Study and Work in Whistler : Mountain Bike Guide Certification
Become a certified mountain bike guide in Whistler – world-class training, professional certifications, and an unforgettable adventure.
Turn your love of mountain biking into a professional career with this intensive 6-month Bike Guide Training programme in Whistler, Canada.
Ride world-class trails every day as you gain international certifications, including PMBI Level 1 and Wilderness First Responder, while developing mechanics, leadership and guiding skills.
With a full and part-time work placement included, you’ll graduate with the experience and confidence to guide riders on challenging terrain worldwide – all while living the mountain lifestyle in North America’s most famous adventure town!
Duration: 6months
Start Dates: May/June or July
Arrival day: Friday
Eligibility: Advanced riders capable of riding black-rated trails and technical terrain.
Age: 18+
Modules below available as 2 month courses:
- Mountain Skills & Media
- Summer Bike Guide Essentials
- Spring MTB Essentials
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Highlights
- Study and work in Whistler – the world’s top mountain biking and adventure sport destination
- Earn PMBI (Professional Mountain Bike Instructor) Level 1 certification
- Qualify as a Wilderness First Responder
- Develop mechanics skills for on-trail and workshop bike repairs
- Build guiding and leadership skills through practical modules
- Complete a paid work placement with a local biking company, or employer in the industry
- Live in shared housing with fellow outdoor enthusiasts in Whistler
Whistler is home to the number one bike park in the world and an endless network of technical singletrack, alpine routes and forest trails. It is the perfect place to train as a professional mountain bike guide and immerse yourself in the sport at its highest level.
This 6-month Bike Guide Training programme combines professional certifications with hands-on practical experience. You’ll complete modules in Wilderness First Responder, PMBI Level 1 instruction, Trail Mechanics and Guiding Clients – all designed to prepare you for leading safe, exciting rides in challenging terrain. A co-op work placement with a local company allows you to put your new skills into practice and gain real guiding experience before you graduate.
The course doesn’t just focus on the riding. You’ll also develop risk management, leadership, and group communication skills – essential tools for building a career in the outdoor adventure industry. Alongside your training, you’ll live in the heart of Whistler with fellow riders, giving you the chance to enjoy the mountain lifestyle, explore the trails in your free time, and connect with a global network of outdoor enthusiasts.
Program hours:
1. Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
2. Instructor Level 1
3. Trail Mechanics
4. Guiding Clients
5. Work Placement
The Bike Guide Training Programme includes five modules, totalling 197.5 hours of instruction:
- Wilderness First Responder (80 hours) – professional backcountry medical certification.
- Instructor Level 1 (22.5 hours) – PMBI certification for teaching beginners and intermediates.
- Trail Mechanics (22.5 hours) – hands-on training in bike maintenance and on-trail repairs.
- Guiding Clients (22.5 hours) – safety, route planning, navigation and group management.
- Co-Op Work Placement (50 hours) – practical guiding experience with a local company.
Certifications obtained
- Program Diploma
- Wilderness First Responder certificate
- PMBI Instructor Level 1 certificate
Participants must be at least 18 years old with intermediate English (CEFR-B1).
This course is for intermediate – advanced riders capable of riding black-rated trails and technical terrain.
You must bring your own full-suspension trail or enduro mountain bike and helmet.
You’ll live in shared chalets or apartments in Whistler, arranged through our partners. Expect twin to quad-share rooms, with WiFi, laundry and bike storage included. A refundable CAD $400 damage deposit is required on arrival.
This is a self-catered programme. Your accommodation has a kitchen, and supermarkets are nearby. Most participants cook together to keep costs down, but Whistler also offers plenty of restaurants and cafés.
Travel arrangements
Fly to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Transfers to Whistler take around 2.5 hours by shuttle
Arrive on the Friday before your course begins; accommodation is available from Saturday afternoon.
Included
- Access to your own personal ‘My Oyster’ account – our online portal where you can find out much more about the program and manage your booking
- Dedicated contact time with an experienced destination manager to discuss the project, answer any of your questions and for us to find out more about you
- Help and advice from our UK office before arrival and whilst you are away
- Pre-departure information covering medical, safety and project advice
- Gold level, 24/7 Pharos crisis management and incident support cover
- Financial protection: ATOL (if we book your flights).
