Alaska has captured the imagination of many over the years. The glacially carved fjords offer a stark contrast to the jagged peaks that rise directly off the ocean to tower some 6,000' above. Lush fields of wildflowers split by glacially fed streams span across the alpine tundra of the Yukon.
Alaska and the Yukon has some of the best terrain in North America for learning a variety of outdoor skills. The area offers world-class sea kayaking, rafting, trekking, and skiing. Our expedition center in Haines is an outstanding gateway for accessing this unparalleled wilderness area.
Backpackers are treated to stunning views of the Yukon's alpine lakes.
A playground for mountaineering, alpine climbing and ski mountaineering
Haines is an epicenter for heli-skiing in Alaska
The Chilkat Inlet offers great paddling opportunties through pristine waters
Brown bear and cubs along the Alaska shoreline are just some of the wildlife you might see.
Our semester program combines a series of leadership and guide training programs in the world-class terrain of Alaska. Instructors bring practical guiding experience to the challenging environment of the Alaska classroom. There is no better place to develop technical skills and leadership experience.
Destination: Southeast Alaska & The Yukon Territory
Activity: Semester Program
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 24, 40 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Alaska Heliski/Snowboard
Price: $7250*
This heli-ski guide training course teaches aspiring ski & snowboard guides the skills to manage ski descents, establish landing zones, assess terrain from the air, and the other technical skills essential for heli-ski guiding in Alaska. A definitive guide training program in an epicenter of Alaska heli-skiing.
Destination: Chilkat Range
Activity: Skiing/Snowboarding
Difficulty: out of 5
Duration: 12 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Alaska Ski/Snowboard Mountaineering
Price: $2695*
Students will learn to lead ski & snowboarding mountaineering objectives in Alaska. Hone your technical skills and develop leadership skills among the glaciated peaks of Alaska.
Destination: Chilkat Range / Nadahini Mountain
Activity: Skiing/Snowboarding
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 7, 12, 20 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Alaska Mountaineering
Price: $2500*
On this guide training course, students will learn technical snow, rock and ice skills to lead in the glaciated peaks of Alaska. Learn to lead a group through a crevassed icefall, ascend rocky ridges where the clouds fall beneath your feet and dig a snow pit profile to assess the avalanche danger.
Destination: Flower Mtn / Nadahini Mtn
Activity: Mountaineering
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 7, 12, 20 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Yukon Whitewater
Price: $3465*
This intensive whitewater course teaches aspiring guides the technical skills for swift water rescue and rafting in class III and IV rivers. Students learn to row oar frames and paddle captain with hands-on learning.
This 12 day leadership & guide training course explores the Yukon Territory. We'll backpack through a pristine wilderness setting in Kluane National Park, a landscape where you may step over the speckled eggs of a groundnesting bird or watch a grizzly bear feasting on roots growing in the out wash of a glacial river. Students will learn important backpacking skills and develop their leadership abilities.
Destination: Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory
Activity: Backpacking
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 12 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Alaska Sea Kayaking
Price: $1850*
Explore the incredible land and seascapes of Southeast Alaska and develop leadership and technical skills to lead kayaking expeditions. Learn kayak rescue skills, navigation, paddling techniques, and group management all while experiencing the rich marine wildlife and spectacular wilderness setting of Alaska.
Destination: Chilkat Inlet / Upper Lynn Canal
Activity: Kayaking
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 7, 12 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Alaska Youth Multi-Sport
Price: $2250*
This Alaska outdoor and leadership program will thrill your teenage adventurer! Kayak pristine seas, backpack across rolling tundra and wildflowers, and raft exciting Class III rapids over 9 thrilling days! Experience the wilds of Alaska and the Yukon and share adventures and memories of a lifetime.
