Whistler Adventure School

Whistler Adventure School

Gap Year, Learning Year or Learning for Life?

Gap year, learning year, learning for life! Our world has shifted, leaving travel limited and socializing at a minimal. This COVID-19 virus has shaken up literally everything, including how schools are proceeding with their process of learning.

This is an opportunity for you! Instead of rushing into your next phase of life, take a pause and seek out your true passion. Whether you are in high school, university, college, or even perhaps taking a gap year it is a unique time to seek out a new career path.

In business we call this a pivot. You had set plans that have now shifted requiring you to evaluate your available options, leading you to pivot in a different direction.

Accredited Institution for quality career education

Whistler Adventure School (WAS) is a private career training institution accredited and certified by the British Columbian government (PTIB) to deliver high quality career education in Marketing & Media, Retail Manufacturing, Design and Innovation and Guiding.

Career Pathway

Students gain the knowledge they need to find professional jobs in tourism, marketing & media, retail, manufacturing or outdoor recreation. A certificate from WAS prepares students for a variety of rewarding and in-demand careers locally and internationally.

Students graduating from WAS programs have created new businesses, media endeavors, as well as entered the world of professional guiding. Further, WAS works with students to help create an educational experience to further their career paths.

Student Gap Year Programs

Interested in other alternatives to University programs? Check out our Student Gap Year page for upcoming programs!

Hands-on learning experience

WAS programs are designated to enhance the career education and personal development of all students. Courses are instructed by well-known industry professionals who also serve as mentors and advisors. With small, interactive classes WAS provides hands-on learning where time to practice is main factor.

Located in Whistler,

British Columbia, Canada

Whistler is a unique place and international hub for diversity, activities and cultural richness. Whistler is the number one ski and bike resort in North America – hosting amazing winter and summer activities, festivals, arts and culture.

Students can study and work while enjoying the Whistler lifestyle of skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, and living close to nature.

Marketing & Media Manager

The Marketing & Media Manager Program prepares students for a career in the ever-growing Marketing and Media industry through a series of creative and industry based courses. The program itself is comprised of seven 45hr courses and a co-op work placement across a one year period, in order to receive a full program certificate.

Students develop the skills to design a Photography and Videography portfolio, plan and implement a Marketing Strategy, learn about the current world of Internet Marketing and Social Media and develop Event Planning skills. To gain practical experience students apply their skills in a co-op work placement, some past co-op businesses are: Whistler Arts Council, Whistler Film Festival, ShawTV, Starbucks.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Aimed towards the individual who is looking to expand their Media skills or learn the fundamentals of Marketing and how to implement these skills. A passion and active interest in the world of Marketing and Media is helpful.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  • Identify marketing terminology, trends, and strategies
  • Develop marketing strategies and goals
  • Identify market segmentation techniques
  • Knowledge of various internet marketing areas and social media strategy, channels and analytics
  • Manage event planning and execution
  • Introduction into professional videography and video editing
  • Fundamentals of professional photography and photo editing

CERTIFICATIONS OBTAINED

Marketing & Media Manager Program Diploma

POSSIBLE CAREER OCCUPATIONS

Marketing Assistant/Coordinator/Specialist Social Media Coordinator/Specialist Events Coordinator Junior/Assistant Videographer and Photographer

Mountain Sport Technician

This program teaches the basic fundamental skills necessary to become a part of the summer and winter outdoor tourism industry. Skill sets emphasized include snow safety, ski, snowboard, trail building,  survival and winter camping. Students will be equipped to enter the retail, manufacturing and outdoor industry on an entry level.  Note that this program replaces the previous Retail Manufacturing Manager Program.

In addition, through the bicycle mechanic course they will receive Internationally recognized Cytech Certification  Students have an option to select either Principles of Digital Marketing and Media or Experiential Leadership and Guiding to include in their Mountain Sport Technician Program Diploma.  Note that students selecting Experiential Leadership will be required to pay for WB lift access for up to 4 days of the course (not included in tuition)

WHO IS IT FOR?

A program suited to a student seeking to learn more about mountain sports and the retail manufacturing industry, ideally those interested in Snow/Bike/Outdoor industries. No prior experience is needed but a passion for practical learning is beneficial..

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

Utilize skills fundamental in the basic relationship of retail and manufacturing as it relates to the Snowsport and Biking industry.

Identify opportunities within the Biking and Snowsport industry to create products and businesses people desire.

