big dark sky full of tiny bright stars while the fire flickered - I was hooked from there forward on being in the mountains and any outdoor adventures! I have continued to travel to destinations such as Europe (Italy, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, and Holland), Hawaii, Costa Rica, the Gulf of Mexico, British Columbia & Alberta, the Desert, Eastern Sea Board, Nantucket and hope for many more adventures to come!

What are your hobbies?
I love to be outside biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rafting, horseback riding and observing the environment around me! I am an avid plant lover and enjoy identifying wildflowers and their medicinal and cultural uses. I am fascinated by art, history, and culture, and enjoy reading and researching in order to learn more about the world around me.

Travel + Leisure
World's Best Award Winner
Austin-Lehman Adventures was recognized as the #1 Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter in the World by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. Read the Press Release >

National Geographic Adventure
Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth
ALA is added to the list of Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth in 2009. Read the Press Release >

National Geographic Traveler
50 Tours of a Lifetime
The editors of National Geographic Traveler single out ALA's Montana Adventure as one of their top tours in 2007. See the Complete List >