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INSTRUCTORS
The MAST programme prides itself in contracting some of the finest and most experienced guides in the business. Therefore students have personal contact with professionals who are out there making a living in the business of Adventure Tourism.
All of our mountain skills are taught by certified ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) guides. Many of the guides have up to five years of history with the MAST programme and enjoy the physical and technical nature of the course. The student/guide ratio of 1:6 allows an ideal learning environment.
INSTRUCTOR PROFILES
Brian Bell – Coordinator (Honours Bachelor Outdoor Recreation, BA)
Brian has designed paddling, rock climbing and outdoor education programmess since 1988. He is a professional river guide, Master canoe instructor and Swiftwater Rescue Instructor who has been teaching and guiding on rivers all over Canada, including the Northwest Territories. He also spent five years sea kayak guiding in Belize, Central America. Brian holds a Canada Ski Guide Association Level 2 Certification and has worked as a Cat Ski guide in Fernie for four years. Brian has coordinated the MAST programme since 1998 and began as an instructor in 1994. He teaches many aspects of the programme including Leadership, Introduction to Adventure Tourism, Navigation, Survival, Swift Water Rescue, Avalanche Skills, Ski Touring, Hiking, Mountaineering, Canoeing and Rafting.
“The most important part of my job is keeping the MAST programme relevant to today’s adventure tourism industry. The best part of my job is teaching such enthusiastic and diverse students in the amazing outdoor environments we have here in BC.”
Leanne Walker (BA)
Leanne has been interpreting nature for park visitors and education programmes for over 10 years. She is an active member and director of the East Kootenay Environmental Society, the Coordinator of the Tourism Action Society and is very busy with her own consultant work as ‘Walk About Interpretation’. Her recent role in Fernie’s trail system planning is one we hope to hear about.
Blair Craig and Lynn Muller
Blair and Lynn own and operate Canyon Raft Company. Blair and Lynn have extensive experience on wild rivers all over BC. Blair is a provincial examiner for the BC Raft Certification process and a Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. In winter Blair is the Snow Cat Operations Manager at Fernie Alpine Resort. They have been involved with the MAST programme for 10 Years.
Gord Ohm (BA Political Science and ACMG Assistant Ski Guide)
Gord is an ACMG Assistant Ski Guide working with Island Lake/Powder Cowboy and holds his Canadian Avalanche Association Level II. Gord has been involved with the MAST programme for the past four years. He participates in the programmes ski touring/back-country trips and teaches Avalanche Safety. When asked about his past experiences with the MAST programme he states: “I enjoy the enthusiasm and energy that the MAST students bring to backcountry experiences. It is rewarding to help them achieve a respectful and balanced approach to having fun in the mountains.”
Dave Richards (BSC Kinesiology and Diploma in Pure and Applied Sciences)
Dave is the NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard Operations Director for Canada. Dave brings years of experience to the programme which include pro-patrolling, avalanche forecasting, heli and cat ski guiding, ski instruction, 20 years raft guiding and kayak instruction. During the seven years Dave has been involved with MAST he has taught and participated in the following courses: Equipment/Orientation, Ski Touring, Flat Water Canoe, White Water Canoe, Raft Guiding, Outdoor Emergency Care, Avalanche Skills Training and Swift Water Rescue. Dave states that, “Working with MAST is a great experience. It is really rewarding to watch the students gain technical skills and the personal confidence that comes with challenging yourself.”
Rick Emerson (BPHE/BA, B.Ed)
Rick is an ACMG Assistant Winter Guide and has been guiding with Island Lake for the past 10 seasons. Rick has been skiing and climbing the Fernie backcountry for many years. Rick holds his Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2 Forecaster and is a professional member. Known for his excellent teaching and knowledge, Rick is an asset to the MAST programme guiding staff.
Nick Morris (ACMG Ski Guide)
Nick is an ACMG Ski Guide with Island Lake Catskiing, Snowwater Heli/Cat Skiing and Vallhala Cat Skiing. Nick has worked 15 years in the ski industry. He is a Member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, a Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association, CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association) Level 2 and an ACMG Ski Guide. Nick has worked with the MAST programme for the past two years. He has taught the Avalanche Course and participated in ski tours. “I enjoy skiing and spending time in the mountains and the lessons they teach us.”
Krista Turcasso, (BA, MBA)
Krista is co-founder and co-owner of a monthly magazine ‘The Fernie Fix’, as well as providing design and marketing services to a variety of clients. In the past Krista has provided consulting services for development companies while in Calgary, as well as working as a Research Associate for Commercial Real Estate. Upon moving home to Fernie in 2005, she worked as a business manager for a local company. Krista began with the College of the Rockies in January 2007, and instructs the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management portion of the MAST programme.
