Whistler Bike Park Coaches Camp 2015

Dec 21, 2014
by Peak Leaders  
Looking to improve your riding and get your career started in the Mountain Bike Industry? Our 5 week course held over July and August is for you. Spend five weeks learning how to shred, as well as getting the skills and knowledge to instruct and coach, all in the most famous bike park in the world!

What training and qualifications do you acquire on this course? Are there any other bike parks that recognize them?
This is one of the most comprehensive Mountain Bike instructing course in the world, with the most respected and useful combination of qualifications offered by any instructor-training course. A large part of this course is focused on gaining the Whistler Bike Park Instructor Development Programme Level (IDP) 2, an instructing certification geared towards ‘gravity fed riding’ which covers technical skills at all levels, jumps and drops. The teaching is led by Mike Johnstone, one of the pioneers of mountain bike instruction. He has been around the globe teaching this program to a whole host of other bike parks, meaning this qualification is soon to be recognized elsewhere.

Whistler Bike Park Coaches Camp

The coaches camp also includes the CTC Trail Mountain Bike Leader Award, a highly respected and well-known qualification for guiding in the UK and the rest of Europe. Both of our courses are so well respected, that they are the main source of new Mountain Bike instructors to Whistler Blackcomb every year. Which means (visa depending) you are looked upon very favourably for a job next season! There will also be some informal talks about maintenance, meaning you can get the most out of your bike by keeping it in tip top shape.

Whistler Bike Park Coaches Camp

What level should your riding be at before you begin the course?
You should feel confident on your bike, but you are not expected to be a double black diamond expert when you start the course. The bike park is one of the best places to help with progression in riding and our coaches are there to help you improve over the five weeks, up to the standard needed to guide!

Whistler Bike Park Coaches Camp

What equipment do you need?
The more suspension the better! As nearly all of your time will be spent in the bike park a DH bike would be ideal, but likewise a 140mm plus 'enduro' trail bike is also fine.

Whistler Bike Park Coaches Camp

What is the accommodation set up in Whistler for the course?
We've landed a fantastic chalet for your stay over the 5 weeks. A short pedal from the lifts and the village, the rooms are comfortable and twin share. We have a workshop area with a bike stand and all the basic tools you'll need (Whistler does tend to take its toll on bikes!). Hot tub, Huge Living Area, Several Open Decks, High speed wireless, Cable TV and phone are in the mix too. Food is provided 4 days a week, and we make sure you get the good stuff needed to keep you going for long days on the mountain! On days off, you'll get a chance to sample loads of the awesome restaurants there are in the village or kick back at the chalet with a BBQ. Our course leader is also on hand over the 5 weeks to get the most out of your stay, helping out with teaching and taking you out on some of the other great things to do in Whistler!

Whistler Bike Park Coaches Camp

What is it like spending the course in Whistler?
Whistler almost needs no introduction. It is the mountain bike mecca for gravity fed riding! The bike park here is world class, and is where you will spend the majority of your time riding. The riding here is so varied and easy to access, you'll get high speed big jump trails to tight and steep technical tracks, as well as everything in between. The grading of the trails from green up to double black also means it is the perfect place to help your progression as a rider! However, if you can drag yourself away from the bike park,the valley trail system is home to one of the largest and best maintained trail networks giving you a chance to earn your descent and tackle some trail riding, whistler style! The MTB festival, Crankworx, is also held during your time with us. This festival over 10 days brings with it some of the best riders in the world and their sponsors, showcasing their skills over a variety of events. The whole village is buzzing during this time and it is an experience not to miss (especially the Red Bull Joyride!).

Whistler Bike Park Coaches Camp

It's not just about the bikes though, there is plenty of other stuff to do in Whistler. Kick back at the lake, spend the evening playing frisbee golf or taking on some treetop ziplines!

Whistler Bike Park Coaches Camp

What are the job opportunities like after the course?
We have partnered with Whistler Blackcomb in order to help recruit guiding staff for the Whistler Bike Park. Once you have successfully completed the 5-week coaches camp you will be looked upon favourably for being offered employment for the following year. To secure summer employment non-Canadian residents need to secure a work visa. If you are offered a job at Whistler Bike Park for the following summer you will also be offered cheap accommodation.

