Welcome to our training program!
The Interpretive Guides Association offers a series of training courses and exams designed to provide guides with skills and knowledge to effectively communicate our unique local natural and cultural heritage to park visitors. We provide training focused on sharing the natural and cultural heritage of the mountain national parks for hiking guides, museum interpreters, bus tour guides, information centre staff, rafting guides, horse packing guides, scuba guides, mountain guides and anyone interested in learning more about the Rockies. We also offer group management training for interpretive hiking guides.
Our courses range from 4hrs – 40 hrs in length to suit the needs of different individuals from mountain enthusiasts to professional guides. Our public courses are scheduled in May, June, November and February each year and are available in English, French, and Japanese.If you have a group of 10 or more we may be able to schedule a private course to fit your schedule. Please explore these pages to learn more about our courses and certification options for interpretive guides and interpretive hiking guides.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Please read our Cancellation & Refund Policy if you are planning to sign up for this course.
If you cancel three weeks before the course starting date, you will receive a full refund minus a $30 administration fee. If you cancel two weeks before the course starting date, you will receive a 50 percent refund minus a $30 administration fee. If you cancel with less than 2 weeks notice no refund will be issued. The interpretive Guides Manual costs $45 for members. If you received a copy of the manual as part of your course fees the $45 fee will be subtracted from any refund amount.
If you are sick on one or more days of the course you must prove your sickness (i.e. a doctors note) and get in touch with the instructor immediately. We will place you in an alternate course if we have space available, otherwise you will need to re-register and pay.
If the Interpretive Guides has to cancel a course due to low numbers, you will have the choice of being given a full refund or transferring your registration for another course.
Currently Available Courses & EventsCalendar View
Jasper General Meeting
Come and share food, drinks, and stories. Blow out 20 candles on the IGA’s birthday cake, and celebrate the successes this professional association has made over the years with fellow interpretive guides.
Date: May 27, 2018
Location: Jasper-Yellowhead Museum
Time: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Keynote Speaker: Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Andrew Manske on his filmmaking adventure with wolverines.
May 29, 2019
Japanese 3 Season Group Management Course May 29-30, 2019
Japanese 3 Season Group Management Course, Canmore, Alberta
Course Details Register NowDates: May 29-30, 2019
Cost: $269 plus GST
Time:
8:30 - 5:30 daily
Location: Mary Belle Classroom, Banff HI Hostel, Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff Alberta
Course pre-requisites: 1. Valid first aid certificate (Minimum Standard First Aid) and 2. Hiking resume. Details for the hiking resume can be found in the GM pre-course package.
Hiking resumes and 1st aid certificates must be sent to Wendy Niven at courses@interpretiveguides.org prior to day one of the course.
This 4-hour workshop has been designed to help people craft good quality themes, work with themes and develop these themes into interpretive programs they can work with when guiding their guests.
Who is this workshop for: people who have taken an interpretation course and have had an introduction to thematic interpretation to people who have had more experience with themes and program development but want more practice crafting strong, effective themes.
Location: IGA office - 820 Main St. unit 203.
Cost: $59.95 for members, $69.95 for non-members
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2019
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 PM
*** please bring one or two topics with theme ideas to work on and indoor footwear ***
Dates: June 10-15, 2019
Location:
- All classroom sessions at IGA office - 820 Main St. Unit 203, Canmore.
- Field trips in Banff on day 2 and day 5.
Course Cost: $599 plus GST
Course Schedule:
Day 1:
- Fundamentals of Interpretation Lecture (9:00 am – 5:30 pm)
Day 2:
- Park Management, Ecological & Cultural Integrity Classroom and Field Trip Sessions. This day will be spent in Banff. Meet at Harkin Hall - Parks Canada Administration Building. (8:30 am – 4:00 pm). A valid parks pass will be required.
Day 3:
- Morning: Interpretation workshop (9:00 am – 1:00 pm).
- Afternoon: History of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site (2:00 pm - 6:00 pm)
Day 4:
- Geology and Geography of the Canadian Rockies Lecture (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
- Geology and Geography of the Canadian Rockies Field Tip - Banff National Park (1:00 pm - 5:00 pm). A valid parks pass will be required.
Day 5:
- Ecology of the Mountains Lecture (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
- Ecology of the Mountain Field Tip - Banff National Park (1:00 pm - 5:00 pm). A valid parks pass will be required.
Day 6: Interpretation Workshop (9:00 am – 1:30 pm)
This course is designed for those individuals who have experience working as guides in the Canadian Rockies. It goes much deeper into the material than the Apprentice Interpreter Course. You may find the IGA Handbook for Interpretive Guides helpful in preparing for this course. Please contact courses@interpretiveguides.org if you would like to purchase a copy
Please note: This is only a course. In order to become accredited as a Professional Interpreter, you must pass the oral and written exams. In order to take both exams, you must qualify with enough hours of experience and expertise. You will be emailed a copy of the Professional Interpreter application package when you register and pay for this course. Please read through it to find out if you qualify to take the exams. Exams will take place in December, January, Feb, May, June and September each year. Exams each cost an additional $75 plus GST. Please email courses@interpretiveguides.org with your completed application package if you are interested in taking these two exams and make sure to book an exam date at that time.
This 4-hour workshop is a continuation of our Theme Building 201 workshop. If you have participated in our Theme Building 201 session and want to continue to build your themes into well-crafted interpretive programs this course is for you.