- Thorough orientation on arrival
- In-country support
- Accommodation (see the ‘accommodation’ section above for details)
- Advice on visa requirements
- Oyster plants a tree in Africa with TreeAid to help reduce the impact of global carbon emissions
- PMBI Level 1 certification training
- Wilderness First Responder qualification
- Trail Mechanics module
- Guiding Clients module
- Co-op work placement
- Accommodation with WiFi, laundry and bike storage
- Pre-departure briefing and support from Oyster
- Local support in Whistler
Not Included
- Flights – as an ATOL bonded company, Oyster can book flights for you
- You need a valid passport that meets the requirements of the country you will be travelling to
- Insurance (covering your time with Oyster and any planned independent travel)
- Any costs associated with changing your return flight date if you need to
- Independent travel costs
- Home country travel costs
- Spending money for additional trips, food and entertainment
- Flights to Vancouver
- Transfers to Whistler
- Meals and groceries
- Travel insurance covering mountain biking and guiding
- Study permit and co-op work permit
- Full-suspension trail/enduro bike and helmet
More Information
You must be confident riding black-rated trails and advanced terrain. The course develops guiding and teaching skills rather than basic riding ability.
You’ll need a full-suspension mountain bike and helmet. Pads and gloves are strongly recommended.
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Non-Canadian students accepted into this program must apply for a one-year study permit.
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A regular study permit (under regulation R186F) allows students to work part-time during their studies (up to 20 hours per week) and full-time during scheduled breaks.
Oyster Worldwide is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance. Our status means that we cannot advise you on insurance. This needs to be your decision.
For many years we have acted as an ‘introducer’ to the policy that has been tailored to meet the needs of Oyster Worldwide participants.
You should ensure that your insurance policy covers you for all activities.
Possible career occupations:
- Bike Park Guide
- Assistant Backcountry/Heli Guide
- Trail Guide
Credit cards are advised for emergencies, as well as enough cash to see you through the first few days, there are ATM’s in the village.
Most people book with Oyster as individuals and meet the rest of the group on arrival in Whistler. However friends together are most welcome!
Please visit your doctor or travel nurse to find out. It is unlikely that you will need anything in addition to your routine vaccinations, which should be up to date.
Please see the Fit for Travel website or the UK government’s travel advice page for Canada.
Whistler is in the West of Canada, on Pacific Standard Time and is 8 hours behind GMT (GMT -8).
Canada, like the US, operates on 110V, 60 cycle electric power. You should bring an adapter with you that has a two pronged (flat) plug.
Weekends are free for biking or exploring Whistler. Options include hiking, lake swimming, ziplining or enjoying Whistler Village. These activities may incur extra costs, so check your insurance covers them.
Project Reviews
“I just wanted to thank you on all the help you have given me. You really helped guide me through the process. The interview preparation you gave me made me feel really confident, so thank you,” Finlay, Whistler Snow support, 2025/2026 “Sami was an absolute lifesaver during my interview process! I had never had to prepare for a real...
“The prep session at Oyster provided me the knowledge and insight I needed to go into the interview and confidently give it my best. Samantha and the team at Oyster gave me continual feedback on my CV and interview preparation, which allowed me to optimise my experience for what the employers were looking for.”
“I just wanted to say thank you for your help this time last year setting me up in Whistler. I absolutely loved my ski season there. I had an absolute blast and made so many friends doing the same Oyster programme. Whilst working in Whistler I got my Level 2 ski instructor qualification, and have since worked the ski season in Australia, and will soon be in Japan on another ski season!