Create the steps necessary to start a new business within the industry.

Develop a working knowledge of retail and manufacturing terminology, trends, and strategies.

Demonstrate workflow models for trail building with safety of workers in practice.

Demonstrate proper trail building construction techniques.

CERTIFICATIONS OBTAINED

Program Diploma

POSSIBLE CAREER OCCUPATIONS

  • Trail Builder
  • Outdoor Leadership Positions
  • Bicycle Mechanic
  • Boot Fitter
  • Ski/Board Tuner
  • Production Manager in Ski/Snowboard Manufacturers
  • Operations Manager Manufacturing
  • Retail Assistant/Manager
  • Sales Associate/Representative
  • Promotional Representative
  • Technical Representative
Design & Innovation

Design & Innovation combines courses from the Marketing & Media Program or Mountain Sport Technician Program.

Students select any 4 courses from either program to create their own custom experience depending on their interests. Courses chosen have to be within the program completion time period of 6 months.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Students who are interested in a shorter marketing or retail experience or to combine courses from both programs within six months.

OUTCOMES

Depending on selected courses

CERTIFICATIONS OBTAINED

Course certificate of selected courses

POSSIBLE CAREER OCCUPATIONS

Depending on selected courses

Adventure Tourism Winter

This 6 month or 12 month program teaches the basic fundamental skills necessary to become a part of the winter outdoor tourism industry. Skill sets emphasized include snow safety, ski, snowboard, guiding, leadership and survival as well as winter camping. Students will be equipped to enter the outdoor industry on an entry level. Students enrolled in this program are required to purchase a seasons pass (Whistler Blackcomb or Epic Pass) for access to the mountain. (the price for the pass is not included in the program cost).

WHO IS IT FOR?

Aimed towards the individual who is looking for outdoor adventure experiences and training.  Learn new skills and techniques to help you to navigate in the mountains in winter and learn the fundamentals of backcountry skiing or boarding.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

Demonstrate understanding of the knowledge, technical skills and credentials of the adventure tourism industry.

Apply knowledge of personal and group safety, and conscientious stewardship of the heritage and the environment.

Exhibit leadership in varied and diverse situations.

Demonstrate ability to support adventure-based and nature-based outdoor recreation activities.

Demonstrate an understanding of basic business skills applied to adventure tourism.

CERTIFICATIONS OBTAINED

Program Diploma

Canadian Avalanche Safety Level 1 (AST1)

Wilderness First Responder Certification

POSSIBLE CAREER OCCUPATIONS

Upon further completion of training students could become an intern Outdoor Guide. Additionally, students may work in the business aspects of these operations such as recreational tourism.

Alpine Guide Training

The Alpine Guide Training Program consists of 157.5 full time hours completed over a 6 month period and introduces the fundamental skills to alpine mountaineering techniques and backcountry guiding. Students are able to strengthen their own alpine techniques and/or to prepare for a career as an ACMG/IFMGA guide assistant.

Students learn the fundamentals to alpine mountaineering and are immersed in the alpine of the Whistler valley, where they practice their newly learned skills in “real world” situations. Throughout the program, students will be building a resume of trips and backcountry experiences to help prepare them to reach an ACMG/IFMGA level, if chosen.

WHO IS IT FOR?

This specific program is aimed at the experienced climber/mountaineer who is looking to extend their skills into the alpine mountaineering territory.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  • Mountaineering on rock, snow, ice with necessary equipment
  • Glacier travelling, multi-pitch ascents and descents
  • Alpine climbing and rescue techniques
  • Knots and anchors
  • Rappelling and belaying
  • Route planning, navigation and forecasting for guided trips
  • Risk management protocols and safety for clients
  • Guiding standards

CERTIFICATIONS OBTAINED

Program Diploma

POSSIBLE CAREER OCCUPATIONS

  • Apprentice or intern alpine mountain guide
  • Guide operations assistant/manager

Guide customer service assistant/manager

Bike Guide Training

The ideal course for an individual looking to take their mountain biking skills to the next level and start guiding, especially in the backcountry. The 197.5 hrs Bike Guide program incorporates the 80hrs Wilderness First Responder and on-trail mechanics in addition to the PMBI Level 1 instructor and a course dedicated to the skills involved in guiding clients. To conclude the program, students complete a 50hr co-operative work experience within a guiding role. Some past co-op partners have included Whistler Blackcomb, Tyax Adventures and Arbutus Routes.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Accomplished mountain bikers who are looking to start guiding would benefit most from this program. Students should be comfortable with riding black trails and above in their home country and have an awareness and experience of trail and downhill riding.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  • Guiding mountain bike clients in a backcountry environment
  • On-trail repair methods and techniques
  • Foundation of mountain bike instructing
  • Knowledge of wilderness first aid techniques