Don't just take our word for it, check out our catch up with some of our graduates from the course this year.

For more information, check out our website.

Ski, Snowboard & Mountain Bike Instructor Courses & Camps
www.peakleaders.com | Tel: +44 (0) 1337 860 079
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Mentions: @peakleaders



Author Info:
peakleaders avatar

Member since Feb 3, 2009
100 articles

65 Comments
  • 36 1
 5 weeks eh? I don't think I'd last. My previous record if 45 minutes before breaking a bone. Thanks though Whistler for making me feel stupid
  • 11 0
 Haha. I lasted 1 hour. Mine was the 6th collarbone break in the first hour of that day.
  • 6 0
 I always get to Whistler and ride really conservatively so I don't break myself off and then I am pissed the whole drive home that I didn't go harder and force myself to go back the next summer and the process repeats itself...
  • 1 1
 @PB
"What level should your riding be at before you begin the course?"

you'll never know what level you are, unless you've try all the available trail .. whenever you hit the dirt, you'll just get it done in next attempt .. until you break some bones, that's your level this time .. and never to forget to come back stronger. CHEERS !!

my 2-cents
  • 1 0
 Hoi orang malaysia.
  • 26 2
 "I like blocking trails, and standing on drops!

I ONLY RIDE PARK"
  • 8 0
 We get the same concerns over the price, and it's worth, every year... Yet.. The real value of this course is also serially explained. Do you get your money back in terms of coaching... Only if you are good at it and get hooked up.. Do you get a life lasting amazing experience whatever You achieve on the course... Yes. Would I do this if I were 20 years younger.. Yes I would. Would I expect a career at the end of it, no I would not. That would be a bonus. Is whistler as good as everyone says, irregardless of ability... Oh yes.. It is. if had the time, and the cash... I cannot think of any better way to spend this sum of money. Do this, if you are thinking about signing up... You should have done so already.
  • 3 0
 Couldn't have put it better myself!
  • 4 0
 Paid the deposit tonight. I think you get a lot for your money. Can't wait for next year
  • 4 0
 Same bro...see you there!
  • 4 0
 Best 5 weeks, transitioning into 2 years ever. There is nothing better than being able to ride your bike in Whistler for a living. Highly recommend for anyone thinking of taking part in this course. www.pinkbike.com/u/peakleaders/blog/graduate-interview-morgan-walker.html?utm_source=facebook.com&amp%3Butm_medium=referral&amp%3Butm_campaign=fb-like
  • 7 1
 have you sold enough, I mean, coached enough biking in the last 2 years to pay off that $7200 course fee?
  • 5 0
 and how much they pay to guide ?
  • 9 0
 The idea of the course, or even coaching, is not too make plenty of money, it's the experience and doing what you enjoy. If you break it down, you get 5 weeks of accommodation, food, for 4days a week, a season lift pass, and get to watch crankwork as well as get qualified. I personally, think it's a good deal
  • 2 0
 But how much
  • 1 0
 enough to pay the bills. wages are above what you'd make in any other service job there, and tips can be impressive, if you are personable.
  • 1 0
 But how much ? Seem Nobody could answer
  • 1 0
 Depends on your experience... as a newly qualified guide taking a basic lesson gets you $15-17 per hour. But this doesn't include tips/staff discounts etc.
  • 4 1
 Pretty sure it s great to be there for 5 week. Not too sure it s worth putting 7000$ to have a job after that. It s bit of a gimmick. Iam sure plenty of people could to the job after a traning of 2 days maybe 4 ? But give away 7000$ to whistler to be a guide this a real joke
  • 2 0
 Each to their own then eh pal Wink
  • 5 0
 Nope you don't have to. Whistler blackcomb offers the coarse's separately and are only 4 days to a week long. bike.whistlerblackcomb.com/camps-lessons/camps/bike-park-academy.aspx
  • 2 0
 much more reasonable!
  • 1 1
 yes and no, yes it's much more easy time wise and being able to get the money to do it, but this is 4 days, the other is 25 plus if you can also ride on the wwekends
  • 2 0
 Yeah this also includes lift ticket for the duration, accommodation, meals, two qualifications and some quality rider coaching to improve your own riding.. I know the price is steep but its not like you aren't getting much for your money!
  • 3 0
 Read through the lines people... the IDP course is Whistler's own program used to train its own staff, so of course it's recognized by Whistler Bike Park! If I was paying all that money, I'd want a cert that's recognized all over the world. IDP & CTC are not... ask any bike park outside of Whistler what those two certs are, and most wouldn't have a clue.
  • 1 0
 Yes, a course created by Whistler Bike park based on legal and operational experience as well as significant experience with rider coaching through all their programs.
can you think of ANY operation that has a higher throughput of riders in coaching scenarios that Whistler?
IDP is also recognized at a number of other bike parks worldwide... like:
Northstar, Trestle, crested Butte, are, Bryce and the rock.
Speak to what you now.
  • 1 0
 Thats not really 'worldwide' recognition is it jonnyboy. Whereas with the UK based CTC quals, I've worked legally in Europe, the Middle East and UK.
  • 1 0
 Nor is the ctc course as you can't use it in the USA or Canada in its own right. Nor does the CTC contain any DH bike park specific content. Fwiw, this course includes content coached by one of the instructors that coaches the instructors to coach the CTC course.
  • 1 0
 2 countries is not even close to being worldwide eh.