“My recent experience with Oyster was amazing. Spending 5 months in Canada, securing a job and accommodation should have been a difficult task, but Oyster helped take the stress out of everything! Having monthly meet ups with all the Oyster participants during our trip was such a nice touch, as it helped those who don’t see each other that much to stay well connected¨
“Thank you for the opportunity of working for Oyster Worldwide this winter. It was a fantastic experience both from a professional and personal life perspective!I thoroughly enjoyed working as a ski instructor and got great reward in seeing the progress of the children I taught during the season! I was also able to gain my level 2 certification during my time in Whistler. Personally, I know I gained a lot from the experience of moving and living abroad for 6 months”
“I am just writing to say a huge thank you for giving me the opportunity to have the most amazing time in whistler! It was so much better than I could have ever expected and I made such good friends with the other oyster ski instructors 🙂 I have had many people ask about how I got into the job, and I couldn’t recommend oyster enough. Everything ran so smoothly, and Tory was great! The level 1 course was so much fun and I was also pleased to get my level 2!¨
“I had an amazing time out in Whistler! I met some amazing people and skiied some incredible snow! I would seriously recommend this course to anyone who wants to get more out of their skiing.´´
“All good here and having a fantastic time in Whistler. Thank you for all your help in making this such a smooth process. Having spoken to others who have come out with other companies it is clear to me that Oyster is the best by a mile in terms of support, information and value for money!”
“Whistler is absolutely awesome! Everyone on the Oyster course is getting on really well and it seems as if we’ve known each other a lot longer – which is great! Everything has gone smoothly and Tory has been great in helping us to settle in.”
“I am thoroughly enjoying Canada and I plan to make the most of my time here. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all the help you have given me enabling me to come to Canada.”
“Everything went really well, starting with the transport from the airport and the Hostel, I really appreciate the help we got with the social security number and all the stuff with the Canadian offices. In short everything that could be arranged went well.”
“Life in Banff has been great. Such a beautiful place with such amazing people. The job is great and my colleagues are very nice, I’m learning a lot! Thanks so much for all the help!”
“I’ve settled in really well! We absolutely love it here, been skiing at Norquay and Lake Louise so far. Just want to thank you once again for the opportunity!”
“I really appreciate all of the arrangements that Jon made for my CSIA Level 1 instructor course in Whistler. The team on the ground in Canada are all very helpful and professional. The accommodation is in a great location and comfortable. My ski experience has seen a marked improvement!”
“Canada was a blast, and I do miss the people I met quite a bit. The course was well structured and the living situation was awesome!Everything was well organised beforehand and I had lots of contact with an Oyster rep. They set me up well for the course!”
“It was great, we were walked through this experience most of the way- I became independent, I learnt new life skills and had fun! Oyster work carefully to advise people on what they’re signing up for, and guide them along to their travels. It’s great that they interview people to make sure they’re aware and capable of doing the program they’ve signed up for. If you’re new to travelling or doing this on your own it’s a good place to start.”
“Guaranteed staff accommodation, which was affordable and very social, really helped my settle into the Whistler life. My advice, go for it, you’ll have an amazing time!”
“The highlight for me was knowing that my job and accommodation had been set up for me prior to my arrival in Canada so it made the whole experience less stressful.”
“Everything was taken care of, from start to finish. I never worried about a single thing and felt very supported with any questions I had. I have already recommended Oyster to several friends and would have no hesitation in doing so again.”
“Just wanted to say a massive thank you for making the experience amazing! I had the absolute time of my life and have come out of it a much happier and more confident person. I am now currently backpacking Europe with the people I was roommates with!”
“Probably the best 6 months of my life so I would definitely recommend. The transition to living in Canada was so easy compared to other stories of people I have heard who did it on their own.”
“The help from Tory, our rep has been second to none. Anything I was concerned about she could help me with. The monthly meet ups were also a great bonding time.”
The people on the trip were amazing. It’s been an experience of a life time.
“Very good company, very helpful support when needed without being overly pressuring. It is fantastic to get the opportunity to work doing a job I live while living in a great resort! Enjoy your time here, it’s over far quicker than you expect!”
“Working with the kids and seeing them progress in their skiing was the highlight. Fill your time up with all the different things Whistler and the surrounding areas have to offer. Pack the whole season to the full.”
