Timberline Academy - Ski & Snowboard Instructor Programs

As a parent of two kids who participated in Timberline programs, I can't recommend it enough. One of my sons completed the two-year Outdoor Adventure Guide program, and the other did the Winter Skills Internship program - and it was just the right thing for them both.

My older son went with the intention of doing a gap year and stayed for the two-year program. While in the program, he worked as a ski instructor and a via ferrata guide, in addition to all of the Timberline training and expeditions. He has now lived in Alaska for the past 3 years, working as a ski patroller in the winter, and a glacier hiking guide in the summer. Timberline gave him the confidence and training he needed, and fueled his love of the outdoors, allowing him to turn it into a lifestyle he loves.

Just this past winter, my younger son completed the internship program and worked as a ski instructor, while learning skills and earning certifications through the program. Timberline was the perfect reset for him after high school, and he is now prepared and excited to start college in the fall, armed with a new set of skills and self-assuredness.

Though pursuing different paths, they both got a fantastic foundation at Timberline, and made lifelong connections. The growth we saw in both of them was incredible. Timberline offers an on-your-own type experience for their students, but with a safety net of a team always there to help. They live in apartments with other students, cooking their own meals and adulting. And the fact that it's all in Banff - what more can you ask for?

I would (and have) whole-heartedly recommended Timberline to any parent with a kid who loves the outdoors.

Timberline gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. Banff is a place that a very select group of people have been able to call home, and due to Timberline, I am now one of those people. The Timberline staff is well aware of the struggles you will face when moving to a new place, and in my case, a new country. They make sure you're set up with everything from good housing to things that you may not have thought of, such as a Canadian bank account or even getting you in the door as a local with businesses in the area. Banff is an insanely special place, with equally special people, and Timberline ensures you get to live that experience to the fullest.

This was an amazing experience to work on one of the great ski hills in Canada. The support through the application and visa process was very smooth. Collection and meeting James and my classmates at the airport made settling in very easy. The course was well structured and interesting. The variety and number of add on courses meant it could be tailored to any individuals needs. The skiing support and training was excellent. I was able to progress and pass my level 1 and level 2 CSIA exam with the support and training. The ski school was friendly, flexible with schedules and communicated clearly with me. They were long days but I was able to earn enough money from skiing to enjoy my season. Banff was a great town to spend the season in, big enough to provide enough variety but also small enough to know a lot of people and see friends regularly.

As a mature aged student I was worried that I wouldn’t fit in but the Timberline team created such a wonderful inclusive environment that all nationalities skiing ability and ages etc are welcomed. I have made several lifelong friends. The on snow tuition was excellent. I also really enjoyed the classroom component and social activities which included hikes, ice skating, hockey games, bowling. I absolutely loved the day trips to Kickinghorse and Panorama. Our accomodation was super cosy - genuinely felt like home.

I had an amazing experience at Timberline Academy in Banff as part of a ski and snowboard instructor program.

I came to Canada as a confident skier however due to signing up late I was part of the snowboard internship at Lake Louise. Having only snowboard a couple of times I was a little anxious. Timberline staff were super supportive and insured I got a couple of days of private tuition before joining the rest of the group. We then spent a few weeks training with amazing instructors at Lake Louise until we passed our level 1 and were able to start work. I then went on to get my level 1 and 2 on skis and was able to teach both! We would work 6 days a week the majority of the season, so it is hard work! However, I thoroughly enjoyed working at Lake Louise Snow School and think the experience and opportunity is invaluable.

We got the opportunity to go on day trips to other resorts, this was a great way to see a bit more of the Rocky Mountains without having to sort the logistics! Some of us also chose to participate in the opportunity to go heli skiing. Which was an unforgettable experience!

One of my reasons for choosing timberline over other gap programs was the opportunity to ski tour. Everyone in the program got there AST 1 and many of us chose to go on to get AST 2 as well. We also got to go touring with the second years. It was great to gain experience in the backcountry in such a safe environment.

The accommodation really elevated the experience. My house (and all timberline accommodation) is within a few minutes walk of the centre of town. This is such advantage of timberline as it really helps you get involved with the community and the town of Banff. In addition it is super helpful after a night out!

Another benifit of timberline was the people. There was about 1/3 brits, 1/3 Americans 1/3 Canadians. There were also a handful of people from other countries! This was really nice as a lot of the gap year programs are only one or 2 nationalities, a lot of British people!

Timberline is a great opportunity to meet likeminded people who love being outside and in the mountains. I made lifelong friends during my 6 months in Banff and I am counting down the days until I can see them again!

Overall, I can’t recommend it enough—it’s a truly transformative experience!

There’s no denying that doing all the qualifications Timberline offers you yourself would be cheaper. However, the program gives you amazing training and helps you make unforgettable friends in the industry.

If you don’t have much in savings be prepared to work an extra job since the cost of living in Banff can be quite expensive.

It’s hard to beat the feeling of waking up every day in such a unique place and looking around in awe of these huge rocky giants that have been around forever.

Thanks Timberline!

Timberline was a big step for me, I had been a pretty anxious kid, and I’d never been away from home for more than 3 weeks my whole life. I went into it feeling pretty excited, but skeptical that I would be able to truly thrive, being so far away from home. Within the first week my entire reality had shifted, to a place of calm, and my mental state was like nothing I had ever experienced. I felt truly calm, and excited for what the future held, rather than fearful of the unknown. Being in BANFF absolutely blew my mind—the community there was so strong, and I quickly found people who I felt happy with. And this was all before I even went skiing. After a few days, we had our first day on the mountain, and being someone who had never skied out west before, I am being serious when I say it was like nothing I had ever experienced. The terrain, the space, the sheer scale of the mountain was so far beyond my highest expectations, and every day there for the next three months felt just as incredible. Coming into the program I considered myself a “decent” skier, and I quickly discovered I didn’t know the first thing about being on snow. The instructors at Lake Louise were all amazing, and I learned so much every single day. Off the mountain things were just as fun. The social scene in Banff was amazing, and the locals were all incredibly friendly and welcoming to me and my group. Other than skiing, we spent time with Timberline learning about the indigenous people who inhabited the lands before us, and I found that to be an incredibly valuable addition to the program. I really enjoyed all of the extracurricular activities that we did and I’m so happy they were included. The Timberline staff were all amazing, and always there to support you if you needed it. Overall, I can certainly say that Timberline was some of the, if not the best three months of my entire life. My only regret is that it wasn’t longer.

At Timberline, James has cultivated a program that is ideal for beginning a career in the outdoors. The staff at Timberline are caring, professional, and deeply knowledgeable in their fields. Beyond the staff, they have created a program that taps into the extensive network of professionals in Banff and the Bow Valley, giving you the opportunity to connect with them. In addition to their professional expertise, they are genuinely invested in the well-being of their students. The time spent housing students according to their best fit, connecting them with local resources like food banks and job centers, and organizing social events such as hockey games, dinner parties, photoshoots, and ceremonies is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Banff with Timberline and am grateful for the opportunity I had to connect with students of similar interests and to further develop my career goals. I would highly recommend it to anyone even slightly considering embarking on such a journey.