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Timberline Canadian Alpine Academy

Why choose Timberline Canadian Alpine Academy?

Timberline Academy is a full-service outdoor adventure college offering unique Gap Year experiences in Banff National Park. Timberline clients engage in skills training programs related to ski/snowboard instruction, mountain rescue, wilderness first aid, avalanche safety and are able to earn industry certifications all while working as paid interns in Banff. Timberline Academy is the only local provider of Gap Year programs in Banff National Park. As a result, Timberline is able to create a truly local experience for their clients that includes trips throughout the rockies, independent housing and industry internships. If you are looking for a unique Gap Year ski season experience choosing a local provider is where you will find the most value and knowledge.

Diversity & Inclusion

We strongly believe in building a more inclusive outdoor community. Timberline Academy recognizes the range of unique experiences held by those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour, in addition to backgrounds that vary by race, ethnicity, religion, and language. Timberline Academy is committed to culturally sensitive forms of support and counselling through tailored mentorship, resources, and cultural awareness initiatives that acknowledge the different experiences of BIPOC participants' wellbeing.
Timberline Academy promotes equal opportunity, respect and success for all participants regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We understand the significance of providing an environment where everyone can thrive authentically and we strive to create a sense of belonging and empowerment within our programs. Community support systems and counselling services are in place at Timberline Academy to ensure participants feel safe and celebrated in their expression of personal identity.
We recognize that diverse learning styles and perspectives contribute to a rich and vibrant community. Through personalized support, open communication, and a commitment to accessibility, we aim to ensure that neurodivergent participants can thrive in our programs.

Impact

With stunning Banff National Park as our backdrop, our programs are rooted in sustainability. We integrate eco-friendly practices wherever we can and advocate for responsible mountain recreation. Through collaborative efforts, our programs promote environmental stewardship and community engagement ensuring the preservation of Banff's natural and cultural beauty for future generations.
We believe that our program participants aren't just participants - they're active community members aware of the role they play in Banff National Park. Timberline Academy prides itself in a program that emphasizes teamwork, community, and environmental stewardship with the ultimate goal of inspiring lifelong connections among participants. This ensures that our presence contributes positively to both individuals and the broader Banff community.

Reviews

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James
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Timberline Winter Internship 2023/2024 Review

At Timberline, James has cultivated a program that is ideal for beginning a career in the outdoors. The staff at Timberline are caring, professional, and deeply knowledgeable in their fields. Beyond the staff, they have created a program that taps into the extensive network of professionals in Banff and the Bow Valley, giving you the opportunity to connect with them. In addition to their professional expertise, they are genuinely invested in the well-being of their students. The time spent housing students according to their best fit, connecting them with local resources like food banks and job centers, and organizing social events such as hockey games, dinner parties, photoshoots, and ceremonies is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Banff with Timberline and am grateful for the opportunity I had to connect with students of similar interests and to further develop my career goals. I would highly recommend it to anyone even slightly considering embarking on such a journey.

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Lila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best year of my life

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

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Going alone to a country I had never traveled to and knowing nobody else in the program. I quickly overcame this moment as soon as I met all the incredible people in the program, including the staff.
Pros
  • Great skiing
  • Beautiful location
  • great accommodations
Cons
  • expensive town
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Tom
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Wintertime in my life

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

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
AST1 and AST2 Training for Backcountry!!
Cloud 9 perfect teachers and you will improve your necessary backcountry skills
Pros
  • good housing
  • easy entry and networking
  • Improve English Skills/ Ski Skills every day!
Cons
  • Banff is expensive —> Beer is expensive
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Nick
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent Experience

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

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I fell off the chairlift on my first day at ski training... After that, I made sure to be very careful on the slopes!
Pros
  • Community
  • Excellent staff
  • Fun
Cons
  • Some housing issues
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Oliver
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience

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

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Living by myself for the first time, but that fear was quickly overcome with my amazing housemates.
Pros
  • Helps gain independence!
  • Allows to try new things and new experiences.
  • Helps gain friends with similar interests
Cons
  • The photography course was too in depth and wasn’t exiting enough for a beginner photographer.
  • The indigenous studies wasn’t very exiting.

Programs

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Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Brett Knox

Job Title
General Manager
Brett was born and raised in Canada's nations capital, Ottawa, Ontario, spending most of his early days ski racing, mountain biking, and camping around eastern Canada. His move to the Rocky Mountains a few years ago was fueled by a childhood dream to live in a mountain town and seek out new adventures and untouched snow. He now is a member of the Timberline team in Banff, Alberta and is helping others around the world realize that same dream.
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What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory has to be when I was around 11 years old and my parents decided to take my brothers and I on a cross Canada road trip starting in Ottawa and ending in Tofino, BC.

It was the first time I had spent a substantial amount of time away from my home town and was shocked to see how beautiful and different the rest of Canada is. We spent a few days riding our bikes around Fernie and I think it was then that I knew I wanted to live near mountains for the rest of my life.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have begun to realize that we have put something amazing out into the world that has the potential to have a profound impact on someones life for many years to come. This is what drives me to continuously work with Timberline to help enrich the quality of the programs and the overall experience.

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

I believe Kananaskis is probably one of the most underrated areas I have ever explored. There is so much untouched, natural beauty packed into such a small area and it rarely gets the credit that it deserves.

In terms of overrated destinations, I think anywhere you go has something to offer, you just have to be resourceful and dig a little deeper in some places more so then others.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Timberline is locally owned and operated. The owners live in Banff year round and are the ones who pick you up from the airport, take you out for dinner to celebrate achievements throughout the season, and play pond hockey with you on your off days.

This kind of customer service cannot be replicated by other companies and creates a superior experience unparalleled to anything else.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

We recently took our students on a day trip to Kicking Horse Resort in British Columbia. They were immediately blown away by the stunning beauty of the area and one of our students proclaimed, "I am more excited right now then a kid on Christmas day!" It is little comments and reactions like this that reaffirms you are doing the right thing.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Forward thinking. Putting forth the best possible product and always finding new ways to make it better.

Professional Associations

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