Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures
Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures
Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures
5
This location was reported permanently closed
Full view
About
We provide guided mountain adventures catering to all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and top level mountain skills courses including avalanche safety and rock climbing. We are owned and operated by a fully certified Mountain Guide and staffed by highly trained professional guides. Come along and experience the most incredible outdoor adventures Canada has to offer!
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Similar Experiences
Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsContribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
21 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Melissa B
4 contributions
June 2014 • Friends
I have only been climbing in the gym for a couple months, so decided to call MSA and book into 'Intro to Rock Climbing' to learn some solid, safe fundamentals to outdoor climbing. They had a course running the upcoming weekend, so I signed up for that. A couple hours later they replied and said the course had moved from the Saturday/Sunday to Sunday/Monday, which, unfortunately, did not work with my schedule. They were incredibly accommodating though and said if I can find another person to take this course with me they will grab another guide and still run it. I called a buddy whose done some outdoors climbing to join me, but he wanted a bit more from the course than just the intro. He contacted MSA and asked if we could do Intro to Rock Climbing on the Saturday and Intro to Multi-Pitch on the Sunday. They asked us a couple questions about our experience and agreed this would work well.
Our guide for the weekend was Phil. He was awesome. Always felt safe, learned a lot, and still had fun. He is able to teach you everything properly and safely, as well as keep things funny and entertaining.
I am thoroughly impressed and incredibly happy with these guys. They were so accommodating and did whatever they could to get us out there learning at our level. I love that they looked at where our skill level was at, and taught to that. He didn't go over the basics of tying the figure 8, showing how the harness works and what not as we already knew that. It was wonderful.
I fully plan on coming back to them for additional courses in the future as my skills progress.
Our guide for the weekend was Phil. He was awesome. Always felt safe, learned a lot, and still had fun. He is able to teach you everything properly and safely, as well as keep things funny and entertaining.
I am thoroughly impressed and incredibly happy with these guys. They were so accommodating and did whatever they could to get us out there learning at our level. I love that they looked at where our skill level was at, and taught to that. He didn't go over the basics of tying the figure 8, showing how the harness works and what not as we already knew that. It was wonderful.
I fully plan on coming back to them for additional courses in the future as my skills progress.
Written 3 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean M
Fort McMurray, Canada3 contributions
July 2015 • Solo
Just finished my "Intro to outdoor rock climbing" course today, and it was an awesome experience! Coming into it, I had no experience with regards to outdoor climbing, so this course was the perfect gateway into it, as I got to learn all the components to Lead climbing, and top-rope climbing. Our guide, Phil, was rad, and an awesome teacher. He was right on it with communication, as well as coaching on your skills. Overall, I loved the whole experience. If you already have some time outdoor climbing, I'd say do the "Rock super course" if you have the extra time/cash.
Written 11 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
benjusic
Sydney, Australia13 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
I did the intro to ice climbing course last December (unfortunately I didn't get around to writing a review then, but as I plan my next trip thought I'd share the love). I previously completed an intro to rock so you can imagine my satisfaction levels to have returned for another course. This time I signed up to do the course with my cousin from Edmonton.
Ice climbing isn't a sport you hear much about in Australia, so I was a bit worried about it thinking everyone else would have more knowledge than me. The pace of the course was excellent. Covered the basics and drew your attention to the smaller details that you could easily overlook. Very thrilling and an amazing experience. First day got us up to scratch on the basics and then our second day took us to some truly beautiful spots to climb.
Our group size allowed us all to get ample climbing in so there wasn't really any sitting around waiting. Our guide was easy to understand and great to have lead us. I would and will continue to preference MSA to any other course provider in the region!
Ice climbing isn't a sport you hear much about in Australia, so I was a bit worried about it thinking everyone else would have more knowledge than me. The pace of the course was excellent. Covered the basics and drew your attention to the smaller details that you could easily overlook. Very thrilling and an amazing experience. First day got us up to scratch on the basics and then our second day took us to some truly beautiful spots to climb.
Our group size allowed us all to get ample climbing in so there wasn't really any sitting around waiting. Our guide was easy to understand and great to have lead us. I would and will continue to preference MSA to any other course provider in the region!
Written 20 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msullivan747
Whistler, Canada2 contributions
June 2014 • Solo
I had an awesome time renewing my standard first aid with Whistler Alpine Guides.
