Courses

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.