Why Hire An ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide?

“I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way.”

- Franklin P. Adams -

What Is The ACMG? 

ACMG stands for the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. It is a professional association for trained and certified Mountain Guides dedicated to protecting public safety and enjoyment in climbing, skiing and hiking adventures. 

The ACMG trains and advocates for the highest standards of risk management for mountain guiding and climbing instruction. They ensure their members meet these standards through their Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct, a quality assurance process and audited requirements for annual professional development.

They are a member (the first non-European) of the IFMGA – International Federation of Mountain Guides Association. 

What Is The IFMGA?

The IFMGA was founded in 1965 by mountain guide associations from Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland.  They laid the foundation for an international federation to promote a professional standard for mountain guides worldwide. 

What does it take to be an ACMG/IFMGA Guide?

It takes 6-8 years to complete the entire process to become a fully certified Mountain Guide.

ACMG guides/instructors are trained and examined by an internationally recognized program. This process is carried out by the ACMG’s Training and Assessment Program (TAP) using only competent ACMG members as instructors. TAP provides the course instruction and administration while the ACMG Technical Committee establishes the technical standards for each level of certification. This ensures that the training and assessment are both academically and experientially rigorous.

Why hire an ACMG/IFMGA Certified Guide?

  • The ACMG demands the highest standard of any Canadian qualification. Its members are among the best climbers, skiers and backcountry experts in the country.

  • Athleticism is not the only requirement of a good guide or instructor. Our members are also outstanding teachers and coaches who can help you progress your technical competence, mountain sense and risk management skills.

  • Guides and instructors know their terrain and conditions. They help you achieve success by assisting you in choosing the best objectives for the current conditions and your personal goals.

  • The ACMG Code of Conduct requires that all members carry the appropriate insurance and land permits for any work they are doing.

  • The ACMG Scope of Practice ensures that all members work within their levels of training and certification.

  • An ACMG certified guide is your assurance that any member you hire has been trained and assessed to the accepted standard of an internationally recognized, professional body. 

  • ACMG guides and instructors are trained to provide experience-based decision making in the field and to balance two important facets of your trip – the feeling of adventure and your safety from objective hazards.

  • Guiding is an elegant blend of art and science – a delicate synergy of experience and intuition. One must assess factors such as weather, snowpack quality, avalanche hazard, rock fall potential, crevasse and serac danger, route or terrain selection, daylight and distance, and continuously weigh them against your capability and objectives.

Is there anything else to consider when hiring a guide?

All mountain sports have some inherent risk. While ACMG guides are trained to manage this risk, it is simply not possible to guarantee safety on any given outing. It is a shared responsibility between you and your guide to discuss potential risks prior to heading out.

You have a choice of many guides available to you. While many schools or companies require ACMG certification as a prerequisite for their guides, some do not. Likewise, there are a variety of training programs available to prospective guides. Check the credentials of your guide carefully. Only ACMG members may advertise with the Association logo and possess an ACMG identification card. Only fully accredited Mountain Guides may use the IFMGA logo and will have an IFMGA identification card. You will be happy you selected your trip leader wisely.