MOUNTAIN SKILLS
COURSES

Avalanche skills training, mountaineering and rock climbing courses designed to build practical skills and confidence in the mountains.

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LEARN THE SKILLS.
BUILD THE CONFIDENCE.

The best way to build mountain skills is through experience. These courses combine hands-on learning with real mountain environments, helping you develop the confidence, decision-making, and technical abilities needed to travel safely and efficiently in the mountains. Whether you're learning the fundamentals or refining advanced techniques, every course is designed to prepare you for your next adventure.

All these courses below are offered primarily to private groups. You organize the minimum number of people outlined in the given courses below and I can arrange private dates that work for you. If you can’t find enough people, please feel free to reach out.

OR BETTER YET! Scroll down to the footer of this page to sign up for a mailing list. You will be notified of upcoming courses that have space available.

Avalanche Skills Training course with skis in deep snow in the Sea to Sky, BC

Avalanche Skills Training 1+ (AST1+)

2 Days

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A close-up of a yellow bee on a purple flower with green background
A black and white horse standing in a garden.
A black and white horse standing in a garden.

Beginner

4-8

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A woman sitting on a bench in a park, smiling at the camera, with trees and grass in the background.

  • 2-day field school delivering the Avalanche Canada industry standard curriculum for new backcountry skiers and splitboarders. Learn how to effectively execute a rescue using your beacon, shovel and probe as well as how to safely evaluate terrain and manage risk. Wherever possible, travelling through mountain terrain will be the focus. 

    • $375 per individual for the two day course.

    • Prices subject to 5% GST

    • Bring a minimum of 4 friends and a maximum of 8.

    • Course costs are based on you and your group bringing the minimum to run the course.  Private courses less than 4 people are charged a rate of $1500 total.

  • Courses generally take place off Whistler Blackcomb for maximum value. Other venues can be arranged if required. 

    Before day 1: Pre-course content delivered upon signup and completed at your own pace

    Day 1: 0800 Meeting for a morning classroom and trip planning session. Travel into the field both skiing/riding down and skinning up. Practice with your rescue gear. Descend for debrief.

    Day 2: 0800 Meeting for student-led planning session and hazard discussion. Depart for a gentle tour. Focus on terrain assessment, and picking safe lines up and down, and finalizing any safety gear practice or questions. Descend for debrief.

  • Absolute confidence on Blue runs is essential. Black diamond abilities are an asset.

    DISCLAIMER: Skiing and snowboarding in powder is NOT like skiing on groomers. If you have never skied on powder before, expect to be challenged.

    You must assemble and disassemble your board and skis at least once before the course and trim your skins to fit your board/skis.

  • Included:

    • Full days of instruction

    • Course handbooks and materials

    • “Classroom” content

    • Coaching and training on touring equipment

    • Hot tips and tricks for being a better backcountry traveler

    • Real good vibes

    NOT Included:

    • Lift Tickets (WB Backcountry pass $45 per day + tax)

    • Avalanche Safety Gear (Local rentals can be arranged)

    • Touring gear (Local rentals can be arranged)

    • Ride to and from the trailhead or resort

  • All participants are required to read and sign a Release of Liability Waiver.

    Every participant will be required to sign a waiver before the course commences.

    Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy.

  • View the required Gear Checklist for a complete list of equipment required for your trip.

Avalanche Skills Training course learning snowpack assessment in the Sea to Sky, BC

Avalanche Skills Training 2 (AST2)

4-6

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A person watering a plant in a lush garden with a pathway and greenery.

Intermediate

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A close-up of a Swiss Army knife with various tools extended, including a blade, scissors, and a corkscrew.

4 Days

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A bundle of wires and cables on a white surface.

  • 4-day field school delivering the Avalanche Canada industry standard curriculum for intermediate ski and splitboard enthusiasts. Review the essentials of rescue and refine on your AST1 learning. Evolve your ability to evaluate terrain and select safe lines. Evaluate snowpack layers and dive into snow science skills.

    • $800 per individual for the 4 day course.

    • Prices subject to 5% GST

    • Bring a minimum of 4 friends and a maximum of 6.

    • Course costs are based on you and your group bringing the minimum to run the course. Private courses less than 4 people are charged a rate of $3200 total.

  • The daily trip planning will be student-led with encouragement from your guide. Days will generally begin at 0800 and end at least 1 hour before dark. Objectives and venues will depend on avalanche hazard but can range from Squamish to the Duffey Lake area.

