Adventure Tourism Business Operations Certificate

Program Overview

The ATBO program is an adventure itself. As a student, you’ll complete academic courses geared to prepare you for the business component of the industry, but you’ll also take part in several field courses that will challenge you and let you learn from your own real-life experiences. What will the field courses look like if you enroll in the program? Well, that’s part of the adventure. There are many variables that will impact your own experience, but you can expect to venture out in many different environments, in a variety of weather conditions, and be faced with an array of challenges, and different group situations. But don’t take our word for it. A few of our former students share some of their most memorable moments. Check out their stories.

This program starts in September each year. Part-time students applying in the Winter or Spring semester should select University General Studies as their program when applying.

1 year certificate program
Credits can be used towards a tourism degree program
Classroom study, lab work and six-week practicum

Certificate Program Requirements

Required Courses:

Course	Title	Credits
ATBO 101	Principles of Tourism	3
ATBO 105	Wilderness Travel	3
ATBO 106	Experiential Leadership and Guiding	3
ATBO 107	Natural Interpretation	3
ATBO 109	Risk Management	3
ATBO 121	Backpacking Level 1	2
ATBO 123	Introduction to Outdoor Skills	2
COMP 153	Introduction to Data Processing	3
ENGL 100	English Composition	3
ATBO 114	Wilderness First Aid	2
Total		27

Plus three elective courses (6 credits) chosen from:

Course	Title	Course
ATBO 131	Whitewater Kayak Level 1	2
ATBO 132	Canoe Guide Skills	2
ATBO 133	Sea Kayaking Level 1	2
ATBO 135	Raft Guide Skills Level 1	2
ATBO 141	Rock Climbing Level 1	2
ATBO 142	Ice Climbing Level 1	2
ATBO 151	Ski/Snowboard Instructor Level 1	2
ATBO 152	Winter Back Country Travel Level 1	2
ATBO 171	Mountain Bike Skills Level 1	2
Total		6

Note: A student who meets the prerequisites may choose instead to do any elective that is offered to the ATBO diploma students.

Total Credits for Certificate: 33

View official program outline

Certifications:

Our program includes the latest industry-developed training material, and includes BC provincially-endorsed programs’ standards. These include:

Adventure Tourism – BC Standards and Certification for the Tourism Professional
Marine Radio Operator License
Commercial Recreation Management Plan
Wilderness First Aid
Business Plan Development

Possible Certifications

Advanced Wilderness First Aid
Aid in Obtaining a Class 4 Drivers License
Swift Water Rescue-Rescue Canada
Flat Water Canoe Instructors – BCRCA
Alpine Ski Instructors -CSIA
Snow Board Instructors-CASI
Sea Kayak Level 1 Guide – SKGABC
Sea Kayak Assistant Overnight Guide – SKGABC
Apprentice Interpreter – IGA

Outdoor Technical Skills

Backpacking
White Water Kayaking
Rock Climbing
Technical Mountaineering
Ice Climbing
Winter Camping
Tele-marking
Back Country Ski Touring
Canoeing
Ocean Kayaking

Practicum

Some potential practicum placements include:

Course Descriptions

ATBO – Year 1 – Required Courses

Students must complete all required courses listed below and a minimum of three elective courses.

ATBO-101 – Principles of Tourism

This course provides an overview of the variety, products and infrastructure of adventure tourism in the province. Students explore past trends and discuss the future of adventure tourism. A variety of assignments, presentations, and guest speakers will help guide students to investigate the ecological, economic and cultural impacts of tourism on the community. This course also helps students to evaluate the scope of career options, and to define their own role in this exciting industry.

Minimum Credits: 3
Length: 45 hours
Prerequisites: Minimum 65% in either English 12, English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, ENGL 090, or equivalent.
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $365.28
Course Outline

ATBO-105 – Wilderness Travel

The Wilderness Travel course uses the classroom learning environment to teach academic theory to support the practical skills learned on ATBO field courses on complex topics such as navigation and weather interpretation. Students will also explore special topics such as nature philosophy, avalanche skills training, and marine radio use.

Minimum Credits: 3
Length: 45 hours
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: ATBO elective field courses as selected.
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $365.28
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $719.53
Course Outline

ATBO-106 – Experiential Leadership & Guiding

This course relates leadership theory with the practical application of leadership in the adventure tourism industry. Innovative activities are used to help students explore group leadership and group management strategies, and to build an awareness of the professional standards expected of outdoor guides. Experiential Leadership and Guiding is a CORE theory course (Guiding Leadership and Group Management) as described in the Provincial Core Curriculum Handbook for the British Columbia Adventure Tourism Certificate Program.

