Dani Huff, originally hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, tells us how her summer is looking like here in Whistler as a WAS student in the Bike Guide Training program.
This ambitious adventurer decided she was ready for a life change after managing the technical athletic apparel company Lululemon for 6 years. So last summer she moved to Whistler to take a sabbatical, mostly to mountain bike. Winter consisted of enjoying the mountains and skiing new lines, but by February she was craving some bike action and decided she wanted to move forward with a guiding program. Dani had always had aspirations of turning her passion for biking into her career. To support her long time goals she was proactive in signing up for the Bike Guide Program. “I have goals both personally and professionally within the realm of mountain biking” – Dani Huff
The Bike Guide Program is taken over a six month period, which allows lots of time to enjoy all that Whistler has to offer. It teaches students a range of skills to prepare them for becoming a bike guide with a special focus on the backcountry environment. Students learn the fundamentals of bike guiding as well as wilderness safety and on-trail mechanic techniques.
The program ends with a cooperative course where students put their skills learned through the program to work in “real world” situations.
“It is great because it allows me a student and work visa, so I’m able to support myself with full time work when we aren’t in class. I also have the ability to ride my bike and enjoy the mountains in Whistler on a daily basis” – Dani Huff
Dani recently landed herself a co-op at Arbutus Routes, a full-service bike shop that includes bike guiding and coaching as well as leading adventure travel trips in southwest British Columbia. “Arbutus Routes believe that the best moments can be found while riding your bike and exploring this beautiful province. These moments inspire us as we strive to have our guests find their moment on a guided ride or while exploring this dramatic region”.
When we asked Dani what drew her to the bike environment here in Whistler she told us “the people, I work with a lot of really great locals who have put a lot of time investing into the bike community in the Sea to Sky corridor”. As a previous Crossfit coach and mobility instructor, Dani loves coaching people and seeing progression.
“Any knowledge I can gain to help others improve their skills and riding ability to make biking more fun, I’m excited to learn” – Dani Huff
After graduation Dani hopes to guide with a local company and incorporate the skills learned at the school into future work endeavors. While still being able to enjoy all of her passion: mountain biking, surfing, ski touring, trail running, yoga, “really any activity anyone asks me to do”.
Photo credit: Dani Huff
