Saturday, April 18, 2026

Mountains 101

Okay, this might not be for everyone, but I took this online course almost a decade ago and thought it was outstanding. In my view, it definitely enhanced my visits to the mountains. The really great part about it is that it’s totally free!

The twelve 60-minute lessons in this course are provided by the University of Alberta, in partnership with Parks Canada, The Alpine Club of Canada and the Mountain Equipment Company (MEC).

The courses focus on the physical, biological, and human dimensions of mountain places in Alberta and other ranges around the world. More specifically, you’ll learn about the origins of mountains, climate and weather, flora and fauna, the effects of altitude on humans, and hazards, among many other topics. According to the University of Alberta, “We’ll be delivering your lessons from valley bottoms to mountaintops, from museums and labs, to alpine huts and other spectacular alpine sites, and we’ll do so with the help of a whole host of experts.”

“This class consists of twelve 60-minute lessons, each with a series interactive lecture videos, a set of course notes and course glossary, and recommended readings and additional resources. Each lesson also includes a short summative quiz to test your understanding.”

Moreover, you can take the lessons at your own leisure. Here’s a short overview video:



For more information, please click here.



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