A great winter hit to the premier ice climbing regions of North America. Canada offers incredibly reliable ice climbing all winter, with the chance to bag some of the most famous lines in the world along the icefields parkway.
We offer this itinerary as a private guiding special - with dates by arrangement from December through to March. The price quoted includes all guiding fees and expenses up to a maximum of 2 climbers per guide.
Your own personal travel and accommodation costs must be met seperately, but due to the strength of the pound against the Canadian dollar, food and accommodation costs are generally cheaper than in Europe - with a great range of places to eat and relax in the evenings throughout our stay.
Food and Accommodation Accommodation will be booked at key places such as the Canmore Alpine Club - which offers clean and comfortable hut style rooms, with self catering facilities and cheap local restaurants nearby. Other accommodation includes the excellent ymca in Banff, with comfortable twin rooms and great food at very reasonable prices, plus other small hotels and B+B's along our route.
Sample ItineraryWe keep this as flexible as possible to allow for weather, but usually travel west for a couple of weeks before heading back. It is possible to make a loop back to Calgary:
Day 1
Sun
Outward flights from the UK. Pick up hire car and head on to Canmore (2hrs drive).
Days 2-13
Mon-Fri
Canadian Icefall climbing. 10 days guided climbing are scheduled for the two weeks, concentrating on quality lines and classics of the region.
Canmore - ice climbs around the Ghost valley, Kananaskas National Park and Banff. Perfect warm up climbs on the famous Professors Falls, Sunshine falls and local canyons. Banff offers hot springs after the ice climbing has stopped.
Visit to Lake Louise. Classic climbs are Louise Falls and the Beaugant falls off the ski area. Nearby famous falls of Pilsner, Carlsberg and Guinness are only 30 minutes in by car.
Rampart Creek. Situated along the icefield parkway and some of the worlds best and biggest ice falls. Weeping wall and Polar circus to mention a few.
Travel to Jasper and climb locally including a night ascent of the Maligne Canyon, which involves ice caving!
Day 14
Sat
Return flights to UK
TravelFlights to Calgary cost around £350 at this time of year from most UK airports. From here we use a hire car to travel on to Canmore and the climbing venues (hire car + fuel costs to be shared between clients). Full travel details are provided with your joining instructions & we coordinate arrangements between the team as required.
Fitness As with most mountain activities, ice climbing can sometimes be hard work - so we advise you to prepare well in advance with regular climbing related training down the wall or gym as well as cardiovascular exercise to handle route approaches. If you aspire to some of the the harder lines, you also need to be prepared for longer approaches and some big and strenuous days on the hill. (see fitness levels 2-3)
ExperienceThe trip is suitable for competent ice climbers happy seconding at Scottish grade III or above. (see: ice climbing course suitability)
EquipmentAll communal safety equipment (ropes etc) is provided by us. You are expected to provide personal clothing and climbing equipment for the trip.
