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Head straight to Alberta’s Rockies and spend four days ice climbing advanced routes in this winter wonderland. Push your boundaries on some of the frozen structures suitable for those who have more experience under their belt and work on your technique and safety skills to become an even better ice climber. Begin your adventure in the Bow Valley and conquer some classic lines on Alberta’s Icefields Parkway, the area synonymous with the best ice climbing in the Rockies!
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Day 1: Bow Valley
On the first day of this enthralling adventure, you’ll meet up with your guide at a predetermined location and the guide will talk you through some of the topics you’ll cover over the next four days. Set out to various ice climbing locations around the stunning Bow Valley in Alberta. Bow Valley boasts a slew of routes which vary in difficulty, length, and access, but your guide will show you the best ice climbing gems in the area. Work on your advanced techniques, safety skills, and much more!
Day 2: Head north
You’ll head towards Lake Louise and continue improving your ice climbing techniques and safety skills. Continue heading north towards Rampart Creek and the famous Icefields Parkway where a whole host of classic lines are just waiting to be conquered. This stunning location is the epitome of the best ice climbing in the Rockies. Ascend advanced waterfall ice routes with glaciers and mountains all around you and immerse yourself in ice climbing in this frozen dreamland.
Day 3: Continue ice climbing around Icefields Parkway
On this day you’ll continue climbing the various ice cragging routes for more experienced ice climbers in Icefields Parkway. The Weeping wall is one of the most famous routes in this scenic ice climbing area. While conquering frozen waterfalls and other magnificent icy structures, your guide will instruct you and help you achieve all your ice climbing objectives on high quality ice that Icefields Parkway has to offer.
Day 4: Icefields Parkway and departure
On the last day of this epic adventure, you’ll climb more routes in Icefields Parkway and test your skills on some multi-pitch routes. Seeing as this is your last day on ice, spend some time appreciating the stunning scenery around you before heading home!
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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 traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Canadian Rockies, Alberta, please refer to the COVID-19 travel guidelines for Alberta.
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!
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What you get:
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- An experienced, local ACMG / IFMGA Mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- 3 or 4 days of ice climbing instruction and practice depending on your chosen itinerary
- Use of group technical gear
- For the 4-Day Advanced adventure: 3 nights’ accommodation in shared rooms at mountain hostels
Not included:
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- Transportation
- Accomodations for the 3-Day Intermediate adventure
- Personal climbing equipment (can be rented from your guiding service)
- Boots
- Meals and snacks
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If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Being in good shape is always a plus but far from necessary. Ice climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up ice formations using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.
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In order to participate in these adventures, you need to have some prior ice climbing experience under your belt. For intermediate to advanced climbers, the Canadian Rockies have loads of routes to spend the day on. Your guide will discuss your objectives and customize the day to your goals. Let your guide plan the day so you can focus on developing your skills while climbing the classic routes or best hidden gems the area has to offer. If this is your first time on ice, join a guide for a day of Intro to Ice Climbing.
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Technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service for the Intermediate Ice Climbing Adventure, except for boots. Personal climbing gear can be rented from your guiding service. If you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:
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- Helmet
- Climbing harness
- Mountaineering boots
- 2 technical ice climbing tools (for intermediate and advanced ascents)
- Crampons (12 point, must fit your boots)
- Ice ax
Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:
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- Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40-55L bag)
- Warm hat/toque
- Neck tube/balaclava
- Waterproof mountaineering gloves or wool/fleece mitts/gloves
- Waterproof over mitts (two pairs)
- Lightweight winter ice climbing gloves (tight fit)
- Outer waterproof jacket with hood
- Heavyweight fleece or insulated down jacket with hood
- Medium-weight fleece sweater
- Wool or fleece long sleeve shirt
- Shoeller material, wool/nylon blend or fleece pants
- Waterproof knee-length gaiters (that will fit over large boots)
- Polypro, wool, capilene or fleece long top and bottom underwear
- Wool/blend socks (clean socks for each day)
- Sleeping bag for the hostels (for the Advanced Ice Climbing Adventure)
- 1-liter water bottle
- Thermos with a warm beverage
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- Toiletries (sunscreen, lip balm, toilet paper, etc.)
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Pocket knife
- Blister kit
- Trekking or ski poles
- Camera — optional
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and prices:
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- For these adventures, the usual guest to guide ratio is 6:1 (2:1 for multi pitch climbs).
- Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
- If joining alone, you’ll be placed with peers that share a similar level of experience.
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Ice climbing days in the Canadian Rockies can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.
Min. age requirements:
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors as young as 14 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
- Children and minors younger than 14 aren’t allowed to participate in this tour.
If your group has ice climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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To get to the Canadian Rockies, most people fly into Calgary International Airport 1.5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
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