Who is PCI? Meet Francis Lloyd, the Boss

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A bit about myself, I am Francis Lloyd. I was born in Ashford, England. I am half English and half French. I learned to ski on a dry slope where I became a club instructor at 15 years of age. When I finished school at 17 years old, I went to work in a ski resort in Sauze d'Oulx. l am always on the mountain. I've had a season pass for the last 15 years and average 150 days on snow a year. I hike with my splitboard in Autumn and also in Spring.

I learned to snowboard also on dryslope in 1999. In half a season snowboarding, I'd reached the same level as 10 years skiing and I enjoyed it more. So, now I am a snowboarder.

In 2002, I spent the season in Chile in El Colorado, Farrellones.  I stayed for five months and the mountains and the people really changed how I perceive my life and my respect for the dangers. I returned to Chile for the following two years always upping my riding standard.

Coming back from Chile every year for three years I averaged 280 days on snow. Snowboarding in every month of the year such was my dedication. Whilst in Chile I worked in a hostel and also as a snowboard instructor. The last few seasons I have been attempting to pass the Italian Snowboard Instructor Course which also includes hardboarding, a new discipline for me. 

I have worked for the same family in Sauze d'Oulx for 14 years working as a ski technician with the ex-italian champion of skiing, Piero Lorenzo Clataud, a great man and a huge inspiration in my life.

This year I decided to change my life's direction and launch Powder Catski Italy.​

Meet the Partners of Powder Catski Italy

Marco Maggio 
Master Mechanic

Native to Sauze D'oulx, Marco has worked with snowcats since apprenticing with his father back in the early 90's. Marco is the official representative for Leitner. His mechanical and electrical knowledge is second to none in the whole of Italy. His expertise is regularly put to the test servicing snowcats for various ski resort companies in Europe. 

Matteo Bellini 
Head Cat Driver

Originally from Torino, Matteo moved to Sauze as a child and has worked with Marco Maggio servicing snowcats for 7 years. He is an avid motorcyclist and operates a transportation business.

Piero Rege 
Cattle Farmer

Piero has a farm at 1800 meters in La Launa. He produces his own cheese, (amazing quality) and keeps 200 cows with his son. He has lived on our mountain since 1993.

Guides & Instructors

Federico Cecile
Alpine Guide U.I.A.G.M.

Native of Bardonecchia, Federico has always loved every aspect of the mountains.  One day, in 2005, he decided to turn this passion into a career.  Since then, he has worked daily as a Mountain Guide, following the seasons and enjoy everything nature has to offer. 

Federico is crazy about these mountains and tries to convey to others the excitement and impressions he feels when he's up there.  In the winter, he loves to ski in the deep snow and feel immersed in it.  The silence of the covered woods after a heavy snowfall and the powder so thick that it takes your breath away are unique sensations to be enjoyed alone or shared with true friends.

Carlo Gallone
Alpine Guide U.I.A.G.M.

Charlie Brangero
Ski Instructor

Charlie has been on skis since she was 3 years old. By the time she was 15, she was bored of using poles and began freeride and freestyle. 

She began training in the summer on the ice glaciers of Les Alpes. By 2002 she began competing in freeride. Winter of 2010, she decided to train herself to freeski and in 2012 became  a Certified Ski Instructor of Piemonte.

Davide 'Bibo' Brugnoli
Snowboard Instructor 

Mara Allemand
Administration 

Meet Mara Allemand! She is available with any questions you may have regarding operations, bookings, and logistics. You can even contact her if you like to share some photos from your trip! 
mara@powdercatskiitaly.com