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Mountaineering & Climbing in the Canadian Rockies
Climbing mountains was the original recreational pursuit in the Canadian Rockies, and continues to be a popular year round activity today. The variety of terrain ranges from walk-ups to challenging north faces in remote settings – the Rockies have it all. The benchmark elevation in the Canadian Rockies is 10,000 feet (3,049 m) with over 700 peaks exceeding this elevation.
Because most of the rock in the Canadian Rockies is sedimentary it easily crumbles – not a desired attribute of successful mountain climbing. As a result, many mountaineering routes incorporate glaciers, snow and ice. Lake Louise was the original haven for mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies and led to the immense popularity of CPR’s Chateau Lake Louise hotel (now a Fairmont hotel). Mountaineering in Lake Louise and the nearby Columbia Icefields focuses on snow and ice routes. Other popular mountains for climbers include Mt. Robson, Mt. Edith Cavell and Mt. Assiniboine.
Rock climbing on steep cliffs is popular on Yamnuska Mountain, Cascade Mountain, Castle Mountain, Mt. Rundle and in several locations near Lake Louise. For those less inclined to scale steep cliffs or tackle the Rockies’ high altitude peaks, there are many mountains that have a rough trail leading to the summit. Most of these can be climbed by reasonably fit individuals who have come well prepared. We recommend contacting a park information centre about trails that suit your experience and ability.
Winter mountaineering is also very popular in the Canadian Rockies. Many mountains lend themselves to ski ascents and descents – particularly those on the Wapta, Waputik and Columbia icefields. The Alpine Club of Canada provides an icefield hut system that can be used for multi-day ski mountaineering tours. The multitude of frozen waterfalls makes the Rockies an international mecca for the pursuit of ice climbing. Canmore, the home to many of the world’s best mountaineers, showcases some of the world’s premier ice climbers every January during its Winter Festival and annual ice climbing competition.
Guided Mountaineering & Climbing Adventures
A range of guiding and instructional programs are available through Ultimate Rockies in conjunction with the region’s most respected mountaineering companies. If you are interested in learning more about the programs available in the Canadian Rockies, please contact us.
Mountaineering Programs
| Tour |
Description |
Departs |
Difficulty |
Price (Cdn $) |
Snow & Ice Long Weekend
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A 3-day comprehensive introduction to general mountaineering. You'll learn basic techniques of moving on snow and ice plus an understanding of safe glacier travel and of what crevasse rescue entails. You will also take part in the ascent of a classic Rockies peak with all the excitement and hard work this entails followed, if lucky, by the unforgettable thrill of the summit.
This is a course for complete beginners. You will need to be fit and it is a 'hiking' fitness that you will need. The first days are relatively easy as instructional locations are close to the road. On the final day the ascent of Athabasca will usually take at least 10 hours and will involve a height gain of 4,500 ft. Should it become apparent that Athabasca is not an appropriate objective for you or the group an alternative will be offered. Any training you can do in advance, particularly that involving hiking up steep terrain, will really enhance your enjoyment of this program. No prior mountaineering experience is needed.
Your weekend starts on Saturday with a course briefing, equipment issue and crampon fitting. You will need to bring your climbing boots to the fitting session as well as any climbing gear you have so we can check it out. You'll learn knots and harnesses as well as movement on snow, use of ice axe, self-arrests, and belaying on snow. Much of this day is spent sitting in and sliding on snow so bring your waterproof gear (with dry clothing for later).
On Sunday, you go to Ice school and crevasse rescue which includes: Glacier morphology, Crampon technique, Basic ice climbing , Ice screw placement, Roping up for glaciers, Crevasse rescue techniques
Monday is the climb to your very first summit. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to put new-found skills into practice. 3491m Athabasca is a classic introductory mountaineering challenge. It will be a long but rewarding day. We start very early (well before dawn) and you will be exposed to the incredible beauty of a mountain sunrise. The climb is not too technical but requires many of the things mountaineers must have, stamina, fitness, route finding skills and good judgment.
Athabasca is our primary objective however on occasion the weather or conditions may prevent a safe attempt on the mountain, or it just may not be a suitable objective for some participants. In either case we will either schedule another peak or an extra day of mountaineering instruction. The mountains call the shots and the wise mountaineer takes heed. Thus we never guarantee climbs.
