Vancouver Mountain Guides (VMG) has developed a simple system of courses with stepped ‘Levels’. Each level builds on skills learned in the previous course so you can easily progress from gym climber to multi-pitch lead climber and alpine climber.
Intro Rock
Level 1 Rock
Level 2 Rock
Level 3 Rock
or
Level 2 Accelerated
Level 3 Accelerated
Level 4 Sport
Level 4 Trad
Level 5 Rock
Aid Rock
Rescue 1 Rock
Rescue 2 Rock
Level 1 Alpine
Level 2 Alpine
Intro Crevasse Rescue
Level 1 Ice
Level 2 Ice
Mixed Climbing
Ice Rescue
Highly-skilled instructors use a 5-part teaching model to convey knowledge of technical skills:
Introduce skill
Demonstrate skill
Student practice
Coaching
Evaluate & Summarize