State-certified mountain, hiking and ski guides

If you want to experience the thrill of alpine and high-altitude mountaineering, you need to be proficient in a range of mountain sports, including hiking and mountaineering, as well as climbing, glacier walking and off-piste ski touring. Confidence in using crampons and ropes is just as essential as physical fitness, stamina and sure-footedness.

Thanks to their experience and extensive statutory training, Tyrolean mountain and ski guides are specialists in all mountain sports disciplines. On guided tours, they ensure the highest standards of safety and quality, minimising risks for participants.

Mountain and ski guides are all-round alpine experts who undergo one of the most comprehensive alpine training programmes in the world. In Austria, this training is offered by the Association of Austrian Mountain and Ski Guides (VÖBS) in cooperation with the Federal Sports Academy Innsbruck (BSPA). It is a state-recognised training programme and, at the same time, the only way in Austria to become a certified mountain and ski guide in accordance with the rules of the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IVBV).

The intensive training programme begins with an aptitude test. This is followed by the first part of the training (56 training days), which is a prerequisite for the candidate examination. Successful completion of the candidate examination entitles the candidate to undertake the second part of the training, comprising 40 training days. Before the final examination, candidates must also provide evidence of 14 days of guiding experience.

Mountain and ski guides are authorised to lead and accompany you on mountain and ski tours – these include, amongst other things, via ferratas, climbing routes, high-altitude tours, alpine tours, ski tours and ice climbing tours. Under certain conditions, they may also provide instruction in the necessary skiing skills in preparation for a planned ski tour and guide or accompany you on ski routes, ski slopes and cross-country trails. Organisational arrangements for mountain and ski tours also fall within their remit.

Exploring the Alpine landscape on foot has seen a real boom in recent years: when hiking, you have time to yourself, you can rest and relax, but you also challenge yourself and, at the same time, get to know other regions and cultures or discover new areas of interest.

Apart from the fact that in Tyrol, commercially guided hikes may only be conducted by those with the appropriate qualifications (at least a Tyrolean Mountain Guide), safe mountain hiking naturally requires a great deal of knowledge and experience. The certified Tyrolean mountain guides tailor the tours specifically to you, turning them into a relaxing experience of nature.

Training to become a Tyrolean mountain guide is regulated by law and takes place over three modules spanning a minimum of 16 training days. Candidates are first assessed in the autumn to ensure they meet the entry requirements and are introduced to the basics of the alpine sport of ‘mountain guiding’. Subsequently, key elements of alpine safety in winter are taught, with a focus on snowshoeing and avalanche awareness. The final summer part of the training in the Obernberg Valley further deepens the knowledge acquired, challenges candidates on all aspects of tour planning and guiding, as well as on topics relating to meteorology, biology and geology, and consolidates existing knowledge in the areas of navigation and alpine first aid.
The training concludes with a theoretical and practical examination set by a panel of examiners.

Mountain guides are permitted to lead and accompany you on paid mountain hikes, provided that the routes do not exceed the difficulty level of red-marked mountain trails. Off-trail terrain of up to moderate difficulty is also permitted. In winter, they may only use trails of up to medium difficulty or off-trail terrain of up to medium difficulty, provided these areas are clearly not at risk of avalanches. On glaciers, they may only use winter hiking trails opened by the trail maintainer. In addition, they may teach mountain hiking skills and undertake the necessary tour organisation.