Great people to spend a week in the mountains with, your instructors are certified by the internationally-recognized Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and licensed by Parks Canada. There will be a maximum of 6 participants per instructor.
Package includes instruction and use of technical equipment. Park fees, Meals, accommodation and transport not included. Cancellation insurance is $21.00. GST & gratuities not included. |
Canmore on select Saturdays
3 days, 2 nights
Available between late May and early Sep
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Easy (no experience necessary) |
$400 per person
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| Intro to Mountaineering |
This intensive mountaineering instruction course in the Canadian Rockies provides a grounding in alpine mountaineering: climbing on snow, ice, rock & mixed terrain, glacier travel, crevasse rescue & navigation. Experience the thrills of your first summits, enjoy great company & be left ready to continue on your own or to join us on our advanced programs & expeditions.
The course is based out of Bow Hut on the Wapta Icefields just north of Lake Louise. The peaks range from 9,500 to 10,500 ft. in height and are of just the right difficulty for instruction. The extensive glaciers are ideal for gaining experience in both safe travel among crevasses and in whiteout navigation when the weather turns bad.
We meet in Canmore at 8:30am for introductions, a review of course goals and itinerary and an equipment check. After packing up, it's an hour and a half drive north to Bow Lake where we commence the hike to Bow Hut, which is located at 7700 ft. on a shoulder adjacent to the snout of the Bow Glacier. This will take us between 3 and 5 hours. We travel 6km and climb 2000ft.
During Day 2 - 6 Bow Hut is our base for the week. Its proximity to the glacier and to several peaks makes it easy for us to get out on to suitable instruction terrain every day. It's a perfect area for instruction. We may spend nights in one of the other huts in the region. Peaks often climbed on the course include Olive (10,200 ft.), St. Nicholas ( 9,500 ft.), Gordon (10,500 ft.), Thompson (10,000 ft.), Balfour (10,600 ft.) & Rhondda (10,200 ft.)
On the final day we take a last chance to review techniques before we hike back down to Bow Lake and return to Canmore in the late afternoon.
The peaks attempted on this course are of moderate difficulty, in fact it is often appropriate to allow students the lead. You will need to be fit and it is a 'hiking' fitness that you will need as you will be traveling several kilometers of glacier each day, often having to break trail in soft snow. While we generally pre place food and equipment in Bow Hut, you may still end up carrying 40lbs or more on the first day. Any training you can do in advance, particularly that involving hiking up steep terrain, will really enhance your enjoyment of this program. No prior mountaineering experience is needed.
During the trip we stay in alpine huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. Sleeping areas are communal and facilities basic.
The package includes park fees, instruction, accommodation, local transfer to trailhead, meals and use of technical equipment. GST & gratuities extra. |
Canmore weekly
7 days, 6 nights
Available between mid June and mid Sep
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Easy to Moderate (no experience necessary) |
$1200 per person
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| Classic Banff Peaks |
Banff Peaks features climbing on the classic rock peaks surrounding Banff. Peaks such as Mount Louis, Mount Edith and Castle Mountain are available for conquering.
The program objective is to have an enjoyable and challenging week of alpine rock mountaineering on the peaks surrounding Banff. Objectives will be chosen depending upon participants abilities, inclinations and fitness plus current weather conditions.
This is a strenuous and demanding week. There's lots of height gain involved and you will need to be in very good shape to get the most out of it. You will need prior mountaineering and rock climbing experience.
The price includes guides & use of technical gear. GST, accommodation, meals, local transportation & gratuities not included. |
Canmore 1 week in June and 1 week in September
6 days, 5 nights
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Moderate to Difficult
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$1500 per person
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| Lake Louise Classics |
Lake Louise, the heart of the Canadian Rockies is where mountaineering began in Canada. Our objectives this week are the spectacular peaks surrounding Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: Victoria, Lefroy & Fay. This is going to be a terrific week of alpine climbing.