Minimum Credits: 3
Length: 45 hours
Prerequisites: None. Corequisites: Enrolment in the ATBO Program.
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $365.28
Course Outline

ATBO-107 – Natural Interpretation

This course is an introduction to the natural history of the Rockies and Columbia Mountains of BC: the landscape, geology, flora and fauna, species identification, ecosystem relationships and biogeoclimatic zones of the interior mountain environment. Aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal #15—Life on Land, students will develop knowledge and skills in the interpretation of natural landscapes through place-based experiences, writing, and peer-group presentations. The course promotes an understanding of natural ecosystems, and the protection and sustainable use of terrestrial landscapes by the tourism industry.

Minimum Credits: 3
Length: 45 hours
Prerequisites: Enrollment in the Adventure Tourism Business Operations program.
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $365.28
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $719.53
Course Outline

ATBO-109 – Risk Management

This course focuses on learning risk management strategies for the adventure tourism industry. Students study concepts such as legal liability, risk mitigation, and standard of care. They learn how to develop a risk management strategy that covers techniques for risk reduction, risk transfer, risk avoidance, and risk acceptance from both a management level and an employee level.

Minimum Credits: 3
Length: 45 hours
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $365.28
Course Outline

ATBO-121 – Backpacking Level 1

This experiential learning course will expose students to the basic skills required for successful wilderness travel. Backpacking and camping techniques, equipment, trip preparation, navigation, route finding, group management, and leadership skills are covered. Mountain environment and natural history topics will be presented. The students will learn minimum impact wilderness travel techniques. This course incorporates backpacking and overnight camping in a wilderness environment. The emphasis on this course is in learning the skills and knowledge required of a professional backpacking guide.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 48 hours
Prerequisites: None. Corequisites: ATBO 106
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

ATBO-123 – Introduction to Outdoor Skills

The Wilderness First Aid course covers in-depth principles in medical and legal aspects relative to injury prevention and care, including: regulations; legislation; contagious/infectious disease; assessment;communication; anatomy and physiology; airway management; respiratory emergencies; cardiac arrest;circulatory; soft tissue and wound management; injuries to eyes; ears; nose; throat; burns; poisons; and environmental emergencies including other considerations in wilderness survival.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 40 hours
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

COMP-153 – Introduction To Data Processing

This course allows students to develop knowledge and skills in the field of information technology. Students will explore the operation and application of professional productivity software. Students use four applications of the Microsoft Office 2019 suite: Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. The theory component develops a broad and general understanding of current computer technology, methods and models.

Minimum Credits: 3
Length: 60 hours
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: ? On-campus, Online
Cost: $365.28
Lab Fees: $83.73
Total: $449.01
Course Outline

ENGL-100 – English Composition

English 100 focuses on composition strategies for writing across academic disciplines. Over the course of the term, students will develop an awareness of how rhetorical situations affect composition and refine their understanding of the fundamentals of essay writing (and clear communication more broadly), including paragraphing, thesis statements, essay structure, and citation methods. Students will also learn the fundamentals of critical thinking and analysis, persuasive writing techniques (including rhetorical appeals and modes), scholarly research, and academic reading.

Minimum Credits: 3
Length: 45 hours
Prerequisites: Minimum 65% in either English 12, English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, ENGL 090, or equivalent.
Delivery Method: ? Blended, On-campus, Online
Cost: $365.28
Course Outline

ATBO-114 – Wilderness First Aid

The Wilderness First Aid course covers in-depth principles in medical and legal aspects relative to injury prevention and care, including: regulations; legislation; contagious/infectious disease; assessment; communication; anatomy and physiology; airway management; respiratory emergencies; cardiac arrest; circulatory; soft tissue and wound management; injuries to eyes; ears; nose; throat; burns; poisons; and environmental emergencies including other considerations in wilderness survival. This WFA course meets the certification requirements for adventure guides working in the adventure tourism industry.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 60 hours
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

Choose three (3) elective courses from the following:

Note: A student who meets the prerequisites may choose instead to do any elective that is offered to the ATBO diploma students.

