Mountain Adventure Skills Training

With the 9-month Mountain Adventure Skills Training program, 60% of your learning time will be outdoors experiencing the regions amazing adventure lifestyle opportunities while also learning the skills employers want you to know. With multiple certification courses, you’ll be introduced to the knowledge you need to be successful in your dream job.

The Mountain Adventure Skills Training Program (MAST) is designed for full-time students interested in pursuing a one year certificate and meets the requirements of the B.C. Provincial common core curriculum.

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.

Learn to be an Adventure Tourism professional from our highly skilled instructors who work in the industry, get a season’s pass at Fernie Alpine Resort as part of your tuition, and gain university credits toward a degree in Adventure Tourism. This program has it all.

Program Structure:

• 38 of 48 Credits are required for the MAST Certificate
• There are no extra charges for elective courses
• There are no discounts or refunds from tuition fee if students choose not to take elective courses

Required Courses:

Elective Courses:

_{(no extra charge for electives, no refund if you choose not to take the elective)}

Outdoor Industry Certifications

Canoe Guide Certification

Advanced Tandem Lakewater Paddler

Basic Solo Lakewater Paddler

Tandem Moving Water Paddler 

Swiftwater Rescue Technician 3

Avalanche Skills Training 1

Avalanche Skills Training 2

Companion Rescue

Interpretive Guides Assoc. Basic Knowledge Course

CASI Snowboard Instructor Certification

CSIA Ski Instructor Certification

Wilderness First Responder Certification

Occupational First Aid

View official program outline.

Required Courses

Choose one (1) of the following:

Elective Courses:

Notes:

• No extra charge for electives, no refund if you choose not to do elective.
• 38 of 48 Credits required for Full Certificate Credential Program

Choose one (1) of the following:

Choose one (1) of the following:

Academic Requirements:

• Secondary school graduation or equivalent.
• Minimum 65% in either English 12, English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, ENGL 090, or equivalent.

Non-Academic Admission Requirements:

• 19 years or older as of September 4th, prior to program beginning.
• Completion and submission of MAST Program Admissions Package, which includes a letter of interest, a resume, a reference letter from employer or educational instructor, the MAST Application Questionnaire, the MAST Ski Ability Policy and Agreement, the MAST Physical Fitness & Abilities Agreement, the MAST Medical History Questionnaire, and the MAST general program waiver, and
• •Students will be required to sign a general program release and waiver form before attending any outdoor activity.

How to Apply

Application Deadline is July 31. Applications from qualified students are processed on a first come, first served basis. Do not delay submitting your application.

To apply for entry in the MAST program please complete the following steps:

1. Review the Admission Requirements:

You must be 19 years or older as of September 1 and have completed Grade 12 or equivalent, or have permission from the Program Coordinator. You must also be physically able to accomplish the tasks of the program.

2. Apply online:

Apply online through the EducationPlannerBC (EPBC)’s application service.

• Enclose your secondary school transcript
• Enclose the $30 application processing fee ($100 if you are an International Student)
• Letter of reference from employer or educational instructor
• Handwritten or typed letter describing yourself, your interest in the MAST program and your past experience and future plans in the adventure tourism industry
• Resume
• MAST Questionnaire
• Release and Waiver
• Medical Form – MAST
• Skier Ability Information

 3. A non-refundable commitment fee of $250 is required.

You are given details for this payment in your letter of acceptance. Tuition installment and deadlines will be detailed in your letter of acceptance.

Season’s Pass at Fernie Alpine Resort included in tuition. We offer more skills courses included in tuition than any other Adventure Program!

Tuition includes:

• Group equipment – tents, ropes, rafts, canoes, kayaks, cooking equipment (except as noted on personal equipment list)
• Transportation and accommodation during out-trips
• Textbooks for core courses
• Season pass at Fernie Alpine Resort
• Free access to Fernie campus climbing gym and computer lab

Tuition and Fees:

Tuition and Fees for International Students:

_{*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.}

Additional Student Costs:

• Personal equipment (see list below)
• Out-trip food and equipment rental. Students are responsible for food and personal costs during out-trips.
• Lodging in Fernie and personal expenses. The MAST program is based in Fernie, BC. There is no College residence available.

Equipment Requirements

The following personal equipment list is required by all MAST students. This equipment will, with care, last for years. Students may wish to delay purchase of equipment until program confirmation.  For good advice and introductory product knowledge check the ‘LEARN’ heading on the MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop) web site..

Camping and Hiking Gear needed by September 1

• Mountaineering boots suitable for use with crampons (can be rented)
• Good quality hiking boots for off trail serious mountain terrain
• Down jacket, Down booties with winter use covers (a true luxury)
• Head lamp, water bottle, camp eating utensils, bowl etc.
• Compass with sighting mirror, adjustable declination and clinometer. Recommended models: Suunto MC-2 (G-Global or NH-Northern Hemisphere), Silva 16DCL or Silva Expedition S
• Outerwear, Gortex jacket and pants, soft shells and/or equivalent, lightweight and packable
• Sun hat, toque, leather-palm winter ski gloves
• Sunglasses and goggles (UV blocks)
• Socks plus spares (wool or synthetic or blend, no cotton)
• Insulative layers (polypro underwear, fleece, etc.) (no cotton)
• Personal outdoor clothing (quick dry pants, all weather clothing) (no cotton)
• Four-season sleeping bag (at least -18’C)(down is lighter and packs smaller)
• Sleeping pad or Thermarest (ultra light model suitable for winter camping)
• Multi day pack >70 litres
• Day pack 40 litres – suitable to strap skis or snow board to with waist and sternum straps
• Gaiters – waterproof-breathable fabric, loose fitting, big enough for hiking and mountaineering boots.
• Bear Spray and Holster
• Watch – with alarm for field courses