Darek Glowacki (BA Physical Education, ACMG Ski Guide and Assistant Alpine Guide)
Darek is an Assistant Alpine Guide working with Mica Heli-skiing during the winter and in summer is an independent climbing/mountaineering guide. He is a member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides Ski Guide and is a Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association avalanche course instructor. Darek has been with the MAST programme for seven years. He teaches rock climbing, ice Climbing, basic mountaineering, ski touring, ski mountaineering and avalanche awareness courses. Darek says, “I enjoy working with tMAST because it gives me an opportunity to work with energetic sponges who love to absorb techniques of safe and efficient mountain travel.”
Matt Peter (BPE Phys Ed-Physiology and ACMG Alpine Guide and Assistant Ski Guide)
Matt is an ACMG Mountain Guide, ACMG CGI 3 (Instructor/Examiner) and CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association) Level 2. Matt has been with the MAST programme for four years and participates and teaches all of the climbing and some of the skiing. When asked about the MAST programme he states, “It’s great to be involved throughout the year as it gives me the chance to watch the students learn and progress. The downside is I’m starting to go grey!”
Simon Robins (Assistant ACMG Rock Guide)
Simon has 10 years experience as an Assistant Rock Guide and a Level 2 Gym Climbing Instructor. Simon has been with MAST for the past two years and teaches Rock Climbing. When asked about his experience with the MAST programme he comments, “It is inspiring to work with students who are super motivated to become excellent outdoor leaders.”
Bob Hellman (Master Canoe Instructor)
Bob has been with the MAST programme for five years and teaches Level 3 and 4 paddling and Flat Water Instructors Certification. Bob says, “It is deeply satisfying teaching canoeing to such a high level to such enthusiastic students.”
Ingrid Liepa, BA
While completing the MAST programme in 2005/2006 Ingrid co-founded a non-profit foundation called Extreme Navigator which is dedicated to teaching in the wilderness the life skills needed for success while ensuring a healthy planet. Ingrid has devoted the last 20 years to studying human relationships with the environment and how we can be better stewards of it. She has worked in an environmental capacity for both federal and provincial governments, industry and various non-governmental organisations and was an independent consultant based in Calgary for several years. Ingrid was also a two-time Olympian in speed skating. She competed for Canada at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway and the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. Ingrid teaches Environmental Stewardship for the MAST programme.
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CASE STUDY
It was while Adam Turner (29) was on the NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard 11 week instructor course in Fernie that he heard about the MAST programme.
What were your reasons/motivations for enrolling on the course?
Professionally; to pursue a guiding career and/or set up my own guiding business. Personally; to expand my skills base and knowledge of wilderness travel and gain some invaluable experience.
What were the highlights?
The whole course has been great but the field trips have been my favourite part, especially the touring, which includes trips to Roger's Pass and the Wapta Icefields.
What were your instructors like?
Brian Bell, the course director, is excellent. He tries to employ locally-based instructors as much as possible. The practical module guides are all first class: mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, and ski touring are all instructed by ACMG guides. The canoeing and rafting are also instructed by appropriately qualified guides.
Where and who do you live with?
I live up at the top of Ridgemont, by the bike trials... yeah, life's tough!!! I met a few people when I was out here with NONSTOP and got a room in a house with one of them when I came back.
Was joining the MAST programme a good decision?
I feel like the course has given me an excellent set of skills to use for backcountry travel, whether it be on foot, on skis or on water. I now have the confidence to be able to look after myself and others in a wilderness environment.
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DATES AND PRICES
The course runs from the end of August to the end of May. It is recommended that you arrive in Fernie at the beginning of August to arrange accommodation but we can help you prior to your departure. Please call us for more information.
Price includes;
• Season lift pass for Fernie Alpine resort
• Group equipment – tents, ropes, cooking equipment (except as noted on personal list)
• Instruction
• Certification and exam fees, camping and backcountry free during field trips
• Free access to Fernie campus climbing gym
• Transportation during all out trips
Student costs;
• Tuition fee: $ 13,500
• Course related costs: Course texts, reference books, manuals, maps, student log books and general school supplies are approximately $300 - $500.
• Personal equipment: Approximately $4,200 - $5,500.
• Out-trip food, hut fees and equipment rental: Students are responsible for food and personal costs during out-trips and are required to pay for accommodations in Alpine Huts or Hostels during some courses. Students who wish to rent dry suits for the Switftwater Rescue course will incur this rental fee.
• Accommodation in Fernie - Approx $250-400/month for a room in a house, $500-1500 for a house, and $350-850 for an apartment or basement suite. We can help find accommodation by forwarding rental information during the summer prior to arriving in Fernie.
• Personal expenses. Food, beer money etc.
• Medical Examination Fees: WCB Occupational First Aid and Class 4 Driver’s Licence both require medical certificates which will carry a minimal charge from local medical services.
Can include;
• Accommodation at the NONSTOP Lodge
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info@nonstopsnowboard.com 
