Location
  • Canada
    • Banff
Length
52+ weeks
Financial Support
General grants/scholarships, Work study, Work exchange, BIPOC funding

Program Details

Activities
Backpacking Camping Canoeing Cross-Country Skiing Hiking Ice Climbing Mountain Climbing Rafting Remote Exploring Rock Climbing Skiing Snowboarding
Timeframe
Fall Spring Winter
Housing
Apartment
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
30

Pricing

Starting Price
5000
Price Details
- Local guidance and support
- Certifications
- Employment opportunity
- Training
- Accomodation
- Trips
- Local Timberline Advantage
- Social Events
- Airport Pickup
- Insurance
- Timberline Swag bag
- Equipment consultation
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Some Equipment Park Fees Tour Guide Transportation
Jun 04, 2023
Apr 22, 2024
21 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Timberline Canadian Alpine Academy is an outdoor adventure school based in Banff National Park, Alberta. We strive to deliver educational programming that will prepare our students to be both leaders and educators in the adventure tourism industry. We offer programs that range in length from 4 weeks to our 2 year Outdoor Adventure Guide Diploma. We also offer a variety of gap year ski & snowboard instructor courses and internships.

Additionally, we put a strong emphasis on independent and healthy living. As a result, our students are housed in fully furnished apartments and houses in the Banff town centre. We believe that our students should be able to cook, enjoy privacy and have a home while they’re with us here in Banff. No hostels and no hotels.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

We strongly believe in building a more inclusive outdoor community. Timberline Academy recognizes the range of unique experiences held by those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour, in addition to backgrounds that vary by race, ethnicity, religion, and language. Timberline Academy is committed to culturally sensitive forms of support and counselling through tailored mentorship, resources, and cultural awareness initiatives that acknowledge the different experiences of BIPOC participants' wellbeing.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Timberline Academy promotes equal opportunity, respect and success for all participants regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We understand the significance of providing an environment where everyone can thrive authentically and we strive to create a sense of belonging and empowerment within our programs. Community support systems and counselling services are in place at Timberline Academy to ensure participants feel safe and celebrated in their expression of personal identity.

Neurodivergent Support

We recognize that diverse learning styles and perspectives contribute to a rich and vibrant community. Through personalized support, open communication, and a commitment to accessibility, we aim to ensure that neurodivergent participants can thrive in our programs.

Impact

Sustainability

With stunning Banff National Park as our backdrop, our programs are rooted in sustainability. We integrate eco-friendly practices wherever we can and advocate for responsible mountain recreation. Through collaborative efforts, our programs promote environmental stewardship and community engagement ensuring the preservation of Banff's natural and cultural beauty for future generations.

Ethical Impact

We believe that our program participants aren't just participants - they're active community members aware of the role they play in Banff National Park. Timberline Academy prides itself in a program that emphasizes teamwork, community, and environmental stewardship with the ultimate goal of inspiring lifelong connections among participants. This ensures that our presence contributes positively to both individuals and the broader Banff community.

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Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 31 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.8
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 5
  • Value 4.9
  • Safety 5
Showing 25 - 31 of 31 reviews
Default avatar
Lorena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a lifetime

Spending a month at Timberline was one of the best choices I've ever made! This is really an extraordinary experience. The team behind Timberline are some of the most relaxed people I know and also some of the best skiers. They do everything to fullfill every wish. The town the area and the people you meet there are things you'll never forget.
So go and spend your winter in one of the best places to ski with some of the best people you'll ever meet.

52 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Timberline Academy

I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my winter, or a better group of people to spend it with for that matter. James, Brett and Logan would always go out of their way to make sure everyone in the group was happy and everything was running smoothly. With countless day trips to other resorts and additional courses such as wilderness first aid and avalanche training, Timberline really helped me to get the most out of my time in Canada and without doubt, at the first opportunity i get, i'll be straight on a plane back.

53 people found this review helpful.
Peter
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

How you should spend your winter!!!

Deciding to go with timberline was a very easy choice. They help you all the way and make the transition to Canadian living seamless. Brett and James are awesome and super helpful. Had some of the best experiences of my life from skiing steep lines at kicking horse to skiing deep powder at panorama. The accommodation is spot on and I couldn't be happier with the service they have provided so happy I choose timberline
Cheers Boys!!!!