The program objective is to have an enjoyable and challenging week of alpine mountaineering on the large peaks surrounding Lake Louise. We have chosen a week when it is reasonable to expect good conditions on all climbs. From the Abbott Pass Hut at 2890 m. or 9500 ft.) we can easily access Mt. Victoria and Mt. Lefroy. Mt. Victoria (3464m or 11,362 ft.) by the S.E. Ridge, is an enjoyable and exposed climb along a narrow ridge that can either be heavily snowed up with large cornices or can be cat walk along ridge top ledges later in the season. Mt. Lefroy (3423m or 11,227 ft.) by the West Face is riven by gullies that are filled initially by snow which becomes ice as the season progresses.
From the Colgan Hut we can easily access Mt. Fay (3234m. or 10,607 ft.) which can be climbed either by the classic N. Face routes on steep ice or by the standard N.W. ridge on rock. We will access the area from Moraine Lake and stay at the Colgan Hut, the highest permanent building in Canada. Other peaks in the region include: Mts. Huber, Lyttle, Quadra and Bident.
This is a strenuous and demanding program involving lots of height gain, not only to the peaks but also to the huts. So you need to be in good shape as this program involves six consecutive days of high climbing. You should have at least basic mountaineering experience.
The tour includes guiding, hut fees, out trip meals, Park Wilderness Pass and use of technical equipment. GST, local transportation, Canmore accommodation & gratuities extra. |
Canmore, typically last week of July
6 days, 5 nights
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Moderate to Difficult
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$1870 per person
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Mt Athabasca Ascent
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Athabasca is one of the most accessible and enjoyable big peaks in the Canadian Rockies. Routes of varying difficulty make it suitable for both beginner and experienced alpinists. Its position on the edge of the vast Columbia Icefields make for spectacular summit views and its glaciation makes for fine snow and ice mountaineering.
Mount Athabasca is located at the eastern edge of the Columbia Icefields on the ridge between the Athabasca and Saskatchewan Glaciers. It is immediately adjacent to the Banff-Jasper Parkway from where it is climbed in a day. This makes it an ideal objective for anyone with limited time, in addition several nearby training sites make it an ideal finale to a general mountaineering course. It is 3,491m (11,450 ft.) high.
There are several good routes on the mountain. All involve alpine starts (as early as 2.00am, commonly 4.00am) from the Parkway with a total elevation gain of 1500m (5,000ft.).
For Beginner And Intermediate Climbers there are two excellent routes that combine to make a traverse of the peak. Both involve travel on crevassed glaciers and on snow and ice slopes of moderate steepness. Our maximum ratio is 4 guests per guide. Guests will need to be familiar with use of ice axe and crampons and with traveling roped on a glacier, this can be taught the day before the climb.
For more experienced intermediate mountaineers we recommend the Silverhorn Ridge route which ascends the beautiful snow and ice ridge leading from the Sunwapta Gl. to the summit of the Silverhorn (a subsidiary summit just west of the main summit). This involves steeper climbing on snow and ice, sometimes up to 450 in places. It is given a UIAA III+ grade. We can guide up to three people per guide but strongly recommend a ratio of 1:2. Return time is between 9 and 12 hours.
Advanced climbers will enjoy the classic North Face route. This involves 1800 feet of grade 3 (c.550) ice finishing with an iced-up rock step in a gully. Once again the approach is via the Sunwapta Gl. Our maximum ratio is 1:2. Return time is between 10 and 14 hours.
You are responsible for your own food, however it can be provided by the guide service at an additional cost. You are also responsible for the cost of the guide’s transportation to the area. We suggest you pick the guide up in Canmore on your way to the Columbia Icefields. If the guide has to drive up there to meet you a charge of $97 is applied. You are also responsible for the cost of the guide’s accommodation (from $10/night is camping) in the area and for the guide’s meals (from $16 for the shortest package, thereafter $24/day). |
Columbia Icefields the night before
Tour available between mid-May and early October
1-3 days required depending on training
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Easy to Difficult (suitable for beginners to advanced) |
Climb only: 1 person - $510, 2 - $560, 3 - $610, 4- $670
1 Training Day: 1 person - $800, 2 - $900, 3 - $1000, 4- $1120
2 Training Days: 1 person - $1200, 2 - $1350, 3 - $1500, 4- $1680
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Mt Assiniboine Ascent
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Mount Assiniboine is one of the finest peaks in the Canadian Rockies. It is often compared to the Matterhorn, and whilst there is a similarity with that famous peak, Assiniboine's beautiful isolation, high above Lake Magog gives it a character that is entirely unique. Mount Assiniboine is located 30 km SW of Canmore on the main divide of the Canadian Rockies. It sits on the border of Banff National Park and British Columbia's Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. The southern most of the major peaks in the Canadian Rockies, the triangular pyramid of Assiniboine dominates this section of the divide. It is 11,876 feet high (3618m).