ATBO-131 – White Water Kayaking Level 1

This course is designed to introduce and develop white water kayak skills and develop confidence and self-reliance in the whitewater environment. Students are educated in equipment design and selection, trip preparation, evaluation of hazards, conservative decision-making and leadership in the sport of white water kayaking. Instruction begins on flat water, and then moves to grade 1 white water as student skill levels increase. As skills are further developed, students will progress to grade 2 white water and potentially on to grade 3 white water if appropriate for the student.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 48 hours
Prerequisites: Students must be 19 years old to take this course. Corequisites: ATBO 106
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

ATBO-132 – Canoe Guide Skills

This course is designed to teach general knowledge of the sport and history of canoeing, and to develop canoeing skills on flat water, and on moving water. Instruction is provided in teaching canoe strokes first on flat water, and then progressing to develop these strokes to be effective on moving water. This is a Canoe Guide Certification course with the Recreational Canoe Association of BC. Successful students who pass the certification exam are certified as RCABC Day Guides.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 48 hours
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

ATBO-133 – Sea Kayaking Level 1

This course is an introductory course designed to teach students the fundamental skills and knowledge of sea kayak guiding, and to improve sea kayak paddling technique. Emphasis is placed on navigation, rescue techniques, marine radio operation, and coastal natural interpretation. Client care, risk management knowledge, and safety awareness are also covered. This is a Level I Certification Course with the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC. Successful students are certified as SKGABC Level 1 Guides.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 80 hours
Prerequisites: ATBO 105
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

ATBO-135 – Raft Guide Skills Level 1

Students will learn practical introductory skills in white water rafting and operations for professional outfitters or for personal trips. This course is the first step to professional raft guide certification. Students will learn and practice all aspects of the white-water raft guiding industry, from pre-trip preparation to on water raft handling skills and river reading and safety skills. Students will learn to navigate the upper glacier-fed waters of the Kicking Horse River and other Rocky Mountain rivers around Golden, BC.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 40 hours
Prerequisites: Students must be 19 years old to take this course. Corequisites: ATBO 230 Swift Water Rescue
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

ATBO-141 – Rock Climbing Level 1

This course introduces the student to the basics of top roped climbing. Students learn the basic knots, safety procedures, equipment use, and rope handling skills, group management, and climbing techniques to safely set up and climb basic top roped climbs.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 40 hours
Prerequisites: Students must be 19 years old to take this course. Corequisites: ATBO 106
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

ATBO-142 – Ice Climbing Level 1

This course introduces the student to the techniques and skills used in waterfall ice climbing. Safety and hazard management is the focus as the students learn anchor building, ice evaluation, belay considerations, and moderate and vertical ice climbing techniques.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 40 hours
Prerequisites: ATBO 141. ATBO 123 and ATBO 106 must be taken either prior to or concurrently. Students must be 19 years old to take this course.
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

ATBO-151 – Ski/Snowboard Instructor Level 1

This certification course allows students to become certified to work as a ski or snowboard instructor. Topics include the fundamentals of skiing or snowboarding technique, the responsibility code, learner progressions and the use of ski area lifts. The alpine skiers take the CSIA Alpine Ski Instructor Level 1 Certification course. The snowboarders take the CASI Snowboard Instructor Level 1 Certification course.

This course remains consistent with the standards expected of the CSIA and CASI certification courses.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 48 hours
Prerequisites: Completed or concurrently enrolled in: ATBO106 – Experiential Leadership & Guiding (3)
Delivery Method: ? On-campus, Practicum
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

ATBO-152 – Winter Back Country Travel Level 1

This course is designed to teach students the skills necessary for backcountry skiing and snowboarding in avalanche terrain. Topics include appropriate equipment selection and use, uphill and downhill travel techniques, navigation and route finding in the mountains. A large focus of this course is learning about travelling in avalanche terrain, and learning how to identify and manage the avalanche risk.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 40 hours
Prerequisites: ATBO 151 Ski/Snowboard Instructor, or equivalent experience. Also, students must be 19 years old to take this course. Corequisites: ATBO 105
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

ATBO-171 – Mountain Bike Skills Level 1

In this course, students will begin by learning about the sport of mountain biking. Students will be taught basic and intermediate riding skills, through a structured lesson plan. This course will also give an overview of different bike types and components, and how to set up and maintain these bikes with simple repairs on the trail.

This course is designed to introduce students to the professional standards, leadership and teaching philosophies, riding competencies, and curriculum of the Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA).

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 40 hours
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: ? On-campus
Cost: $243.52
Lab Fees: $354.25
Total: $597.77
Course Outline

Admission Requirements

Your Costs

Equipment Requirements:

The following is a required & recommended personal equipment list for all ATBO students.

Review carefully – the exact items you will require will depend on what elective courses you choose to take, personal preferences, comfort in inclement conditions, and willingness to rent/share equipment.

