Mountaineering

Watching the sun rise on a cool, crisp morning . . . the crunch of hard snow under your crampons on the approach . . . fluid motion over great pyramids of alpine rock . . . unbeatable vistas from the summit . . . These are just a few of the reasons we climb mountains, and western Canada is home to some of the finest alpineering where you still often have the summit all to yourself. Whether it's a single peak day trip or a multi-day mountainfest, you'll always leave the mountains feeling spiritually energized and at peace.

Instructional Courses

Intro Mountaineering

Intro to Mountaineering

Mountains are abundant in western Canada and provide fantastic getaways for the adventurous, but hazards do exist.  Get off on the right foot with proper instruction from a certified guide.  Learn rope, axe & crampon use, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, navigation, safe mountain travel and other necessary skills in this 3 day course that culminates with a peak ascent. Courses are hut based at the Wapta or Columbia Icefields.
No experience required but you should have good hiking fitness and be able to carry an overnight pack.

Sample Itinerary

Custom dates available late June to late September. See our Booking page for pricing.

Intro Crevasse Rescue

Intro to Crevasse Rescue

Whether on skis or foot, glacier travel is a treat that we are privileged to experience in western Canada.  Understanding how glaciers work and what to do in the event of a crevasse fall is critical for safe mountain travel.  Learn how to rope up for glacier travel, build anchors, and perform victim rescue using a drop loop in this 2 day comprehensive course.  Courses are hut based at the Wapta or Columbia Icefields.
No experience required but you should have good hiking fitness and be able to carry an overnight pack.

Sample Itinerary

Custom dates available late June to late September. See our Booking page for pricing.

  

Guided Day Trips from Calgary, Canmore, Banff

Mt. Athabasca (3491m / 11,453 ft)

Mt. Athabasca

Perhaps THE most climbed fully glaciated 11,000 ft. peak in the Rockies. Easily seen from the Icefields Parkway, this impressive mountain has several popular routes on it ranging from the regular North Glacier and AA Col requiring only basic skills, to the imposing North Face involving over 500m of steeper alpine ice and an exciting mixed pitch. While the actual summit day is not terribly long, the remoteness of the area requires driving and staying in a tent or hostel the night before.

Trip length: Full day
Season: Mid June to late September

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Mt. Hector (3394m / 11, 135 ft)

Mt. Athabasca

This glaciated giant is also among the illustrious “11,000ers” and while it is a long day deserving respect, the relatively short drive and approach make it a reasonable day trip from Canmore or Calgary. The long glacier gains elevation gradually until the true base of the mountain is reached. The final summit push requires some basic crampon and ice axe technique while surmounting mixed rock, ice and snow.
The 360 degree panorama from the top is unbeatable!

Trip length: Full day
Season: Mid June to late September

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Guided Multiday Trips

Bugaboos - Bugaboo Provincial Park

Bugaboos

Perfect granite spires thrust skyward through great oceans of white glacier. The rock is immaculate and the setting heavenly. This may quite possibly be the ultimate alpine experience. From the comfort of the Kain Hut we make daily assaults on the best the area has to offer.

  • West Ridge of Pigeon Spire
  • Kain Route on Bugaboo Spire
  • NE Ridge of Bugaboo Spire (one of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America)
  • Snowpatch Route on Snowpatch Spire
  • Marmolata Traverse
  • South Ridge of Brenta Spire
  • Crescent Spire & Towers (McTech Arete, Lion's Way, Ears Between)
  • Eastpost Spire Traverse

 

Trip length: 3-5 days
Season: Mid July to early September

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Little Yoho Valley - Yoho National Park

Little Yoho Valley

The "Gem of the Rockies." Tucked away behind the great President and Vice President mountains of Emerald Lake, lies the Stanley Mitchell Hut. Access is via the spectacular Takakkaw Falls and the hike out on the Iceline trail hosts some of the most amazing above treeline views anywhere. Peak ascents like MacArthur and the President are relatively easy mountaineering objectives but do require crampons, ice axes and some exposure.

Trip length: 3-4 days.
Season: Early July to mid-September

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Mt. Assiniboine - Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park

Mt. Assiniboine

Known as the "Matterhorn of the Rockies", this impressive pyramidal peak adorns the pages of every Canadian Rockies calendar and photo album. It is most often accessed from Alberta via helicopter to Assiniboine Lodge and then a rocky ledge system called the "Gmoser Highway" to reach the Hind Hut. The hut which is perfectly positioned for an alpine start on the peak can also be reached entirely by foot from the BC side, thus avoiding helicopter fees and allowing more flexibility with dates. Although an ascent is possible in as few as 3 days, a 4 or 5 day trip is recommended to allow a larger weather window for the summit day. The hut is well situated for lower altitude ascents of Mounts Strom, Sturdee or Magog on the other days or when Assiniboine may not be in condition.

Trip length: 3-5 days
Season: Late July to Early September

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Rogers Pass - Glacier National Park

Roger's Pass

Rogers Pass is the true birthplace of Canadian mountaineering. As one of North America's 50 Classic Climbs, the NW ridge of Mt. Sir Donald is the obvious prize, but a healthy list of classics make "The Pass" a worthy place to spend a few days.

  • Mt. Uto Traverse
  • Eagle Peak North Ridge
  • Mt. Swanzy North Ridge
  • Abbot, Rampart, Dome Traverse
  • Swiss Peaks Traverse
  • Hermit Traverse
  • Mt. Tupper West Ridge
  • Mt. Sifton SW Ridge

Trip length: 3-5 days
Season: Mid July to early September

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The Valhallas - Valhalla Provincial Park

The Valhallas

Impressive climbing on tremendous gneiss peaks. What's even more impressive is the lack of crowds in this classic West Kootenays alpine Shangri-La.

The south ridge of Gimli Peak is considered one of the classic climbs of Western Canada and is just a taste of what the area has to offer. A base camp in the scenic Mulvey basin allows for additional ascents of Gladsheim, Asgard, Midgard and Nisleheim.

Trip length: 3-5 days
Season: Mid June to late September

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