Those Who Can, Teach: How to Land the Best Summer Job at Whistler Bike Park

Ever wondered how to skip the line-up on Opening Day at Whistler Bike Park? Or wanted to get paid to ride the world’s best trails all summer? These are just some of the perks included in the annual Peak Leader’s Instructor Academy, Whistler Blackcomb’s main source of qualified and competent mountain bike guides. At the beginning of the summer season, the Peak Leaders crew bring in the latest round of recruits from all over the world for an intensive 3 week training program to develop each member from an amazing rider into an amazing instructor for Whistler Bike Park.

Peak Leaders have been training guides in mountain sports since 2000, giving those who attend their courses not only the internationally recognized qualifications they need, but also the access to the industry they want. From skiing and snowboarding fresh powder in resorts across the French Alps, Switzerland, New Zealand, Argentina, Austrian and Banff, to the XC and DH mountain bike trails of Canada’s west coast, Peak Leaders are an accredited Institute of Leadership and Management Training Centre, ensuring that their guides finish the course with the ability to confidently teach and lead their clients in any situation. Mountain bike guiding was a natural progression from the previously winter-orientated UK and France based company, and they soon began producing the best prepared guides. The Whistler Bike Park Instructor Academy now acts as a hiring camp for the mountain, as well as a development program for those choosing to use their qualifications elsewhere.



The three week camp is more comprehensive than any other mountain bike instructor’s course around. While some offer similar qualifications, the duration and location of the camp gives the Peak Leaders and their instructors the competitive edge needed to produce such high quality guides. If students can supply their own bikes and ability to ride, the course includes everything else, from accommodation, food, workshop and a season’s pass. Although this would be expected for the $4813 cost of the course, Mountain Host Supervisor Mike, and instructors Duncan and Dahj provide exclusive access to riding tracks that are off-limits to the public, industry hook-ups, extreme disc golf, and fiery BBQ’s. The instructors have been around Whistler for years, instructing snowboarding and skiing in the winters, and biking in the summers, and know all the trails and hidden gems.

Once everyone has arrived in town, bikes are built, drinks are had, and the exchange of riding stories begins. The course kicks off like any other with a briefing about the usual house rules: cleanliness, bear awareness and warnings about the old, naked hot tub guy next door. A huge chalet provided by Bear Back Biking becomes home to 16 riders, with spacious rooms, two decks, a hot tub and a fully pimped workshop, with plenty of tools and secure storage for everyone’s pride and joy. Did I mention that they also have an in-house team that provides hot breakfasts, dinners at the end of a long day on the bike, AND they do everyone’s washing? Participants fly in from all over Canada and as far as India, Australia, and the UK to live and learn the ways of Whistler and its bike park. Each rider was dedicated enough to endure the overwhelming smell of their fellow rider’s feet at the end of the day, and was stoked with their temporary home.


Although Whistler needs no introduction, the group still get one. The first week includes time to become orientated in Whistler, with advice on setting up bank accounts, housing and cell phones to be ready for the season ahead. Dahj helps out with any questions, and educates everyone on all things Disc Golf (or Frolf/Frisbee golf, depending on where you’re from) – his expertise on Frisbee selection is serious stuff, but comes free of charge.



The IDP Level 1 is the first qualification the group gains, which involves the breakdown of basic skills and maneuvers, preparing guides for taking inexperienced park riders up the mountain. Neutral stance, braking and cornering sound like a breeze? Don’t be fooled, this was a challenge for many, and everyone learned something about their abilities to instruct and demonstrate to others. Important aspects of teaching such as terrain selection, gear inspection and rider assessment become engrained in guides’ practice to limit potential issues before sessions even begin. As a reward for all the hard work, the snow finally melted and Opening Day arrived. Unlike the devoted few who slept overnight waiting to be first in line, the group shows up at 10:10am and skips the cue; there is the slightest pang of guilt as they bypass the masses, but it’s all in the name of education right?



