Mountain and ski guides are trained under the direction of the Innsbruck Sports Academy by the Federation’s training team. Those who successfully complete the training have to apply to the competent district authority for a licence to work as a state-certified mountain and ski guide, in accordance with the regional law applying.

After a three-day entrance examination in the disciplines of skiing, ice climbing, rock climbing and oral and written communication, the series of ten courses can be attended at various locations over a period of at least two years.
The training covers the whole range of alpine mountaineering theory and practice. A licence for the currently popular sport of canyoning can be obtained as an additional qualification.

Training as a state-certified mountain and ski guide

Application:
The application for the entrance examination can be submitted to the local mountain guides section, the regional association or the Innsbruck Sports Academy (the “Federal Institute for Physical Education”). It is very important to contact the appropriate mountain guides association or section in good time.

The information sessions organised by the regional associations and sections on training and professional requirements are also highly recommended.
These take place in June. Information on the induction courses can be obtained from the various associations and sections.

Download: Steps towards training as a mountain and ski guide (german, PDF format, 172 KB)

The following induction courses are planned:

Styria regional association: open
Registration and info: Hans Sitzmann:  sitzmann@telering.at

Oberösterreich regional association: open
This session is organised together with the Styria regional association
Registration : Bergmann Hans Tel. 0664/1313863

Salzburg regional association: open
Registration until June 4th 2005  manfred.reitsamer@sol.at

Registration t the National Federation until June 31th 2005

Vorarlberg regional association: open
Registration and info: Andreas Pecl gweder@osornet.ch

Tyrol regional association: open
Registration and info: Rainer Gstrein, office address:  tbsv@utanet.at

See under “contacts” for enquiries to the sections, regions and Sports Academy.

Schedule of dates
Dates for 04/05 training courses:  Termine Ausbildung 04/05 (german, PDF format, 43 kb)

For registration as a member of the Federation (after the aptitude test):

Datasheet (Adobe PDF): datasheet-PDF7 (german PDF format; 67 kb)

Datasheet (Excel file): datasheet-XLS7 (german Excel file, 20 kb)

Pre-requirements:
1. A complete tour report
    Download form:  Tour report V05 (german, PDF format, 107 kb)
2. A pass in the aptitude test
Dates: 23.9.-25.9.2005 in the Ötztal
N.B. Final date for registration: 30 June, with completed tour report

Practical test:
Rock climbing: safe rock climbing, grade VI, in climbing shoes
- grade V in rigid climbing boots with commando sole
- grades II and III, ascent and descent without rope
Ice walking and climbing: various exercises such as ascent and descent on ice on a gradient of 40°, traversing with flat-foot technique, front pointing on gradients up to 90°.
Alpine skiing: mastery of Austrian off-piste skiing technique with ski touring equipment (stem swing, parallel turns and alternating long and short swings) in various types of snow
Oral test in German: check on work-related oral communication skills
Written test in German: essay on a work-related subject (not required if compulsory schooling completed)

3. Candidates must reach age eighteen in the year of the final examination.
4. A certificate attesting the candidate’s health and fitness, issued in the last six months by a sports doctor

Training costs:
The charge for the aptitude test is EUR 70 (for 2005).
From the year 2004/2005 onwards, a training fee of EUR 430 (EUR 215 per year) is payable to the Federation to cover the shortfall in funding.
Costs for course materials, board and lodging must be paid by the candidates themselves (about EUR 45 per day, depending on accommodation and Alpine hut).
The full training costs about EUR 4 000, including board and lodging.
Course materials cost about EUR 200.
The training extends over two years from the aptitude test to completion (September 2005 - July 2007).
Training may be interrupted or extended for not more than one year.
Application to register for training or for the initial course (theory) must be made to the Federation’s office, by post, fax or e-mail.