Welcome to Solstice Alpine Guides

For us the greatest reward is seeing you smile after reaching each of your goals with us.

Since 1991 we have been providing Introductory and Advanced Rock Climbing programs in BC's Coast Mountains and on Vancouver Island.  

We were lucky enough to grow up on Vancouver Island climbing and enjoyed exploring numerous established crags and developing a number of  new climbing locations both on Vancouver Island and BC's Central and North Coast's.  This  in depth knowledge has given us the benefit of knowing our training and guiding area's.  This has has allowed us to structure your training, designed to meet your training goals and needs.

Ray grew up in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island skiing Forbidden Plateau as a child and solidifying his outdoor recreation enthusiasm at an early age. Ray ended up pursuing a Physical Education Degree pathway while in University and worked as an Instructor at the UVIC Summer Outdoor Education Camps in which Rock Climbing was one of the many activities. Once completed University Ray went on to work for a number of non-profit agencies on Vancouver Island as a Program Instructor / Coordinator in a number of Outdoor Adventure programs. Ray guided and instructed marine and mountain programs within Strathcona Provincial Park and other key destinations on Vancouver Island and the Coast Mountains. Ray attended the American Alpine Institute in Washington State attending their ski guide and alpine guide training as well attending the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) taking their Rock Climbing Instructor program in California. Ray established Bella Coola Alpine Guides, guiding and instructing within BC’s Coast Mountains and established a number of Alpine and Rock Climbing new routes within BC’s Coast Mountains. Bella Coola Alpine Guides simply changed their name to Solstice Alpine Guides once Ray re-located back to Vancouver Island from Bella Coola.  Along the way when not guiding or instructing he has worked as a Paramedic for BC Ambulance and Firefighter earning his Fire Officer certification. 

Ray now teaches a number of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) rescue programs as part of his duties as Managing Director of the Solstice Recreation Group (SRG).  As part of SRG we have Solstice Alpine Guides (SAG) and Solstice First Aid of which Ray is the Operational Manager and lead instructor. Ray has professional memberships with the American Canoe Association (ACA), BC River Outfitters Association (BCROA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). Ray is a Canadian Red Cross Advanced First Aid and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) instructor as well as a Wilderness Advanced First Aid Instructor.  Ray has been a member of the Canadian Forces and has lead a number of fundraising events for True Patriot Love and Wounded Warriors of Canada.  Home base for SAG is Quadra Island in which we can easily access many of the best Alpine and Rock Climbing on Vancouver Island and the Coast Mountains of BC.