    Day 1: Classroom for concept review, skill building, hazard evaluation, trip planning, forecasting and telemetry, and then rescue skill review in the field.

    Day 2 - 4: Student led trips start with a “classroom” (coffee shop, tailgate, etc) trip plan and hazard evaluation that will bring us into the field. Weather and condition dependent we will dig pits, evaluate terrain, ski/ride, and practice advanced and complex search techniques.

  • AST1/1+ and good fitness for up to 1000m+ of elevation gain each consecutive day on days 2-4. Ideally 25+ days of touring in a variety of locations since your AST1 will help you get the most out of this course. 

  • Included:

    • One real good mountain guide

    • Full days of instruction

    • Course handbooks and materials

    • Classroom content

    • Coaching and training on touring equipment

    • Hot tips and tricks for being a better backcountry traveler

    NOT Included:

    • Lift Tickets (WB Backcountry pass $45+tax)

    • Avalanche Safety Gear (Local rentals can be arranged)

    • Touring gear (Local rentals can be arranged)

    • Ride to and from the trailhead or resort

  • All participants are required to read and sign a Release of Liability Waiver.

    Every participant will be required to sign a waiver before the course commences.

    Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy.

  • View the required Gear Checklist for a complete list of equipment required for your trip.

Guided crevasse rescue training on a glacier in British Columbia

Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue

4-6

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4-6

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Beginner / Advanced

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A person is sitting at a desk with a computer, surrounded by office supplies and a coffee cup.

2 Days

A woman with braided hair sitting on a surfboard in the ocean
A woman with braided hair sitting on a surfboard in the ocean

  • A 2- day introductory course in technical rope skills and the basics of reading and evaluating glaciers for back country skiing/snowboarding and mountaineering. The course is primarily focused on rope rescue aspects. Learn hauling systems and mechanical advantage, how and when to travel on a rope, how to safely pull someone out of a crevasse, how to ascend a rope to get yourself out of a crevasse, and perhaps most important - how to not fall into a hole in the first place.

    • $375 per individual for the two day course.

    • Prices subject to 5% GST

    • Bring a minimum of 4 friends and a maximum of 8.

    • Course costs are based on you and your group bringing the minimum to run the course.  Private courses less than 4 people are charged a rate of $1500 total.

  • Day 1: 0800 Meet in Squamish for your dry-land rope skills day. We will learn technical rope skills knots, and hitches, proper gear selection, hauling, 3:1, 5:1, and 6:1 mechanical advantage, rope ascending, glaciology, how to rope up, when to use the rope, and other topics.

    Day 2: 0800 Snow skills day on Blackcomb Mountain. Learning how to make snow anchors strong enough to execute rescue, practice roping up and arresting falls (over a cornice), and put Day 1’s rope tricks to the test on snow.

  • AST1/1+ training as well as Ski or Splitboarding touring experience is mandatory. No background in rope knowledge is necessary - we start from scratch.

  • Included:

    • Full days of instruction

    • Practice ropes for travel and rescue

    • Crevasse Rescue Technical Gear (rentable upon request)

    • Real Good vibes

    NOT Included:

    • Lift Tickets (WB Backcountry pass $45+tax)

    • Avalanche Safety Gear (Local rentals can be arranged)

    • Touring gear (Local rentals can be arranged)

    • Ride to and from the trailhead or resort

  • All participants are required to read and sign a Release of Liability Waiver.

    Every participant will be required to sign a waiver before the course commences.

    Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy.

  • View the required Gear Checklist for a complete list of equipment required for your trip.

Guided mountaineering course on alpine terrain in the Sea to Sky, BC

BASIC AND ADVANCED MOUNTAINEERING

Basic / Advanced

An open notebook with handwritten notes, a yellow pencil, and a small potted plant on a wooden desk.
An open notebook with handwritten notes, a yellow pencil, and a small potted plant on a wooden desk.

2-4 Days

Close-up of a plant with green and purple variegated leaves
Close-up of a plant with green and purple variegated leaves

  • Discover the fundamentals of safe, confident mountaineering in a customized 2–4 day course designed for beginners and aspiring alpinists. You’ll learn essential skills including ice axe use, self-arrest, crampon technique, rope handling, glacier travel, navigation, and hazard assessment. Each day blends hands-on instruction with real movement on snow and simple alpine terrain, giving you practical experience in a supportive, small-group environment.

    • $800 per individual for the 4 day course.

    • Prices subject to 5% GST

    • Bring a minimum of 4 friends and a maximum of 6.

    • Course costs are based on you and your group bringing the minimum to run the course. Private courses less than 4 people are charged a rate of $3200 total. for 4 days.