“I seemed to be a really smooth process, applying through Oyster, my emails were always answered really fast and all my questions answered before going abroad. One of the best parts of it for me was arriving in Canada already in a group, so I didn’t feel like I was moving to another country completely by myself. Just thank you for making the process of moving to Whistler by myself so much easier and less daunting than it could have been :)”
“Thank you so much for what was the best summer I will probably ever have, your support throughout the project was amazing and I have loved every second of the past few months. The experience was nothing I ever imagined, I had such an amazing time and got to know so many people from around the world.”
“I never expected my trip to be as amazing as this. It exceeded beyond my wildest expectations. Meeting the most down to earth and genuine people while living with them for a month and having amazing instructors who taught me so well and allowed me to successfully pass my level 1. This trip opened my eyes to a new world and other people should do it because you are able to do the one thing you love the most (ski or ride) everyday and at the same time chill with people from all over the world. The Whistler village itself is adorable and so convenient with great stores and nightlife. It broadened my beliefs and expectations. Definitely worth it. The most amazing trip. I shall never forget it.”
“Don’t worry or be nervous before you go, your going to have an amazing time and make friends for life. If you love skiing whistler is an amazing place to go for a season and working there was amazing, I would wake up every morning and want to go to work. Living with your friends was so much fun and I would do it all again in a heartbeat if I could.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed my job as a ski instructor, loved the skiing in the resort and the people I went with on Oyster became my main friendship group whilst in Canada and a few have become friends for life. Definitely go for it! I was unsure whether having a gap year after doing my degree was a good idea but once arriving in Whistler I realised it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You will have the time of your life alongside making friends for life. Being a ski instructor meant I was able to pass my passion for skiing onto other young budding skiers. I felt like I did something worthwhile whilst having an immense amount of fun in one of the best ski resorts in the world. I have skied in many resorts in Europe but Whistler was on another level, I spent a whole season there skiing almost everyday and there are still runs that I haven’t skied! Thank you for providing this programme, I will definitely be recommending it to anyone and everyone who will listen”
“Excellent, my time in Canada far exceeded my expectations because you’ll have the best time ever!!!! Thank you for this opportunity.”
“It’s a great way to see another part of the world. It is unlike anything else, will create memories that will last forever.”
“I was nervous before about going so far away from home not knowing anyone so to anyone who feels like that I would say not to worry and that it’s an advantage not to know anyone because it allows you to meet so many new people and make loads of new friends. And the way that you live together means that your Oyster friends will become like your family out there. I had the most incredible six months in Whistler and made so many amazing friends. It was also such an amazing opportunity to be able to work for one of the best ski resorts in the world and be able to ski everyday as a job. Oyster made my experience so stress free and I always knew I had someone to contact if I needed anything. Also, going with the group made it so easy to make friends and made the first few weeks there so much less daunting.”
“This trip really helps you mature and is a great introduction into ‘Adult life’. Also a good preparation for university!”
“I really want to stay in Banff to see what it is like in the winter and will then move onto another part of Canada after the winter is done. I will be in Canada hopefully the complete two years of my visa. Thank you for your help to make this summer possible. I have had an unbelievable summer, one which I will never forget, hence why I have decided to stay for longer. It has been better than I could ever have dreamt it could possibly have gone.”
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“Whistler is great place full of young and interesting people. You will learn about yourself and grow as a person by travelling and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.”
“I met some amazing people and did things I would never have expected myself to do, such as bungee jumping. It is the best way to make some life long friends and get the most out of your experience in Whistler!”
“Thank you for this new reality! I can’t describe how cool it feels to say “I’m living in Canada”!!! It’s astonishing how much of an emotional rollar coaster the first couple of weeks are, one minute you’re ecstatic that you’re finally here, the next you’re sat in a heap wondering what the hell you’ve got yourself into; but once the jetlag has warn off and you settle in with new friends and routine it’s an incredible experience, even after a super hard day at work today, I found myself walking back home grinning like an idiot because “hey I’m actually doing this! This was once a dream! It’s crazy but it’s awesome!”
“Oyster made the process of getting to Whistler and living there so easy. I met such a great group of people through the programme. It wouldn’t have been the same if I hadn’t gone with Oyster. I couldn’t have asked for a better season – I had an absolutely incredible time!”
“I can’t recommend a gap year highly enough – best decision I ever made, twice! You get a chance to work abroad in a great and beautiful country and get to work in a ski resort which is great fun!”