Mount Assiniboine is a serious and often difficult climb. It is frequently underestimated. There is substantial exposure and rock fall hazard. In dry conditions it is technically straight forward. More likely though, it will be snowed or iced up and the climbing very challenging. This is not a peak for beginners! The most popular route on this 11,867ft. (3618m) peak is the North Ridge. This 3,000ft. ridge is steep and exposed without being too technically difficult. Initially you will move together up a series of gullies and climb a rock band before reaching the ridge crest which is followed to the 'Red Band'. Once there you will be climbing fifth class rock for several hundred feet to the corniced summit. The view from the summit is just incredible. Climbing time is anywhere from 8 to 14 hours return from the Hind Hut.
Our guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and by Parks Canada (Athabasca is on the border between Banff and Jasper National Parks) and we operate within the ‘terrain guidelines’ of the ACMG. The lead guide will be an internationally qualified (UIAGM/ACMG) mountain guide. Other guides will be at least qualified assistant guides (ACMG). It is vastly preferable to have a one-on-one guide ratio. We will take two with one guide on the North Ridge only and then only if your experience makes it appropriate.
Assiniboine is not a climb for beginners. We require that you have recent alpine mountaineering experience (or extensive multi-pitch rock experience) beforehand and we will require that you complete our experience questionnaire on booking. When making your booking we can advise you as to the feasibility of your attempting this peak.
The package costs include guide fees, hut fees, out trip meals and helicopter flights. Should it be necessary to drive to Shark Mountain Helipad from Canmore an extra charge may apply if you do not have your own vehicle.
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Canmore between late June and early Sept
3-5 days required
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Difficult (Intermed to Advanced) |
3 day - $2045 for 1 person, $2525 for 2 people
4 day - $2525 for 1 person, $2960 for 2 people
5 day - $2995 for 1 person, $3455 for 2 people
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Mt Robson Ascent
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Mount Robson is Canada's most famous mountain. Climbers come from around the world to attempt its icy flanks. The great bulk of this heavily glaciated peak creates its own climate and the summit is never assured. Just getting to the peak can be a challenge as the summit is surrounded by broken glaciers, icefalls and tangled rainforest. Even if the weather cooperates you'll still need stamina, drive and good mountaineering technique to reach the summit. Mt. Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and its summit elevation is 3954m or 12969ft. It's located on the western edge of the range, 100km west of Jasper in British Columbia's Mount Robson Provincial Park. Its massive bulk, the first thing that moist westerlies hit after crossing B.C. has resulted in a moist local microclimate. At its base is temperate rainforest more typical of the coast and its upper heights are cloaked in the massive glaciation that makes it such a beautiful and challenging climb.
We attempt the the Kain Face on the N.E. side of the peak, the first ascent route in 1916. Now it is much steeper as the glaciers have changed. It is a serious climb involving some objective hazards and whilst the climbing is not extremely technical (45 - 550 snow and ice), conditions and weather can increase the challenge considerably. The days are often long and arduous, exacerbated by a heavy pack. The final summit push typically takes 14 hours or more.
To increase the chance of success (50% in recent years) we helicopter to the Rearguard Meadows, by the Upper Robson Glacier. This allows more time for summit attempts. The serious nature of the climb demands a maximum of two participants per guide.
The price covers guides, helicopter flights, out-trip meals, group climbing and camping gear and first night accommodation in Canmore. Meals in Canmore are not included. Cancellation insurance is $134. GST is extra.
