Testimonials
Helene provided a fun and safe learning environment and seamlessly connected theory with practical skills. I greatly appreciated the time we took before heading out into the field to examine the avalanche forecast and make a plan, and how Helene would point out meaningful and critical decision making points while we were outside. Great course, highly recommended for anyone after taking their AST1!Kelly, AST+ Theory To Practice - Mount Washington
Testimonials
The course was wonderful in so many ways. Joe is a conscientious instructor who was very in tune with the group's needs as well as individual needs. He was extremely knowledgeable and instructed in a form that was easily received and understood. Safety of all group members and communication was paramount. Joe encouraged group discussion in the field and in the classroom. His vast experience, knowledge and humble demeanour made for an amazing weekend of learning. Not to mention Mother Nature provided us with an ever changing classroom that Joe confidently and safely used to enhance our learning. Thank you for this opportunity. I will be recommending your services to many others.Shauna, AST2
Testimonials
I really enjoyed the course! The instructor was very knowledgeable and good at teaching. I liked the mix of instructional information in the morning to go through ski gear options and the avalanche equipment, followed by practising with the skins on a small slope, and then going up a section of mountain.Jenna, Intro to Backcountry Touring
Mike made this course into a big win considering the lack of snow, boring snowpack, and difficult travel conditions. He has excellent communication skills and was able to listen to and help students find the information they were looking for. I appreciated how Mike was able to bring the concept of leadership and decision making into the course -- exploring human factors, behavioural psychology and group dynamics as an important piece of our time together. Despite poor travel conditions we were able to evaluate and interpret hazards in a variety of terrain with Mike's keen eye and experience. Thanks for an excellent course!Mattias, AST2 Mt. Washington
Cooler temps provided perfect conditions. Our guide’s route and timing were perfect to allow us to maximize vertical. Outstanding day!Jerry, Mount Washington Backcountry Tour
The whole day was awesome. Jan asked what our personal goals were and exceeded all expectations. Not only did we get a ton of good turns in, but we learned more about the area in general. We just moved to the valley and this was the perfect introduction to Mount Washington Slackcountry.Steph, Washy Backcountry Tour
Our guide, Joe, was charming and personable from the moment he rolled up at Mt Washington. I found him very approachable and knowledgeable. I loved the continuous running commentary and found it was helpful, interesting and insightful to understanding his critical thinking and decision making as we made our way through the backcountry. The course content and discussion throughout the day was exactly what I wanted out of the AST+ course. I enjoyed it so much I'm considering signing up for it again before taking my AST2.Anonymous, AST+ Theory To Practice
Testimonials
The course was exactly what my partner and I were looking for. I left feeling very confident in our ability to top rope outdoors. I appreciated Dane's emphasis on safety and always taking the time to explain exactly why a certain technique or tool was the safest option. I also appreciated being given the opportunity to practice certain procedures over and over until comfortable. My partner and I have since purchased all the gear we need ( thanks to Dane's list ) and can't wait to hit up the Crags.Rowan , Intro to Rock 102 - Comox Lake Crags
What went well? Everything. This was the exact course we were looking for and we both came away highly satisfied, full of information, and excited for the number of opportunities around the island that had opened up as a result. We both had done a fair amount of hiking/scrambling in the mountains and rock climbing at the local crags, but were looking to combine the two and learn the systems for moving safely in 4th and 5th class terrain in the mountains. We both came away from the course feeling confident in the systems that were taught and understanding principles for venturing in these situations. Steve was highly knowledgable with the current standard, great at helping us understand the content, and was great to hang out with and hear his stories and anecdotes. He had a great approach to teaching that instilled confidence in a supportive way. Triple Peak was great location because we were coming from the south island, so it saved us a lot of driving time. As always, IAG courses are awesome and I'm looking forward to the next one.Graham, Alpine Rock Skills - Comox Lake Crags / Triple Peak
Testimonials
The instructors from Island Alpine Guides (IAG) were outstanding. They helped ease the stress of what can be an intimidating course, especially for newcomers to the RRT field, making the material more approachable. They emphasized the essential classroom content while also sharing practical tips and tricks for real-world application. Their extensive experience, rooted in their SAR background, added significant relevance and credibility to the training.Craig, RRT1 Training - Port Alberni
This course boosted my confidence in the knowledge and skills I have already obtained, and clearly defined where I need more practice. Most things were kept simple, which I think is important when preparing for a technical evaluation. I also learned how to use the gear that I carry rather than outsourcing everything, which was very cool. The instructors were excellent at facilitating learning and creating a positive environment.Morgan, RRT1 Training - Port Alberni
Testimonials
Rob and Nathan were well organised, patient, clear with instructions, obviously very experienced, and professional. They took the time to tailor the instruction to our teams requirements. They answered questions with no judgment, and set out clear and logical reasons for methods taught.Chris, RRT1 Training - Pemberton
The instructors were excellent. Professional, patient and clearly experts in their field. They kept the tasks as simple and unconfusing as possible and they broke everything down into a piece to piece progression that was easy to follow. They collaborated well together and seemed to have absolutely no ego, which made for an easy learning environment.Rena, RRT1 Training - Pemberton
Testimonials
Intro to Rock 102 gave me a solid foundation to start top rope climbing outside. Dane was very approachable, experienced and knowledgeable. He gave us many opportunities to practice and ask questions. He discussed concepts in safety/anchor-building and then built upon those concepts, which I prefer over just memorizing procedures. While we covered a lot of material over 2 days, everything made sense.Linda, Intro to Rock 102
Testimonials
Dane was excellent. Super professional and incredibly knowledgeable. I went into the course not very stoked with a kind of "eat your vegetables" mindset since this was material that was necessary to know to be safe while climbing - but had a great time and really enjoyed it.Ed, Rock Rescue Course
Dane provided us with a spectacular experience on our Intro to Rock 101 Climbing Course at Cumberland Lake. From the warm welcome he provided, to his teaching style, to his expertise, to his ability to create group cohesion, to his passion for climbing, and to his experience in knowing not to overload us with extraneous information, to his encouragement, and to his concern for our comfort and safety, to his stamina, he represents the perfect ambassador of climbing in general.Ron, Intro to Rock 101
Dane was great at explaining concepts, and having us put techniques into practice with lots of repetition which was very useful. I learned everything I was hoping to and more.Taylor, Intro to Multi Pitch Climbing
The whole thing was great couldn't ask for more. Dane is the best, had my 2 sons with me 13 and 14 years old and he was accommodating and thought them well. I knew very little going in and now feel like we could climb safety outdoors on our own. Loved it, now on to the alpine courses.Mark, Intro to Rock 102
The course was provided and taught extremely well. Dane was an excellent instructor and kept me engaged the entire time. It was taught at a good pace, with lots of time for practice. I can't recommend the course enough!Colin, Intro to Rock 102
Testimonials
The whole course went seamlessly, Klemen was a great guide and definitely played a part of the trip being so memorable.Evan, Tantalus Mountain Skills
The location was fantastic in providing access to a wide variety of terrain and challenges that I had not had the opportunity to encounter in such a short period of time, and within such a short distance to camp. Our instructor, Klem is extremely skilled and knew the area very well. He suggested challenging, but appropriate routes for the group and allowed us to increase the difficulty to suit our individual comfort levels.Dave, Tantalus Mountain Skills
What went well - Everything from our instructor to our group was perfect! Dane is an amazing instructor, very kind and patient with us; I learned about so many outdoor climbing tips and details on gear! He was also very professional, safe, and double-checked everything, which made me feel more relaxed even though it was my first time climbing outdoors. Our group was also super friendly and encouraging to each other, which made the whole day a blast!Anonymous , Intro to Rock 101 (Comox Lake Crags)
Dane was a fantastic guide for our Intro to Rock 101 course. He provided clear, comprehensive instruction and was very knowledgeable. I appreciated his emphasis on safety, explaining the reasons behind what we were doing. I had so much fun and made new friends to climb with. I look forward to taking the Intro to Rock 102 next!Linda, Intro to Rock 101 (Comox Lake Crags)
What went well - Everything! Dane was very knowledgeable, relaxed and explained things clearly. The diversity of skills shared was perfect, given the short course time. Happy I got to rappel a couple of times, as well as do many climbs of various grades.Amanda, Intro to Rock 101 (Comox Lake Crags)
We thoroughly enjoyed our Rock 101 adventure. I personally found it a wonderful mix of education, excitement and relaxation in a beautiful outdoor setting. My personal goal to take a leap of faith and "go over the edge" was met and who knows what the future holds!Carol, Intro to Rock 101 (Comox Lake Crags)
Helene was an amazing instructor! She managed to teach a huge amount of content over the course in a way that was easy to understand and remember. She highlighted dangers in the backcountry I was never aware of, and gave lots of resources on how to travel in the winter safely.Nick,
Helene's experience and knowledge base was out of this world! She quickly identifies people's strengths and weaknesses, which made it an enjoyable experience for everyone. She presents material in a way that is digestible and just... makes sense!Shirley, Combined Alpine Skills - Mount Cain
The pacing of the course and the order in which the information was excellent, as was the amount of time we had to practice each skill on the ground and off the ground. Other courses I have taken (with other companies), have at times felt rushed in the time needed for practice so I really appreciated that. I also felt that the instructor was very responsive to our individual comfort levels with the systems and allowed us extra practice and instruction when needed. Overall it was a great experience!Megan, Rock Rescue Course
Steve and Rob are excellent instructors, knowledgeable, friendly, lots of good learning, and I enjoyed both the course and the evaluation with Island Alpine Guides.Michelle, RRT2 Course - Squamish
Great atmosphere established by the instructors. Lots of practice and learning even though it was an exam.AJ, RRT2 Assessment - Squamish
The course was a great experience and opened our eyes up to the backcountry environment. Was very great to see the hazards and different types of terrain Mt. Washington had, definitely learned lots even though we've skied there our whole lives. I feel like the course gave us the tools necessary to start ski touring! Dave was a great guide and instructor with lots of knowledge and experience, we would definitely do a course with him again!Emily + Matthew,
Helene was an amazing instructor! She managed to teach a huge amount of content over the course in a way that was easy to understand and remember. She highlighted dangers in the backcountry I was never aware of, and gave lots of resources on how to travel in the winter safely.Nick,
Testimonials
Love it, straightforward and informative. Matt is super smart and well spoken. It had all I needed for a 2 hour session.Jamie, Online - Intro to Weather Forecasting
Love it, straightforward and informative. Matt is super smart and well spoken. It had all I needed for a 2 hour session.Jamie,
Amazing instruction from an awesome instructor, Matt was very engaged in hooking us as future weather nerds! Course flow was engaging and informative and the recordings are appreciated as it was a content heavy course. As a pure intro course this was above my expectations.Brian, Online - Intro to Weather Forecasting
The course was great. Thanks to Helene and Jan for sharing their knowledge and experience.Vik, Comox, BC
Joe is a great instructor and with the small group size it was easy engage and maximize the learning opportunity.Jan,
A good balance of practical and theoretical knowledge and well presented by superb teachers. I look forward to being able to apply what I've learned this winter season.Chris, Victoria, BC
I was really impressed with the course. Matt obviously understands how to teach. There was just the right amount of information, presented to the right depth, with just enough emphasis and repetition of the most important points for it to sink in. While I do need to review some of the material to gain the greatest value, the main concepts are well ingrained into my understanding already.Tim, Online - Intro to Weather Forecasting
I have done lots of weather courses with flying and sailing but Matt’s approach to digesting weather reports from broad strokes down to local phenomena was brilliant!! An approach that is so simple and logical once it is pointed out! Thanks again.Peter, Online - Intro to Weather Forecasting
This is probably one of the most successful and productive SAR training assessment taken in recent times. I came away from this weekend with a clear picture on my areas of proficiency, things that I can improve upon, and with increased confidence in my degree of readiness. The instructors were precise, engaging and built upon the why's and how's of rope rescue practical skills, elevating the testing environment from the usual meet the mark/ check the box test to a skills improvement, context setting and feedback driven journey. Rob, Nathan and Andrew set the standard we all want to hold ourselves up to. Well done!RRT1 Assessment, Qualicum Beach
Low pressure assessment, lots of learning opportunities, approachable instructors, mentorship, teaching the reason behind steps and procedures, confidence building, having members from other SAR teams. Thank you!RRT1 Assessment , Powell River
The entire weekend went exceptionally well. I felt well supported by Rob and Andrew. They created an assessment atmosphere that was relaxed and informal that allowed everyone to perform at their best. Their feedback was valuable and presented further opportunities for continued learning.Ken , RRT1 Course - Powell River
We had a great day! Dane was very knowledgeable and we felt safe the entire day. He put us on several fun climbs that suited our abilities.Tyler,
Jordan is an excellent guide and instructor. He is a wealth of knowledge and was able to get everyone climbing to their ability and give everyone the guidance they need. I appreciated it being a 2 day course. There was a lot of information and it was good to come back after a sleep and see and try everything again and then add on. I also really liked that we all felt like a team. I was mainly there because I am my son's belayer. Climbing is his passion. I liked that I was encouraged to try things but never felt bad when I couldn’t get as high as everyone else. The course gave me lots more confidence and I am looking forward to getting back to the crag and practicing this week. Thanks for a great course.Tara , Victoria, B.C.
