Guided Alpine Climbing Day, Canadian Rockies

Top three reasons to alpine climb in the Canadian Rockies

Finest collection of true alpine climbs in the world
A lifetime’s worth of experiences and objectives for any alpine climber
Everything from stunning glacial lakes to snowy mountain tops

The Canadian Rockies offer several hundred alpine climbs —enough to last a lifetime— featuring anything from glaciers, stunning lakes, rock, icefields, and peaks exceeding 11,000’. Straddling the continental divide between British Columbia and Alberta, the area is famous for its jaw-dropping panoramic views, spectacular geography, diverse wildlife, and alpine climbing routes for all ability levels. The Rockies are also home to four national parks — Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay — and encompass a wealth of the vast Columbia Icefield and the complex Castleguard Caves. Climb in some of the most famous locations, such as Mt. Athabasca (reaching a phenomenal 3,491m), Castle Mountain, Mt Louis, or Edith Cavell. Breathe the fresh alpine air, work on your skills, and make memories that will last a lifetime! Find out more about alpine climbing in the Canadian Rockies from ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide Jeff Bullock!

Season

Year-round

Nearest city

Calgary, AB, is just over 1.5 hours away from Banff and 4 hours away from Columbia Icefields

Duration

1 day

Skill level

Beginner to advanced

Choose how you spend your day

Whether you want to reach a summit or simply work on your alpine climbing skills, the Canadian Rockies offer a myriad of options for everyone. The area offers so many classic Rockies high points — choose a route and let your guide lead the way! Spend a day on the rock, snow, and ice terrain acquiring new climbing techniques and skills important for alpine climbing. Get out of your comfort zone, step into the great outdoors, and do something you never imagined you could! Your guide will customize the day to fit your skills and objectives while making sure you are safe and have fun.

Meet your guides

When he first stepped foot in the mountains, Jeff knew this was home. He’s been won...

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You’re never on your own in the Banff wilderness because the experienced profession...

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Reviews (3)

The best challenge I gave myself this winter

toomannyfaces about Alpine Air Adventures

I went to Banff in early December and was able to enjoy this experience. It’s an early start to your day and requires a good hike but it’s worth the challenge. Yes there is plenty of sightseeing to be had in the area but if you’re looking to push yourself and to do it somewhere scenic in the Rockies, then this is it. I had no previous experience in climbing whatsoever and I still had a blast.

Making your adventure a reality

MParker_117 about Alpine Air Adventures

The small but dedicated team at Alpine Air Adventures is eager to make sure you get the adventure you are seeking. There are several guiding companies in the area and I reached out to them all when planning my trip to Banff. AAA was responsive, answered all my questions and provided additional details to help pick my route, and they were also among the most affordable. As a small shop, they can keep their costs down while their service remains high. My guide listened to what I wanted, used his local knowledge and expertise to pick out a climb that ticked all my boxes, then took me on an adventure that I won’t soon forget. What really made this a standout experience was he assessed my abilities and adjusted his methods accordingly. I have been climbing for years and do not need to be babysat on route, he quickly realized that and we got into a rhythm and it felt like I was climbing with an old friend rather than a guide. If you’re looking for a guide service in the Banff area, do youself a favor and give AAA a call.

Inspiring Climb to Mt. Fay Summit

Amjad A about Alpine Air Adventures

When I think back at the trip I recently completed to the summit of Mt. Fay with Alpine Air Adventures, the word that comes to mind is “inspiring”. It is inspiring to think that I was able to push past my limits and accomplish something that I previously thought was unlikely. I can’t thank our guide Kyle enough for his expertise and patience in guiding us up safely to Neil Colgan Hut and then to the summit of Mt. Fay and back down.

Trips with Alpine Air Adventures are unlike anything else you’ll experience in the rockies – the memories will stay with you for a life time!

Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Canadian Rockies, please refer to the official Alberta website and official Province of British Columbia website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get in this adventure:

- Experienced ACMG/IFMGA certified local rock-climbing guides with extensive knowledge of the area
- One day of alpine rock climbing
- Group technical gear
- Pre climb logistics and planning

What’s not included:

- Guide expenses
- Accommodations
- Alpine kit rental, crampons, harness, axe and helmet $20.00/day
- Food
- Transportation
- Accommodation

This alpine climbing adventure is ideal for beginner to experienced alpine climbers. You will need a good level of fitness as you will be moving for a minimum of three hours on the rocks plus some additional hiking. Even though rock climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength, a week in the alpine environment will test you. Be prepared for full days of strenuous climbing in cold temperatures and changeable weather conditions.

If you’ve never alpine climbed before, this private day of climbing with a guide is an ideal opportunity to learn the basics. Alpine climbing is not for first-time rock climbers, but if you have some experience in rock climbing, there are routes that you can successfully complete with the help of a guide. This course is meant to develop skills and techniques that will take your climbing to the next level. You will spend time on rock, snow and ice terrain to round out the skill set with guides that have years and years of mountain experience to share with you.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

- Fleece or wool hat
- Neck gaiter
- Face mask
- Lightweight and midweight gloves
- Hardshell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or equivalent)
- Lightweight wind shell
- Down or synthetic jacket with hood
- Long-sleeved base layer
- Long base layer pants (tights work well in the summer)
- Hardshell pants
- Softshell pants (wind-proof or wind-resistant)
- Leg gaiters (ankle to mid calf height works best in summer)
- Liner socks and wool socks
- Underwear
- Mountaineering boots that work with crampons (can be rented)
- Rock shoes (can be rented)
- Daypack large enough to carry all the items listed (around 40L)
- Sunglasses or a visor hat
- Headlamp
- Ice axe (can be rented)
- Crampons (can be rented)
- Water bottle or hydration pack
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- Bowl, mug, and spork
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, blister kit, toilet paper, etc.)
- Pee bottle — optional
- Camera — optional

If you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. If not, you can rent crampons, harness, axe and a helmet for $20.00 per day. You’ll need:

- Helmet
- Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device and chalk bag
- Ropes
- Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.)

Group sizes and prices:

- For the private alpine climbing adventure, client to guide ratio is 3:1 and cost is per person.
- Costs per person decrease as the group grows, making it a perfect opportunity to go climbing with your friends and family.
- Prices subject to increase with increased commitment and objectives.

If you are traveling with a bigger group, let us know and we will make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

One of your quickest options for getting to the Rockies is the Calgary International Airport, located just an hour and a half from Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies and and 4 hours away from Columbia Icefields. From there you can rent a car or take a shuttle to the Canadian Rockies.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. Depending on your wishes and objectives, fitness level, and previous climbing experience, your guide will choose the most appropriate location for alpine climbing.

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