Guides

Return to Safety

1. Lead Guides at Powder Cowboy Catskiing
As the Leader of the Mountain Safety Program, the Lead Guide helps facilitate guest safety and the ski program. They work directly with each guide, the drivers and the road builders to maximize the safety and enjoyment of each ski day.

Each and every day of the operating season Powder Cowboy has a Lead Guide on shift. This person has been trained and certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) as a Mountain Guide, or Ski Guide.

• ACMG Mountain Guides have been trained and certified to work in all aspects of the back-country mountain environment. This includes all forms of back-country skiing such as snowcat, helicopter and ski touring, as well as other activities such as mountaineering, rock and ice climbing and hiking. This process takes a minimum of approximately six years.
• ACMG Mountain Guides are also members of the International Federation of Mountain Guiding Associations (IFMGA), the international governing body for Mountain Guiding. Full Ski Guides are not part of this association, as their certification is limited to skiing activities.
• The ACMG Mountain Guiding certification is at the same standard as the European member nations. (e.g. Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Germany). IFMGA Mountain Guide status is the highest level of formal certification available and is recognized world-wide.
• ACMG Full Ski Guides have been fully trained and certified to work in all aspects of the back-country ski environment. Their back-country ski training is at the same level as a Mountain Guide; however they are limited to skiing activities.
• Both Mountain Guides and Full Ski Guides have obtained the highest level of training and certification available.

2. Guides
All of Powder Cowboy guides leading guest groups have been trained and certified by the ACMG as a Mountain Guide, Full Ski Guide or an Assistant Ski Guide.

Each certification level has been trained and certified by the ACMG to lead guest groups; however an Assistant Guide requires supervision by a Full Guide. The Lead Guide fulfils this role each day.

Assistant Guides are in the process of completing an apprenticeship to become a Full Ski Guide, and/or a Mountain Guide.

3. Trainee Tail Guides
Each of our guest groups also has a Trainee Tail Guide. This person is fulfilling an apprenticeship to become an Assistant Ski Guide. They have a minimum of an advanced 80 hour First Aid Certification and have successfully completed the Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 course. In addition they require a personal resume indicating personal ski touring and general mountaineering experience. Last but not least, they must have great people skills!

Every Day at Powder Cowboy Catskiing, each group has a Driver, a Guide and a Tail Guide. Also, there are two Snow Safety Guides and a Road Building Cat that works on behalf of the guest groups.