Had an excellent time learning, growing and stepping outside of the box. The instructors always were kind and considerate with feedback and teachable moments. I felt supported with the instructors and the team to grow and learn through this course.Amber, RRT2 Course - Campbell River
Awesome experience once again with Rob and Nate. This is my third course through IAG and once again so grateful for the wealth of experience shared and the very professional style of program delivery. Highly recommended.Jerry, RRT2 Course - Campbell River
I was very pleased with the Tech 1 course I did this past weekend with Rob and Andrew. Their teaching was clear, easily understood and well paced with lots of hands-on practice time. I particularly like the way they started at the beginning with basic concepts and continued to build upon this foundation for the entire weekend. This filled in many small gaps in my knowledge. As an educator myself, I was very impressed with their organization and positive feedback and would not hesitate to take another course with them. I’m looking forward to the evaluation weekend in September!Ken , RRT1 Course - Powell River
The instruction and explanation of process was amazing. Never a dumb question and only great feedback for more learning opportunities. The morning briefing was detailed and expectations laid out so you knew what is required and planned for the day. Both instructors brought professionalism to the course with a side of laugher and realism. "Suns out, Guns out" lolAmber , RRT1 Course - Campbell River
Awesome in every way. really excellent format and delivery. Exceeded expectations. Lots of value-added learning / coaching. This was terrific. Instructors were phenomenal and set a perfect tone throughout. Most enjoyable and I have already recommended to others.Jerry Berry,
It was pretty unanimous, everyone had a fantastic time with the IAG crew. They turned what should be a stressful time into a progressive learning experience with rock solid skills at the end. Everything. The guys all had a laid back attitude that defused a lot of stress. Showed us many wizardy tricks of the trade!! Steph was an awesome addition to the Rob/Nate team that we were familiar with (a little trepidation with some of the members, bringing in a new person..we figured out Steph would be great pretty quickly though).Wendy, RRT1 Course - Nanaimo
It was an amazing course where I left the training weekend and assessment feeling like a stronger rope member. All three instructors were so approachable and knowledgeable. It was a vulnerable process for me putting myself out there in this way and they made it so much easier with their approach. All their tidbits that they taught us helped us be better ropers.Jess, RRT1 Course - Nanaimo
Debriefs by instructors were very good with positive feedback and teaching moments. Being professional in the evaluations and recognizing that not all participants get a ribbon.Bruce, RRT2 Assessment - Qualicum Beach
Graeme’s teaching style is so clear, calm and funny! This is my third course with Graeme and I always learn so much from him. We dialled in our technique throughout the day and it was the most confident I’ve ever felt at the end of a course!Jenn Joyce,
It was amazing. Rock Climbing/Mountaineering was something I said I'd never do. Though, I changed my mind quickly one day on Triple Peak - I really needed a starting point. I decided I had to start certain steps to get myself there. This was one of those steps and I couldn't be more happy with the knowledge that I took from this course and the confidence it's given me. Still lots to practice, seeing how all the knots come into play. It's been two days since the course and I've practiced each day since. I really liked how at the beginning Jan asked us "what we were looking for" out of the course and was able to pin point everyone's needs and meet them. There was never a second of hesitation when it came to a question, he always paused and took time to answer the question completely. Each part of the system was taught well and I feel very confident leaving the course on setting up my own anchors and putting everything I learned into play.Kelsey,
All went well aside from the weather. Another great course from IAGJes Garceau,
Hands on learning! Graham did an excellent job of building on course material. He explained our tasks well and provided great reasoning as to why certain knot/procedures are necessary in the alpine. I also REALLY appreciated the hands-on practice approach we had immediately after every explanation. It helped me solidify my learning, and formulate questions. I truly feel more prepared for the alpine now.Kristen,
Our instructor (Andrew) was awesome. Very knowledgeable and willing to repeat things as many times as needed. The course content was very flexible and the instructor was able to tailor them to our needs. Being able to setup tents under covered areas at Cain was a huge benefit and being able to conduct the ‘classroom’ learning in the garage was ideal.Rodney ,
Course was outstanding. Our Instructor/mentor quickly evaluated the individual student skill sets and experience to tailor our learning and allowed us to challenge ourselves. Individually, when a topic or skill was becoming difficult Helene usually could simply read the body language and provide the necessary input to achieve the skill. Following the group work on the final day my confidence to take additional training and challenge myself in new terrain has improved significantly. Logistic coordination for transportation with 49 North was great. Instruction and mentorship from Helene was outstanding. Use of scaffolding techniques during the course to introduce skills in bite-size portions prior to consolidation in group work was very well done.Dave ~,
Course was outstanding. Our Instructor/mentor quickly evaluated the individual student skill sets and experience to tailor our learning and allowed us to challenge ourselves. Individually, when a topic or skill was becoming difficult Helene usually could simply read the body language and provide the necessary input to achieve the skill. Following the group work on the final day my confidence to take additional training and challenge myself in new terrain has improved significantly. Logistic coordination for transportation with 49 North was great. Instruction and mentorship from Helene was outstanding. Use of scaffolding techniques during the course to introduce skills in bite-size portions prior to consolidation in group work was very well done.Dave,
First the communication was great our guide checking in as far comfort level or what we would like to learn more about. I really appreciated the flexibility of instruction depending on the overall experience level in the group. Because of that we were really able to go above and beyond my expectations and I feel I got a lot from this course. Plus receiving some notes by email as a refresher is super helpful.Elie Hernandez-Lacroix ,
Amazing. Very safety focused. Learned everything we needed to in a supportive environment. Will be participating in more courses in the future.Kathryn and Shawn,
The instruction was clear and the personal life experiences and stories from the instructor made learning interesting and enjoyable. It was a safe and challenging course that instilled confidence for further backcountry adventures!~,
The information I learned was incredibly useful and will be useful no matter where I am mountaineering. The objectives laid out by the course itinerary were exceeded.Austin,
Perfect introduction to top rope and rappelling. This course was exactly what I wanted and even a bit more because we had time and our group was small. Loved going to two different locations to get a feel for setting anchors up in different places. Awesome. Super informative, since our group was small, we were able to do so much! Graeme was extremely knowledgeable and easy to talk to, I really appreciated his patience and his knowledge. He was very thorough, and his explanations were easy to understand. I feel that I am very well equipped to go off and do this myself now. Just wow! Thank you for a great weekend.Elise Coates, Victoria, B.C.
AMAZING. Learned so much, and had such a great time that I went and purchased all the necessary safety gear to go back out the next weekend. Graeme was an amazing instructor. Very thorough and taught in a way that was easy to understand and mimic. Very patient with all of our questions too! He gave us time and space to try things out for ourselves but was also very quick to notice errors even when you didn't know he was watching.Tiffany, Victoria, B.C.
This was an extremely well done training program. I am a past SAR training officer for RCMSAR and an educator in my professional field for several universities and Provincial and Territorial agencies. These instructors approached their task in a very informative, professional and friendly manner. Obviously extremely knowledgeable and competent. I particularly enjoyed the “coaching” style and the many small but extremely valuable elements of technique learned through their vast practical experience. Thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a great deal. Would highly recommend it to others and have already done so. Thank you and well done. Very thankful for the experience.Jerry, RRT1 Training and Assessment - Nanaimo
Those two instructors were a wealth of knowledge! They managed to make it a comfortable weekend, taking a lot of the pressure off of the learning. Kudos to both of them!Erin,
Everything (but the weather). Graeme was a great guide. He is a good teacher and is full of knowledge which he provides at the appropriate time. He has the right personality to be a guide as he talks about things and provides stories that pertain to the mountains and skills you are there to learn. He presents interesting stories to situations you may find yourself in.Jim Phillips,
Those two instructors were a wealth of knowledge! They managed to make it a comfortable weekend, taking a lot of the pressure off of the learning. Kudos to both of them!Erin, RRT1 Course - Nanaimo
Course was excellent, both instructors were very proficient and had excellent teaching techniques. They were consistent in their messaging and supported each other very effectively during both the classroom sessions and the outdoor practical implementations of system rigging.Dewi, RRT1 Course - Nanaimo
A great weekend to set the baseline for Rope Tech 1. Everything was clear and progressed from basic to more technical skills, all building on a solid foundation of knowledge. It had a good pace throughout the weekend and it felt like we covered everything in enough detail. Both Rob and Nate were very approachable and their teaching styles worked well within our team. They had many tips and tricks for us too which we were all excited to receive.Natasha , RRT1 Training - Nanaimo
Rob was a great instructor who brought lots of experience and knowledge. He taught us multiple ways to set up rope systems. We learnt lots of rope tricks to help us along the way. Robs laid back attitude made learning the material easy and he didn't make us do something different if we had practiced a system one way and that way still met the overall objective.Jordan , RRT1 Training - Port Alberni
Overall experience was great. The instructor (Graeme White) met me where I was at and filled in any gaps of knowledge required to progress my skills. Excellent communication skills, good knowledge of trad skills, excellent ability to translate knowledge into real-life multi-pitch scenarios.Stephan Vecsey,
We had an amazing climb. Can't recommend Chris enough, he's a terrific teacher and gave us excellent route beta for future objectives.Richard G. ,
What a great day. Did the Ropes Refresher course with Island Alpine Guides yesterday. Seriously amazingly good instruction and super fun. It’s been over ten years since I played with all that gear but I felt so confident after.Debbie Lynn Bowman , Comox Valley
Thank you IAG for setting up this Rock Rescue course! Lorne was very knowledgeable and adaptable. I certainly got everything I could have wanted from this course!Chantal, Victoria, BC.