Destination: Haines, AK
Activity: Youth Multi-Sport
Difficulty: 2 out of 5
Duration: 9 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Alaska Rock Climbing
Price: $1800*
The Alaska Rock Climbing course is structured to give students a solid foundation of vertical climbing skills from a professional guiding perspective. Our rock climbing location just outside of Skagway hosts everything from easy top-rope climbs and difficult multi-pitch routes, to sweeping alpine faces. Difficulty levels vary from tenuous 5.10 slabs and 4th class adventure climbing to steep overhangs and splitter cracks.
Destination: Alaska
Activity: Rock Climbing
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 7 days
Meeting Point: Skagway, AK
Nepal Semester
Price: $13150*
Combine 40 days of trekking and mountaineering into the Khumbu region, and 24 days raft guide training on the Sun Kosi. An exceptional training program amidst the people and culture of Nepal.
Destination: Asia
Activity: Semester-Program
Difficulty: 4 out of 5
Duration: 64 days
Meeting Point: Nepal
Nepal Mountaineering
Price: $8250*
The peaks of Lobuche, Imja Tse, and Mera offer a world class mountaineering classroom for students on an IWLS Nepal Mountaineering Course. You’ll set fixed lines, learn about high altitude medicine, and attempt to summit these incredible mountains.
Destination: Himalayan Range - Island Peak, Mera Peak & Lobuche East
Activity: Mountaineering
Difficulty: 4 out of 5
Duration: 40 days
Meeting Point: Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepal Whitewater
Price: $5750*
You’ll gain experience captaining a paddle raft and rowing an oar rig, and run exciting Class IV rapids with dramatic views of the Himalayas. The Bote Kosi and Sun Kosi offer varied rapids and progressive curriculum. The course culminates with a 10 day descent down the Sun Kosi.
Destination: Sun Kosi and Bhote Kosi Rivers
Activity: River/Whitewater
Difficulty: 4 out of 5
Duration: 24 days
Meeting Point: Kathmandu, Nepal
Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician
Price: $3525*
Develop professional critical lifesaving techniques - for both the urban and wilderness environment
Destination: Haines, AK
Activity: First Aid & Rescue
Difficulty: 2 out of 5
Duration: 28 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
High & Low Angle Rescue
Price: $1100*
These high- and low-angle rescue courses are comprehensive and hands-on ways to learn the skills to perform mid-air rescues in a variety of scenarios. Students learn to manage access, apply redundant systems, anchor building skills and other essential techniques for high and low angle rescues.
Destination: Haines, AK
Activity: First Aid & Rescue
Difficulty: 2 out of 5
Duration: 3 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Professional Sea Kayak Rescue
Price: $950*
Gain competency as a sea kayak leader- by learning critical rescue and risk management skills. Our instructors will make use of one of the largest fjords in N. America as a classroom.
Destination: Alaska
Activity: Kayaking
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 3 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Wilderness First Responder
Price: $925*
Wilderness First Responder (WFR), is the standard in wilderness medicine for guides, outdoor educators, SAR team members, and anyone that works or plays in remote areas. Our Wilderness First Responder course draws on the experience of both professional wilderness leaders and professional EMS practitioners for a comprehensive curriculum that teaches students to give solid emergency care in isolated locations.
Destination: Haines, AK
Activity: First Aid & Rescue
Difficulty: 2 out of 5
Duration: 10 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Swiftwater Rescue
Price: $600*
This 3-day course will prepare you for the multitude of rescue scenarios that you might need on the river! Tackle high-sides, strainers, swimmers, and flipped boats to prepare you for safe paddling adventures around the world.
Destination: Haines, AK
Activity: First Aid & Rescue
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 3 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Avalanche Rescue
Price: $595*
As a stand-alone course, or combined with one of our ski or mountaineering courses, these Avalanche Safety and Rescue courses will hone your avalanche awareness, snowpack studies, rescue drills, and backcountry safety!
Destination: Haines, AK
Activity: First Aid & Rescue
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 3 days
Meeting Point: Haines, AK
Argentina Semester
Price: $9950*
Argentina, and the central Andes region around Mendoza, offer an incredible region for guide training and leadership development. From the heights of Aconcagua to nearby glaciated peaks, and incredible rock climbing venue, the region is an ideal winter semester location.