You're right though, you can't use the CTC trail leader in the US/Canada so it begs the question as to why its offered here... surely something more relevant would be applicable and would go someway to justify the cost.
  • 1 0
 CTC is offered as bonus course material here because of what you say.... "Always worth backing up these courses with other mountain based qualifications."

You cannot tell me that the experience of working at Whistler isn't a significant plus on your CV if you are looking to work in a mountain bike guide/coach capacity.

It would be great if there was a globally recognized program. However courses are created as fit for purpose for the environment they are being used in so to be able to have a one course fits all would be a monstrous task and probably similar to the amount of time required for the French to qualify for their mountain guide tickets. Imagine the fall out from that.. Bike Village and Trail Addiction may have some idea Wink

CTC isn't going to train you to coach jumps, drops and high speed cornering on a ride, lift, repeat basis and IDP isn't going to train you to map read your way out of the Scottish highlands. BUT, the CTC does have some excellent on trail guiding practices that supplement the 'lift assisted' bike park material that the core IDP course doesn't touch on.
  • 1 0
 Yeah I agree... although the CTC course offered here is not a mountain award. If your working with it in actual mountains you'll be well out of your remit and Mr Insurance won't have your back. www.ctc.org.uk/courses-and-training/faq/terrain-definitions-for-mtb-courses

However this course isn't 'working in Whistler' it is just 'training in Whisler', which won't quite have the same ring on you CV.
Besides I wouldn't consider the CTC trail leader as bonus material- it is very basic... the technical leader award would be far more appropriate.

I am a massive fan of the French guiding scheme, not so much of their blatant and racist elitism and refusal to admit the existence that another country can have similar qualifications... despite signing up to EU legislation that states otherwise. Hence why trailAddiciton are pushing for a change. Smile
Although the Frenchies do have some massive flaws, for example why the hell should I have to be a qualified skier to coach and guide mtb in the Alps?

We can't even agree in the UK to have a standard for mtb coaching/guiding so a worldwide one is impossible. Too many people want a cut and have ulterior motives.

CTC do have a lot of bolt on coaching awards to cater for all kinds of disciplines now though... I've personally don't value these however as all the good coaches I've worked with are good because of their experience not because they've read a book or been told how to do it.
  • 3 0
 Did the course few years ago. Highly recommended but dont expect to be able to backflip after it. We spent a lot of time honing individual skills and learning how to explain them to a "joey". It transformed my riding as in i understood what my bike and body should be doing on different technical sections.