Really enjoyed it, such a fun experience! 👍Ellen Jewet, Victoria, BC.
We had an amazing weekend and learned so much. Helene was fabulous! She was so positive, knowledgeable and encouraging. She instilled so much confidence in us. We feel so fortunate to have been able to take this course with her!Pamela and David Blaikie, Nanaimo, BC.
Thanks for the fun time, and special shout out to Helene for being such a great instructor!Anon. ,
I went from having 0 rope skills to confidently understanding the process of a crevasse rescue, bellaying, ascending, climbing and many other skills we learnt in a short but great 4 days. We love Helene. "Thanks for the fun time, and special shout out to Helene for being such a great instructor!"Anon. ,
Our instructor was amazing!!Anon,
Thanks so much for a weekend full of knowledge and fun...you guys did a great job in helping us gain confidence in the backcountry... doing what you do saves lives and I appreciate it!! Great instructors, great group, great course! I took so much away from it ...now I'm ready to head out and enjoy!!Kim Jordan,
So great!! We learned a ton and our guide was more than awesome. I will definitely be taking more courses with IAG in the future.Natasha H ,
It was a great course! Learned a ton and Andrew was a phenomenal guide. Despite the weather being mostly horrible but we don’t feel we missed out on anything. Great experience.Jamie Saby,
AWESOME.Ryan D. ,
I cannot say enough about Tim, he displayed the perfect amount of textbook mixed with real life experiences. He has a way of presenting the information that needs to be recognized as EXCELLENT. I'm very satisfied with the knowledge I gained and have reflected my positive experience to all my community. Thanks Tim and IAG.Anon. ,
Graeme is badass!!!!! The new snow over the course made for a lot of relevant discussion and excellent skiing. Graeme did an excellent job of managing the different ability levels of group. He kept everyone safe while leaving space for independent discussion and decision making. Digging pits repeatedly over the 4 days was great. Really nice to practice the companion rescue with multiple burials. I will be taking more of these courses with riding partners in a new location to keep learning.Anon. ,
Graeme is a fantastic instructor. Our group had a wide array of skills and Graeme was able to navigate all of our experiences levels while providing valuable knowledge to all. I appreciate the array of terrain he took us through and indepth coverage of the course topics. All while having a good time!Tara S. ,
Graeme was an amazing instructor. His wisdom and experience are hugely beneficial. I'm learned a lot with this course.Anon. ,
Great day. Insanely DEEP day. Joe was professional, knowledgable and on-it, as per usual (...). The day was epic. Would highly recommend to anyone, and everyone in our group was really happy with it. My hip-flexors however have never been so fried.Marc B.,
Joe was a very effective instructor. He got through the material efficiently even with our group's tangential questions. I came away feeling much more confident in my crevasse rescue ability, and I appreciated how he tailored the course to our main activity (ski touring)Theron Finley,
Everything was great. We had a pretty sharp group and Joe took that into account to keep the group interested and moving at a good pace. Well done!! Thank you.Ron Vlooswyk,
Great guiding! Highly enjoyable and our guide found us some good powder stashes. My sons and I had a very good day.John F. ,
This course was absolutely amazing! I learned so much and feel suddenly feel much more confident in alpine environments. The learning was not limited to the specific skills such as crevasse rescue, every day the journey to a new snow field to learn skills was a learning opportunity as well. We learned about route finding and even how to best negotiate different types of ground such as shale slopes, granite, moss covered areas etc. Helene was absolutely amazing! She taught us more than just skills. We joked that she was part mountain guide part counsellor as she helped us move through our emotional and intellectual barriers. She helped us think about things differently and shared her very zen way of thinking and living in the mountains. She was kind, clear, fun to be around and most of all has incredible skill as a guide. She picked up on our body language and always knew just how to support us. There were aspects of our final climb I would’ve never been able to do without her guidance. It was a life changing experience for me.Julia, Mount Matchlee
My trip was amazing and an unforgettable experience. Helene taught us all so much, and we all left feeling much more confident in ourselves, and excited to use our newly learned skills!Melissa Annandale, Mount Matchlee
Great curriculum and course organization with the perfect amount of theory and practical skills training. Jan is an amazing instructor with a incredible wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from.Martin Kluemper, Mount Cain
An amazing and memorable birthday! Jan did a great job of gearing the skiing to the groups' varying abilities. We would love to do another trip!Andrea Lang, Mount Matchele
Best ski day of the year!Andrew Gower, Courtenay, BC
The whole day was fantastic. Helene was a fabulous instructor who met the needs of the whole group.Lisa Duthie, Mount Washington
Nate was an amazing teacher and instructor for the intro to backcountry course. If you are interested in getting into back country skiing this is the course to take and the person to take it with. Nate fostered an inclusive environment and did a good job answering any and all questions. Could not have asked for a better instructor for the intro to backcountry course. I'd recommend this course to any of my friends, and it definitely wont be my last course with IAG thanks to Nate and his fantastic instruction!!Anonymous, Mt Washington
I am SO grateful for the course! The beginning instruction in the parking lot was SO helpful to understand our gear and how to use it and then with that foundation we got out on the skis. I learned so many skills and feel confident to begin ski touring. I was a weaker skier than the other people and the instructor made sure I was very comfortable and even though I was really nervous about skiing, it was the best ski day I’ve ever had thanks to his help. Right away he reinforced that we were there to have fun, and I could take as much time as I want and there was no pressure and just to do what I was comfortable with. It was so wonderful! He also let our group tailor the day and prioritize what we want most to learn about which was wonderful. I cannot recommend this course highly enough.Lydia G., Mt Washington
Graeme was a great instructor, he was super knowledgeable and very enthusiastic about training and the course overall which made it very easy to stay engaged and gain information. The course went super well, couldn’t really have asked for more.Andrew B. , Mt Washington
Excellent overall introduction to Backcountry skiing, Nathan presented the various subjects with enthusiasm and clarity, his background knowledge was evident. I would be very happy to learn more from Nathan and would feel very comfortable to follow his lead on another course or adventure.Alain, Mt Washington
Nate's instruction met everyone where they were at in a really non-judgmental and accepting space. It was exactly what I was looking for in an intro course.Ashley, Mt Washington
The zoom session was very informative and it covered a lot of information. The field day was excellent and Graham was a great guide, allowing everyone to follow at their own pace.Taren, Mt Washington
I was over the moon with this course. I took it 10+ years ago (with IAG as well) and feel like I got so much out of doing it again and am so glad that we did it. I wanted to say that Bryn did a really awesome job on the Saturday. Please pass that on to him, he was engaging and really knowledgable, and also brought a human aspect. The field day with Bill felt like a real honour to be learning from someone with so much experience and such a snow nerd that was very good at explaining things in a way that I feel like can be applied. Being able to actually go through and see terrain really helped give me more context and lots to think about. In short it was all great.Jillian, Mt Washington
Zoom session was very engaging. Bryn is an excellent instructor and the personal stories really helped deliver the message. For the field day Bill was great! Very positive attitude and patient with the questions that our group had. Felt very safe out there with Bill!Jon, Mt Washington
The online portion was very engaging. The instructor had an intuitive ability to deliver the content in a way that kept my attention for the entire day. On both days the use of subject matter experts and instructors who are genuine in their interest is priceless. On the second day Jan was able to perfectly "throttle" his extreme level of expertise and skill to apply to our beginner level group and allowed me to take away a lot of valuable information without being overwhelmed.Dave, Mount Washington
It was awesome!! We all learned so much and our comfort level increased dramatically even by the end of the first day. So worth it, would highly recommend it! Graeme was great; really calm and a really good teacher.Tracy F.,
We had such a great time. Prior to this we had been climbing in the gym but now feel this course has given us the base knowledge to get out there and start climbing outside on our own. We actually picked up our first rope and equipment yesterday! I’d also like to mention how amazing Helene is. The whole course went smoothly. She has so much knowledge and passion for what she does and it really shows. Very detail and safety oriented and straight to the point. But also very encouraging and uplifting. It was super cool to learn from someone with such an incredible background and gain knowledge through her stories and experiences. She’s an inspiring woman. Needless to say, we’ll be back in the near future!Jess R.,
We had an amazing weekend and learned so much. Helene was fabulous! She was so positive, knowledgeable and encouraging. She instilled so much confidence in us. We feel so fortunate to have been able to take this course with her!Dave and Pamela,
The backcountry ski tour was a 10/10. It was everything I had hoped for, and more!Jasper D. (age 10),
It was a great… insanely DEEP day. Joe and Sam were professional, knowledgable and on-it, as per usual. We had our fair share of extraneous issues (car troubles, personal issues) that we had to deal with, but the actual day was epic. Would highly recommend it, and everyone in our group was really happy with it.Brendan Matthews,
It was a great course! I went intending to just get a refresher, but it exceeded expectations. Joe was a able to provide additional nuance and travel advice to the course material. Very glad I attended.Anon.,
I enjoyed everything!! I think we had a pretty sharp group and Joe took that into account to keep the group interested and moving at a good pace. Well done!! Thank you.Ron V.,
I really liked the stepwise approach that Graeme took to teaching how to build crevasse rescue systems. It was useful to see how various different setups could be constructed with common gear if specialized gear was not available. It was a great course and I feel well-prepared to perform a rescue.Lance Shaver,
I thought Brynn was an incredible instructor. He did a very good job of presenting the vast amount of info in an engaging way in our classroom session. I appreciated his sharing of personal stories to explain dangers, what he learned and how to approach things from a safe, rules based decision making process. In our field day he was knowledgeable, approachable and made the learning really fun. I feel like I took so much away from the course overall and would absolutely book another one with him as an instructor. Thanks, Brynn!Sarah,
I have been ski-touring for 40+ years and along the way have learned many excellent snow lessons. But many of them were in the school of hard knocks, from sudden uncomfortable circumstances, including 4 avalanche rides and a crevasse self extrication adventure. In contrast, AST 2 was a safe, pleasant, stimulating, and stress free way to add to my practical knowledge of the effects of weather on snow, snowpack analysis, safe route finding in complex terrain, and finding buried skiers efficiently. All this occurred while Jan guided us through the best of both slack-country routes of Mt Washington and the adjacent terrain not accessible to the general public. Jan is an engaging and superlative teacher as he freely shares his wealth of avalanche knowledge and experience. And did I mention 60cm of new snow fell during Day 3 of the course?Jim Melling,
What a fantastic course in plenty of different terrain. This was exactly what I was looking for to get me into the backcountry with more knowledge. Graeme is an awesome instructor with just the right amount of serious learning to fun ratio. Thanks Graeme!Ryan Seigel,
