Most people arrive in Banff expecting to stay for a season. A winter chasing powder. A summer chasing adventure. Then somehow years go by. This week on the Overheard Podcast, we sit down with Pete Rothery, snowboard instructor, musician, world traveller, Parks worker, and long-time Bow Valley resident, to talk about building a life in the mountains without following a conventional path. Originally from Saddleworth, England, Pete first came to Canada at 18 years old to earn his snowboard instructor qualifications in Jasper. What began as a short-term adventure evolved into a life built around mountain towns, seasonal work, travel, and a deep connection to the outdoors. Over the course of the conversation, we explore Pete’s journey from England to Canada, the realities of seasonal employment, the culture of snowboarding, instructing in both Canada and Japan, backcountry travel, mountain safety, music, and the challenges and rewards of creating a life outside the traditional nine-to-five model. One of the biggest themes of this episode is the idea that seasonal work doesn’t have to be temporary. In a place like the Bow Valley, many people arrive expecting a short stay, yet end up building careers, communities, and families. Pete shares his perspective on how he navigated that journey and what advice he would give to others hoping to do the same. We also discuss becoming a Canadian citizen, finding a sense of belonging far from home, and why Banff continues to attract people from around the world looking for something more than just a job. Whether you’re a snowboarder, a traveller, a mountain town local, or someone trying to figure out what comes next in life, there’s something in this conversation for you. A huge thank you to Pete for joining us and sharing his story. This episode is proudly brought to you by Drinkshaft, the Bow Valley’s favourite grab-and-go nitro cold brew coffee. A special shoutout as well to Defending Awesome, our official merch and print partner. If you’ve been seeing Overheard hats and gear around town lately, they’re the team that helped bring it all to life. Our full merch lineup is available now at www.overheardpodbanff.com. If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the podcast with someone who loves mountain life as much as we do. See you next Tuesday!!