With a shiny new season's pass, the weekend is left free to shred the park, as long as everyone is still in one piece come Monday morning. Week two explores something that most courses rarely touch on: gaining clients’ trust and understanding the psychology of different learners. From seemingly minor details such as stance, to the describing words used when relaying information to clients, these all play a major part in the outcome of a session. Mike Johnstone’s extensive knowledge in this area will help guides understand why telling clients “don’t grab a handful of front brake, you’ll go flying over the bars” is not going to put them into a positive mindset. Using a variety of sales techniques, everyone discovers how to build rapport with clients and gain more work. In preparation for the season ahead, they get to know exactly what belongs in a guide’s backpack for anything from mechanicals to emergency scenarios, and the expectations of a work bike – do be prepared for some harsh realities that race-light components may not be suitable for on-the-job riding. The week wouldn’t be complete without some charades and blind obstacle course navigation to hone in on communication skills, with plenty of laughs and banter as the crew try to break down their own skills and styles into more user-friendly demonstrations.



The third and final week arrived, not without casualties, as a combination of excitement and weariness got the better of a couple of the boys. Despite the first aid training, it seems only the local nightclubs could provide the healing vibes required. With the focus on more advanced trails, the IDP Level 2 requires the ability to teach high speed cornering, jumps and drops on the blacks and double blacks within the park. This course is aimed at the progression of everyone’s riding, as well as learning the safest and most efficient methods to instruct others. In addition to the many hours spent riding, there is of course the theoretical component (complete with a whiteboard and textbook), with evening sessions designed to break down the techniques that may have become automatic so that guides can properly explain a skill step-by-step for clients. The course involves highly specific training to Whistler Bike Park, whilst encompassing skills that are easily transferred to instructing elsewhere.





In addition to the mileage on the bikes through Whistler’s amazing downhill and XC trails, the occasional evening sessions cover everything from suspension set-up, biomechanics, to realistic expectations on surviving the season. At times it seemed like too much fun to be training for a job, but Duncan, Mike, and Dahj emphasise the importance of keeping bikes - and bodies - in the best condition, all summer long. Though many have tried, it is not ideal to survive on beer and Fat Tony’s pizza alone. It is important to note that, while there is plenty of work during the peak of summer and especially when Crankworx rolls into town, do be prepared for perhaps a month or so of shadowing other guides and inconsistent paid work. Those who survive the season without major injury or incident are typically welcomed back the next year.




This is a job interview unlike any other. Instead of walking into an interview and being asked about strengths and weaknesses, the instructors will discover them (and quickly!). Through the way each member of the group communicates and rides, everyone is tested. The guys sitting around the dinner table are the ones who decide who will work alongside them, and represent Whistler Bike Park. The knowledge that the instructors have between them is worth the trip to Whistler in itself, with their experience and knowledge about not only guiding, but the industry, the most reliable gear, and tricks of the trade.



The Peak Leader’s Instructor Academy has something for everyone, whether it is a job in Whistler, or taking those new IDP qualifications back to the local trails; they’ve got the contacts, and pride themselves on a 100% pass rate. Though many went in with little expectations other than riding and getting a job, all were pleased with the quality and content of the course, and all that it involved. While there are other mountain biking courses, Whistler Bike Park’s Program Manager, Tom, confirms “no other course will better prepare you for this job”, as the instructors who have since passed their IDP Level 1 and 2 have gone on to guide anywhere from beginner to advanced riders. For those looking for more comprehensive back-country bike guiding, the upcoming Coaches Camp takes place in July over 5 weeks, encompassing the highly regarded CTC Trail Mountain Bike Leader Award. From July 18th – August 22nd, the Coaches Camp includes the Instructor Academy content, with an additional focus on navigation, risk management and emergency planning beyond the confines and resources of the bike park. Peak Leaders make it stress free to roll into town during the peak of the season, with everything taken care of, while riders enjoy Crankworx (and newly renovated accommodation), progress their skills, and do what they do best – ride!

www.peakleaders.com
bike.whistlerblackcomb.com

Photo's: Matt West and Andrew Purvis

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