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Canmore twice in August
6 days, 5 nights
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Difficult (Advanced only)
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$2,500 per person
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Bugaboos Hot Rock
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The 'Bugs' are one of North America's most famous climbing areas. This world renowned alpine paradise with its awesome granite spires, beautiful glaciers and lush green valleys, attracts alpinists from around the world. Why? ...The climbing. It's superlative! The objective of this program is simple...to climb the area's famous classic rock routes. In addition to Bugaboo and Snowpatch Spires, our primary objectives, are many enjoyable routes on other nearby spires.
The Bugaboos are a sub-group of the Purcell Mountains known for their distinctive spires. They are located west of the Columbia Valley and we reach them by driving west from Canmore to Radium Hot Springs then by driving along an improved logging road another 50km or so. Once at the end of the road we climb 3 hours to reach the Conrad Kain Hut which is located just below the Spires. This area is also famous for heliskiing in winter.
To ensure you the best mountain experience we have no more than two guests per guide. This allows us to adjust towards your ability and personal objectives. You may prefer to just get out and climb or you may prefer a little more emphasis on instruction, either way our 'small team' approach will allow you to get the most out of your week. Climbs will be chosen to give you the right amount of challenge and to showcase the climbing the area has to offer.
The Conrad Kain Hut, a large attractive hut in a spectacular position beneath the 'Spires', will be the accommodation for the course. Sleeping areas are shared with sleeping mats provided. There is propane and hydro from a small hydroelectric generator to provide power for cooking. You will need to bring a small sleeping bag. All meals, snacks and drinks are supplied from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6. Meal preparation and clean-up duties are shared between participants and instructors. Please let us know, well in advance, if you have any dietary restrictions.
The trip covers instruction, low ratio guiding, hut fees, meals and use of specialized group climbing gear. We recommend you take cancellation insurance which is $100 and covers cancellation for health and medical reasons. This is optional but must be purchased on booking. Goods and Services Sales Tax (GST) is extra.
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Canmore and Radium Hot Springs once in July and Aug
6 days, 5 nights
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Difficult (Advanced only) |
$1860 per person |
Booking Request Form
Climbing Programs
| Tour |
Description |
Departs |
Difficulty |
Price (Cdn $) |
Rock Climbing Daily Lessons
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Learn to rock climb in one of the world’s most scenic climbing areas. Our rock climbing programs provide progressive training from beginner level to advanced. Instructors are certified guides and leading edge climbers. Day or half-day lessons are available for individuals or groups in the Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise (full-day only) areas. Private courses are available.
Prices include instruction, use of equipment, rock shoes when available. 7%GST & gratuities extra. |
Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise daily
3 - 6 hours
Available between early May and late Sep
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Easy to Difficult
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Full Day: 1 person - $340pp, 2 - $185, 3 - $134, 4+ - $100
Half Day: 1 person - $225pp, 2 - $122, 3 - $88, 4+ - $77
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Basic Rock Climbing Course
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This weekend course is designed to get you started. It's held outdoors because that's where the real action is, at outrageously spectacular places such as Yamnuska or Lake Louise. You'll enjoy a great time and experience a safe introduction to the sport. Rock climbing is all about moving well, using balance and technique to climb, saving your strength for when it's really needed. The aim of this course is to help you learn movement skills which can further develop through practice, allowing you to quickly progress to more challenging climbs. We also teach you basic 'top-rope' belay techniques to allow you to get out and practice in safety.
The price covers instruction and use of technical gear. Accommodation and meals are not included but low cost, easy options exist which we can help organize for you. Cancellation insurance is available for $12.00. Goods and Services Sales Tax (GST) is extra. |
Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise most weekends
2 days
Available between early May and late Sep
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Easy to Moderate (no experience necessary) |
$215 per person
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| Complete Rock Climbing Course |
The long yellow wall of Yamnuska rears high above us as the approach trail drops below. Walking along the base of the cliff, what had seemed so blank now reveals weaknesses, ledges, cracks and chimneys, showing where routes might go. Nervousness is replaced by anticipation as we rope up at the base of the climb. We've worked hard to get to this point. The preceding days have been spent learning how to move on rock. Belaying and Anchoring are no longer a mystery and now we're ready to climb. On the summit it's hard to believe what we've achieved in such a short time!
'Complete Rock' is a unique opportunity to learn and practice an exciting and exhilarating sport in a terrific area. The goal? To develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to allow you to quickly realize your climbing potential in as safe a manner as possible.
