For questions about the application process, download the guide below!
how long as mountain mentors been operating?
Mountain Mentors has been operating since 2016.
what are "backcountry" activities?
Many are familiar with “the backcountry” as wild and uncontrolled outdoor spaces away from roads or vehicle access. To Mountain Mentors, “backcountry” means the outdoor spaces on the lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), St̓át̓imc Tmicw (St’at’imc), and Líl̓wat (Lil'wat) Peoples and upon which Mountain Mentors operates. “The backcountry” is not a place to be owned, conquered, or disrespected. It is a destination, an aspiration, and an individuals’ experience.
With that in mind, the backcountry activities that we currently offer programming for include: backcountry skiing, splitboarding, snowshoeing, rock climbing, and hiking.
how does the mentorship program work?
Each season, mentors and mentees complete an application that provides information on who they are, what brings them to the outdoors, their intentions, and their objectives. Mountain Mentors responds to these needs by pairing mentees with mentors in one-on-one partnerships.
Throughout the season, we offer programming that supports mentorship pairs and the cohort of participants in fulfilling their co-created objectives. This includes community events, workshops, courses and training opportunities, skillshares, facilitated check-in’s, and socials.
Mountain Mentors programming is offered to marginalized genders including women, women-identifying individuals, and non-binary and gender non-conforming people who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women in the outdoors. We recognize and acknowledge the intersection of race and gender identities and strive to provide programming that is inclusive and accessible.
Mountain Mentors serves communities in Greater Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton. We acknowledge that we operate on the ancestral and unceded lands of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), St̓át̓imc Tmicw (St’at’imc), and Líl̓wat (Lil'wat) Peoples.
Does mountain mentors offer guiding?
Mentorship often involves an offering of guidance and personalized teaching and supportive coaching. However, it is distinct from guiding, teaching, and coaching. While participants (mentors and mentees alike) may be guides outside of the program, their role in this program is not to guide, and they are not taking legal or physical responsibility for the wellbeing of their mentee/mentor. Guides and instructors are invaluable in the outdoors community and are experts in theory and technical skills. We are incredibly fortunate to work with and alongside some fantastic guiding operations in this region, which you can find listed here. Mountain Mentors offers access to training and courses through these guiding operations, but our programming is focussed on creating spaces where individuals can share, apply, practice, and grow as equals.
are all applicants accepted into the program?
Unfortunately, due to the large number of mentee applications, we are not able to pair all mentees with a mentor.
How many applicants do you get each season?
On average, we receive a staggering 175 mentee applications and 35 mentor applications per season!
We have been thrilled at the response rate for the program over the years. It has been so inspiring and encouraging to see the wide-spread love of the outdoors and personal growth in the region we serve.
How will I know whether I've been accepted into the program?
Typically, we will announce mentorship pairings four weeks after the deadline for applications. Once pairing is complete, we will notify those accepted into the program via email! We encourage you to keep an eye on your junk/spam folders as sometimes we end up in there.
What happens if my availability or situation changes after I've submitted my application?
Please contact the Program Mentorship Manager at programs@mountainmentors.org as soon as you know so she can determine what will be best for the person you are paired with (continue or give your spot to someone else)
What kind of experience do I need to have to be a mentor? Mentee?
We offer programming suitable to people of all experience levels and facilitate mentorship pairings with these experiences in mind. We do not hold a fixed idea of the ideal mentor or mentee, but instead seek to understand the needs expressed by mentors and mentees as we facilitate mentorship pairings. We provide ample room in the applications for folks to both express their current level of experience and also what level of experience they need in a mentor/mentee in order to feel comfortable and safe.
Currently, our only requirement is that winter applicants (both mentees and mentors) have their AST1 (we offer opportunities to obtain this certificate prior to the program start date). We often hear people shy away from the mentor role because they fear they don’t have enough experience. We have had mentors who have only been climbing for a couple years, but make a great match for someone who has never outdoor climbed before. You don’t need to be a trad climber to mentor. You don’t need to have overcome the mental games climbing can play with your head! You don't have to be a super strong skier, you don't need to be great at all the elements of your sport (no one is, really!). For every skill a potential mentor has, there is guaranteed to be someone who is keen to learn that skill on the mentee side!
When do applications open?
Winter applications generally open mid-October. Summer applications generally open at the start of April. Unfortunately, we do not take additional applications throughout the season. To not miss any important updates, we encourage you to keep in touch through Facebook and Instagram as well as to subscribe to our newsletter here.
is there insurance for participants?
Yes. Mountain Mentors participants are insured through the Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia.
HOW IS MOUNTAIN MENTORS RESPONDING TO COVID-19
The provincial government has emphasized that outdoor activities are some of the safest recreation options available and we are excited to be able to provide our programming after cancelling our summer 2020 season due to COVID-19. However, the risk of COVID-19 is real and continuing. It is imperative that all participants, volunteers, contractors, and members understand the relevant risks and respect health orders and recommendations to prevent its spread.
Can I apply and/or participate in both Winter and Summer programs?
Yes! We encourage individuals to seek mentorship in all activities they feel it would be valuable for! We understand that growth takes time and it may take multiple seasons of mentorship in different sports. However, we are committed to the accessibility of our programming and will always take this into account when pairing.
What gear requirements are there to participate in the mentorship program?
Mountain Mentors is committed to ensuring our programming is accessible as possible. We provide room in our applications for folks to share what equipment they already have and/or how they may obtain access to this equipment. We seek to facilitate mentorship pairings with this information in mind. There are, however, equipment requirements unique to each season and activity:
Winter: Prospective mentees and mentors should either already have, or be obtaining their Avalanche Safety Training 1 (AST1) course. Additionally, they must either own or have access to an avalanche shovel, beacon, and probe as well as the gear necessary to participate in their activity of choice (eg: splitboard, skis, skins, boots, poles, snowshoes). We can offer suggestions on where to rent winter safety equipment.
Summer: Climbing mentees and mentors should either own or have access to the equipment required for the discipline of climbing they are applying for. At a minimum, this should include rock climbing shoes and a climbing harness.
Hiking mentees and mentors should either own or have access to appropriate footwear for hiking (running or hiking shoes with good grip) and a backpack.
IS THERE A PARTICIPATION FEE?
Yes there is! The fee covers your participation insurance, programming costs (workshops/events/courses), and program coordination (a contribution towards a liveable wage for our Mentorship Program Manager).
If accepted into the program, the mentee cost is $175 (sliding scale is $145 - $215) and the mentor cost is $50 (sliding scale is $20 - $200). The cost is a sliding scale, and we provide a guideline to help you determine where on this scale you might fall (eg "I have all my basic needs met and always have extra income each pay cheque" we would ask you try and pay at the higher end of the scale). This cost covers your insurance, program offerings, and the long-term sustainability of the program. As a program whose vision is outdoors spaces where everyone belongs and feels safe, our priority is the accessibility of our program.
Should you choose to pay at the higher end of the scale, or choose to include a donation, these funds will be used to support program developments, community engagement, and the commitments we have to dismantling the structures of power and prejudice that are central to the persistence of an outdoor demographic that is primarily white, male, cisgender, and able-bodied. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
All that said, we seek to maintain the accessibility of our programming. If this program cost is a barrier to you, we can work with you to find a solution on a case-by-case basis!
What does the participation fee cover?
The participation fee (above) covers your participation insurance, programming costs (workshops/events/courses), and program coordination (a contribution towards a liveable wage for our Mentorship Program Manager).