Timberline Canadian Alpine Academy

Travel, Tourism, Hospitality Programs

• Outdoor Adventure Guide Diploma
  This all-encompassing two year accredited diploma program is designed for someone looking to start a meaningful career in the outdoor adventure industry year-round. The Outdoor Adventure Guide Program incorporates the best that Timberline Academy and the Canadian Rockies has to offer. Some of the program highlights include Ski/Snowboard Instructor Training, Mountaineering Skills Training, Whitewater Canoe/Raft Guide School, Parks Canada/ Conservation Management, Indigenous Studies, Ski Guide Training and TWO internships (one summer and one winter). Students can choose to begin the program in either November 2020 or January 2021. *This program is licensed by the Alberta Ministry of Advanced Education under the Alberta Private Vocational Act.**International Students are eligible for a Student Work Permit during the duration of the study period.***International Students are NOT eligible for a post-graduate work permit upon completion of the program.
• Private: WINTER SKILLS INSTRUCTOR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
  The Winter Skills Instructor Internship Program is designed for someone looking to have a fun, team-based experience during their first ski season in Banff National Park, Canada. Highlights of this program include CSIA/CASI Level 1 & 2 certifications, group expeditions and other certifications related Avalanche Rescue, Wilderness Advanced First Aid and guiding leadership. Students are also able to put their training to use while working as paid interns at ski schools in Banff throughout the winter season.

  Timberline Academy is locally owned and operated so our students can expect a positive, team-based atmosphere with a high level of on the ground support from the ownership team. We make the extra effort to engage our students in the community through weekly group activities, like hockey, family dinners and by participating in local volunteering initiatives. * International Students enrolled in this program are eligible for a Student Work Visa. This visa allows you to fulfill your paid work component of the program while also being eligible to work an additional 20 hours a week off-campus. No Working Holiday Visa required. **Graduates of this program are NOT eligible for a post-graduate work permit.

  Getting Started:

  • Pre-arranged employment as ski/snowboard instructor*
  • Airport pick-up
  • One night’s stay at luxury hotel in Calgary
  • Transfer to Banff
  • Welcome dinner/social event
  • Accommodation**
  • Helicopter tour of the Canadian Rockies
  • Gear orientation/maintenance clinic
  • 15% gear discount at select shops in Banff

  Curriculum:

  • CSIA/CASI Level 1 Training
  • CSIA Level 1 Exams
  • CSIA/CASI Level 2 Training
  • CSIA/CASI Level 2 Exams
  • Ski pass***
  • Wilderness Rescue First Aid Certification (40 hours)
  • Avalanche Safety Training 1 Certification
  • Wilderness Film + Photography Course
  • Risk Management Course
  • Group Dynamics/Leadership Course
  • Indigenous Studies Course
  • Self-Directed Learning Course
  • Group trips to Kickinghorse Ski Resort
  • Group trips to Panorama Ski Resort

  Extra Perks:

  • Weekly social events
  • 24/7 support and guidance from local owners
  • Hockey games
  • Curling
  • Family Christmas Dinner

  *Employment in conditional upon CSIA/CASI Level 1 training attendance and successful Level 1 Exam. **The first month of accommodation is included. Students pay a subsidized rent on a month-by-month basis. This allows students the flexibility to stay in our accommodation throughout the summer. Banff has a 0% vacancy rate year-round making it extremely difficult to secure summer housing.
• Private: 12 WEEK CSIA/CASI LEVEL 1 & 2 INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM
  The 12-Week CSIA/CASI Level 1 & 2 Instructor Course is designed for someone looking to have a fun, team-based experience during their first ski season here in Banff. This program incorporates a wide range of ski/snowboard training at Lake Louise Ski Resort, certifications and expeditions over a three month period during the winter season in the Canadian Rockies.

  Students on this program engage in a diverse range skills training and experiences with a commitment to earn certifications across several disciplines related to the outdoor adventure industry. Students will have the opportunity to leverage their training and experience with Timberline into mountain sports positions across the globe for future seasons. Timberline Academy is locally owned and operated so our students can expect a positive, team-based atmosphere with a high level of on the ground support from the ownership team. We make the extra effort to engage our students in the community through weekly group activities, like Hockey, family dinners and by participating in local volunteering initiatives. Additionally, we help students secure part-time jobs while taking part in the program if they wish.

