How hands-on courses and real-life adventure shaped my path in the outdoor industry

with Joaquin Hernandez Olivares’

In 2024, at 32, I left Mexico City for Whistler, British Columbia. This was a significant change, trading the urban environment for the mountains and forests. After eight years at Ford Motor Company, I felt a pull towards a lifestyle that allowed me to spend more time outdoors.

In 2019, a trip to Whistler Bike Park with friends opened my eyes to its appeal. The experience of riding bikes, swimming in lakes, and visiting the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre left a lasting impression. We started dreaming about staying longer. A friend shared a link to Whistler Adventure School (WAS), sparking research into programs, costs, and visa requirements.

The journey to Whistler wasn’t straightforward. A global pandemic, changing priorities among friends, and a breakup presented obstacles. However, my goal remained firm: to enrol in the “Mountain Sport Technician” program. I contacted WAS representatives, sorted out payment methods, and applied for a scholarship. After delays and personal changes, I finally resigned from my job in January 2024 and flew to Vancouver in February.

I stayed at HI Whistler hostel, worked there for a month, and then moved to a permanent place. My program began with Cytech Bike Mechanic, which gave me all the tools needed for me to get a job as a bike mechanic where I completed my Co-op, but also where I worked all summer long and where I’ll be next summer season. 

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Experiential Leadership and Guiding was the next course, teaching us not only how to guide a group but also how to plan for a trip, from distance and elevation to weather and risk assessment, we talked about everything in between and every couple of sessions we were out in the wilderness practicing and developing our newly acquired skills. 

The following course was one of my favorites, Sustainable Trail Building, where we learned to work with rocks, wood, and dirt, understood how water flow affects the trails and how to properly build them so they can withstand time, which is translated in little maintenance required during bike season and after winter season. 

From there, I took Bike Mechanics level 3, which involved much more detail on most topics and its main focus was suspensions, hydraulic brakes, electronic shifters and wheel building; giving me a new expertise level that even most shop mechanics are not familiar with.

Living at the base of the mountains has been a privilege. I enjoy downhill laps, lakeside relaxation, and camping trips. British Columbia is a mountain biking haven. The community is tightly knit, with events and races throughout the summer.

As summer ended, the focus shifted to winter, the Ski and Snowboard Boot Fitting course took place, and I started learning from scratch about a new world (for me at least). From how to take measurements to how to punch and grind boot shells and everything in between. This course really set me up for the upcoming season since I would be working as a rental technician at a local shop. The next and last course was Ski and Snowboard Production, and it was one of my favorites. We kicked it off selecting the snowboard on which our design would be based on, followed by some theoretical sessions to learn about the different materials as well as the different qualities of a board/ski and how each of them affects the riding characteristics. By the end of the course each student walked away with a board, or a pair of skis designed and built by us, with help and guidance of course from our teacher. I have been riding my board all winter and couldn’t be happier. 

Winter brings a different vibe, with snowboarding, hot tubs, and nightlife. Powder days are a major event. So much terrain to explore, so many groomers to ride, so many great people from all over the place. Powder days are crazy, everyone drives up from Vancouver for the big event, highways blocked, lift lines may be hours long, people freezing from 5:30 am just waiting for the resort to open and it’s time to find some fresh tracks, nothing beats that feeling.

In the end, WAS has become part of family and development. It’s been an honor learning from a couple of Whistler legends, Dan Raymond, and Chris Clark. And finally special thanks to Diane Riley and Shelley Quinn for being there for all of us students, not only for school related topics but for every step during our journeys in this amazing but chaotic little town.

It’s been a rollercoaster but wouldn’t change a thing about it. 

Whis-life for the win!!!! 

Joaquin