Program Reviews

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.

My season in Banff with Timberline Academy was the single greatest experience of my life. James and the rest of the staff welcomed us all like family from the moment we stepped off the plane and throughout our entire stay in Banff. This experience was truly fulfilled by the amazing life-long friends I met and the incredible opportunities that Timberline offered their students. Everything from the accommodations which were right in town, to the ski instructing training and occupation, to the in-class learning of the Banff town/community, to the hands-on snow industry-oriented certifications were absolutely a once in a lifetime opportunity. I will remember my season with all my best friends forever.

I can only give Timberline Academy a five out of five stars. The program provides an excellent introduction to Canada for international students and guests. The Timberline team is incredibly supportive and addresses all questions and concerns promptly. Through the academy, I quickly connected with other young people of the same age, and it didn’t take long for Banff to feel like a new home, all thanks to Timberline. I highly recommend Timberline to anyone looking to spend a binding season in the beautiful Rockies. It is definitely worth every cent. Thank you, Timberline, and thank you, James, for this wonderful and amazing experience.

I had a great time in Banff with Timberline. I hadn't done a ton of skiing before in my life, but I've always loved exploring and the outdoor industry as a whole. I also had never been to Western Canada. When I arrived in Banff, James, the director of Timberline, greeted me personally and sent me to the hotel in Calgary where I met the rest of the staff. Timberline did a great job providing support and guidance, especially in the beginning stages of the program, while still allowing each student complete autonomy. By the end of my first 2 weeks in Banff, I left comfortable and very excited for what was to come. All in all, I can't imagine not having done this program. It was just as fun to ski all season as I had hoped, but the people in the program really made this experience great for me. The town of Banff is a lot of fun, the locals are welcoming and kind, and I will never forget it!

I had an incredible experience, the course was perfectly well co-ordinated. I learn a lot about myself on this experience whilst also put into an environment in which I could learn studies whilst gaining a work ethic and for that I think the experience was remarkable. I managed to make lifelong friends worldwide which I hope to keep in contact with. I tried new experiences which were life changing whilst still being in one of the most beautiful places in the world. I gained so many qualifications which I will be able to take worldwide whilst also improving my resume.

When I joined Timberline I didn't know that I'm going to love it that much. Every coordinator of the team treated me awesome and they made me feel like home even I'm 8000km away from my real one!
I made friends from all around the world and I'm really grateful you run this program.
I m travelling 3 years now and I was struggling to find what I really wanted to do, with Timberline I found a deeper connection with nature that I haven't found anywhere else from the places I have travelled. How can a bird go back to it's cage when it has tasted freedom for the first time? It's very difficult to leave this place and I would love it to make it my new home
From the bottom of my heart,
Thank you

Timberline makes sure you feel like a local in Banff within a couple of weeks. From the supportive staff, to fun ski training, and accommodation that is not only close to the bus stop but also to town there is no other way to make your season in Banff the best it could possibility be. I would recommend to anyone that’s want to be a ski insuctor and get a head start in the canadian outdoor industry. Also you get a job at either Norquay and Lake Louise so you are working right away and teaching lessons.

What an amazing season with the Timberline crew! My fellow students were great to work and learn with, and we had so many memorable times on the snow. The highlight was definitely heli-skiing, but I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Kicking Horse, and all the great backcountry we got to do with the 2nd years and in AST 2 with Cloud Nine. Housing is great, but I know finding additional work for some of the other students was difficult. The staff and instructors are all amazingly helpful and knowledgeable, there isn't much they can't do. Definitely a great program if you want to get into the outdoor adventure industry or guiding. Really loving the whitewater program, and cant wait for another awesome season!

I had a blast with Timberline Academy over the course of three months. The trip will be something I will remember for the rest of my life. The snow was like nothing else in Australia and the team was very welcoming. Definitely the best snow season in my books so far! My skiing improved tremendously over the three months and I learn a lot more about a different culture and country along with all its wildlife and nature. I would recommend it highly for people who are outdoorsy and big into skiing.

From the very beginning getting in contact with the timberlime team about taking part in the program they were abolsutely amazing , the team they have put together is incredible some of the nicest people you will meet , the trainers for the level 1 were very good and guided us into our level 1 csia feeling very confident . The people you will meet on this course will most likely end up friends for life and the memories will be nothing less than incredible , for anyone thinking of this course I couldn’t recommend it enough