We had a fabulous day with Island Alpine. Our guide, Tim, was excellent. He was engaging and encouraging and had a wealth of knowledge that he was passionate to share. He kept the crew focussed and cohesive and managed the weekend beautifully. We came away feeling as though we had learned much, understood that we still had much more to learn and are excited to get out in the backcountry. Thank you!Paisley,
So much fun, lots of laughter. Instructors were both very knowledgeable, engaging, approachable & inclusive.Kaley V.,
This was an excellent course, all around. Jan was such an incredible teacher and our group of women had a ton of fun with him. He was hilarious, respectful, knowledgeable, and thoughtful in his interactions and teaching. It is very clear that he knows exactly what he's doing out in the mountains. I learned a lot about how to make smart decisions to keep myself safe while mountaineering, and it left me with a lot of excitement to continue learning more and getting back out on another trip soon.Michelle S. ,
Jan presented an engaging and comprehensive presentation over zoom, which was easy to follow and well-paced for online learning. He was extremely knowledgeable and willing to answer any and all questions with an in-depth response! Joe was a fantastic field instructor, I greatly appreciated his open approach to our (many) questions & curiosities, and willingness to draw from his own experiences in the backcountry. Thanks to the whole team for such an awesome course!Meg Rogers,
Jan was excellent at keeping the whole day engaging and very informative. Learned a whole bunch. I was very happy with the day and would highly suggest this course to anyone interested in avalanche awareness.Dan Kolk,
I cannot say enough about Tim, he displayed the perfect amount of textbook mixed with real life experiences. He has a way of presenting the information that needs to be recognized as EXCELLENT. I'm very satisfied with the knowledge I gained and have reflected my positive experience to all my community. Thanks TimDennis Mellson,
Tim did a great job making sure people were following along, but kept the course moving as well. The mountain day was also excellent. Tim went above and beyond to make sure we know what it would be like to be in an avalanche, and why this course is so important. Looking forward to taking more classes with Island Alpine.Alex,
awesome day all around. Joe is a great communicator, did a great job leading us through safety aspects as well as providing great tips throughout the day. His personal experience and local knowledge were invaluable.JF Rapatel,
Joe was an excellent guide with so much knowledge. He explained everything so well and we learned so many things while having an amazing time in the mountains.Nikki T. ,
Joe was amazing. Great communicator. Was able to share tons of information while giving us lots of opportunities to ask questions and make decisions. 10/10 would recommend Joe to anyone.Anon.,
Graeme was an awesome instructor to work with. Her provided an opportunity for everyone to contribute their observations and thoughts towards decision making. Mt. Cain was a spectacular location that provides a variety of real avalanche terrain to travel too.Anon.,
These guys are specialists in their field and were friendly, approachable and articulated concepts and theories in a very easily digestible way. Truly awesome!Anon.,
Excellent and clear delivery of all information that was expected to be covered in this course. Alex was able to answer all questions with great detail and relevance. The whole day over Zoom was well done and I found it easy to pay attention. Our field day was really well set up and I thought it to be an appropriate mix of time spent talking, as well as practicing the physical skills. If anything, I wish the day had been longer!Vik,
Graeme was awesome!! From our pre trip meeting, to being out in the field, his communication and sharing of knowledge helped instil confidence in the group. His ability to adapt the trip plan based on the groups needs was recognized and appreciated.Tara Miller,
Tim was an excellent instructor. He was friendly and fun but still able to communicate the absolute seriousness of what you are getting yourself into once you step into the backcountry. Amidst a pandemic, I felt safe. I would recommend AST1 through Island Alpine Guides.Tamara Akerman,
The course was great. Graeme as a guide was wonderful. He was relaxed, friendly, comical and informative. I came away from the course with the confidence to go out winter camping on my own and look forward to next time. It was a great intro course. Exactly what I was hoping for when signing up for this course. Friendly group!Melinda Goetjen,
Loved it all. I felt like I got a very thorough and well-rounded overview of avalanche safety, and I feel much more confident heading out into the backcountry. Really appreciated Graeme’s passion and enthusiasm for snow and for teaching. He made it a super fun and safe environment. Can’t wait to take another course!Jennifer Joyce, Mount Washington
The trip was fantastic! It exceeded my expectations, Andrew is an exceptional guide. The Covid risk management was very well managed and didn’t hinder my experience of the course. Hats-off to Andrew for taking great care of us. I look forward to taking more courses with Island Alpine Guides.Mark Toth, Courtenay, BC.
Thank you for an incredible weekend. The smile has yet to leave my face. I've now been on two IAG courses and both were phenomenal. I was really impressed with the quality of training, the depth of knowledge we were provided during the course and the incredible location for it to take place. The small delay in departure Saturday was more than made up for by the helicopter ride and the proximity we were able to keep to the Alpine Classroom - what a magical location for the course. I found the course to be the right level of demanding, challenging of my limits and of risk management. While feeling excited and focused, there weren't any moments in which I felt unsafe or over exposed despite the seriousness of the terrain we were in. Andrew did an incredible job of managing the group throughout the course, and I was particularly impressed with how well he was able to monitor and oversee two separate ropes teams traversing the mountain. I've spoken with other guides in the past and I know what an incredible responsibility this can be, to manage the systems and risk for themselves and 5 strangers in their care. Andrew also did an excellent job of monitoring how we each were doing, and assisting us only when necessary or requested. Not only that, but it turned out he had been taking fantastic photos for us the entire time, sharing them with us on Monday at our debrief. Our group is collecting all our photos into a single dropbox, which I may be able to share with their permissions. I've been enthralled by mountaineering for quite some time now, but as a freshwater paddler from Ontario - the mountains have otherwise been inaccessible to me for lack of experience and skill. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity this past weekend to begin to build the foundation I need to explore these places with as minimal risk as possible.Jonathan Horvatin, Victoria, BC
Really enjoyed the course. I really appreciated the depth of knowledge Ken had, and his philosophical perspective on safety and avalanches.Neil E,
I would like to thank Jan and also Nico for the excellent course. Jan was really clear and down to earth in his explanations.Jorn V, Victoria
I want to pass along a special thanks to Ryan. The AST 1 course this weekend was fantastic. The theory class was very informative, and covered a lot of material. I thought Ryan’s presentation was very good, professional yet quite personnel too. We had a good group and some great interaction. Thanks again, I will definitely be contacting IAG in the future!Matt H,
Super fun and informative!Robyn F, Courtenay
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 he saw us getting cold. Ken was a professional and consistently displayed years and years of experience in the backcountry. I would highly recommend the course to anyone, and suggest they try to get Ken as their instructor.Lewis W, Courtenay
I cannot overstate how much I enjoyed this course. I came out of it with way more than I anticipated. A big thank you to our instructor Ken Wylie who brought not only great expertise with avalanche safety but a deeper knowledge of the human condition which made this course incredibly impactful for me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom Ken! It will be put to good use in the snow and out.Jennifer A, Nanaimo
I have to say that this course is one of the BEST I’ve ever done. Ryan and Tim were a wealth of information, not only in the practical sense but with multiple “there I was” stories to back up their teachings. The field work was well paced and VERY informative. Our instructors made sure to be inclusive of everyone and take time for our questions. They were also very entertaining inserting comic relief on occasion to provide much needed levity on the long days. I am eager to hone my new skills and hopefully attend another one of your excellent courses next year.Dallas H, Comox
I left my Avalanche Skills Training course feeling inspired and grounded. Anyone who backcountry skis should take this course!Maddy D, Courtenay
The course was great. Alex is very passionate and knowledgable.Ron M, Nanaimo
It was great! Alex is an excellent presenter and the course content was very good.John Y, Nanaimo
Excellent course, top notch instructor!John R, Victoria
I took this course when I lived in Alberta, nearly a decade ago; but Alex was by far a superior presenter. The knowledge he presented came alive when he supplemented his instruction with the details of his personal experiences.Anon., Vancouver Island
I had a great day with Ken today. He was really knowledgeable and good at communicating where I needed to improve and how. Learned all sorts of great tips today!Abby R, Courtenay
Every IAG course I take leaves me feeling both more confident and knowledgeable! Thanks for always being awesome!Campbell River SAR, Campbell River
IAG once again showed us why they are the best at what they do!!! Extremely informative in the most awesome style presented. Ryan was the cool professional that we needed and wanted! Thanks again IAGCampbell River SAR, Campbell River
Really good training. Jan came prepared with extensive experience and effective teaching skills. He did a quality job of noting our goals (PCT snow, passes in the Sierras), along with evaluating our gear and abilities. His subsequent customizing of course content and instruction techniques made the most of our time together, and maximized our training benefits.Rod B, Victoria
I really enjoyed the AST1 course last weekend. Bill was very experienced and interesting and I appreciated his advice and input. The group was fun and I learned a tonne about avalanches and how to rescue someone.Annie C, Victoria
Thanks so much for a weekend full of knowledge and fun. You guys did a great job in helping us gain confidence in the backcountry. Doing what you do saves lives and I appreciate it and I can't wait to get out there and have fun safely!Kim J, Duncan
Henry really enjoyed the AST2 course at Mt. Cain last weekend. I think Joe was a good fit as an instructor for Henry. If you see Joe, please pass on my gratitude to him.Holly M, Cortez
I was thrilled with my whole experience with Island Alpine Guides. Easy registration process, clear instructions to prep for the weekend, timely response to questions before the course, and an incredible alpine experience (helped by perfect conditions). Our amazing guide Jen was epically skilled, professional, a good communicator and an amazing teacher. I would recommend IAG in a heartbeat!!!!!!Amy P, Quadra, BC
I am a 45 year old skier and I have been skiing for just over 30 years. I recently purchased alpine touring gear and am eager to use the equipment safely. The classroom presentation was excellent. The field work was exciting and brought to life the information presented in the classroom. I really enjoyed the course and I look forward to gaining more experience on my skis outside the resort boundaries.Andrew, H, Nanaimo, BC
We were impressed by the service and expertise of the staff from the point of registration through the run of the AST1 course. Very friendly, approachable and highly experienced staff, Ryan Shelly did a great job of teaching us the course and we look forward to doing our AST2Bergljot, S,
I think any climber who has been climbing outside should at least have their skills assessed by an ACMG guide. Jan, my guide, helped to fill in any gaps in my climbing knowledge. All the little details I didn't know surprised me. Now that I have had my skills assessed, I feel much more confidant with my decision making while on the rock. A big thank you to Island Alpine Guides and Jan Neuspiel for helping to make my rock climbing journey safer.Nevaeh, Parksville, BC