You can be the best rider but not necessarily have the skills to teach or coach. Just be Warned , working the bike park is not gonna make you rich and at times will bore you having to take 8 people down easy does it.
  • 2 0
 I really hate terms like 'joey'. Its quite amazing that its uses is encouraged- so unprofessional to publicly stereotype paying clients that way
  • 3 0
 Is the qualification accepted anywhere else?

" The teaching is led by Mike Johnstone, one of the pioneers of mountain bike instruction. He has been around the globe teaching this program to a whole host of other bike parks, meaning this qualification is soon to be recognized elsewhere. "

So.."no" then?
  • 1 0
 The idp is whistlers own qual, the ctc is a world renowned qualification. The shorter course offers the idp and the second, more expensive course offers both
  • 1 0
 The CTC qual is only the Trail Leader, which is the most basic and only qualifies you to work on fireroad- not singletrack. Its just a weekend course in the UK. then you need do do the Technical Leader to get on the better trails, but even with that one there are altitude restrictions. Always worth backing up these courses with other mountain based qualifications. I've always looked at this course before and whilst it would be an amazing experience I just don't ever see true value for money in terms of what you actually come away with.
  • 7 3
 awesome, so if i want to teach something i already know how to do, 2 hours away from where i grew up, I can call some bloke in scotland and pay him over $5400.
  • 7 0
 I think it's important for a guide or instructor to be trained and certified - I don't think I would pay for a guide service that didn't have qualified people. Are you suggesting that it's not worth it at all? Or, that the cost for being trained is too high?

In the grand scheme of professional certification, the price isn't that high compared to the overhead associated with the program (room and board, facility access, etc).
  • 3 1
 These pro-coaching should exist outside Whistler too ! I mean the "real SGC" concept only exists in Whistler or maybe other bikeparks in Canada, while it's unknown and inaccessible for a very large part of community maybe 90% of us ...
  • 1 4
 what do you mean with pro-coaching @RedBurn?
  • 2 0
 I think he's referring to Summer Gravity Camps and Camp of Champions where professional riders take coaching weeks throughout the season.
  • 1 0
 theres a course i went on in austria which had a pretty high standard... obviously the parks were not as good as whistler though...
  • 1 0
 I have been in camps like this 2 times in germany (Winterberg)
  • 1 0
 Don't do it. You are only making someone else rich. There are much better (less expensive) ways to get your kicks on a resort. After college I decided to not utilize my degree and keep playing... Sold my truck for $10,000 and lived off that for 2 years. I basically wore goggles year-round.
  • 5 2
 after 14 years of straight hockey ive had enough of being coached.
  • 4 5
 Haha its bullshit . The mtb coaching certificate is such bullshit You could take that money live in whistler for the summer and come out way faster You wanna get fast in whistler chase the pro's down the hill Before the bashing on this comment begins I live in whistler
  • 2 1
 Because a coaches camp is clearly targeted at going faster...
  • 3 1
 To do this, or to buy a new 2015 Demo.... which one would be cheaper..?
  • 4 2
 would cost me 20000 to go there and back, seems like i would get a demo
  • 2 0
 6000$?

Damn I hope I could.
  • 2 0
 if I win the lottery i'm doing this.
  • 1 0
 I took the Peak Leaders course in 2011. If anyone has questions about it, feel free to drop me a message.
  • 1 0
 I have only 1.5 years riding experience. Am I adapt for this course? Tks
  • 1 1
 Probably not, but if you've been dirt jumping and racing for that time and showing exceptional skills on a DH bike, then you might be ready to ride at Whistler.
  • 1 0
 For everyone saying they didn't last long at whistler. at least you didn't fall off a bridge like i did.
  • 1 0
 if only I can get visa though Frown
  • 1 0
 I'd like to go either. @quanbing
  • 1 0
 说说而已, 签证都无法搞定
  • 1 0
 GTFO with that chicken scratch
  • 1 0
 Go to the hell....
  • 1 0
 haha sorry
  • 1 0
 Pls santa...







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