The price covers instruction and use of technical gear. Accommodation and meals are not included but low cost, easy options exist which we can help organize for you. Cancellation insurance is available for $45.00. Goods and Services Sales Tax (GST) is extra. |
Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise during select weeks
6 days
Available between early June and mid Sep
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Easy to Moderate (no experience necessary) |
$850 per person
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| Hot Rock Climbing Adventure |
No holds barred' climbing in a North American rock Mecca...the Bow Valley! Myriad sport and long multi-pitch routes and low instructor ratios will ensure you'll get totally 'pumped'. A flexible agenda, personalized coaching and lots of climbing make this a rock classic!
The Bow Valley has a super abundance of varied and challenging climbing ranging from the limestone sport crags around Canmore to big wall routes on Yamnuska to the fabulous quartzite at Lake Louise. The objective of this program is to get out and climb it all!
After discussing our personal objectives the group will head out climbing. Each day's program will be tailored to each individual participant's objectives and ability. With a 1:2 guide ratio we can maintain a high level of flexibility. There are many different areas easily accessible from Canmore. At least 6 main sport climbing areas (Cougar, Grotto and Heart Creeks, Grassi Lakes, Lake Louise and Barrier Mountain) and multi-pitch routes (some fully bolted) on Yamnuska, Kidgoat Buttress, Hal Ling Peak, Rundle, Cascade, Tunnel and Castle Mountains and the Tower of Babel are often used. With the exception of Lake Louise, which has beautiful firm quartzite, the climbing is on limestone.
The price covers guiding, instruction and use of technical gear. Accommodation and meals are not included but low cost, easy options exist which we can help organize for you. Cancellation insurance is available for $49.00. Goods and Services Sales Tax (GST) is extra. |
Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise during select weeks
5 days
Available between late June and early Sep
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Moderate to Difficult
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$925 per person
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Ice Climbing Daily Lessons
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The best ice climbing in the world is found in the Canadian Rockies surrounding Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise. Waterfall ice climbing is an unbelievably exhilarating sport and we invite you to experience it with the assistance of Ultimate Rockies.
Day or half-day lessons are available for individuals or groups in the Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise (full-day only) areas by request. Lessons cater to all abilities, beginner to advanced. Lessons can be booked by individuals, families or groups. When requested individual bookings may be combined to reduce costs for participants.
Full day lessons include 6 hours of climbing and half-day lessons involve 3 hours of climbing. All gear is included (boots, crampons, ice tools, harness & helmet). Prices do not include 7% GST, gratuities, transportation or lunches / snacks.
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Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise daily
3 - 6 hours
Available between mid Dec and mid Mar
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Easy to Difficult
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Full Day: 1 person - $430pp, 2 - $255, 3 - $200, 4+ - $170
Half Day: 1 person - $320pp, 2 - $195, 3 - $145, 4+ - $125
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Basic Ice Climbing Course
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Experience and enjoy this super exhilarating sport on our weekend course. Personalized instruction will help you to develop technique, the signature of a good climber. We focus on movement skills and use simple rope handling techniques on short frozen waterfalls.
Enthusiastic and extremely talented, your instructors hold climbing certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Your safety and enjoyment are paramount to them. There will be a maximum of 12 students, a minimum of 4. Instructor/student ratios range down from 1:6.
The course price covers instruction and use of technical gear. Accommodation and meals are not included but low cost, easy options exist which we can help organize for you. Cancellation insurance is available for $13.00. GST not included.
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Canmore during select weeks starting on Sat
Tour available between early Jan and late Feb
2 days
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Easy to Moderate (no experience required)
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$240 per person
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Advanced Ice Climbing Course
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Leading and seconding on harder climbs demands more advanced skills. It's essential to be able to construct 'bombproof' anchors and to place solid 'pro'. Climbing multi-pitch routes demands careful rope control and route planning. The objective of 'Advanced Ice' is to work on advanced rope systems, especially on anchor construction and on placing protection and to introduce lead-climbing tactics along with coaching on steep ice climbing techniques.
