Mountain Sports Technician Program Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements for Local Students

  • A Local Student is considered as:
    • Canadian Citizen
    • Permanent resident of Canada
    • Holder of a Canadian visa (excluding IEC or Study permit) for longer than 6 months
  • All students applying to WAS must be 18 years or older.
  • For program/course specific requirements please see the program/course page.

Admission Requirements for International Students

  • An International Student is defined as someone who is NOT a:
    • Canadian Citizen
    • Permanent resident of Canada
    • Holder of a Canadian visa for longer than 6 months (excluding an IEC or study permit) i.e. permanent resident or refugee status in Canada

Note: For any study program longer than 6 months people with a valid visa do need a study permit regardless.

  • All students applying to WAS must be 18 years or older.
  • Proof of sufficient English requirements.
  • For program specific requirements please see the program page.
  • Receive a valid Canadian Study Permit before program starts.

English Requirements

Students must meet the following English Requirements (or equivalent) to be enrolled into any course or program:

  • IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5
  • Duolingo (DET): 95
  • CELPIP-Listening 6,Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5
  • TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 46
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
  • Cambridge: score 160 or "C" or higher
  • LANGUAGECERT Academic:  Minimum overall B2
  • The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2
  • iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
  • EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

How to Prove yourEnglish Language Proficiency

  • Option 1: Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages.
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  • Option 2: 2 years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS).

*Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
  • Option 3:  Where English is the program’s language of instruction, evidence of achievement in a recognized standardized language test/assessment* at an overall level equivalent to IELTS 5.5 (academic) or higher.
  • Option 4: Evidence of graduation from language program with a minimum grade/level from a Languages Canada accredited institution with an established pathway/articulation agreement allowing direct entry (no further testing required) to a diploma or degree program at a public institution in Canada. The pathway/articulation agreement must be current at the date of enrolment

Provide WAS with a copy of any English test certificate taken with an internationally recognized testing system (listed on this page). This certificate must be verifiable with the testing institute and have the students’ grades included to allow for equivalence comparison.

All Students will also have a verbal interview with a member of the WAS Admissions team to verify speaking and listening levels.

To test your level, you can take this free practice Online Test  If you do not have an English certificate or proof of one of the other methods of proving your English level, you can take one of the accepted tests on the list.  Duo Lingo (DET) is the most readily available and inexpensive if you do not have access to an IELTS or TOEFL testing centre.  All students also have an admission interview with a WAS Admission advisor to demonstrate their listening and speaking level of English. Students may be subject to re-testing upon arrival.

Provide WAS with copies of course certifications completed in English at other institutions. This certificate must be verifiable with the other institution and have the students’ grades included.

Most international students studying in Canada will need to apply directly through the Canadian immigration website for the appropriate authorization before arrival.

Students enrolling in programs that are longer than six months are required to obtain a Study Permit. To apply, you will need a Letter of Acceptance and a Work Requirement Letter issued by the school. Processing times can vary, but applicants should allow up to eight weeks for approval.

International students taking a course or program lasting less than six months may enter Canada on a Visitor or Temporary Resident (TRV) Visa, depending on nationality. Please note that this option does not permit you to work while in Canada.

Visitors from visa-exempt countries do not require a visa to enter Canada but may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when flying into the country. An eTA is not required for land-based entry points.

Due to ongoing federally mandated restrictions affecting Canadian Study Visas, we strongly recommend that students do not rely on a Study Visa alone when planning to attend Whistler Adventure School. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review their eligibility and timelines through the official Canadian immigration website to ensure the correct authorization is in place prior to travel.

International students will be trained on our courses with real world skills. The specialized training uses a 4 weeks course format and WAS provides all the equipment needed on courses.

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