Ken was a marvellous instructor. He not only taught us about safety, but also mountain etiquette and trusting in our gut instinct, and philosophies of mountaineering so that when you head out, you have a purpose and the skills to bring you home safe again – and that means leaving our arrogance and ego at home. It was a wonderful experience and I would recommend it to everyone starting out with mountaineering.Anne Nguyen, Nanaimo, BC
The course was great! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it very informative, engaging, and fun! As well, it was very well-organized, which I appreciated. I would expect the guide to be knowledgeable and competent. I wasn't expecting the guide to bring such a level of spirituality to the course. I deeply appreciated his perspective on life in the mountains. It was a rich and rewarding experience. I would definitely recommend it as well as consider taking another one of your courses that you offer. I very much appreciated the other participants as well, and am hoping to get up in the hills with a couple of them at least.Jeremy Page, Victoria, BC
Thoroughly enjoyed the course, the instruction and the group overall. Ken was a great instructor and was patient enough with me while the skills slowly returned to me after a long absence from the mountains.John Considine, Victoria, BC
Amazing trip. Not only was the weather and location perfect, our guide Ken was incredible. He was approachable, easy going and had an absolute wealth of experience about life in the mountains. Would recommend for sure.Rob Livingstone, Victoria, BC
The lesson was awesome. Graham [our guide] is so patient and explains everything in a logical fashion. You can see that safety is his first concern and I felt safe the entire time. I will watch for your other courses as I would certainly consider other opportunities.Kathy, Victoria, BC
The two days were great! Learned a ton from [our guide] Graeme; he was incredibly patient and very supportive. You run a great experience for newer climbers!Lorrie Brooks, Victoria, BC
Great experience and [our guide] Ken was magic! Really good group and Ken brought out the best in us. We were all stoked after two days of climbing, belaying, and rappelling. Best ever and I intend on taking more courses. Thank you very much for opening up a new world of adventures.Richard Williams, Victoria, BC
The course was great! I learned a lot, and our guide was fantastic.Loren Leeuw, Nanaimo, BC
It was a very successful day, despite the alternating weather. We all learned a lot of important things, especially because of the clear and calm way our guide explained everything. It was just what we needed to be safely top-roping outdoors as a group.Jorn Vorn, Victoria, BC
The course was fantastic. Money well spent and I would recommend this course to others. Graeme was a great guide as well. I felt challenged and pushed my comfort zone while maintaining a confident level of safety with him leading the way.Blain Turner, Victoria, BC
This weekend was an incredible experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. Not only was the programming great, but Ken [our guide] was an absolutely fantastic instructor and guide. It was one of the finest experiences I have had and with his help was able to push past many mental blocks I had during climbs. I was shocked by what I was able to accomplish with him stewarding. By the end of the weekend, I had the sublime experience of being physically exhausted from the activities but totally energized mentally. Ken's unique blend of experience, teaching and philosophical approach to life, risk, and experience cannot be overstated.Jonathan Horvatin, Victoria, BC
The training was amazing! This was my fourth IAG course and the second one taught by Ken Wylie. He’s a fantastic teacher and an amazing human being. We learned invaluable skills but also had a ton of fun.Colleen Chestnut, Bowser, BC
The course was very helpful. We love the location. Graeme's teaching was effective. We had plenty time to practice. At the end of the course, we had much more confidence with the sport.Neil Han, Victoria, BC
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 this course to others looking for technical skills to advance their mountaineering/backcountry skill set.David Leith, Campbell River
We had a great time, and Mark was an exceptional instructor. He definitely covered things that were worth hearing again and added a whole lot more to the information load. Best of all, is he always explained WHY we do something, which was a real game changer. We confidently applied our skills the next morning without concern. We look forward to taking our skills to the next level and returning to IAG for another course soon!Laska Paré, Victoria, BC
The course was great, another very useful tool to add to my alpine toolbox. The individual critique of each piece of protection by Jan was invaluable for learning. I left the course knowing what I needed to practice and feeling confident to lead.Peter Blencowe, Victoria, BC
Thanks for teaching us the ropes last weekend. You are helping to bring my mountaineering dreams into reach. You rock!Matthew Lettington, Nanaimo, BC
Christophe and the course were amazing! We got to climb multiple routes (wet but fun) on the safety of top rope but also while placing our own gear. The feedback from Christophe on every piece of pro we placed while we belayed him up was really good. Then coming back down every route we got to remove and re-examine our placed gear. Of course, as with any guide, we got to hear some real-life experiences and stories on which systems have worked well for that guide, gotta love the personal touch! I would and have recommended this course to people in my similar circles, familiar with climbing and some of it's practices, but needing to place more pro and be able to evaluate and be confident on the placing of that pro. A definite must-do course for those looking to head out into the mountains and get into slightly more technical climbs.Ryan Smith, Nanaimo, BC
I started lead climbing after a three day course taught by Jan Neuspiel. We covered gear placement, anchors, rope management and multi pitch climbing techniques. This professional instruction proved priceless to me on so many levels. I noticed my base technical skills were at a higher level compared to more "seasoned" climbers. There is just so much ground level knowledge I gained that would have been impossible to replicate without professional instruction. As I progressed in my climbing, I teamed up with Jan as a climbing partner four years later on a 3000ft big wall on Baffin Island. I highly recommend this training to anyone serious about climbing safely and effectively.Guy Ridler, Courtenay, BC
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 me to think logically about working with the gear, rock and my climbing partners in the safest way possible. Upon finishing the course, I feel comfortable working independently at my level and taking appropriate risks to further my goals in the mountains. It was one of the most satisfying classes I have taken.Michelle Hawkins, Courtenay, BC
Had a great time and learned a ton on yesterday's Mountain Improv course with Ken Wylie. A great "next level" in skills for those who travel and lead others in the mountains. As always, IAG exceeded my expectations.Bil Derby, Nanaimo, BC
Your guide, Jen Olson, is a gem. Her calm confidence and ability to take charge made all of us feel safe in a terrain that was quasi unknown to us. Not only is her skill set insanely broad but most importantly, Jen is capable to teach those skills with such ease. She is captivating and so passionate that one can’t help but love mountaineering when next to her. I wouldn’t hesitate to take another course if I knew she was teaching.Genevieve Renart, Victoria, BC
I had an amazing time on this course. Ken was an awesome instructor, a good balance between clear and concise instruction, and humour! Since the course, I’ve bought all my own gear and have been travelling around the island to different crags since. I’m hooked!Shannon Hamilton, Tofino, BC
Jen was a great guide - super friendly, really knowledgeable. I appreciated all the efforts that went into planning the weekend. I had a ton of fun and learned so much.Danielle Down, Nanaimo, BC
We had an awesome time on the Nootka trail. Yes, at times it was a good workout (which we enjoyed too), and the full experience was terrific. Our guide Michael Morse was great. His meals and overall consideration exceeded expectations. He is highly client-service focused, friendly and encouraging. We would highly recommend him for future engagements by Island Alpine Guides.Bentley family, Vancouver, BC
Had a great time and learned a lot. Graeme did a great job and was extremely knowledgeable and professional, and the other participants were good fun.Raphael Zar, Nanoose Bay, BC
This was such an awesome day. I went in looking to get an additional skill set to assist in backcountry hiking, specifically alpine hiking, where my fear of heights usually causes me to back away (literally and figuratively!) from a lot of experiences. The fact that I was able to end the course rappelling over the crag was huge, and this was entirely due to the teaching ability and patience of Jan and his calm instruction, and the supportive group of people I was with.Wendy Langelo, Crofton, BC
We had a wonderful day and came away with some great tools in the tool box. Jan was a wonderful instructor sharing his knowledge, patience and good humour. Now to put things into practice and conquer the fear!Laura King, Campbell River, BC
Best thing I did all winter. I couldn't have asked for a better day! Joe was a fantastic guide and the terrain he took us into was epic. The whole trip from our guide to the terrain choices to our pilot was top notch. I can't wait to do it again next year.Corey Gardiner, Victoria, BC
The trip was phenomenal and exceeded my expectations. Great group, great guide, great pilot!Robert Doerfler, Camas, WA, USA
I went for a short tour soon after taking AST Plus. The information I learned on the course was spot on. The forecasted snow hadn't arrived so I was able to use the tools learned during the class to make an informed decision about what the level of risk reasonably was for our area and we had a great day! Before having taken that course, I wouldn't have had enough confidence to go out given the risk level predicted in the bulletin.EJ Hurst, Gabriola Island, BC
The course with our guide Ken Wylie was amazing. Ken was insightful and inspiring, and some of what he shared extended well beyond avalanche safety into activities in the backcountry and life.Kristen Walsh, Victoria, BC
I thought the course was great! Ken is a fantastic guide and the lessons we learned really stood out to me the following day after I read the avalanche report which essentially duplicated what Ken commented on. The conditions on Sunday were the type where I would stay inbounds and not even consider venturing into the backcountry, so having Ken show the group how to safely travel in these conditions was very beneficial.Corey, Victoria, BC
I really enjoyed the Snow Skills course. Ken was great, very knowledgeable and funny. I would definitely recommend the course to any friends interested in boosting their adventure skills.Hayley Johnson, Victoria, BC
The course was fantastic. In particular our guide Ken Wylie’s communication skills were terrific.Graeme Green, Roberts Creek, BC
Ken, the guide, was fantastic. He was funny, easy to get along with, and made the whole day both fun and really informative. I'd be happy to recommend Island Alpine Guides to anyone.Trevor Peddle, Victoria, BC
Fran and I both loved our time spent in the Tantalus. Although the trip is not cheap, we think it is well worth the money. The helicopter flight to the Jim Haberl hut is unforgettable and you quickly appreciate how useful it is to land on the snow and get straight to the climbing. Our guide, Alex Geary, was fantastic. He ensured we were kept out of our comfort zone, but we never felt in any real danger. He also made sure that were actively involved in the more technical sides of the climbing, rather than just "getting us to the top", which helped build our experience and knowledge base. He is an immensely competent guide and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend him. Thank you Island Alpine Guides for helping to organize an amazing trip.Anthony Dearden, Vancouver, BC
We had an incredible time. Jan is so knowledgeable and a terrific teacher. So impressed with him! :)Anna, Vancouver, BC
We had an incredible time. Jan is so knowledgeable and a terrific teacher. So impressed with him! :)Anna, Vancouver, BC
We had a fantastic time. Graeme taught us so much and made us feel comfortable enough to go out again this weekend and bring our son. We appreciate all the advice on gear too. I will keep trying to trust my foot holds! Steve hopes to beat that crack! This was a Fathers Day present for Steve and it looks like the gift will be enjoyed all summer and for years to come.Jen & Steve, Victoria, B.C.