Destination: South America
Activity: Semester Program
Difficulty: 4 out of 5
Duration: 40 days
Meeting Point: Mendoza Argentina
Ecuador Mountaineering
Price: $7130*
Hone technical skills and develop high altitude leadership experience on the high Andean Volcanoes of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. From the vibrant metropolis of Quito, to the cloud forests of Banos, and to the soaring altitude of glaciated volcanoes, this 24 day course offers ideal high altitude international guide training.
Destination: Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Illiniza
Activity: Mountaineering
Difficulty: 5 out of 5
Duration: 24 days
Meeting Point: Quito, Ecuador
Aconcagua Expedition
Price: $5800*
This leadership & guide training course ventures into the central Andes to attempt a summit of Aconcagua. It is one of the seven summits and the highest peak outside of Asia reaching an altitude of 22,841'. This comprehensive expedition course focuses on teaching students to be safe, efficient, knowledgeable and confident outdoor leaders in a high altitude mountain environment.
Destination: Aconcagua
Activity: Mountaineering
Difficulty: 5 out of 5
Duration: 20 days
Meeting Point: Mendoza, Argentina
Argentina Mountaineering
Price: $4800*
This 20 day mountaineering leadership and guide training program ventures into a remote area of the central Andes. Students learn technical climbing and expedition skills while pursuing objectives and summits over 15,000'. This course blends solid technical training with high altitude medicine and awareness.
Destination: Penitentes, Central Andes
Activity: Mountaineering
Difficulty: 4 out of 5
Duration: 20 days
Meeting Point: Mendoza
Argentina Rock Climbing
Price: $3400*
The Cajón de Arenales, is an incredible alpine valley situated just an hour south of Mendoza. Students are greeted by towering granite spires and infinite potential. The quality of the rock and variety of routes from long multi-pitches to challenging crack climbs and tenuous sport routes makes this area home to some of the best climbing in South America.
Destination: Cajón de Arenales
Activity: Rock Climbing
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 12 days
Meeting Point: Mendoza, Argentina
Utah/Nevada Semester
Price: $5700*
From tight slot canyons in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to 13,000' alpine vistas in Great Basin National Park, the Utah semester program features a diverse selection of land based leadership & guide training courses.
Destination: Utah/Nevada
Activity: Semester Program
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 24, 36 days
Meeting Point: Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah/Nevada Backpacking & Canyoneering
Price: $2950*
Backpacking and canyoneering trips in southern Utah are perfect for individuals seeking their first canyoneering adventure, or experienced desert travelers looking for an exciting challenge. Participants will learn canyoneering skills in a safe and fun environment and explore some of the most fascinating desert topography in the world.
Destination: Grand Staircase & Escalante National Monument
Activity: Backpacking
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 12, 24 days
Meeting Point: Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah Rock Climbing
Price: $3125*
Climb and guide on splitter granite in a wild desert landscape. Gain the skills to climb and guide outdoors safely and successfully. This rock climbing course is ideal for aspiring rock jocks and experienced climbers to develop technical competency and increase your margin of safety.
Destination: Utah West Desert
Activity: Rock Climbing
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 12 days
Meeting Point: Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah/Nevada Mountaineering
Price: $3125*
Climb over 13,000' in Great Basin National Park. This seldom visited park is ideal to learn mountaineering and expedition skills in a remote wilderness environment. Avalanche assessments, winter camping techniques, and high altitude experience are core parts of the curriculum on this 12 day course.
Destination: Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Activity: Mountaineering
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 12 days
Meeting Point: Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah Youth Multi-Sport
Price: $1750*
This Utah dual-course outdoor and leadership program will thrill your teenage adventurer! Climb beautiful limestone faces and towering sandstone spires, then break out an ice axe on the snowy peaks of Utah's famous mountains.
