ENROLMENT MONTH
October (6 month Program)
November, December, January (1 year Program)
LENGTH OF STUDY
309 hours within 6 or 12 months
CREDITS
24
CREDENTIAL
Diploma
Accredited by Government of B.C. Private Training Institutes Branch (PTIB).
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
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 who wish to take a course as an individual course are welcome to do so. Upon course completion students receive a course certificate for their individual course. For details see Course Pages.)
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.
We advise students that additional training may be necessary.
PROGRAM COSTS
| Tuition Fee Local | $8,500 CAD |
| Tuition Fee International | $9,500 CAD |
| Application Fee | $250 CAD |
| Textbook Fees | $125 CAD |
| Trip Fee | up to $450 CAD |
| WB Lift Pass - this program requires access onto Whistler Blackcomb Mountains for most courses. Students must purchase a seasons pass or day lift tickets, not included in the cost of the program | students to purchase directly from Vail Resorts |
WAS GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum 18 years of age or older
- Minimum English: Intermediate (CEFR-B1)
PROGRAM SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to lift 20 kg /44 lbs
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
- None
SPECIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Resume of Ski/Snowboarding skills including the below information is required.
- Students should be able to ski/board a blue run comfortably.
- 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 ahead of the course.
COURSES
| Course | Program | Month | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Survival Skills | Adventure Tourism Winter | January | 68 |
| Experiential Leadership & Guiding | Adventure Tourism Winter | April | 45 |
| Backpacking | Adventure Tourism Winter | May or October | 48 |
| Wilderness First Responder | Adventure Tourism Winter | May or October | 80 |
| Backcountry Ski/Snowboard | Adventure Tourism Winter | December | 68 |
CHRIS CLARK
Chris took up mountain bike racing as a young teenager, as a result was encouraged to learn how to maintain his own bike. Chris has grown up racing mtb’s and moved to Whistler where he’s worked in many local bike shops, moving up from being the quiet young grom at Whistler Bike Co to head mechanic for Comor Sports.
DOM MORIN
Courses:
Ski/Snowboard Production
SAM MCDONALD
Sam has modified almost every ski boot on the market, punched more shells, and molded more custom boots than anyone else in Whistler. He has spent the last 15 years working through the Surefoot ranks until being given his own flagship store in the heart of Whistler.
DEREK RHODES
After ten seasons working at other Tuning Shops in Whistler Derek realized that the focus had shifted to rental fleet maintenance, good quality tuning for customers was no longer a priority. Derek felt that Whistler needed a Shop to preserve the real “Ski Shop feel” and to cater to customers that desire consistently well tuned equipment.
“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 Kubiš, Retail Manufacturing Manager Program (former Mountain Sport Technician Program)