PROGRAM START MONTHS
Full Year (12 month) Program starts: March to November (1 year Program).
Accelerated (6+ month) Program starts: March. Accelerated program runs over 6+ months and a study permit is required for International Students.
LENGTH OF STUDY
263.5 hours within 6+ or 12 months
CREDITS
24
CREDENTIALS
Diploma, WFR 80hrs
Accredited by Government of B.C. Private Training Institutes Branch (PTIB).
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Be a part of the outdoor tourism industry. Skill sets emphasized include safety, mountain biking skills, entry level climbing, backcountry leadership and wilderness first aid certification. Students will be equipped to enter the outdoor industry on an entry level.
Individual course inquiries are welcome. Please contact info@whistleradventureschool.com to request more information.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Aimed at the individual who is looking for training in the outdoor adventure industry and once in a lifetime backcountry experiences. Learn new skills and techniques to help you to safely & confidently navigate in the mountains and learn the fundamentals of downhill biking skills, climbing skills, backpacking and guiding leadership.
Interested in finding out more about our gap year programs? Check out our Student Gap Year page.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this program the successful graduate 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
- Wilderness First Responder Certification
POSSIBLE CAREER OCCUPATIONS
Graduates could become an intern outdoor guide. Additionally, graduates may work in the business aspects of outdoor activity operations in recreational tourism.
We advise students that additional training may be necessary.
PROGRAM COSTS
| Tuition Fee Domestic | $8,500 CAD |
| Tuition Fee International | $9,500 CAD |
| Application Fee | $250 CAD |
| Textbook Fees | $100 CAD |
| Trip Fees | Up to $450 CAD |
WAS GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum 18 years of age or older
- Minimum English Requirement: Intermediate (CEFR-B1)
PROGRAM SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to lift 20 kg /44 lbs
- Ability to bike beginner runs (green).
- Good level of physical fitness is required
- Ability to walk and or hike long distances
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Adventure Tourism Gear List (Look for specific AT Summer courses)
SPECIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
When applying for the Adventure Tourism Summer program, the student's skills must meet the below requirements:
- Students should be able to bike beginner (green) runs comfortably.
- Ability to correctly wear a harness, helmet and climbing shoes.
- Students will require a reasonable base level of fitness. Basic level of fitness includes the ability to walk uphill for one hour at a moderate pace. (Students will require a reasonable base level of fitness)
- Students will have to complete a medical form.
- Students with a pre-existing medical conditions or health concerns should contact WAS prior to the course start date.
COURSES *Note that some course dates may be altered due to Instructor availability – please consult the course calendar for exact course dates posted 60 days prior to the course start date
| Core Courses All students will complete the below core courses | Program | Month | Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experiential Leadership & Guiding | Adventure Tourism Summer | April | 45 | |
| Wilderness First Responder | Adventure Tourism Summer | May or October | 80 | |
| Backpacking | Adventure Tourism Summer | May or October | 48 | |
| Alpine Climbing | Adventure Tourism Summer | August | 68 |
| Elective Courses Choose one elective from the list below | Program | Month | Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Mountain Biking Skills | Adventure Tourism Summer | June | 22.5 | |
| Guiding Clients | Bike Guide Training | July | 22.5 | |
| *Guiding Clients elective is for advanced mountain bikers only |
The WAS team will be announcing the amazing instructors for these courses soon! Stay tuned.
“I’ve had a great time taking the Marketing & Media Management program in arguably the best place on earth. The ability to pursue further education with access to world class mountain terrain is unparalleled. Thanks so much for the opportunity to spend a season in the Sea to Sky, it really has been an experience of a lifetime. I’ve already accepted an offer for a social media position in the snowboarding industry & that is all thanks to the skills I’ve learned at WAS 
”
– Ali, Marketing Media Manager Graduate
“WAS prepared me well for the diploma program at TRU, and helped me make my first connections in the adventure tourism industry. The industry is smaller than one might think, and getting that first mentorship prepared me well to make my first decisions in the mountains.”
– Jonas, Ski/Snowboarding Guide Training Graduate.
“The Best School Ever! I remember those times in Slovakia when we were sitting in school and studying unimportant subjects. We had wasted 70% of the time by learning something which we had never used. The result was that we forgot everything after exams passed by… WAS has a different approach. Pick only the subjects you are passionate about and have fun by learning useful stuff. I have graduated in the Retail and Manufacturing Program. I can say that I had enjoyed every single hour. I remember every lesson. I have created connections with teachers at those lessons. Thanks to these connections, I’ve got a job in Prior Snowboards as a ski builder. Good times. LIVE.LEARN.PLAY.”
– Adam, Retail Manufacturing Manager Graduate (program is now Mountain Sport Technician)