Whistler-Blackcomb is branching out into the education sector in a partnership with the University of British Columbia that will see UBC commerce faculty students heading to higher ground starting in May.
This new alliance is being dubbed UBC @ Whistler and it offers an executive training series entitled Adventure Learning Programs.
The programs are designed to blend classroom study with outdoor physical activity and challenge on the mountains. The goal is create a unique training experience for business people.
Sessions on entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting, finance, strategic management, information technology and e-business will be taught by leading UBC business professors and instructors.
All seminars and conferences will be held in existing facilities at Whistler and will average three days in length.
The sessions are aimed at expanding the managerial skills of students and adding a fresh, contemporary framework to their business experience.
"We will provide a learning environment for our participants which will showcase the best that both UBC and Whistler-Blackcomb have to offer – world-class education at the premier mountain resort in North America," said commerce dean Daniel Muzyka.
"One of our goals is to create an innovative, leading-edge mountain institute for learning and research that embodies the spirit of the Pacific Northwest. This institute will help management build and strengthen critical leadership and teamwork skills, in addition to enhancing knowledge base," he said.
Intrawest chairman, president and CEO, Joe Houssian, said the on-mountain activities will "deepen the understanding, integration and retention of the materials presented in the classroom.
"From following ski patrol in a rescue simulation to adventure racing, the activities will permit participants to challenge their ideas and limits in a new context," said Houssian.
The first in this series kicks off in May with a three-day seminar on leadership taught by UBC’s Dr. Peter Frost.
In addition to the Adventure Learning Programs, the new partnership will also see forums on key business and industry issues held in Whistler.
