Objectives
The mushing guide training program was established by Aventure Écotourisme Québec (AEQ) to define official standards for the supervision of recreotouristic mushing activities in Quebec.
As with the other outdoor disciplines covered by AEQ’s Quality-Safety certification standards, the aim of this training is to document and standardize best practices for businesses offering mushing activities, as well as guide training, in order to demonstrate the presence of a safe framework for employees, participants, dogs and the environment.
AEQ has entrusted the development of this training course to two experts in the field, who drew on elements such as current laws and regulations, AEQ Quality-Safety certification standards pertaining to mushing, existing training courses, scientific data in the field and feedback from members of the mushing advisory committee, made up of managers from AEQ member businesses recognized for their best practices.
Three levels of training
Mushing Guide Training comprises three levels that reflect AEQ’s standards for guided activities. These standards relate to the level of difficulty of the activity, its duration, the level of qualification of the guide, and the type of position they hold.
See AEQ’s guiding standards.
Starting in 2025, 50% of guides from AEQ member businesses will need to have passed Mushing Guide Level 1 to guide mushing activities on snow and land.
The Mushing Guide Level 1 course is open to beginners with at least 10 days’ mushing experience. It is also intended for experienced mushers and experts, who will be able to update their knowledge and enhance their expertise thanks to concepts agreed upon by experts in the field. As such, it offers both initial and continuing training for professionals in the mushing recreational tourism sector.
Levels 2 and 3 are currently under development, and the dates on which they will be required are not yet known.
What is a Level 1 mushing guide?
A Level 1 mushing guide is defined as a person 18 years of age or older who is qualified to guide a group in tourist or ecotourism mushing activities, on snow or on land, and more specifically:
- with all audiences;
- with dogs that have no learning difficulties and present no particular (detectable) risk of danger to people, dogs or domestic animals, aside from the risks inherent in canine species;
- in the disciplines of dog sledding and canine-assisted hiking, as well as in any discipline for which the holder possesses technical specialization and certification (activities on wheels: cani-kart, cani-cycle, bikejoring, fatbikejoring, scooter; hiking activities: canicross, canitrail; sledding activities: skijoring, snow scooter, ski-pulka);
- during hikes, outings or expeditions, as defined by AEQ.
There are various ways to reach Level 1, depending on your experience:
a) Mushing Guide Level 1 training
b) Recognition of prior learning (experienced or senior profile)
c) Mushing Guide Level 1 tutor training (for business owners or lead guides)
d) Mushing Guide Level 1 instructor training
Check out the tabs below to choose the right option for your profile.
a) Mushing Guide Level 1 training
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Description
The Mushing Guide Level 1 training program is designed for guides just starting out in their careers, as well as experienced guides and managers of mushing businesses who wish to update their expertise while earning a training certificate recognized by Aventure Écotourisme Québec. This certificate is a testament to the guide’s professionalism and dedication to quality and safety for people, dogs and the environment. Mushing Guide Level 1 training comprises three degrees:
1st DEGREE, ON SNOW (SEE): Introduction to professional skills
Initial training at an AEQ member training site. The candidate is supervised by an instructor.
- Mushing: 1 canicross dog and mushing observation (track: 1.5 km)
- Methods: observation, lectures, reading, discussion, demonstration, experimentation, peer learning, two assessments (test and standardized evaluation grid)
- Resources: training manual, instructional materials and instructor
- Duration: 22 hours
2nd DEGREE (DO): Incorporating professional skills
Integration stage that takes place at an AEQ member tourist kennel, under the supervision of a tutor trained for this purpose. The duration varies according to the individual’s learning capacity and experience, as well as the complexity of services offered by the business.
- Mushing: more than 2 dogs driving a sled
- Methods: observation, reading, discussion, demonstration, experimentation, peer learning, assessment (standardized evaluation grid)
- Means: training manual and on-site tutor
- Duration: variable
3rd DEGREE, ON SNOW (APPLY): Applying the skills of the profession
A companionship stage in which the candidate practices the role of guide in an AEQ member tourist kennel, under the supervision of a tutor trained for this purpose.
- Mushing: more than 2 dogs driving a sled
- Methods: observation, reading, discussion, demonstration, experimentation, peer learning, assessment (standardized evaluation grid)
- Means: training manual and on-site tutor
- Duration: 40 hours
At least 80 hours are required to pass these three stages, plus additional prior readings. Diagram featuring the degrees of training.
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Prerequisites
To register for Mushing Guide Level 1 training, you must meet the following requirements:
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Register
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Preparing for the training
1. Read the training manual.
- You will receive a link to the training manual (PDF) with your registration confirmation. You can have it printed by your preferred supplier. No printed manuals will be provided on site.
- Allow 6 to 10 hours BEFORE THE TRAINING to thoroughly assimilate the contents of the manual (239 pages) and appendices.
- You can bring a laptop or tablet to consult the manual (which you’ll have downloaded beforehand), take notes and complete the exam, which will be “open book.”
- We cannot guarantee that there will be an Internet connection in the classroom.
2. Complete the Risk Acknowledgment and Acceptance Form.
Your instructor will send it to you before the training.
This checklist will help make sure you don’t forget anything, and that you’re properly equipped for all possible weather conditions.
4. Plan your stay.
Accommodation is not included in the cost of the training. Contact the people in charge of the training venue to explore accommodation options.
5. Arrive one hour before the training begins.
We recommend that you arrive early to allow time to settle into your accommodations (if applicable), get acquainted with the site, complete the necessary paperwork, etc. Please note that the training will take place whether or not there is snow.
b) Recognition of prior learning (experienced or senior profile)
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Description
The purpose of the recognition of prior learning is to recognize the knowledge and skills of a person who has been working as a professional mushing guide in an AEQ member business for a certain number of years. See the list of skills evaluated.
