Alpine Guide Certification
Prerequisites
Students entering the Alpine Guide certificate program must be 19+ years of age and possess the following recreational alpine climbing experience:
- 3 years of alpine climbing experience;
- 30 alpine climbs including a minimum of:
- 10 alpine objectives requiring glacier travel;
- 5-10 moderate-length alpine climbs that include a mix of rock, snow, and alpine ice (minimum grade D);
- 5-10 moderate-length alpine rock climbs (minimum grade D); and
- 5 long or multi-day alpine climbs (minimum grade D+).
- 10 sport routes flashed in the past year (minimum 5.10+);
- 5 multi-pitch rock climbs (8 -14 pitches) requiring protection placement (minimum 5.10); and
- 35 waterfall ice climbs that must include at least:
- 15 multi-pitch waterfall ice climbs;
- 10 waterfall ice routes (minimum WI5); and
- 10 waterfall ice routes (minimum WI4).
Note: Ice-cragging routes will not be considered, and routes listed multiple times will only be considered once.
Additional prerequisites include:
- Active professional ACMG membership with either an Apprentice Rock Guide or Rock Guide designation;
- A CAA Operations Level 1 certificate;
- A CAA AvSAR level 1 certificate (AvSAR Advanced Skills or AvSAR Practical Skills Assessment Certificates will also be accepted) *ACMG Ski Guides that can evidence currency in companion rescue may not be required to submit the AvSAR certificate. Contact [email protected] for details; and
- A current wilderness first responder or advanced workplace first aid certificate.
Preview the Alpine Route Grade Definition guidelines used by the Training and Assessment Program.
Guide Training Alpine Courses
Guide Training Alpine is a 16-day field-based training program that introduces students to the preferred methods and best practices that are common to guiding and instructing clients in technical waterfall ice climbing and alpine climbing terrain. The program is divided into two training courses each with a separate emphasis.
- The Alpine course emphasizes summer alpine guiding competencies.
- The Ice course curriculum is focussed on winter waterfall ice guiding techniques and managing winter hazards.
The Guide Training Alpine and Guide Training Ice courses are the initial courses in the Alpine Guide certificate program, and are requisites for enrolment in the Apprentice Alpine Guide exam.
In addition to the training curriculum of the Guide Training Ice course, there is also a screening element that ensures students are moving confidently and competently at the WI 5 expectation, and are capable of proficiently managing their personal safety in technical waterfall ice terrain. Students who are unsuccessful in the screening element, will be required to re-screen their aptitudes prior to advancing to the Apprentice Alpine Guide exam.
Apprentice Alpine Guide Exam
The Apprentice Alpine Guide exam is a 10-day practical skills assessment that simulates a variety of technical alpine guiding and instructing scenarios. The exam is divided into two modules, each of which is 5 days in duration. Throughout the exam, students’ technical systems, judgement, decision-making, application, navigation, movement and improvised rescue systems are coached and assessed.
Students who successfully complete the Apprentice Alpine Guide exam are eligible to become recognized as professional members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, under the Apprentice Alpine Guide designation.
Apprenticeship and Certificate Exam Prerequisites
Upon successful completion of the Apprentice Alpine Guide exam, students are expected to gain 1 - 3 years of industry experience under the guidance and supervision of certified guides. Detailed supervision requirements for Apprentice Alpine Guides are outlined in the ACMG Scope of Practice document.
Students are also required to complete the CAA Operations Level 2 certificate prior to challenging the Alpine Guide certificate exam. Enrolment in the CAA Operations Level 2 program is highly competitive and students are encouraged to actively pursue this certification early in their apprenticeship.
Optional Additional Training and Mentorship
The Training and Assessment Program offers an optional 3-day Alpine Guide mentorship and exam training course that is designed to support students in their competency development and preparation for the Alpine Guide certificate exam. The course is entirely field-based and includes mentorship, a technical update, a review of current preferred methods and best practices, and several simulated alpine guiding and instructing scenarios that are comparable to those of the Alpine Guide certificate exam.
Alpine Guide Certificate Exam
The Alpine Guide certificate exam is a 10-day practical skills assessment that simulates a variety of technical alpine guiding and instructing scenarios. The exam is divided into two modules, each of which is 5 days in duration. The first module focusses on classic mixed alpine, snow, ice and rock objectives, whereas the second module focusses solely on alpine rock climbing.
Throughout each exam module, students’ leadership, technical systems, judgement, decision-making, application, navigation, movement and improvised rescue systems are assessed.
Students who successfully complete the Alpine Guide certificate exam are eligible to become recognized as professional members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, under the Alpine Guide designation.
Application Information
Adventure tourism activities and the environments in which they occur are inherently dangerous. When preparing and training independently for ACMG Training and Assessment Program courses and exams, choose objectives that are within your abilities, experience level, and individual risk tolerance.
Application Notes:
- You will receive an automated email response when your application has been successfully submitted.
- You will be notified of the status of your application within 2 weeks of the application deadline.
- Do not apply until all prerequisites are met in full.
- Late applications will be subject to a $110 late applicant administration fee. Please contact the Training and Assessment Program office ([email protected]) to confirm course availability before submitting a late application.
Preview the Alpine Route Grade Definition guidelines used by the Training and Assessment Program.
