Ice Instructor Course

Letter from Dale Remsberg, Alpine Discipline Coordinator, regarding the Ice Instructor Course and its implementation

The AMGA has decided on how to integrate the Ice Instructor Course(IIC) into our alpine program. This letter summarizes when students currently in our alpine program and those who will start it soon need to take the IIC. With all the considerations below keep in mind that all students will need to complete the IIC before taking an Alpine Guide Exam (AGE) in 2014.

• Students who took an Advanced Alpine Guide Course (AAGC) course in 2009, or earlier, but have yet to take the AGE, do not need to complete the IIC as long as they complete the AGE before the end of 2013. Starting in 2014 even these students, if they have not taken the AGE, will need to complete the IIC before taking the AGE.
• Students who took the AAGC in 2010 will be allowed to take the IIC before or after the AGE. However, it is highly recommend that these people take their IIC prior to the AGE as it will better prepare them for the exam. Another option for these 2010 AAGC graduates is to test out of the IIC by taking a two-day ice assessment.
• Students who plan to take the AAGC in 2011 or 2012 need to take the IIC, but may take it before or after the AAGC. However the IIC must be taken before the AGE. In 2013 all students must complete the IIC before taking the AAGC.

By 2013, the goal is to eliminate three days from the AGC and the AAGC combined.

At the moment three venues will be used for the IIC: North Conway, Ouray and Canmore, Alberta. Please check the 2011 schedule to find a date that works for you. In the future we will try and add more venues like Lilloett, British Columbia and possibly the Sierra and Cody Wyoming. Permits are often the road block to new areas, but we are always trying to obtain new ones.

There will be three scheduled Ice Instructor Courses this winter so start thinking about sharpening your tools and filling those thermoses.

Cheers,
Dale Remsberg IFMGA/AMGA Mountain guide and Alpine Discipline Coordinator