mountain skills semester
T
he Mountain Skills Semester is designed from the cumulative experience of over 30 years of professional guiding in the Canadian Rockies and internationally. We have focused on the most important skills required to travel safely and confidently in the mountains. These skills are presented in a logical progression from basic safety protocols and technical gear handling to intermediate and advanced techniques that are constantly being reviewed and updated. The MSS program is almost entirely a hands-on technical skills course. Over 90 percent of the 3 month program is spent outdoors learning the skills and techniques to shape our students into competent recreational mountaineers in most terrain or conditions. This is reflected in the certifications that you receive upon completion of the semester including: 80-Hour Wilderness First Aid course, Canadian Avalanche Centre’s Avalanche Skills Training Level 2, ACMG Climbing Gym Instructor Level 1, Interpretative Guide’s Association Apprentice Interpreter accreditation, and of course the Yamnuska MSS Certificate. With these certifications and the wealth of experience that the MSS program provides, students can go directly into working in the outdoor tourism and recreation industry. It is also a great starting place for further training and career-tracking ACMG guiding certifications. In fact, many of our current guides started out with our semester and are now working for us as certified guides. Yamnuska’s location in Canmore, Alberta Canada is prime for accessing some of the best rock & ice climbing, backcountry skiing, and mountaineering that can be found anywhere in the world! Our guides & staff live in this area because they are passionate about mountain sports and they are the perfect ambassadors to induct you into this elite community. Most field sites are within a 1 – 2 hour drive of our office, so we spend more time in the wilderness and less time in a vehicle. All of Yamnuska’s guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and recognized by the
08
IFMGA. They are professionally trained to teach mountain skills and are selected for their ability to clearly convey the key skills in a fun and effective manner. We focus on the “hard skills” of mountain travel and safety and teach them in progression to form well rounded mountaineers. Many other competing programs have more of a “soft adventure” focus and teach numerous days of theoretical skills in a classroom setting. There are also many other semester programs that have a large water component which involve either marine or fresh water paddle sports. In our opinion, the most important skills for safe mountain travel are gained from travelling and professional instruction in the mountain environment. Building on this base one can progress to advanced technical mountaineering, skiing, and climbing objectives. As with most athletics, building this core of safety, knowledge, and fitness will help students in whichever other outdoor sports they choose to pursue. The reasons people take this program and their backgrounds prior to entering the semester are very diverse but the common end result is a life changing experience. Many of our students tell us the sense of accomplishment they feel at the end of the semester is unlike anything they have ever experienced. The confidence that comes with this accomplishment lasts well beyond the three month semester and permeates into every aspect of day to day life after the program. Our semester students become like our extended family and we aim to offer you as much support as we can. Secure storage, internet access, travel arrangements, messaging services, and advice on local attractions and destinations are examples of the support you can expect from our team of professional administrative staff here at the office. We look forward to seeing you out in the mountains on this incredible adventure!
1.866.678.4164