  What’s Included:

  Extra Perks:

  • Work Visa consultation
  • Job interview for a position as a ski/snowboard instructor*
  • Airport pick-up
  • One night’s stay at luxury hotel in Calgary
  • Transfer to Banff
  • Welcome dinner/social event
  • 12 Weeks accommodation
  • Helicopter tour of Banff
  • Gear orientation/maintenance clinic
  • 15% gear discount at select shops in Banff

  • CSIA/CASI Level 1 Training
  • CSIA/CASI Level 1 Exams
  • CSIA/CASI Level 2 Training
  • CSIA/CASI Level 2 Exams
  • 4-5 days per week of programming.
  • Ski pass to Lake Louise Ski Resort**
  • Transportation to and from resort
  • Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification or Avalanche Safety Training 1 certification
  • Risk Management Course
  • Wildnerness Film & Photography Course
  • Indigenous Studies Course
  • Group trips to Kickinghorse Ski Resort
  • Group trips to Panorama Ski Resort
  • End of season Heliskiing expedition

  • Weekly social events
  • 24/7 support and guidance from local owners
  • Hockey games
  • Curling
• 4 WEEK INSTRUCTOR CLINIC
  The 4-Week Instructor Clinic is designed for someone looking for a fun and productive ski/snowboard training experience in a relatively brief amount of time. This program focuses on improving our students’ skills with the intent of successfully completing their Level 1 CSIA/CASI certification at Lake Louise Ski Resort. Students will have the opportunity to leverage their training and experience with Timberline into instructing positions both within Canada and around the globe for future seasons. Timberline Academy is locally owned and operated so our students can expect a positive, team-based atmosphere with a high level of on the ground support from the ownership team. We make the extra effort to engage our students in the community through weekly group activities, like Hockey, family dinners and by participating in local volunteering initiatives. Many of our students who enrol in this program stay on to work in Banff for the remainder of the ski season. Students are eligible to remain in Timberline accommodation for the remainder of the winter.

  What’s Included:

  • Visa consultation
  • Airport pick-up
  • One night’s stay at luxury hotel in Calgary
  • Transfer to Banff
  • Welcome dinner/social event
  • One month’s accommodation
  • Helicopter tour of Banff
  • Gear orientation/maintenance clinic
  • 15% gear discount at select shops in Banff
  • CSIA/CASI Level 1 Training
  • CSIA Level 1 Exam
  • CSIA/CASI Level 2 Training
  • Ski pass*
  • Transportation to and from resort
  • Group trip to Kickinghorse Ski Rest
  • Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification or Avalanche Safety Training 1 certification

  Extra Perks:

  • Weekly social events
  • 24/7 support and guidance from local owners
  • Hockey games
  • Curling
• WHITEWATER CANOE/RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL
  This exciting program is designed for someone looking to gain the skills and experience necessary to work as a professional River Expedition Guide. This program incorporates the fundamental skills required to safely guide clients down whitewater rivers. Students will earn at least four industry recognized certifications on this program while having opportunity to learn from some of the best instructors in the industry. Finally, students will be able to put their skills to test on a spectacular 6-day river expedition in nearby Kootenay National Park.

  Whats Included:

  • Flatwater Canoeing clinic
  • River Theory
  • Whitewater Canoeing clinic/certification
  • Whitewater Raft clinic/certification
  • Swiftwater Rescue Technician certification
  • 6-day River Expedition
• Private: MOUNTAINEERING ADVENTURE SKILLS PROGRAM
  This program is designed for someone passionate about exploring the heights of what the Canadian Rockies have to offer. The Mountaineering Adventure Skills Program includes a wide-range of skills and experiences. The goal of this program is to expose our students to many different facets of the mountain guiding profession while having meaningful learning adventures and earning industry recognized certifications. The program begins with introductory orienteering and graduates slowly culminating with a multi-day glacier traverse of the iconic Columbia Icefields.

  Getting Started:

  • Airport pick-up
  • Helicopter Tour
  • Discounted gear
  • Welcome dinner/social event
  • 24/7 local support form Timberline staff

  Curriculum:

  • Hiking/Navigation Course
  • Indoor & Outdoor Rock Climbing Course
  • Interpretive Guiding Certification
  • Glacier Travel Course
  • 5–day Alpine Glacier Expedition