To apply for entry in the Guide Training Ice and Alpine courses, complete the online Guide Training Alpine Application Form and submit the following:
- Employment and education resumé;
- A personal experience vitae formatted using the GTA Personal Experience Vitae template, which demonstrates a minimum of 3 years of alpine climbing experience that includes:
- 30 alpine climbs including a minimum of:
- 10 objectives requiring glacier travel;
- 5-10 moderate-length alpine climbs that include a mix of rock, snow, and alpine ice climbing (minimum grade D);
- 5-10 alpine rock climbs (minimum grade D); and
- 5 long or multi-day alpine climbs (minimum grade D+).
- 10 sport routes flashed in the past year (minimum 5.10+);
- 5 multi-pitch rock climbs (8 -14 pitches) requiring protection placement (minimum 5.10); and
- 35 waterfall ice climbs that must include at least:
- 15 multi-pitch waterfall ice climbs;
- 10 waterfall ice routes (minimum WI 5); and
- 10 waterfall ice routes (minimum WI 4).
- 30 alpine climbs including a minimum of:
Note: Ice-cragging routes will not be considered, and routes listed multiple times will only be considered once.
- Active professional ACMG membership with either an Apprentice Rock Guide or Rock Guide designation;
- A CAA Operations Level 1 certificate;
- A CAA AvSAR level 1 certificate (AvSAR Advanced Skills or AvSAR Practical Skills Assessment Certificates will also be accepted) *ACMG Ski Guides that can evidence currency in companion rescue may not be required to submit the AvSAR certificate. Contact [email protected] for details; and
- A current wilderness first responder or advanced workplace first aid certificate.
To apply for enrolment in the Apprentice Alpine Guide exam:
Students who successfully complete Guide Training Alpine will be automatically enrolled in the Apprentice Alpine Guide exam. Students who are required to re-screen or elect to defer their exam enrolment to a subsequent year are required to complete the online Guide Training Alpine Application Form and submit the following:
- Active professional ACMG membership with either an Apprentice Rock Guide or Rock Guide designation;
- Updated personal and emergency contact information;
- An employment and education resumé;
- A Guide Training Alpine Personal Experience Vitae; and
- A current wilderness first responder or advanced workplace first aid certificate.
To apply for enrolment in the Alpine Guide Mentorship and Exam Training Course, complete the online Alpine Guide Mentorship and Exam Training Course Application Form and submit the following:
- Active professional ACMG membership with an Apprentice Alpine Guide designation;
- An education and employment resumé; and
- A current wilderness first responder or advanced workplace first aid certificate.
To apply for enrolment in the Alpine Guide certificate exam, complete the online Alpine Guide Certificate Exam Application Form and submit the following:
- Active professional membership with an Apprentice Alpine Guide designation;
- Employment and education resumé;
- Letter(s) formatted using the Apprentice Supervision Confirmation Template from your supervising guide(s) that confirm you have a minimum of 30 days of supervised work experience since successfully completing the Apprentice Alpine Guide exam, which includes:
- A minimum of 10 days of multi-pitch rock guiding;
- A minimum of 10 days of alpine rock guiding; and
- a minimum of 10 days of alpine guiding involving glacier travel, snow, and ice.
- A personal experience vitae formatted using the Alpine Guide Exam Personal Experience Vitae template which demonstrates you have climbed in a variety of regions, have flashed 10 sport routes (minimum 5.11-), and have completed 10 multi-pitch routes (8 -14 pitches) requiring protection placement (minimum 5.10) and 5 long or multi-day alpine climbs (minimum grade D) in either a recreational or professional capacity, since completion of the Apprentice Alpine Guide exam;
- A CAA Operations Level 2 certificate; and
- A current wilderness first responder or advanced workplace first aid certificate.
Success on the Alpine Guide exam requires ongoing training. Maintaining your fitness and personal movement standard, and continuing to challenge yourself in unfamiliar terrain is strongly encouraged.
Course Locations, Dates, Tuition and Deadlines
| Course Title | Location | Start Date | End Date | Tuition | Application Deadline | Payment Deadline |
| Guide Training Ice | Canmore, AB | 2026-01-11 | 2026-01-16 | $2810.00 | 2025-10-01 | 2025-11-01 |
| Guide Training Alpine Mod. 1 | Bow Valley / Columbia Icefields, AB | 2026-06-17 | 2026-06-21 | $4250.00 | 2026-04-01 | 2026-05-01 |
| Guide Training Alpine Mod. 2 | Bow Valley / Columbia Icefields, AB | 2026-06-24 | 2026-06-28 | 2026-04-01 | 2026-05-01 | |
| Alpine Guide Mentorship and Exam Training | TBC | 2026-06-30 | 2026-07-02 | $1720.00 | 2026-02-01 | 2026-05-15 |
| Alpine Guide Exam Mod. 1 | TBC | 2026-07-20 | 2026-07-24 | $4825.00 | 2026-02-01 | 2026-05-15 |
| Apprentice Alpine Guide Exam Mod. 1 | TBC | 2026-07-27 | 2026-07-31 | $4610.00 | 2026-04-01 | 2026-06-15 |
| Alpine Guide Exam Mod. 2 | TBC | 2026-08-17 | 2026-08-21 | |||
| Apprentice Alpine Guide Exam Mod. 2 | TBC | 2026-08-24 | 2026-08-28 |