“It is such a great experience, not only having a gap year but moving across the world and starting an amazing job! You get to meet so many people from all over the world and you get to grow and develop as a young adult with people who become friends for life. Plus it’s a great and unique point for your CV.”
“If you love skiing or even the outdoors there is no better place to go! You meet amazing, like-minded people and get the experience of a lifetime that all your friends stuck back home are jealous of! I want to go back!!”
“This has been the best year of my life. You won’t regret it.”
“The Oyster programme is very good value and you have so much support throughout, even after the programme has finished!”
“Skiing everyday and living in probably the most friendly and scenic environment in the world, why would you not want to do this?!”
“This is a great opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. The experience is guaranteed to be unforgettable and you’ll leave with a shed load of memories. Thanks for all of your help to make a great gap year experience!”
“My time in Canada enabled me to become a lot more mature. If you have never lived away from your parents before, this prepares you 100% for doing so. It’s an amazing adventure and I’ve made friends for life.”
“I’ve just returned from Whistler and I can definitely say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done with my life (so far..!). For my first time leaving home and travelling, I’d say Oyster were the best company to go with, as we later found out that other programs didn’t offer the support that we were guaranteed OR a job confirmed. I’ve made friends for life and can happily say I’ll be returning to Canada, all thanks to Oyster!”
“Best six months of my life and being with Oyster made it so much better, organised and socially so good!”
“Everything went smoothly whilst abroad. Oyster Worldwide gave me the correct amount of help without being too protective. When problems needed to be sorted they were always either a phone call or email away any time of the year that I was away.”
“Being in the Canadian Rockies and being able to do lots of amazing things in my free time was excellent. Also meeting so many different people from all different cultures and now having friends all over the world from Japan to Germany.”
“Just wanted
“Spending all day on the mountain in Whistler teaching skiing was a fantastic and life-changing experience. The help and organisation from Oyster made the process incredibly easy and I would definitely recommend it to everyone that loves the snow! I know I’ll be going back some day soon!”
“I would like to thank everyone at Oyster who have put such a lot of effort into the organisation of our trip. You are amazing people and you are fantastic at what you do! My season in Whistler has changed my life!”
“The job was one of the best in Whistler as you get to ski, even at work! The lifestyle of skiing and going out was perfect. Everyone in Whistler has the same mentality and is there for the same reasons so it’s really easy to get along with people.”
“Very helpful and proactive organisation of my gap year. Had a fantastic time and all logistics went so smoothly! Very reassuring to have Oyster Worldwide behind me as I flew to Whistler.”
“Just want to say thank you for all your help, you made my arrangements to get to Canada very easy and my journey smooth and stress free.”
“The best part was that once I had arrived and settled in I was left largely to my own devices to do as I pleased but if I needed any help or support it wasn’t far away.”
“The programme lived up to my expectations and much more! The group got on well and made friends straight away, the work was really good and the supervisors were easy to talk to. I didn’t have any problems while I was there, but it was reassuring to know that Tory was there if we needed some backup.”
“I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU! I had the most amazing time last year and even though I’m enjoying Uni now, it just does not compare to my experience in Whistler There is not one person I didn’t get along with and still today, we still speak regularly. It was the time of my life. Nothing will ever compare and I met some of the loveliest people ever! Thank you so much for making it possible for me.”
“I would like to thank you and the Oyster team for everything you have done. By coming out here I have opened a door I didn’t even know was there.”
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you a million times over for the amazing work you do, especially for organising my placement in Whistler. Summer is, if possible just as epic as winter in Whistler, the five lakes provide an amazing range of activities and the weather is gorgeous. I can honestly say it was the best thing I have ever done and could never have done it without you.”
“I settled in quickly and found everyone in Whistler very friendly and welcoming.
“Oyster sent me on my first adventure to Whistler, and I have been hooked on travel ever since. I had the opportunity to be part of the Oyster team and then, after a placement in Australia and a couple of yGot a question or want to chat to Project Manager Sami who has first-hand experience of the project? Call +44 (0)1892 771976or email: – [email protected].
