CSGI Courses
The program is structured such that the prospective guides take an introductory Level 1 Course. Once the Level 1 requirements are met, the guides progress through an apprenticeship and on the job training, eventually reaching the Level 3 course and standard after a four to five year period. Safety and loss prevention are the main focus of the teaching process.
Pre Course
This is a non certification course that is intended for individuals interested in a career in mechanized ski guiding or as introduction to basic mountain skills.
Level 1
Designed as an introduction to the mechanized back country ski industry, this course focuses on skills necessary to travel safely through the mountain environment; this includes terrain assessment, navigation, hazard analysis and mountain sense, incorporating judgement and decision making.
Level 2
The Level 2 course is designed for individuals who have obtained work as an apprentice or trainee guide and have further developed their skills and experiences in back country terrain. The focus of the program is to prepare the candidates to lead groups under the direction of a Lead Guide.
Level 3
The Level 3 program is designed for people who have come up through the CSGA program and have been guiding in the mechanized ski industry for at least 2 years under the direction of a Lead Guide. The focus of this program is is to prepare candidates to lead groups without supervision.
Level 1, 2, and 3 Recurrent Training
The 2 day CSGI recurrent training program provides members with the opportunity to maintain and upgrade their skills with the latest guiding and rescue techniques.
Summer Glacier Skills Camp
This is a skills development course for students engaged in the CSGI program. The course will include glacier travel, use of crampons and ice axe while travelling on snow and ice, rope techniques, protection, rescue techniques, navigation, route selction, trip preparation and mountaineering ethics.
Instructor Training
All prospective CSGA instructors are required to attend annual instructor training. These workshops will offer hands on exposure to the latest in mountain rescue techniques, provide new teaching methods and discuss risk management and loss prevention ideas
Youth Skills & Development Courses
These 3-4 day courses will teach the basics of glacier/ mountain travel on skis or split boards in the backcountry of the Cariboo and Monashee Mountains.