View or download Required Equipment List

Tuition and Fees for Domestic Students:

For the 2024/25 academic year (2024/SU, 2024/FA, 2025/WI, 2025/SP)

Tuition:	$4,018.08
Application Fee:	$30.00
Lab Fee:	$83.73
Field Fee:	$2,834.00
Equipment Fee:	$332.45
Health and Dental Fee:	$240.00
Student Association Fee:	$69.00
Total	$7,607.26

_{*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Tuition and Fees for International Students:

For the 2024/25 academic year (2024/SU, 2024/FA, 2025/WI, 2025/SP)

Tuition	$12,562.23
Application Fee	$100.00
International Fee	$100.00
Student Association Fee	$69.00
Equipment Fee	$332.45
Lab Fee	$83.73
Field Fee:	$2,834.00
Health and Dental Fee	$240.00
Guard.me Insurance	$270.00
Total	$16,591.41

_{*These prices are for international students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Textbook Fees:

Certificate program text book costs are approximately $800.00

Note:

Tuition fees do not include living expenses. You are responsible for all living expenses.
If you have applied for student loan funding and have not received confirmation of approval, you must make alternate arrangements for tuition payment.
Students who are not eligible for government funding may wish to approach private lending institutions to discuss their student lines of credit.

Additional Costs and Supplies:

The College provides:

Transportation during all out-trips
All equipment except as noted on personal list
Some shelter during out-trips which may include tents, tarps or Alpine huts
Most certification and exam fees
Free access to college computers and library services
Seasons Pass at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

You can expect to incur the following expenses:

Out-trip Food:
You are responsible for food and personal maintenance costs during out trips.

Accommodation:
You are expected to have your accommodation situation settled by the first day of classes.

Career Info and Pathways

Meet Your Instructors

Dave Wan, Program Coordinator

I initially earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Melbourne, Australia but spent a lot of my free time with the local SCUBA diving and bushwalking (back packing, rock-climbing, white-water kayaking, and skiing) clubs. I was first drawn to outdoor adventure sports for exactly that reason – the adventure. I also appreciate the challenge, the personal development, and the connection to the outdoors. My passion for outdoor adventure inspired me to complete a post-graduate diploma in Outdoor Education.

I have continued to pursue outdoor adventure because of the friendships and close personal bonds that are developed with others. You are often responsible for each other’s safety and that creates a long-lasting, deeply caring connection. Outdoor adventures became such an important part of my life, after a decade working in the field, I completed a master’s degree in Outdoor Education.

In 2006, I joined the College as coordinator and instructor for the Adventure Tourism Business Operations (ATBO) program, held at the Golden campus. I am very close with my students and get great joy from sharing my love of adventure sports with them and from helping them succeed. If you’re thinking of enrolling in the ATBO program, I look forward to having the opportunity to get to know you.

Away from work, I continue to be active. Adventure sports are what I do for work, what I do for play, and are what I do with my family. I’m exactly where I want to be, doing what I want to do and surrounded by the people I love. Life is good.

Don Webster, ATBO Faculty

Don has spent the last twenty years working as a guide, educator and outdoor professional across five continents. From 2009 – 2016 he was Convenor of the Advanced Wilderness Leadership Certificate at Capilano University.

He has a diverse skill set in the adventure tourism industry, including expertise in: program management, guide training, curriculum design, sea kayaking, wilderness skills, risk management, and backcountry recreational conflict management.

Credentials: Certificate in Adventure Tourism Business Management (COTR), Diploma in Adventure Guiding (TRU), Bachelor’s Degree in Adventure Tourism Management (TRU), Master of Arts in Environment & Management (RRU), Guide Examiner (SKGABC).

Notable Experience: President, SKGABC; Chair, Adventure Tourism Articulation Committee; Adventure Programs Representative, Link BC; Director, Tourism Squamish; guiding, instructing and consulting internationally in Alaska, Patagonia, Australia, China, Antarctica, Oman, Norway, and Greenland.

Gideon ‘Montana’ Smith, Computer and Natural Interpretation Instructor

Gideon ‘Montana’ Smith, Computer and Natural Interpretation Instructor Gideon completed a geology program at Cambrian College (now the Sault College) in Ontario. He worked professionally for four years as a field geophysicist and topographic surveyor in various parts of Canada.

He then completed an archaeology program at the University of Calgary. After working in archaeology for several years, Gideon returned to the field of geology, and worked with the Geological Survey of Canada for eight years. While with the Geological Survey he participated in two field expeditions, one to the high arctic, and one to the Rocky Mountains on the northern edge of Jasper Park.

Gideon has participated in archaeological projects throughout Alberta and in the Northwest Territories. During trips to Mexico he has also extensively photographed some 25 Mesoamerican archaeological ruins.

Gideon moved to Golden in 1990, and began teaching with College of the Rockies in 1991. An earth sciences background, along with field work, and many years experience hiking, mountain climbing, ski-touring, and canoeing have given Gideon a wide knowledge of the natural environment.

Over the years he has also worked as a professional ski patroller, and has acquired expertise in computer spreadsheet and database design.