Ski Touring Gear needed by November 1

• Skis (recommended 90-105 mm waist, not twin tip) 
• Back country touring bindings (recommend new Fritchi or Dynafit) or Telemark set up or Split Board with touring specific bindings and 3 segment collapsible ski poles
• Ski Touring boots suitable for bindings (should have vibram sole and excellent walk mode)
• Ski helmet
• Touring / Climbing skins
• Avalanche probe (minimum 280 cm) CM markings, metal avalanche shovel – large blade
• Digital (3 antennae) avalanche  transceiver 

Rock Climbing Gear needed by September 1

• 12m of 7 mm accessory cord 
• One long sewn sling (runner): (120cm long)   
• 5m 1″ tubular climbing webbing
• Rock climbing shoes – snug but not painful
• Climbing helmet 
• Climbing harness (with adjustable legs for winter use)
• Four locking carabiners (one locking pear shaped auto locking, triple action gate)
• Four non-locking carabiners – identical – and not bent gate
• Belay device (suitable for a variety of rope sizes)

Whitewater Rafting/Canoeing/Kayaking Gear needed by April

• PFD (Personal Floatation Device – Rafting/Canoeing specific – rescue model preferred)
• Wet suit (3mm farmer john) and dry top (at minimum)  or Dry Suit (recommended)
• 3mm Neoprene: gloves, socks, beanie and booties (good quality with strong sole)
• Whitewater helmet
• Accessories: whistle, water knife, throw bag

Note:

• This list does not include standard academic items such as texts, writing materials, etc.
• This list refers only to technical equipment; clothing and other daily necessities are not included.
• Students are urged to consider the most cost effective equipment purchases. Look for sale items, phone several shops and talk to experienced sales people.
• Students will be required to have a personal laptop.

Graduation Success Stories

2019 Stories and Testimonials

MAST Student Amy Twigge fulfills lifelong dream. Published by Fernie Fix Magazine
Read about how Amy has taken the time to learn to play again.

MAST Student has article published in Fernie Fix Magazine
Read about the program from Charlie’s perspective.

2018 Stories and Testimonials

MAST Students Develop Best Practices
Out There Outdoors featured an article written about our MAST students developing best practices guidelines for tree well Incidents. Read article.

Meet Your Instructors:

Experienced guides and instructors ensure you are learning the most professional skills at the current standard. You will receive personal contact with professionals who are out there making a living in the business of Adventure Tourism.

Sarah Osberg – Program Coordinator/Instructor

Lee-Anne Walker – Masters of Environment and Management

Lee-Anne owns and operates Fernie Nature Tours where she shares her passion for all things wild and roots to our past. She is an environmental educator with Wildsight and has taught natural history and environmental stewardship with MAST since the programs inception. In 2009 she completed her MA in Environment and Management. Her goal is to change the world, one mind at a time.

Blair Craig and Lynn Muller

Blair and Lynn own and operate Canyon Raft Company, the first raft company to be based out of Fernie. Blair and Lynn have extensive experience on wild rivers all over BC. Blair is a provincial examiner for the BC Raft Certification process and a Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. In winter Blair is the Snow Cat Operations Manager at Fernie Alpine Resort. They have been involved with the MAST program for 15 years.

Beth Gallup – Entrepreneurship Instructor

Beth has made a career of bringing new ideas to life. Her strengths include coaching students and consulting clients through the practical steps required to connect services and products with realistic markets. She prioritizes cash flow, knows how to communicate value to investors, customers, and company teams.

Her experience includes managing, founding and owning more than one outdoor adventure business.  Beth has an MBA in New Venture Development. In addition, she studied at the European Summer School for Advanced Management. Beth is endlessly curious and a serial entrepreneur.

Roger Warnatsch – Canoe Instructor

Roger’s passion is river canoeing, exploring rivers from Southern California to the Northwest Territories, appreciating the importance of the canoe to Canada’s history and also expanding the boundaries of how people normally think of canoeing. He is a Master Instructor and the Instructor coordinator with the Recreational Canoe Assoc. of BC and is dedicated to river conservation. He and his wife Allyson have been teaching with the MAST program since 2009.

Rick Emmerson – ACMG Ski Guide

Rick is an ACMG Ski Guide and has been guiding with Island Lake for the past 10 seasons. Rick has been skiing and climbing the Fernie backcountry for many years. Rick holds his Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2 Forecaster and is a professional member. Known for his excellent teaching and knowledge, Rick is an asset to the MAST program guiding staff.

Eric Ostopkevich – ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide

Eric graduated from the MAST program in 2001 and is now a heli ski guide with Mica Heli out of Revelstoke. Eric is a passionate educator who enjoys giving back to the MAST program where he got his start in Adventure Tourism.

Steve Kuijt – ACMG Ski Guide

Steve has worked with the MAST program for many years and is a passionate guide who ensures students understand their mountain environment. Steve is a guide/instructor for the Alpine Hiking, Avalanche Skills and Ski touring courses.

Mike Stuart – ACMG/IFMGA Mountain guide

Owner of Canadian Alpine Guides has been working with the MAST program for over 10 years. Mike instructs the Mountaineering, Rock Climbing and Ski Touring courses. He enjoys the enthusiasm of the students as well as mentoring them through their introduction to mountain sports.