Upcoming Trips and Courses

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  • AST1 Washington - for Skiers and Boarders

    Looking to ride in the backcountry this winter? Avalanche Skills Training 1 (AST1) is an introductory...

    8 SPOTS LEFT
    Dec 27 - 28, 2025
    TRIP INFO →
  • AST+ Theory to Practice - Mount Washington

    Taking the step from AST1 to touring in the backcountry can be daunting. AST+ bridges the gap from...

    5 SPOTS LEFT
    Dec 29, 2025 (day trip)
    TRIP INFO →
  • Intro to Touring

    Spend an enjoyable day with one of our instructors and gain experience moving through untracked...

    2 SPOTS LEFT
    Jan 2, 2026 (day trip)
    TRIP INFO →

Acknowledgement

We at Island Alpine Guides are grateful for the privilege to live, work and play on the unceded, traditional territories of the First Peoples listed below, who have been the stewards of these lands for millennia:
 
Da’naxda’xw, Ahousaht, Scia'new, Ditidaht, Cowichan, Ehatteshaht, Gwa'sala-Nakwaxda'xw Band, Halalt, Heiltsuk, Hesquiaht, Homalco, Hupačasath, Huu-ay-aht, K'ómoks, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h', Klahoose, Kwakiutl, Kwiakah, Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwaw-ah-mish, Lyackson, Malahat, Mamalilikulla-Qwe'Qwa'Sot'Em , Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Namgis. Nanoose, Nuchatlaht, Nuxalk, Pacheedaht, Pauquachin, Penelakut, Qualicum, Quatsino, Snuneymuxw, Songhees, Stz'uminus, T'Sou-ke, Tla'amin, Tla-o-qui-aht, Tlowitsis, Toquaht, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseshaht, Tseycum, Uchucklesaht, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum.

Important - Please Read

All Island Alpine Guides courses and trips take place in an outdoor, wilderness environment. This means that as a participant you will be encountering various risks, dangers, and hazards, some of which include avalanches, cornices, crevasses, cliffs, trees, creeks, rockfall, difficult travel conditions, weather, illness, equipment failure, wild animals, becoming lost as well as the possibility of mistakes being made by IAG guides and instructors.

To participate in these activities you will be required to read and agree to our waivers as part of the registration process. You will also be required to sign the waivers at the start of the course or trip. In doing so you will waive or give up certain legal rights including the right to sue or to claim compensation following an accident.

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Testimonials

I truly had a great day with Ken and the group learning about avalanches and rescue. He made sure everyone was taken care of, the gear was working, he gave us breaks to drink water or snack, and that we would warm up by moving or doing activity if...
Lewis W, Courtenay » AST1 Washington - for Skiers and Boarders
Course was awesome! Exceeded my expectations and then some. Ken was such an awesome guide. His approach to teaching was perfect. He made you think and process yourself but was there with guidance when you needed a hand. I will definitely recommend...
David Leith, Campbell River » Mountain Skills Fly-In
The introduction to lead climbing course was a learning experience of a lifetime. The teaching was superb and brought the best out of me at a pace that was suitable to my needs and compatible with my goals. Perhaps most importantly, it challenged...
Michelle Hawkins, Courtenay, BC » Learn to Lead Trad