Who is this workshop for: people who have taken an IGA Theme Building 201 workshop in the last 6 months.
Location: IGA office - 820 Main St. unit 203.
Cost: $59.95 for members, $69.95 for non-members (sign up for both courses and save 10% on the second course - contact executivedirector@interpretiveguides.org for more information)
Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2019
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 PM
*** please bring the theme you worked on in the Theme Building 201 workshop so we can continue your program development, bring indoor shoes as well***
Date: June 18-19, 2019
Times:
- Day 1 - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Day 2 - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Exam from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: TBA, Canmore, Alberta
Cost: $355 plus GST
If you plan to work as a hiking guide you will also need to take our group management course. With both courses, you will become certified by us as an apprentice hiking guide.
Dates: June 20-21, 2019
Cost: $269 plus GST
Times: 8:30 - 5:30 daily
Location: TBA , Canmore, Alberta
Course pre-requisites:
- Valid first aid certificate (Minimum Standard First Aid)
- Hiking resume. Details for the hiking resume can be found in the GM pre-course package.
Hiking resumes and 1st aid certificates must be sent to Wendy Niven at courses@interpretiveguides.org prior to day one of the course.
After you register and pay for the course, an email will be sent to you with the PRE-COURSE DOCUMENT and HOMEWORK. If you do not receive this right away please check your JUNK MAIL and/or get in touch with us at courses@interpretiveguides.org.
June 23, 2019
Athabasca Glacier Icewalk
Athabasca Glacier Icewalk Deluxe, June 23rd, 2019 @ 09:00
Meet at the Athabasca Glacier Parking Lot (nearest the glacier)
This interpretive hike onto the Athabasca will help you discover the world of glacier ice. Peter Lemieux has been walking the glacier since the ice formed there at the start of the Holocene. He'd love to share a few secrets (about the ice, that is) with you on this five hour hike to the lower icefalls. Easy walking. Bring a lunch, warm clothes and chocolate.
Course Details Register NowAthabasca Glacier Icewalk Deluxe, June 23rd, 2019 @ 09:00
Meet at the Athabasca Glacier Parking Lot (nearest the glacier)
This interpretive hike onto the Athabasca will help you discover the world of glacier ice. Peter Lemieux has been walking the glacier since the ice formed there at the start of the Holocene. He'd love to share a few secrets (about the ice, that is) with you on this five hour hike to the lower icefalls. Easy walking. Bring a lunch, warm clothes and chocolate.
Date: June 27-28, 2019
Times:
- Day 1 - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Day 2 - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Exam from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: TBA, Canmore, Alberta
Cost: $355 plus GST
If you plan to work as a hiking guide you will also need to take our group management course. With both courses, you will become certified by us as an apprentice hiking guide.
Dates: June 30 & July 1, 2019
Cost: $269 plus GST
Times: 8:30 - 5:30 daily
Location: TBA, Canmore, Alberta
Course pre-requisites:
- Valid first aid certificate (Minimum Standard First Aid)
- Hiking resume. Details for the hiking resume can be found in the GM pre-course package.
Hiking resumes and 1st aid certificates must be sent to Wendy Niven at courses@interpretiveguides.org prior to day one of the course.
After you register and pay for the course, an email will be sent to you with the PRE-COURSE DOCUMENT and HOMEWORK. If you do not receive this right away please check your JUNK MAIL and/or get in touch with us at courses@interpretiveguides.org.
July 12, 2019
Professional Interpreter Oral Exam (all languages)
This session is open to people who have already taken the Professional Interpreter Course but have not yet taken this exam
Course Details Register NowCost: $75 plus GST
Please email Wendy Niven at courses@interpretiveguides.org before registering to make sure she has a date available for you to complete this exam.
***All oral outlines must be submitted to the IGA's Program Manager as soon as registration is complete.
All individuals taking this test must be a valid member of the IGA in good standing.
In order to become accredited at the PI level, you must complete and pass both the written and oral exams with a minimum of 70%.
All oral exams are submitted by video (YouTube or Vimeo).
Special admin fee for Parks Canada volunteers.
$30 + gst for members.
Purchase a PDF version of the Interpretive Guides Handbook
Purchase pdf Group Management Handbook
January 01, 2030
Purchase Canadian Rockies Natural/Cultural History Handbook
Purchase Canadian Rockies Natural/Cultural History Handbook
Course Details Register NowPurchase a PDF of the Canadian Rockies Natural/Cultural History Handbook
Purchase a PDF version of the Interpretation Handbook
Basic Online Course - Jasper
The on-line Basic Knowledge Course covers the same content and is the same cost as the in-person course. The on-line version is best viewed with a high-speed internet connection, but it is possible to view with a dial-up connection. You may complete this course over a couple of days or sittings if you wish. You can also stop the course at any time to take a break, or get a snack!
You can take the exam as many times as you like at no extra cost.
Course Details Register Now
Basic Online Course - Banff, Kootenay, Yoho
The on-line Basic Knowledge Course covers the same content and is the same cost as the in-person course. The on-line version is best viewed with a high-speed internet connection, but it is possible to view with a dial-up connection. You may complete this course over a couple of days or sittings if you wish. You can also stop the course at any time to take a break, or get a snack!
You can take the exam as many times as you like at no extra cost.
Course Details Register NowCourse Cost: $89 plus GST
