Program Reviews

Looking through options for gap year programs in Banff was difficult due to amount of programs there were, eventually I settled on the Timberline 12 week program and I can safely say its has been the best decision of my life and worth every penny. I have gain life long friends from all around the world, friends who I hope to visit in future. I have grown as a person as a result of the program, being able to independently live with some of the best roommates I could of asked for in accommodation that so much better than other programs. Timberline facilitates a locally operated program with staff that know you by name as soon as you meet them, the support team they have is fabulous and I can't thank them enough, they go out of their way to make you feel comfortable and enjoy your stay in Banff. The social aspects of the program are awesome, you meet like minded individuals who all have a passion for skiing and snowboarding, go out most nights or just spending time at others apartment for a movie night or steak dinner was so much fun. You ski almost everyday both with Timberline students on your off days for fun and with the trainings. I progressed so much as a skier learning to ski through trees and mogul terrain (we don't have that in New Zealand) from highly qualified instructors that's are friendly and passionate about what they do. For Skiers I would suggest to get the SkiBig3 pass as it allows you access to Sunshine and Norquay, with Sunshine being a big resort with great terrain and a park that is closer to Banff, and Norquay for park night skiing with your friends. In addition to the skiing trainings you also have trips to other resorts and activities such as a ice climbing, curling, bowling which are so much fun and a good laugh. Overall the experience I've had has been 11/10 and been the best spend of money, I'm sad to have left, but will hopefully be able to return and meet up with some of the great friends I made there. There are a lot of options available for winter program in Banff but Timberline is easily clear of any of the others with better accommodation, better staff who are all locals of the area, a better diversity of people from all over the world, and just in general a good program that is locally operated in Banff Canada. Chose Timberline you will NOT be disappointed.

Now with the level 1 and 2 CSIA qualification that I got during the Timberline program I've been able to get a job as a ski instructor in Australia this season which I'm looking forward too.

Throughout my time with Timberline I was fortunate to be in a course with an incredible bunch of people whom I’m looking forward to staying in touch with. Our instructors were thorough and attentive as well being generally good fun and definitely were a great addition to the experience. Our housing was very well equipped, comfortable and any hiccups that occurred were dealt with accordingly which was great. I’m so thankful to all the staff at Timberline who were an active part of our experience and looking forward to coming back in the future. Thanks for all !

Easily the best 3 months of my life. Beautiful scenery, amazing skiing, and most importantly great people.

If you're considering a gap-year program, I can only speak highly about Timberline and Lake Louise. The on-snow programming is really good, and whether you want to become a ski instructor or just improve your skiing, you will be satisfied with the instruction. For both the CSIA 1 and 2 exams we were all well prepared and breezed through them. There's also a variety of programming offered outside of Lake Louise, like avalanche safety training/intro to backcountry skiing, ice climbing, curling, hiking and day trips to Kicking Horse and Panorama.

What really makes this program stand out compared to the numerous others in the area is how hands-on and helpful the staff are. They are truly there from your arrival in Calgary to the final sendoff in Banff.

Finally, the people are what made this such an awesome experience. With the way the accommodation and programming are set up, you spend virtually all day, every day with the other people on the program. I made some great friends from all around the world and I can't wait to see them all again.

Choosing Timberline do to my ski instructors course during my gap year was one of the best decision's I had made. The level of support in the wellbeing and mental health side of it from the Timberline team was so good and persistent and they had really made a conscious effort to make sure everyone was getting the best Canadian experience. Whether it be a little chat in the local coffee shop to see how your week has gone or a little more support due to homesickness, the staff were always there to support you. No matter how big or small your problem was, you had the help you needed any time. I think what makes Timberline different from all the other ski companies in Canada which are largely British, is that they really do emphasise on the importance of Canadas history to us students with who's land who were on which was offered as an academic class on Wednesday afternoons. Whether you're a current or ex timberline student, the team will always be there for you whether you'll need advice in your next winter season. That's a really important aspect of timberline compared to other companies because you know you can trust them and always have their support.

I had a great time in Banff, I loved living with people from all over the world and learned a lot from it. Skiing almost every day gave me a perfect structure. It was an ideal balance between skiing and going to bars and clubs. You had the freedom to do almost everything you would like to do. The housing was really nice. I would recommend everyone to do this program.

Timberline provided the most amazing experience and I recommend this course to anybody looking for a fun, educational experience making lifelong friends and learning new skills!

Before even arriving in Banff, I had advice with my visa, an understanding of the structure of the course and what to expect when moving to Canada. We had access to support all day, everyday and if we ever needed help it was only ever a text or phone call away. Our training and exams were all taken care of, and Timberline always supported us and celebrated us along our journey. As someone with little skiing experience when joining this course, the family-feel of Timberline was so encouraging and positive and Banff soon felt like a home. As well as developing my skiing skills and working in an amazing, family friendly resort, Timberline also provides photography classes, leadership exercises and education into the indigenous history of the area. The talks we attended were very insightful and we met some really interesting people. The social events provided were such a great way to make friends and also experience life in Banff. In addition, the trips to other resorts provided by Timberline were some of my favourite days over the course.

Thank you for it all Timberline!

Timberline provided me with a once in a lifetime experience. I met people who will be in my life for a long time and explored places I hadn’t been exposed to before, it was an incredible opportunity to be working and living in the mountains and something I will never forget. Working as a ski instructor was brilliant, there was such a great group of people working alongside me and teaching was a very rewarding and positive experience. The staff are all amazing people and provided me with a really solid foundation, always going out of their way to help if need be. Banff will always be another home thanks to Timberline and I would recommend this experience to anyone looking for a great adventure with even better people.

The best experience you could wish for . The support before I left was first class and continued throughout my time in Banff . I have made some amazing new friends, lived in one of the most beautiful places I have been and got qualified as a snowboard instructor. Who could ask for more ! I also obtained extra skills; first aid , avalanche training etc which is what made the real difference. The support from the Timberline community was exceptional and is what really made the difference. The work was so rewarding and I will most definitely be back . Great company !

Amazing time living in banff for 7 months, made so many new life long friends from all around the world, also made real progress in ski/snowboarding ability. a lot of super cool trips across the whole season, touring days, glacier hikes, museums, canyons, the whole lot. as a brit i got to experience my first ice hockey game which was entertaining to say the least. if only groceries weren't so expensive in banff i would have nothing to complain about otherwise! working as an instructor at norquay was the most fun job i've ever had!

Timberline program was one of the best experiences of my life where I made many friends and got to experience so many new things. The program itself was brilliant, I learned about Banff and its history and the harsh mountain environment that we encountered everyday in Banff. We got our instructor qualifications where were taught by some of the best skiers in the world and some of the best resorts in the world are less than an hour away. I really enjoyed timberline academy and I highly recommend.