What would you improve about this program?
Honestly there's nothing I would change. :)
57 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Marte
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Banff - the review:

If you're under 25, you need to come to Banff. Right now. The variety of things that Banff has to offer is beyond belief. From hiking to drinking and from skiing the SICKEST runs to realizing your garden is covered in deer droppings.

From day 1 I've felt at home in this town. It's surrounded by gorgeous mountains and filled with welcoming, kind people. It's dynamic and by all means alive.

When it comes to skiing, Banff's also fantastic. As someone who's only skied in Europe, the Rocky Mountains are a whole new world to me. They're rougher, far less crowded, snowier and more pristine. I've never done this many tree runs and ungroomed slopes before, but the groomers here are just as great. It's been heaps of fun so far!

Now that it's clear that you NEED to come to Banff, the question is how and my answer is Timberline.

There's several programs like Timberline available around here, and although I'm not saying they're not good, none of them are just quite like Timberline. Timberline Academy is the only program in Banff that's locally owned and operated (by the legendary James, Brett and Logan). From the first time I spoke to them, they've been super helpful with everything. Their help made moving to Banff possible for me. As opposed to some other programs out here, Timberline actually owns property in Banff, and thus this year's Timberline family lives in an awesome house just 30 seconds from the Ski bus stop, supermarket and Banff Avenue.
James, Brett and Logan are awesome at organizing the best ski/snowboard trips, hockey games, christmas dinners and if necessary.. hospital visits.
Their program has made this season in Banff the best it could possibly be for me. I'm incredibly grateful and overjoyed to be here.

11/10 would recommend.

53 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Richard
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Choice on the Market

In the Banff area I can name at least three other companies that offer similar opportunities to Timberline. I can, without a shadow of a doubt, say that none of them offer an experience quite like Timberlines.

What's stood out for me, is just how personal of an experience James, Brett and Logan have managed to make my gap year. From day one I've felt welcomed and looked after. Weather I've been needing help with sorting out my bank or just looking for the best coffee around Banff (both real examples I promise) James has pointed me in the right direction. That's not to say Logan and The Beez (formally known as Brett) haven't done the same. The Beez is always up for a game of Hockey and some cross country skiing with the Lads (and lasses) and I'll never forget the Christmas dinner Logan served up for us. Moose tastes absolutely amazing by the way.

What I'm trying to say is that Timberlines got heart, something the other companies in Banff lack. So thanks James, Brett and Logan for offering me the time of my life. Cheers.

54 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ben
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Banff, Beezy and Backcountry

From the day I got into contact with James to register my interest on the course we were in constant contact, he was exceptionally helpful in preparing me for my trip to Canada; giving advice on the best insurance, ensuring I had the right equipment, etc. That's really the best thing about the Timberline programme in my eyes, how personal it is in comparison to similar programmes. Before leaving for Canada you've already had a few chats and Skype calls with the guys and by the time they meet you at the airport you already feel like you know them. After hanging out in Calgary and being shown around Banff for a week or so you realise that all the people involved with the programme are really nice, genuine and pretty funny. We've been settled in Banff for over 2 months now but we still see James and Brett (Beezy) all the time for activities/dinners/trips which is a world away from what our friends on similar programmes say about their contact with reps. In fact James and Beezy aren't really like reps, there more like friends who know the best places to eat/drink, take you on awesome trips and invite you over for Christmas dinner. All in all I'm really happy with the programme and I'd definitely recommend it if you want a guaranteed job, a home (as opposed to a hostel) for the season and a load of cool extra perks.

What would you improve about this program?
The Timberline Palace needs a hot tub
50 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Merel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The time of your life

If you have no idea what to do after high school, or what to study next and you want to see the world and explore than the timberline programme is a great opportunity to do that.

Do you love to ski or snowboard and is one week each year to short, take a gap year and travel to Canada where you can ski or snowboard for the whole season and get paid for it!

Why Timberline is different from all the other organisations;
They are far more involved so it makes it more personal. They are always there to help you and make sure you have the time of your life in Canada.
They do a lot more than just garantee you a job as a ski or snowboard instructor and arrange housing. They book trips to other ski resorts so you can see more of Canada. Also you can go ice skating, curling, go on a helicopter tour and so much more. It is not just skiing or snowboarding, they make sure you get the real canadian experience.

So if you like adventures, traveling the world and want to have the time of your life here in Canda I highly recomment the Timberline programme.
-Merel Tuk

57 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers