A 9 Month Mountain Adventure

Combining a variety of mountain activities including backcountry skiing, rock climbing, canoeing, hiking, and whitewater rafting, Mountain Adventure Skills Training course (MAST) is an intensive programme, and the ultimate outdoor adventure training course.

Based in Fernie, British Columbia, NONSTOP are working with the College of the Rockies to offer this popular programme. Successful graduates have set up their own businesses within the adventure travel industry, found jobs as ski patrollers, instructors and guides or as instructors on adventure sport camps. The course explores the spectacular mountain environment that British Columbia’s Rocky Mountains have to offer and is taught by certified professionals

Goals of the MAST programme

1. To increase the student’s employability in the Adventure Tourism industry by:

  • Improving leadership and team work skills
  • Utilising practical and relevant academic training that relates to jobs
  • Providing required industry certifications that are seasonally diverse
  • Developing required technical skills

2. To establish a solid base of technical knowledge before advancing towards more complex skills.

3. To give students an experience of a lifetime in some of the world’s most stunning mountain scenery.

Read Adam Turner's (29) experience of MAST

It was while Adam Turner (29) was on the NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard 11 week instructor course in Fernie that he heard about the MAST programme.

What were your reasons/motivations for enrolling on the course?
Professionally; to pursue a guiding career and/or set up my own guiding business. Personally; to expand my skills base and knowledge of wilderness travel and gain some invaluable experience.

What were the highlights?
The whole course has been great but the field trips have been my favourite part, especially the ski touring, which includes trips to Roger's Pass and the Wapta Icefields.

What were your instructors like?
Brian Bell, the course director, is excellent. He tries to employ locally-based instructors as much as possible. The practical module guides are all first class: mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, and ski touring are all instructed by ACMG guides. The canoeing and rafting are also instructed by appropriately qualified guides.

Where and who do you live with?
I live up at the top of Ridgemont, by the bike trials... yeah, life's tough!!! I met a few people when I was out here with NONSTOP and got a room in a house with one of them when I came back.

Was joining the MAST programme a good decision?
I feel like the course has given me an excellent set of skills to use for backcountry travel, whether it be on foot, on skis or on water. I now have the confidence to be able to look after myself and others in a wilderness environment.

Employment opportunities

Graduates have found employment in the following areas:

  • Cat Ski Guide
  • Guiding for Banff Hiking Guide Services
  • Guiding and Operations in the rafting industry
  • Guide book research
  • Working for an environmental centre
  • Fly Fishing Guide
  • Instructor at recreation centres
  • Ski Instructor
  • Working for National Youth Services Programmes
  • Parks Ranger
  • Instructor/guide for summer mountain sport camps
  • BC Coastal Eco Tourism Guide
  • Professional Ski Patrol
  • Ambulance Attendant
  • Retail Gear Sales
  • Canoe Instructor
  • Interpretive Guide
  • Sea Kayak Guide

Course dates and prices?