It was very ands on, practical based and the information delivered was very current and relevant.
Would highly recommend to anyone
It was very ands on, practical based and the information delivered was very current and relevant.
Would highly recommend to anyone
Written 3 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
relio123
Calgary, Canada1 contribution
Dec 2013 • Solo
Overall experience with MSA was 110%
From the booking to the course, everything was pro.
AST1 instructor, Brad, was super awesome - very knowledgeable, proffessional, patient and friendly. I have no problem recommending Mountain Skills Academy to anyone an dlook forward to my next course.
From the booking to the course, everything was pro.
AST1 instructor, Brad, was super awesome - very knowledgeable, proffessional, patient and friendly. I have no problem recommending Mountain Skills Academy to anyone an dlook forward to my next course.
Written 23 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rms067
Canmore, Canada1 contribution
Sept 2018 • Couples
My wife and I had our very first multi-pitch rock climbing experience with our amazing guide, Phil. Phil took us to Rundle Mountain to do a 5.5 rated route called Rundle Horn. The route was fairly easy, but after 6 hours of climbing and repelling for 11-pitches we were fatigued and exhausted. The route was very fun, rewarding, and we learned a lot. Our guide, Phil, was very professional, educational, personable, and above all else, safe. We would definitely hire Phil again to be our guide.
Written 21 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gavin D
1 contribution
Aug 2018 • Solo
The course covers all essential rock rescue skills, plus some nice tips and tricks to just make things easier! A bit expensive for just one day, but the instructor, Phil, was attentive and very well versed.
Written 21 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tyler N
1 contribution
July 2018 • Friends
Last weekend I took MSAA's introduction to trad course with their ACMG guide Phil. We met early at Canmore and made our way to Wasootch slabs for a day of skills. I was brand new to trad climbing, and was looking to get comfortable leading easy trad climbs by taking this course.
Despite some brief showers Phil gave us plenty of instruction on the ground regarding placing gear and building multi-directional anchors. The afternoon we also did some mock leads having Phil inspect all of our placements. The instruction was amazing, and I certainly attained my goal of feeling comfortable leading some easy trad routes.
Our instructor was amazing, Phil is very knowledgeable, friendly and professional. The mileage we got from this course was great considering the weather. If you're looking to get into trad climbing, this is a great point to kick off from!
Despite some brief showers Phil gave us plenty of instruction on the ground regarding placing gear and building multi-directional anchors. The afternoon we also did some mock leads having Phil inspect all of our placements. The instruction was amazing, and I certainly attained my goal of feeling comfortable leading some easy trad routes.
Our instructor was amazing, Phil is very knowledgeable, friendly and professional. The mileage we got from this course was great considering the weather. If you're looking to get into trad climbing, this is a great point to kick off from!
Written 4 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kmsteic
Kansas City, KS1 contribution
July 2017 • Family
My family hired Phil Wilhelm to learn to rock climb. We had an incredible time. He did a great job working with my teenage son and daughter as well as my husband and me. He was always teaching and guiding us which allowed us to have a great experience. He did an excellent job managing our different experience levels so we all enjoyed it. My son says it is one of his top 5 adventures so far.
Written 30 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gazrichie
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK9 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
I would like to take the opportunity to express my thanks to Scott McKay and cloud nine guides on my successful guided ice climb on The Professor Falls. From the moment I engaged with my guide Scott, I found him extremely helpful, informative and professional. Scott made me feel very comfortable indeed and is excellent company and conversation with a pleasant, polite manor and a good sense of humour.
Scott provided me with an experience of a lifetime and his supervision and mentoring skills were excellent and pitched at the right level that would suit any client I'm sure. I would highly recommend Scott McKay and Cloud Nine Guides to any of my friends or colleagues that may wish to pursue any mountaineering activities in the Alberta area in the future. It was worth every penny (Dollar!)
Much appreciated
Gary Richardson
Scott provided me with an experience of a lifetime and his supervision and mentoring skills were excellent and pitched at the right level that would suit any client I'm sure. I would highly recommend Scott McKay and Cloud Nine Guides to any of my friends or colleagues that may wish to pursue any mountaineering activities in the Alberta area in the future. It was worth every penny (Dollar!)
Much appreciated
Gary Richardson
Written 3 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.