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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!).
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!
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
"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
I ONLY RIDE PARK"
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
" 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?
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).
Damn I hope I could.