An excellent introduction to moving efficiently in the alpine, focusing on practical skills and decision making. For those looking to move from hiking/scrambling/sport climbing to mountaineering, this is the course. Lyle, our guide, was a wealth of knowledge and experience.Don St-Hilaire, Courtenay, BC
"Thank you for organizing our alpine adventure, Simon, Adrian and I had an outstanding weekend on Mt. Cain with IAG. Lyle meshed perfectly with the attitude of our group and was able to spend a lot of time addressing our specific questions."Graeme Dowell, Victoria, BC
"The trip was amazing. Learned a ton of new skills and Lyle (our guide) was awesome. All-around good experience. I would definitely do another IAG course in the future."Simon Mountjoy, Victoria, BC
Great course, wonderful instructor.Kelly Sommer, Victoria, BC
Excellent course, Graham was very knowledgeable and helpful.Richard Rae, Powell River, BC
The course was very helpful and the instructor did a good job to help us get a lot out of the day.Alias Powell, Campbell River, BC
It was a great course—far more complex than I expected. Graham is an amazing guide.Ulrike Schmidt, North Saanich, BC
It was such a great weekend. I am surprised at the amount of learning and climbing we were able to do within two days. I am happy to report that I seem to have retained the information and feel confident on the rock. A valuable introduction to rock climbing!Lisa Jackson, Cumberland, B.C.
The Intro to Rock course was wonderful, as I expected. Lyle was such a great instructor; his calm, professional demeanor made it easy for us to feel comfortable trying out all the new skills we were learning. I loved the combination of taught sections and hands-on experience that the course offered, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to become confident and well-prepared to begin top roping outdoors. This was a perfect start to the season!Easha Acharya, Nanaimo, B.C.
My Grandson had an incredibly positive experience because of the knowledgeable, experienced and supportive instructor.Michael Walton, Cumberland, B.C.
The course was excellent. Full of the kind of information I was looking for. Lots of fun. Ken did a great job. I'm a happy customer!Paul Cooper, Victoria, BC
Sincere thanks to Ken, our instructor, and to Zoë for all the support and correspondence! What an awesome 2-day trip in the mountains. Stunning scenery and learnt heaps! Would definitely recommend IAG to anyone interested in experiencing the adventure of outdoors!Christopher Little, Auckland, New Zealand
Absolutely loved the trip. First-class instructor.Marvin Kamenz, Comox, BC
I wanted to say thanks to all of you again for a wonderful day out and for participating in this course last Sunday. A huge thanks to Jan for his expert instruction, guidance and encouragement as well! When I initiated the course with IAG, I could not have imagined a better group of folks to be out in the snow with! It was a super day of learning, pushing boundaries and enjoying new terrain at Mount Washington.Peggy Taylor, Victoria, BC.
I found the course material excellent and the presentation was top notch. It helped that the subject matter is so inherently fascinating, but the two of you really brought it to life. It was clear from your passion that safety in the backcountry is of great personal significance to you. Your message of personal responsibility and power on the part of each member of a group really resonated with me. I was heartened to be made to feel like a member of a team, whose opinions and intuitions are important, even in the company of people with vastly more experience. This is a powerful message, applicable in many spheres of life that involve teamwork, from the mundane to the potentially life-changing. And for me, it was an extremely effective learning trigger, helping to give weight and substance to everything that I learned.Stefan Kriegler, Vancouver Island, BC
Jan was a great guide! We had an introduction to outdoor climbing & anchor building and he tailored our day of private instruction to exactly what we wanted and where we wanted to climb; In this case, Quadra Island. Coming with no previous knowledge of outdoor climbing, I found it be the perfect balance of theory and climbing. I'm very confident with the skills I have no to go outdoors and top rope with just the one day course. I am definitely booking again for lead and other outdoor courses with Island Alpine Guides!Dana & Grant, Parksville
Jan was a great instructor and guide! We had an introduction to outdoor climbing and anchor building and he tailored our day of private instruction to exactly what we wanted and where we wanted to climb; in this case, Quadra Island. Coming with no previous knowledge of outdoor climbing, I found it to be the perfect balance of theory and climbing. I'm very confident with the skills I have now to go outdoors and top rope with just the one-day course. I am definitely booking again for lead and other outdoor courses with Island Alpine Guides!Dana & Grant, Parksville
We were more than impressed with Jan as our guide! Our heli climbing on Mount Matchlee was a memorable experience! Looking forward to returning sometime in the near future. I'm still enjoying the after-effects of our day!Judith Freed, Vero Beach, Florida
This 3-day course was an exceptional, informative, and fun experience that was rounded out with world class instruction. I learned more than I could have imagined and am excited to build upon my newfound knowledge with more alpine experiences, many of which will most definitely be with IAG. I strongly recommend this course to anyone who is looking to gain valuable mountaineering skills while enjoying awe-inspiring surroundings!Easha Acharya, Nanaimo, BC.
"Taking this course was the best decision I've made this year"Duy Tang, Comox, BC.
Killer trip, once in a lifetime, I couldn't have asked for a better experience!Jordan Campbell, Campbell River, BC.
I had a great time at the course. I am sure everybody really enjoyed themselves as well. We're planning to go out next week to practice our skills. With the skills we gained and the little we already had, I feel confident that we can go out and safely enjoy ourselves. Graeme's casual professionalism made the course very enjoyable and safe. I would not hesitate to take another course led by him or put on by Island Alpine Guides. I look forward to the opportunity to take my next course, probably mountain skills.Paul Spencer, Victoria, B.C.
Before I forget I thought I’d write a quick note about the Rock Rescue course we had with Lyle last weekend. It was an incredibly informative few days and well all really enjoyed it (and learned a lot). Lyle was absolutely great. Thanks for your help in putting this together for us!Alois Schonenberger, Victoria, BC.
Couldn't have had a better instructor for us. Lyle was very knowledgeable, encouraging and calming. He tailored the course for us and what we needed to know. We got everything we wanted out of it. It was great!Paula Frigon, Edmonton, AB.
I thought your Intro To Rock course with Graeme was excellent. Graeme was extremely professional and taught the course at just the right pace for our group as we had all had a little bit of experience climbing but were looking for a refresher and some professional guidance. Graeme definitely planted the climbing bug in me I hope to take your Learn to Lead course soon!Grayson Kerr, Victoria, B.C.
Thanks for a great trip. I will certainly recommend your outfit to anyone I can, I thought it was first class. It was good to meet new people with similar interests. Awesome group to be with for this trip. Keep me in the loop on the improvised rock anchors course. I am keen to keep learning.Daryl Aason, Shawnigan Lake, BC.
I had a great experience with IAG. Jan takes the time to explain things and makes sure that you understand what he is saying through hands on practice. He is also very patient and very knowledgeable. I wouldn’t hesitate in taking another IAG course or recommending them. Hope to see you on the rocks!! Thanks again for everything.Tim Turray, Courtenay, BC.
I took the 3 day Alpine Skills course with Lyle Fast on April 16th-18th. It was fantastic. Lyle was tremendously resourceful, knowledgable, and most importantly... safe. We all learned loads of information on a wide variety of subjects designed to keep us safe. I could not have asked for a better guide!Chris Dimoff, Victoria, BC.
The course was fantastic. I learned quite a bit and am keen to get into the mountains more, particularly to try some more ice climbing. Lyle was a great guide, he has a good depth of knowledge and teaches it well. I look forward to taking more courses with IAG.Micheal Nesbitt, Comox, BC.
I have nothing but good things to say about our instructor Ken. He was very knowledgeable and patient while explaining concepts. He encouraged and was always happy to answer any question we had to make sure everyone understood what was being taught. His personal experience and stories were powerful teaching tools explaining the balance between risk/reward when entering the backcountry.A.C., Vancouver Island
Ken is an excellent instructor and I thoroughly enjoyed the course!!C.G., Vancouver Island
Privileged! Great day. Look forward to reinforcing it with the 3-day Glacier Ski course.Derek Kyostia, Comox, BC
Just a quick note to express my satisfaction with the AST1 course at Mount Washington this past weekend. The course exceeded my expectations in every regard and I came away feeling it was a weekend very well spent. You have a gift in Lyle. He is an exceptional instructor who can balance very well between the novices, such as me, and the folks with more experience. His teaching style means everyone benefits from each other as well as him.Bil Derby, Nanaimo, BC
By far one of the best experiences of a lifetime. Instructors with unparalleled experience and understanding at IAG!Kurt Kaufman, Toledo, Ohio
It was great. Lyle was very methodical and we both felt safe the entire time — even my mother who had never worn a harness before in her life.Colby Barrett, Colorado, USA.
I had a blast learning these important mountain skills. I can't wait to get back out again.Matthew Lettington, Nanaimo, BC.
Great weekend! Awesome learing opportunities, great terrain, steak and potatoes in the alpine, what more could I ask for? I'd do it again!Patrick Horsefield, Nanaimo, BC.
The course was first class and I feel much safer and confident in the alpine now thanks to it.Chris Istace, Chemainus, BC.
Lyle was great. Very professional, yet also interesting to talk to and always aware of our needs/status. I must say it was weird for us (me especially) to be in the back country and having someone else making all the decisions, but the benefits of observing and learning were worth the weirdness!Clarke Gourlay, Qualicum, BC.
We really enjoyed our Rock Experience course last week. It was great! Ken did an excellent job of working with each of us at our various skill levels, putting everybody at ease and giving lots of positive encouragement. And the location was beautiful — loved the forest! Thanks so much.Andrea Hubbard, Victoria, BC
Many thanks for the great course. Loved the energy, teaching, ability to adapt to all levels, improvise for conditions and maximize value! We'll see you again.Jordan Anderson and Tida Brisotto, Victoria, BC.
I was amazed at how much you learn in three days of instruction with IAG - not to mention a helicopter access adventure in the mountains. The value from this course is incredible and I now feel confident venturing into terrain that I would have avoided before.Carl Tessmann, Cumberland, BC
This was a great course, highly recommended!Patrick Horsfield, Nanaimo, BC.
Thanks for teaching us the ropes last weekend. You are helping to bring my mountaineering dreams into reach. You rock!Matthew Lettington, Nanaimo, BC
Thanks for a great weekend of Ski Touring @ Mt. Cain Ladies and Jan!Jessica Dulong, Victoria, BC.
Thanks for an amazing course!Ulrike Schmidt, Victoria, BC
Tony and I wanted to say how much we enjoyed the course and Lyle's teaching. I'm someone who inherently looks for yes no answers to questions but Lyle further made me appreciate the subtle art of 'snow science'.Sebastian Wende, Australia
I wanted to let you know how fantastic the AST2 course was this past weekend at Mt. Cain. Despite initial snow issues, it was good of you and Lyle to organize the snow to fall in different consistencies and depth over the four days, to make our learning during our profile practices more valuable. Lyle was a first-class guide. I liked his “what do you think” approach, rather than regurgitating the information at or to us. Being an educator, I know and appreciate good teaching practices when I see them. He was patient with all of my questions and often directed me to answer them myself with further investigation.Mully Jackson, Victoria, BC
Thanks for doing this for the general public. I really enjoyed the course and met new friends and learned some amazing things. Niko is an incredible instructor. Thanks so much – you guys are really great.Chris Larson, Vancouver, BCAvalanche Skills Training 1 for Sledders - Lodge Based at Brohm Ridge
The course and instruction[with Niko]was awesome. Very entertaining, kept us in it the whole time. what a wicked venue as well! My sons are so over the top that we did this as a family. It will have a long lasting effect in many ways.Hennessey Family, Whistler, BCAvalanche Skills Training 1 for Sledders - Lodge Based at Brohm Ridge
This past weekend’s AST1 course was excellent. Lyle did a great job of delivering the course content in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Even though snow conditions were not good, the field work we did was so valuable and effective.Andrew Jackson, Glenlyon Norfolk School, Victoria, BC
Jan is a very knowledgeable guide and is easy to approach with any question about the mountains you could think of. I highly recommend the AST1 course for anyone who is interested in the backcountry. From experienced to complete beginner, this course has the very best building blocks to set a valuable foundation to keep you safe and having fun in the mountains. I will definitely be taking more courses through Island Alpine Guides in the future.Natty Stash, Vancouver Island, BC
Thanks Jan for an excellent day of instruction and coaching in the 'AST plus' course. Anyone who wants to boost their confidence in effectively planning a trip, and making critical decisions in the backcountry ought to attend. I learned a ton, and had a lot of fun.Thomas Kerr, Victoria, BC.