There are two options available for the recognition of prior learning:
- Experienced profile: Minimum age of 18; 1 to 14 years of professional experience (at least 150 hours per year).
- Senior profile: Minimum age of 33; at least 15 years of professional experience (at least 48 months at a rate of 96 days/year).
At the end of the process, you will be awarded the Mushing Guide Level 1 training certificate, which attests to a guide’s knowledge and skills in carrying out the following tasks in connection with the responsibilities and groups entrusted to them:
- ensure the safety of participants, providing aid where necessary, and overseeing their learning and satisfaction;
- ensure the dogs’ safety, provide aid if necessary, and look after their training and well-being;
- maintain equipment, infrastructure and courses;
- participate in organizing and managing a tourist or ecotourist kennel that offers mushing activities.
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Prerequisites
- Minimum age of 18 (experienced profile) or 33 (senior profile).
- Minimum physical capacity: ability to run up a flight of stairs; ability to lift a load of 15 kg on one arm, from knee to waist (minimum weight of a dog in harness); ability to easily cover uneven, snow-covered terrain; absence of physical discomfort on rough trails.
- Be a guide who owns or is employed by an AEQ member business.
- Paying the registration fees.
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Processing your request
Experienced profile
- Apply for recognition of prior learning online (link provided at the bottom of this section).
- Pay the registration fee.
- You will then need to fill in the “Experienced profile” form (see this example) and an expertise sheet (see this example) to demonstrate that you have the required knowledge and skills.
- Allow 7 to 8 hours to fill out the forms, answer the questions and prepare the requested documents (depending on your profile, you will need to provide a letter of recommendation, resume, pay stub, AEQ certification visit report, and proof of training).
- Applications for recognition of prior learning are processed twice a year. Processing takes place within three months of receipt of a request.
- After your file is examined, there are three possible answers: full recognition of prior learning, partial recognition of prior learning, or refusal of your application. In the case of partial validation, AEQ will tell you which skills require further validation.
Senior profile
The process is the same, but you will need to fill in the “Senior Profile” form (see this example). You do not need to fill in the expertise form.
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Applying for recognition of prior learning
Be sure to select the “Mushing Guide Level 1 – Prior Learning Assessment” option (April or September).
c) Mushing Guide Level 1 tutor training
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Description
Who is this training for?
Tutor training is open to mushing activity business owners and their lead guides so that they can supervise participants from Mushing Guide Level 1 training, 1st degree, into completing their 2nd and 3rd degrees. Becoming an on-site tutor entitles you to a Mushing Guide Level 1 training certificate if all the conditions are met. It is also a prerequisite for the Mushing Guide Level 1 instructor training.
An “on-site tutor” is a level 1 mushing guide:
- who meets the prerequisites for tutoring services (see next section);
- who has completed the Mushing Guide Level 1 tutor training (duration of 2h30m), then, during two mushing seasons, tutored at least one trainee during their integration and companionship stages;
- who uses an approach based on empathy and the sharing of knowledge and expertise;
- who participates in the Mushing Guide tutors’ and instructors’ discussion forum (Facebook private group);
- who acts as a tutor only on the site where they work as a guide, with the dogs living on site;
- who is part of the Mushing Guide Level 1 instruction team.
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Prerequisites
- Be an expedition leader (as defined by AEQ) with more than two winter seasons of experience.
- Hold experience as a teacher, trainer, coach or instructor and experience in assessing candidates.
- Commit to reading and applying the content guidelines of the standardized evaluation grid used to assess Mushing Guide Level 1 training candidates. This grid is given to you when you register.
- Agreeing to read and apply the Mushing Guide Level 1 training manual (239 pages, handed out upon registration). The manual must be read in its entirety before the training.
- Reading and writing skills.
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Register
Make sure you choose the “Mushing Guide Level 1 on-site tutor training.”
Also complete the Candidate Assessment Experience Certification Form. It’s important to describe the training you’ve given and the number of people trained, to demonstrate that you have the required experience. An interview by videoconference may be requested.
Entrepreneurs, guides and self-employed people without employees can also become tutors. To find out how to proceed in this situation, see the document on this topic.
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Preparing for the training
1. Read the training manual.
- You will receive a link to the training manual (PDF) with your registration confirmation. You can have it printed by your preferred supplier. No printed manuals will be provided on site.
- Allow 6 to 10 hours BEFORE THE TRAINING to thoroughly assimilate the contents of the manual (239 pages) and appendices.
2. Prepare your materials and make sure you’re on time.
- You’ll be able to use a laptop or tablet to consult the training manual (which you’ll have downloaded beforehand), take notes and take the training on Teams. Using a smartphone for training purposes is neither supported nor appropriate.
- You will receive the invitation link two days before the training. We recommend that you log in 10 minutes before the scheduled training time to make sure that everything is working properly.
d) Mushing Guide Level 1 instructor training
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Description
A Mushing Guide Level 1 instructor is able to teach the initial training to Level 1 candidates, which includes the knowledge contained in the Mushing Guide Level 1 training manual, and to assess their skills. The instructor:
- has attended the Mushing Guide Level 1 train-the-trainer course (1st edition: April 28 to May 1st, 2025);
- uses an approach based on empathy and the sharing of knowledge and expertise;
- participates in the Mushing Guide tutors’ and instructors’ discussion forum (private group on Facebook);
- is part of the Mushing Guide Level 1 instruction team.
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Prerequisites
On-site tutor certification.
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Register
Frequently asked questions