    • Courses under 4 days will be charged at $800/day

  • 2-3 day courses would likely head into the mountains for the entire course unless more focus on rock is the desired outcome. One day or a half day could be spent in Squamish working on these skills

    4 day courses would have one ground school day in Squamish learning fundamentals or rock gear and crack technique before heading off for 3 days and 2 nights in the mountains. 

    NOTE: All courses are adaptable to guest’s learning objective

  • Overnight backpacking experience and fitness to carry a heavy bag for up to 8 hours for consecutive days. Fitness for 1000m of climbing in a day would be comfortable on this course.

  • Included:

    • One real good mountain guide

    • Full days of instruction

    • Group technical gear (ropes, traditional protection, ice screws, snow pickets)

    NOT Included:

    • Lift Tickets (WB Backcountry pass $45+tax) - If we chose this venue

    • Travel to and from the trail head

    • Accommodations or camping fees

    • The equipment on your gear list (some items may be arranged or rented with advanced notice)

  • All participants are required to read and sign a Release of Liability Waiver.

    Every participant will be required to sign a waiver before the course commences.

    Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy.

  • View the required Overnight Gear Checklist for multi day trips

    Day Trip Gear Checklist can be found here.

Guided rock climbing skills course on granite in Squamish, BC

ROCK CLIMBING INSTRUCTION Squamish

6 maximum

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A woman in a red hat sitting on a park bench with a child.

Beginner / Intermediate

A person holding a glass of red wine
A person holding a glass of red wine

2 Days

A woman in a white dress sitting on a stone garden bench under trees, with greenery in the background.
A woman in a white dress sitting on a stone garden bench under trees, with greenery in the background.

  • Rock climbing courses can range from introductory to more advanced topics. Typically offered in 1-2 days, these courses can serve as your gateway to rock climbing around the world. Course offerings include Top Rope Introduction, Sport Climbing, Trad Climbing, Multipitch systems, Crack Technique, and more.

    • $500/day for one person. Add $50 for each extra person. 

    • Maximum 6 people

  • Trailhead or parking lot meet up at one of Squamish’s many iconic climbing zones. A short approach brings us to one of many training grounds to practice and dial in your skills. Lunch in the field.

  • At least a foundational knowledge of top rope belaying techniques and anchor building should be in the pocket before advancing.

    No pre-requisites for Intro to Rock Climbing or Top Rope Anchors

  • Included:

    • Full days of instruction

    • Group technical gear such as anchors, ropes, or traditional protection.

    • Real Good vibes

    NOT Included:

    • Lunch

    • Accomodations

    • Ride to and from the trailhead or resort

  • All participants are required to read and sign a Release of Liability Waiver.

    Every participant will be required to sign a waiver before the course commences.

    Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy.

  • View the required Gear Checklist for a complete list of equipment required for your trip.

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Courses are private and semi-private. You must provide the minimum number of participants for a course to run. Minimums are detailed in the “Cost” tab. Bring your crew, tell me what you want to work on and we’ll build the day from there.

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Private & tailored

NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

Can’t see the course you need? Get in touch. Whether you want to dial in a specific skill, prepare for a bigger objective or work on a mix of things, I can put together the right training.

LET’S MAKE A PLAN

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

  • Five white stars on a black background

    CHRISTOPHER R

    Drew is the best guide I’ve had the pleasure of going into the mountains with. He’s incredibly knowledgeable, safe and conscientious, with a patient and positive teaching style. What truly makes him stand out is his genuine care for the people who join him. I can’t recommend him highly enough!

  • Five white stars in a row on a black background.

    CHUCK B

    Drew is just the best! He guided my friend I up the Chief for our first time. He is such a nice person with a calm demeanor and is so knowledgeable in the mountains. He really put us at ease in the big terrain and made the experience so enjoyable. Will definitely be coming back to him again!

  • Five white stars in a row on a black background

    TYLER G

    Drew is a wonderful guide and human being. He’s guided me through alpine climbing training, backcountry skiing and multipitch climbing in Squamish. He’s professional, a natural teacher and makes every day a great time. I’ve completed objectives with Drew that I wouldn’t attempt alone while building the confidence to pursue my own.

  • Five white stars on a black background

    DILAN F

    Drew is an amazing guide who I’ve had the pleasure of learning from over the last two years. He has tailored rock climbing, hiking and scrambling sessions to my interests and beginner experience. Every session has been appropriately challenging and fun, including days organized for friends visiting from abroad.

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