The most well taught and invaluable course with regards to rock climbing I've ever done!Franjo Gasparovic, Courtenay, BC.
Thank you to our instructor, Mike, for sharing his expertise and lifelong mountain knowledge — from hoar frost to facets, from convexities and overburden, to runout zone and debris field. He made the companion rescue interesting and challenging. Practise, practise, practise. A special thank you to you too for your effort with the great Avalanche Bulletin page, our number 1 tool.Thomas & Waltraud Radetzki, Sooke, BC
Thank you for offering a great course! Lots of information in just two days!Keiko Arakawa, Campbell River, BC.
Great learning opportunity for anyone wanting to take their backcountry travel/avalanche terrain knowledge to the next level. Thank you Jan and Island Alpine Guides.Derek Jenkins, Victoria, BC.
Just wanted to thank you for a great weekend. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun.Shauna Mack, Port McNeill, BC.
It was truly a fantastic trip. Thank you again for providing such a great experience.Ben Porcher, Courtenay, BC.
I can't say enough great things about the Intro to Rock course. It was one of the funnest adventures I've had on the island. The location was stunning. We had the perfect amount of instruction and practice at the start. As a beginner, I felt a bit intimidated but that was soon gone – Jan is amazing at sharing his experience and knowledge. My favourite part was the climbing. We had so much opportunity to do anchoring, belaying, rappelling and ascents and it was totally safe, and totally rad! Learning by doing was the only option in this course, which made the course so engaging and useful. You're not sitting around watching the instructor do everything! My loaner shoes were awesome, and the equipment was really good. If you want to get out for a great climb on our beautiful island and learn a ton, please do not hesitate to take this course. It was 100% worth it.Melanie Adams, Victoria, BC.
The trip was great, felt really adventurous, exceeded my expectations with good company and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Christophe judged his pace well so I could keep up without difficulty and enjoy the experience. The camps were comfortable, Christophe's cuisine had a touch of French flair, the rock was dry & the friction good. The climbing was comfortably within my ability and the views spectacular. There was a real feeling of satisfaction on reaching the summit. An all-round excellent trip. Best regards & thanks again for a really memorable trip.Nigel Riley, Ambleside, England.
Christophe and the course were amazing! We got to climb multiple routes (wet but fun) on the safety of top rope but also while placing our own gear. The feedback from Christophe on every piece of pro we placed while we belayed him up was really good. Then coming back down every route we got to remove and re-examine our placed gear. Of course, as with any guide, we got to hear some real life experiences and stories on which systems have worked well for that guide, gotta love the personal touch! I would and have recommended this course to people in my similar circles, familiar with climbing and some of it's practices, but needing to place more pro and be able to evaluate and be confident on the placing of that pro. A definite must-do course for those looking to head out into the mountains and get into slightly more technical climbs.Ryan Smith, Nanaimo, BC
The course was very good. Christophe has an excellent teaching style. His knowledge is obvious but he delivers it in a calm, relaxed and non-pretentious manner. A true teacher. I felt safe the entire time. And, I left with much more knowledge than I arrived with. Also, I have a greater awareness of my limitations. This is a good thing! "What the mind doesn't know, the eye doesn't see!" I now see a lot more! Thanks for sending us such a great instructor.Tom Roozendaal, Nanaimo, BC
Thank you for a great trip . I'm sure you'll be seeing more of me & hopefully my friend for summer trips as well. Food, location & skiing all great.Simon Pemble, Victoria, BC.
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 me to think logically about working with the gear, rock and my climbing partners in the safest way possible. Upon finishing the course, I feel comfortable working independently at my level and taking appropriate risks to further my goals in the mountains. It was one of the most satisfying classes I have taken.Michelle Hawkins, Courtenay, BC
We had the very best day today! Christophe is the perfect guide. He was thorough and clear and held the very highest regard for safety at all times. I look forward to further experiences with IAG.Kevin Doyle, Victoria, BC.
I finally finished standing down from the AST2 course at Mt. Cain yesterday. I'm very pleased to have attended, and feel it was well worth the investment and time. You struck an excellent balance between theoretical knowledge, field exposure, and creative exercises. In particular, I learned a lot from the exercise of writing the forecasts under your direction. That was an excellent teaching technique, for it forced us to think ahead and anticipate conditions and how they would be changing. Thank you for putting together a very well done course, and presenting it well. I, and I'm sure the others, appreciated your willingness to put in some additional time with us beyond the minimum requirement.Bill Wallace, Malahat, BC
I wanted to let you know how happy I am with the AST1 course I took with you recently. The practical knowledge we learned over those two days is invaluable. I definitely feel more confident in my decision-making beyond the rope.Steven Hornick, Cobble Hill, BC
Thank you again for your work with the Alpine Club Youth this past weekend. They learned a lot and are inspired to learn more thanks to your engaging and informative course.Dahlia Miller, Victoria, BC.
I would like to commend you and your staff for putting on an awesome course. The content was thorough and engaging, and the field work was not only an excellent way to reinforce the classroom lessons, but it also added so much more value to the course to be able to see things first hand out in the "real world". The class size was large enough to be able to simulate a good-sized ski group but not too large for each student to get individualized attention from the instructor. Speaking of the instructor, Christophe did an amazing job. He was knowledgeable, professional and did a great job engaging us with the course content. I came away with a much greater understanding of the mechanics of avalanches and also a far greater respect for the potentially devastating effect that bad decision-making can have. I would absolutely recommend the AST1 course to anyone who ventures into the backcountry.Christina Sharun, Nanaimo, BC
I just finished my AST1 course today and wanted to say that I had an awesome time and am looking forward to making turns in the backcountry. Thanks again for another awesome course. I've spread the word among my friends and they're all looking forward to next year to book their own spots for the AST1 course.Kevin Hardy, Courtenay, BC
The course was great, weather was perfect and Christoph is a great instructor with an amazing amount of knowledge. It's been over 10 years since I took my Avi Awareness and the new knowledge and tools will be an amazing help in the backcountry.Michael Allen, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Nanaimo, BC
We absolutely loved our day. Along with great weather and great snow on those Southwest facing slopes, our guide was patient, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable about the area and conditions. It had been a few years since we had taken AST1 and were looking for a refresher focusing mainly on practical skills, trip and route finding, and insider knowledge for Island touring (since this is our new home!). Our guide provided this. We would recommend IAG to anyone and will definitely consider trips with your team in the future.Stacey and Robert Fraser, Victoria, BC.
My most sincere kudos to Mike for a administering a great course. He definitely made the course extremely engaging and interesting. His enthusiasm, knowledge and demeanour gave credibility to the course material and avalanche theory, and thoroughly engaged the students. Also, it made for one heck of a good time.Tony Litke, Snow Survey Network Program, BC Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC
Thank you for an amazingly informative course. The content was very educational and you were superb at facilitating learning throughout!Bridget Horel, Merville, BC.
Thanks so much for doing a great job on that course! I can't remember ever learning so much in a weekend. The drive through the mountains back to Edmonton was extra fun -- I spent half the time tracing routes up and down the visible terrain.Euan Thomson, Edmonton AB
Thanks again for a great course; it was so great to do the course on my home turf, because I now see that terrain in a whole new light. It actually made me more confident about going into avalanche terrain back there, because I have some tools to assess the risk appropriately.Jimmy Thomson, Vancouver, BC.
Thank you again for a truly amazing weekend. You really blew any expectations we had for AST1 out of the water.Breanne Storey, Victoria, BC
Awesome course, so worth the money. Angeline and I came out with so much more knowledge than we expected and feel so much more prepared to tour the backcountry this season. It really showed me how little I really knew last season. Your teaching ability and passion for ski touring and avalanche knowledge really shines through while you're teaching (especially in the field). Thanks again, and we look forward to taking more courses and tours with you in the near future.Nate Elman & Angeline Huson, Courtenay, BC
My wife trusts you more than me and she has never met you!George Woernle, Chemainus, BC.
Thank you for a great weekend, and a great introduction to mountaineering. I learned some essential skills, and gained a much better understanding of my own comfort zone and how to expand it. I am really keen to get out there and do just that. I will be in touch with questions from time to time, and will certainly take another course with IAG. Thanks again.Daniel Sunter, Victoria, BC.
Thanks so much for a great weekend. I learned a lot and feel very confident and look forward to climbing again soon. Taking the course was a great idea. Had a wonderful time!Renee Blouin, Quadra Island, BC.
Thanks again for the awesome course and weekend. A real pleasure hanging (pun intended) with you over the weekend. We'll keep in touch.Russell Henry, Nanaimo, BC.
The idea was to send the 2012 ski season off with an adventure, so naturally I got in touch with IAG. Jan was keen right off the start to ski spring lines on Arrowsmith, and within a couple of days he had two other skiers lined up and a trip plan. The day on the Arrowsmith massif didn't disappoint. Under clear blue skies, we skied our chosen lines, lunched on the saddle between Arrowsmith and Cokely, then decided to climb a rocky wall up to Cokely to ski out via the Rousseau Route. The day had everything I'd hoped for: steep skiing, challenging ascents and an adventurous spirit. It was a fitting end to an epic ski season.Toby Gorman, Nanaimo, BC.
I had a great time riding with you. I gained a lot of knowledge, and definitely appreciated your willingness to share your expertise. Thanks again, and happy turns. I look forward to our next meeting.David Boychuk, Vancouver Island, BC.
I started lead climbing after a three-day course taught by Jan Neuspiel. We covered gear placement, anchors, rope management and multi pitch climbing techniques. This professional instruction proved priceless to me on so many levels. I noticed my base technical skills were at a higher level compared to more "seasoned" climbers. There is just so much ground level knowledge I gained that would have been impossible to replicate without professional instruction. As I progressed in my climbing, I teamed up with Jan as a climbing partner four years later on a 3000ft big wall on Baffin Island. I highly recommend this training to anyone serious about climbing safely and effectively.Guy Ridler, Courtenay, BC
Thanks for the incredible, informative and fun course.Kimberly Johnston, Ucluelet, BC
An awesome day!Janet Rygnestad, Nanaimo, BC.