CERTIFICATIONS OBTAINED

  • Program Diploma
  • Wilderness First Responder certificate
  • PMBI Instructor Level 1 certificate

POSSIBLE CAREER OCCUPATIONS

  • Bike Park Guide
  • Assistant Backcountry/Heli Guide
  • Trail Guide
Rock Guide Training

The Rock Guide Training Program consists of 157.5 full time hours completed over a 6 month period and introduces fundamental skills to rock climbing and guiding. Students gain the skills to strengthen their own rock climbing abilities and/or to prepare for a career as an ACMG/IFMGA guide assistant.

Students learn a variety of rock climbing techniques such as crack climbing, face climbing, the mechanics of rappelling, multi-pitch rock climbing and develop lesson plans for teaching presentations to guiding clients. Throughout the program, students build a resume of rock climbs and multi-pitch experiences that also supports preparing for reaching an ACMG/UIAGM level, if chosen.

WHO IS IT FOR?

This program is predominantly aimed at those who have some rock climbing experience, ideally outdoor but indoor climbers or people with a high interest in climbing and no experience also fit the program well. The course is physically demanding and all students should have a good level of fitness to be climbing a full day for up to 5 days consistently.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  • Various climbing techniques and necessary equipment
  • Rappelling and multi pitch
  • Route planning, navigation and forecasting for guided trips
  • Risk management protocols and safety for clients
  • Customer service excellence for guiding businesses
  • Guiding standards

CERTIFICATIONS OBTAINED

Program Diploma

POSSIBLE CAREER OCCUPATIONS

  • Apprentice or intern rock mountain guide
  • Guide operations assistant/manager
  • Guide customer assistant/service manager
Ski & Snowboard Guide Training

One of the few courses in North America and Canada to teach a true backcountry guiding program, all set in the coastal mountain region. The Ski/Snowboard Guide Training Program gives students the opportunity to enlarge their backcountry skill set and pursue a career in guiding if they wish. The program consists of 157.5 full-time hours completed over a 6 month period.

An on-snow and hands-on program that teaches students in-depth backcountry skills including backcountry route planning, crevasse rescue, avalanche safety training and guiding amongst many other exciting elements. Throughout the program, students train in alpine terrain, building a resume of trips and backcountry experiences that also supports preparing for an ACMG / UIAGM Ski Guide level, if this path is chosen.

Student enrolled in this program are required to purchase a Seasons Pass for access to Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains (cost for the pass is not included in the program cost – must be purchased directly from Whistler Blackcomb/Vail Resorts)

WHO IS IT FOR?

Focused towards the experienced skier/snowboarder with some backcountry experience who wants to gain further knowledge for their own and others safety and/or is looking to get prepared for their ACMG/IFMGA Guide exams.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  • Backcountry ski/snowboard touring and high elevation glacier touring
  • Steep skiing and glade steep skiing
  • Route planning, navigation and forecasting for backcountry guiding trips
  • Relevant rope work and climbing skills
  • Crevasse rescue with teams and self-rescue
  • Rappelling from rock horn anchors into couloir
  • Winter camping skills
  • Risk Management protocols and safety for clients
  • Guiding clients professionalism

CERTIFICATIONS OBTAINED

  • PTIB Accredited Diploma
  • Canadian Avalanche Safety Levels 1 and 2 (AST1 and AST2)

POSSIBLE CAREER OCCUPATIONS

  • Apprentice or intern ski/snowboard mountain guide
  • Guide operations assistant/manager
  • Guide customer service assistant/manager

Moving to a new place can be daunting, in particular finding somewhere to live. WAS understands this and we present the following options.

As the Winter season is challenging to find housing WAS  has arranged Winter long term accommodation  at HI Hostel

Housing Recommendation

WAS recommends the following two accommodation providers for short-term stay upon arrival. Reason why WAS recommends the Whistler HiHostel and Whistler Athlete Center, they both have the benefits of providing: walking distance to school, affordable rates, a social environment to meet like-minded people.

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