Enthusiastic and extremely talented, your instructors hold climbing certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Your safety and enjoyment are paramount to them. There will be a maximum of 12 students, a minimum of 4. Instructor/student ratios range down from 1:5. On multi-pitch days there will be small groups (2-3).
The course price includes instruction and use of technical gear. Accommodation and meals are not included but low cost, easy options exist which we can help organize for you. Cancellation insurance is available for $22.00. GST not included. |
Canmore - only 2 course offered
Tour available between early Jan and early Feb
2 days
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Moderate to Difficult (Basic Ice and Personal Experience required)
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$420 per person
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Complete Ice Climbing
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Imagine yourself climbing a waterfall frozen in time. Adrenaline flowing, crampons biting into vertical icicles and your 'tools' hooking into the ice above with a satisfying ' thunk' . Heart thumping yet feeling secure you look around ... it's outrageous, surreal almost, and despite the cold there's no place you'd rather be!
'Complete Ice' is a unique opportunity to learn a fantastic sport in a magical environment. You'll develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to safely climb waterfall ice climbs. Our 'hands-on' approach starts you from the ground up and takes you on to classic multi-pitch climbs in the space of six days!
The course is based in Canmore but expect to be traveling to different climbing areas throughout it. There are lots of places to climb ice in our area. These range from beginner climbs just outside Canmore to the famous "Weeping Wall" on the Banff-Jasper highway. Other climbs can be found on Banff's Cascade Mountain, at Lake Louise and in the Kicking Horse Valley near Field, B.C.
There is considerable flexibility built into the delivery of this course - no course is exactly the same. Ice and weather conditions as well as participant ability will dictate the order of presentation to some degree. Key topics will be constantly revisited during the program.
Enthusiastic and extremely talented, your instructors hold climbing certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Your safety and enjoyment are paramount to them. There will be a maximum of 12 students, a minimum of 3. Instructor/student ratios range down from 1:6. On multi-pitch days there will be small groups (2-3).
This course is designed for total beginners and basic level climbers. Ice climbing can be a strenuous activity but our instruction will emphasize development of technique to reduce the need for brute strength. The climbing will be tailored towards your ability and strength as much as possible. A high level of fitness will contribute to enjoyment and achievement. You need NO previous experience.
The course price includes instruction and use of technical gear. Accommodation, local transfers and meals are not included but easy to arrange. Cancellation insurance is available for $46. GST is extra. |
Canmore during select weeks
Available between mid Dec and early Mar
6 days
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Easy to Moderate (no experience required)
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$860 per person
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'Hot Ice' Climbing Adventure
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Every winter a group of committed climbers gathers in the Canadian Rockies to spend a week climbing with top guides on classic routes. The program is called 'Hot Ice' and if you have previous ice climbing experience you're welcome to join us for this session.
The Canadian Rockies have the best ice-climbing in the world with reliable conditions, lots of areas and routes offering a complete range of difficulty and challenge. With a 1:2 instructor ratio we can expect to meet the objectives of most climbers.
This program is totally practical; there are no formal evening sessions. Climbs are selected day by day to best suit participant’s abilities and objectives. Day 1 you meet at 7.00am, check gear, discuss options then head out climbing for the day! Days 2 - 5 it is climbing to the max, the only limit your energy!
Enthusiastic and extremely talented, your instructors hold climbing certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Your safety and enjoyment are paramount to them. There will be a maximum of 10 participants, a minimum of 2. Instructor ratios range down from 1:2!
Ice climbing can be a strenuous activity even though our coaching will emphasize development of technique to reduce the need for brute strength. The climbing will be tailored towards your ability and strength as much as possible. A high level of fitness will contribute to enjoyment and achievement. 'Hot Ice' is suitable for climbers with previous ice-climbing experience and a strong desire for adventure.
The course price includes instruction and use of technical gear. Accommodation, local transfers and meals are not included but easy to arrange. Cancellation insurance is available for $65. GST is extra. |
Canmore - only 1 course per year available
6 days typically during early Feb
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Moderate to Difficult (experience required) |
$1215 per person |
* Not all trips or trip information is provided on our website. Please contact us for more details on any listed trips or to inquire about other available guided mountaineering experiences.
**Exclusive to accommodation guests only
Booking Request Form
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