The Canadian Mountain & Ski Guide Program

Welcome to our certification program. Thompson Rivers University (TRU) collaborates with the ACMG to offer a series of training courses and exams designed to certify guides and instructors to the highly respected standards of the ACMG. Through these courses you can achieve professional ACMG certification within the disciplines of Mountain Guide, Hiking Guide or Climbing Instructor.

Whether you are considering a career as a professional guide or climbing instructor or just want to learn more about how guides are certified please explore these pages and feel free to contact our campus office for additional information.

Dwayne Congdon
Program Coordinator

•  Mountain Program
  The Mountain Program consists of three certification streams; Alpine Guide, Ski Guide Program, and Rock Guide. Completion of the program confers the prestigious Mountain Guide certification, which qualifies ACMG members for recognition throughout the world in IFMGA member countries.
•  Hiking Program
  There are two levels in the Hiking Program: Assistant Hiking Guide and Hiking Guide. Hiking Guides lead clients on day and multi-day hikes and wilderness trips in forested and alpine terrain that does not require technical climbing.
•   Climbing Instructor Program
  The Climbing Instructor Program consists of two certification streams. Climbing Gym Instructors teach climbing on artificial structures. Top Rope Climbing Instructors work with groups in simple outdoor rock climbing terrain with easy access where students do not require anchoring between climbs or rappels.

The Canadian Mountain & Ski Guide Program

What is it

• It is a series of courses and exams designed to develop the skills and knowledge required to be a professional guide or instructor.
  
• Mountain guide, hiking guide, climbing gym instructor, and top rope instructor programs are offered.
  
• The program is offered by the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in partnership with the ACMG.

• In 1996, TRU began to assist the ACMG with delivering the Canadian Mountain Guide Training and Certification program, a collaboration that has resulted in the evolution of the original ACMG program into the unique Canadian Mountain and Ski Guide Diploma at TRU.
• The Canadian Mountain and Ski Guide (CMSG) Diploma is a 60-credit program with activity, theory, elective and work experience courses. Most participants will attend on a part-time basis, completing the Diploma in a four- to five-year period.

• Students will have the opportunity to pursue certification to the standards of the ACMG and be recognized by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA). IFMGA Mountain Guides attain the highest level of mountain training and certification in the world and are recognized in the more than 20 member-countries.

The Canadian Mountain & Ski Guide Program

• Thompson Rivers University (formerly, University College of the Cariboo) offers academic credit for technical guiding certificates.
• In addition, a Mountain Guide and Ski Guide Diploma program (CMSG) has been developed, to include the Mountain Guide certificate with additional diploma theory and elective courses.
• The ACMG will continue to play an important and pivotal role in the program by providing research and development assistance, technical expertise, and liaison between the TRU and industry, the guiding profession, and the international community.
• Visit About TRU to find out more about this excellent academic institution.