My wife and I had a spectacular time ski touring on Vancouver Island, thanks to IAG. We will (and have already) highly recommend IAG to our friends. Jan and IAG helped maximize our vacation time by finding safe routes and untracked lines all day. Vancouver Island has so much to offer, and IAG helped us enjoy the skiing, touring, and culture that are there!Brian McNamara, Portland, Oregon.
My son really enjoyed the AST1 course. He had a great time and learned a lot. He has told me a few stories from the course and you definitely got his attention. He loves skiing and the mountains and has been doing some skiing recently in the backcountry, which of course has had me concerned. I appreciate you teaching him respect for the backcountry and the elements. This course will help him to be safer and better prepared. Thank you very much.Sheila Goodall, Courtenay, BC
Thanks again for a great course. It was exactly what we needed.Kyle Milburn, Ecofish Research Ltd, Courtenay, BC
Even though it was our 5th year running, I felt that your delivery of new course material and presentation techniques keeps getting better. Your ability to teach teenagers about terrain and avalanche risk assessment and group decisions is very effective. Thank you for helping to inspire tomorrow's stewards of nature.Andrew Jackson, Glen Lyon Norfolk School, Victoria, BC.
An awesome experience! I can't wait to get out and use it.Patrick McConnell, Courtenay, BC
Just wanted to write and say thanks for organizing another great IAG trip for us. Mike was extremely well-prepared with enthusiasm to match, and we had a blast while seeing some of Vancouver Island's most spectacular scenery and wildlife. It has been very difficult getting back to work this week!Mary Thiess & Toby Gorman, Nanaimo, BC
It was the experience of our lifetime. Our guide Mike and our fellow hikers Mary and Toby were fantastic. Mike gave us the impression of being in a Hilton hotel: excellent meals and utmost care. We couldn't have imagined a better guide and companions. When we're back in Belgium we'll certainly talk to others about this trail, this beautiful country and the excellent guidance by Island Alpine Guides.Andre & Rita Van de Perre, Melsele, Belgium
Just wanted to email to thank Christophe for the great tour yesterday. We had so much fun and enjoyed recounting all the different parts of our day on the drive home yesterday afternoon. We'll look forward to another Mt Cain tour next year!Mary Thiess, Nanaimo, BC.
Mike is a truly excellent guide. We feel very fortunate to have had him. The food was great too - all very high quality. The experience unforgettable. Going on a trip like this really makes you realize what a great country we live in.William Kaplan, Toronto, ON
Both Nicole and I really enjoyed the course immensely. Thanks for the great attitude and your incredible amount of knowledge. You really know how to teach well and are a pleasure to climb with.Paul Barrette, Vancouver, BC.
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 me to think logically about working with the gear, rock and my climbing partners in the safest way possible. Upon finishing the course, I feel comfortable working independently at my level and taking appropriate risks to further my goals in the mountains. It was one of the most satisfying classes I have taken.Michelle Hawkins, Courtenay, BC.
Here is the photo evidence of three of the greatest climbers ever, and me; as well as two of the greatest guides. Let’s do it again!Bill Coffin, Los Angeles, California.
Thanks for a wonderful weekend. Our long day Saturday was as exciting as it gets for me, with the snow and rocks all mixed together. All and all, three days of thrill rides. And then add the fresh halibut and great steaks, and hey – what a deal! It was great seeing you again, and climbing with you was far more of a treat than skiing with you, as much fun as that is. Hope I can make a deal with god to buy back another 10 years to keep it all up. I was so exhausted (as well as elated) that I fell asleep on the airplane coming home. What a terrific weekend – thanks so much!Bill Hargreaves, San Diego, California
My climbing partner and myself looked forward to this trip as a once in a life time adventure. Now we say a helicopter fly in mountain experience with IAG will be an annual event!Dale Combs, Duncan, BC.
STOKED!Andy Burden, Victoria, BC.
If someone had been injured while climbing I had no idea what to do until taking a course like this!Clive Powsey, Cumberland, BC.
Thanks very much for offering the crevasse rescue course yesterday. The course was a great learning experience.Matthew Benjamin, Victoria, BC
Just wanted to again say thank you for a wonderful day of instruction. I got so much more than I was expecting. Mark was also thrilled with the course.Michelle Hawkins, Courtenay, BC.
What a great adventure! The whole experience was fantastic! Thanks for getting us to the top of Serratus. It’s nice after the fact to know you made it to the top, rather than just getting close. There are too many great photos to pick a few right now, so I have burned them all to a disc and will drop it in the mail today.Dale Combs, Advanced Mountain Skills Tantalus Range
It really was one of the best courses I've ever taken - it was perfectly structured and well taught. Thanks! It's proven especially useful; I've been planning all kinds of trips all around here!Erik Petereson, Nanaimo, BC.
I started lead climbing after a course taught by Jan Neuspiel. We covered gear placement, anchors, rope management and multi pitch climbing techniques. This professional instruction proved priceless to me on so many levels. I noticed my base technical skills were at a higher level compared to more "seasoned" climbers. There is just so much ground level knowledge I gained that would have been impossible to replicate without professional instruction. As I progressed in my climbing, I teamed up with Jan as a climbing partner four years later on a 3000ft big wall on Baffin Island. I highly recommend this training to anyone serious about climbing safely and effectively.Guy Ridler, Courtenay, BC.
I have skied all over the world in Europe, Canada, South America, Greenland, Alaska, Russia and the Himalayas. Some of the best days I have had have been skiing with Jan.Joaquin Folch, Barcelona, Spain.
I've been climbing with Jan since our first trip in Nepal in 1989. We've climbed together almost every year since then in the European Alps, Yosemite, the Tetons, and both the Coast Range and on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. On every trip I have put my life in Jan's hands, and I've been comfortable doing so. He's very careful and very knowledgeable as a guide. He really does make my safety in the mountains his first priority. Jan is also always sensitive to my limits, both in thinking through each route (and sometimes each move on a section of a route), and in thinking through when he can push me a little to get past my fears, when I really am able to follow him. Beyond the question of safety, we've become good friends. You need someone you can talk to, in all moods, when you're sharing a tent for days. Jan can get along well with, and encourage, a very wide range of people.Ken Cohen, Boston, Massechusetts
I have taken a half dozen treks with various companies around the country climbing in Africa, Canada, Italy, Switzerland as well as a variety of places in the US and have had a number of guides who have assisted me in these ventures. None of them came close to holding a candle to the experience we had with Jan. Thank you. We will treasure our memories forever.Dan Stephenson, Temecula, California.
For several years my daughter's birthday present for me was a guided trip with Jan Neuspiel to one of the higher local peaks on northern Vancouver Island or in the Bute Inlet area. Without exception, the climbs were enjoyable and successful, and the memories remain with me as some of my most enjoyable mountaineering trips. At the start of a trip the objective always seemed to be higher and more difficult than anything I could reasonably expect to climb safely. Yet once we got going I never had reason to fear or worry, it was simply lots of fun in spectacular surroundings. If it wasn't for very arthritic knees, the birthday present tradition would, hopefully, still be going on.Rolf Kellarhals, Quadra Island, BC.
Thanks for the great day, it was a life affirming trip with that "it's good to be alive" vibe. We really appreciated the professionalism of your pilot and of course your expertise on the mountain. I hope we all get a chance to travel in the wilderness again.Pete Postuk, Victoria, BC.
Great trip, great company and outstanding guiding!George Woemle, Chemainus, BC.
Over the years I have done a number of trips with Jan on Vancouver Island and in the Coast Range. Jan's enthusiasm for mountains is infectious. He is great fun to have adventures with and he has helped me push my limits in a safe way. For our first trip together he guided an all woman's snow and ice school that I had helped to organize. His teaching abilities and interpersonal skills were exemplary.Dr. Erika Kellerhals, Quadra Island, BC.
I have had the benefit of Jan's guiding on four separate occasions over the years. From an initial top rope rock climbing course, through to a wild expedition in the Waddington range, Jan has provided me with solid instruction and guiding to the highest standards. Jan's friendly nature and wide ranging conversational interests make his trips all the more entertaining. I recommend Jan without hesitation as a guide to your adventures.Mort Allingham, Comox, BC.
My two 15 year old sons and I took the AST 1 course last weekend. I came away from the two days with a keen appreciation of how little I knew about avalanche danger. The boys actually admitted that they had learned a lot! And they had fun. Jan was great. I look back at this being one of the best things I have done for my kids in a long time. It could save their lives. Thanks.Paul Cosulich, Vancouver, BC.
Thanks again to Jan Neuspiel of Island Alpine Guides for an amazing experience! In the last couple of years I have taken various climbing instruction, an avalanche course and a guided mountain hike/climb on Vancouver Island. All three outdoor educators/guides (Cliff, Karen and Jan) have been outstanding! My most recent adventure was a helicopter fly in to Matchlee Mountain. Three days of excellent instruction at a magical location, all under blue skies and warm weather; and to top it off a climb to the summit! My climbing partner (Albert Pozar) and myself looked forward to this trip as a once in a life time adventure. Now we say a helicopter fly in mountain experience with IAG will be an annual event!Dale Combs, Duncan, BC.
You did a great job with making the course professional while keeping it entertaining and fun. I felt you did a great job of balancing the safety and technique messages while keeping it realistic and relating it to real situations and decision making. I would and have recommend the AST1 course to anyone who wants to explore any out of bounds areas whether they are skiers, boarders, snowshoe or hikers. I really liked the layout of the course and how you used what we were actually seeing (good and bad techniques) and experiencing as learning tools instead of just using theory. I am eager to get out and put some of my new skills to practice and continue learning in the outdoors!Tod Gilbert, Nanaimo, BC.
I can't wait to get out again! It was an incredible course and I am so glad to have taken it, definitely ignited something.Anna Clark, Victoria, BC.
I recently went through the Intro to rock course and then did the Long weekend mountain skills course with Jan from Island Alpine Guides. What can I say? Both were excellent! Jan is a great mentor and has a ton of experience. I have since put many of the skills that I learned to use on a week long hiking trip in Strathcona Park. Doing these courses with Jan has certainly taken my hiking skills "up a notch". I plan on doing more courses with I.A.G in the future.Russ Henry, Nanaimo, BC.
Thanks for an awesome trip. I've gained an immense appreciation for what you do and a thirst to continue on.Carol Ann Patterson, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Rich is a very skilled and extremely capable guide who I learned a lot from and without whom I would never have been able to complete this trip. It looks like we were the first party to summit both the SouthWest and the Main peaks this year according to the registry. We stayed at the excellent bivy shelter on the main summit and had a great sunrise. Everything went according to plan and there was a great mixture of mixed climbing, route finding moving on snow, excellent rock and not so excellent rock. Overall an extremely intense and exhilarating experience and worked out well with the 4-day time period. Next summer may be Rambler Peak or some other interesting adventure. I shall be in contact.Rod Szasz, Tokyo, Japan
I really enjoyed this and will do it again with you. Thanks for your wonderful stories, intimate knowledge of the terrain and relaxed way of getting everything to work like clockwork.Wayne Shtybal, Saanich, BC
