Ski Guide Course

The Ski Guide Course is the 1st step in the AMGA Ski Program. The Ski Guide Course is designed for skiers who wish to learn the skills and techniques used while instructing and guiding in a non-glaciated, yet possible mountain backcountry setting. The course covers the tools used when guiding and instructing on multi-day ski tours. It also covers management of 3rd and 4th class terrain, technical ascents and descents, management and movement of multiple clients and small team rescues. Emphasis is placed on effectively managing risks and maximizing client rewards. Glacier travel and crevasse hazards and sustained technical mountaineering challenges are generally not covered in this course.

Course Area:

The course will include one or two days skiing at a nearby resort, peak ascents including one bivouac and several nights in huts or ski camping. Course areas often include but are not limited to, the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, Cascades and the Tetons.

Course Length:

The Ski Guide Course is 12-days in length.

Prerequisites for Ski Guide Course:

You are a current AMGA Associate Member.
You have four years of personal ski touring experience, including leading multi-day tours and peak ascents.
Provide a personal ski touring resume showing each of the following:
- 20 different ski tours within the past two years detailed with date(s), specific location, total elevation gain and loss, total horizontal mileage and maximum slope angle.
You are able to ascend and descend on skis an average of 4500 vertical feet per day with little problem.
You demonstrate expert skiing skills and can comfortably ski black and double-black diamond terrain at a level well beyond the average recreational skier.
You must demonstrate the ability to adjust technique to ski in a variety of snow conditions on diverse terrain including long sustained descents up to 50 degrees.
You are experienced with general rope management skills including:
Basic knots and climbing harnesses
Choosing appropriate belay and rappel methods for rock and snow.
You have experience snow climbing with ice axe and crampons and are comfortable with self-belay and self-arrest.
You have basic tour planning skills.
You are able to navigate in whiteout conditions.
You are competent with transceiver use and rescue in multiple burial scenarios.
You have completed an AMGA approved Level II avalanche course.
Provide a copy of current Wilderness First Responder certification or better.
You are at least 18 years of age.

General Guiding Skills taught during the Ski Guide Course:

Overview of AMGA Certification process
Guiding techniques vs. Recreational techniques
Guides Professionalism
Guiding with reference to Leave No Trace
Guiding history in U.S and abroad
Introduction to Time Planning
Guides meeting process
Risk Management planning
Guides auxiliary gear
Rope handling skills

Knots
Friction hitches
Harnesses and improvised harnesses

Guides anchoring skills
Guides belaying techniques
Client Orientation and assessment
Short pitching
Introduction to Short Roping
Rappelling techniques and backups
Lowering techniques
Knot pass and releasable systems
Raising systems
Skiing skills evaluation
Skiing techniques for ski guides

Wedge turns
Wedge Christie turns
Stem Christie turns
Parallel/telemark turns
Dynamic parallel/telemark turns
Hop parallel/telemark turns
Pedal hop turns

Avalanche/snow safety gear
Stability evaluation
Hazard assessment
Uphill guiding
Downhill guiding
Bivouac technique
Transceiver/rescue assessment
Client orientation and preparation
Guide field book methodology
Equipment selection
Time and pace management
Track setting
Rope management
Sled rescue
Evaluating risk management in guiding
Leave No Trace
Review of certification exam testing procedures

Ski Guide Course

Course Area:

Course Length:

Prerequisites for Ski Guide Course:

General Guiding Skills taught during the Ski Guide Course:

Programs

Prerequisites and Goals