Arrive in Squamish the day before or on the morning of Day 1. After meeting fellow mountaineers and your British Columbia mountaineering guide, do a quick gear check and start the course. The first day focuses on the rock skills where you’ll cover topics like trad gear placement, anchor building, rappelling, belaying, and general rope systems.
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Join this 3-day course for a thrilling beginner-friendly alpine adventure! Learn essential skills to safely tackle classic routes like Garibaldi, Tricouni, Matier, etc. Your experienced ACMG guide will teach you how to navigate alpine terrain, covering technical rock, steep snow, ice, and glaciers. Gain confidence and mountain awareness as you lead an ascent of a local alpine objective at the end of the course. It's the perfect opportunity to have fun, learn efficiently, and reach the peak of your alpine dreams!
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The curriculum covers various facets of alpine climbing, including technical rock, steep snow, ice, and glaciers. By the end of the course, participants will gain proficiency in trad gear placement, anchor building, rappelling, belaying, rope systems, basic glacier travel, snow and ice protection, snow and ice anchors, and steep snow climbing. They will also lead an ascent of a local alpine objective, learning to efficiently manage complex alpine terrain while honing their skills in a safe and enjoyable manner.
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On the second day, move on to topics like basic glacier travel, snow and ice protection, snow and ice anchors, and steep snow climbing will be covered. Join your guide for the technical snow and ice skills field day and cover everything in practice!
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After two days of intensive training, you will put all the skills that you’ve covered to the test and lead an ascent of a local alpine objective under the guidance of your instructor. This experience provides a great opportunity to see how complex alpine terrain can be safely managed while having fun and reaching the summit of a cool peak. Students will lead climbs on alpine routes such as Garibaldi, Tricouni, Matier, etc., focusing on applying technical systems and developing mountain awareness.
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Included:
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- An experienced, local ACMG/IFMGA-certified guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- 3-day Intro to Mountaineering or 4-day Advanced Mountaineering course in the Squamish and Whistler areas
- Group technical equipment
- Group safety and emergency equipment
- Permits
Not included:
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- Transportation (including lift passes and other specialist transportation)
- Accommodations and meals
- Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
- Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
- Guide gratuities—optional
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For both British Columbia mountaineering courses, participants should be at a high level of physical fitness and a passion for outdoor adventures. The specific skills and experience needed, however, vary based on the chosen course.
In the introductory course, technical skills are not mandatory, but prior climbing and scrambling experience is advantageous. However, some kind of outdoors background with extensive hiking experience is essential. In short, all participants should have enough stamina for potential climbs, while all the technical knowledge and skills will be taught.
For the advanced mountaineering course, in addition to the aforementioned fitness requirements, some mountaineering experience is required. Participants should also have some training or experience in crevasse rescue.
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To participate in the intro to mountaineering course in the Squamish and Whistler areas, you don’t need to have any mountaineering experience, but rock climbing and scrambling experience will be beneficial.
The advanced mountaineering course requires you to have some mountaineering experience, as well as experience/training in crevasse rescue. You should have some basic insights into how to use the technical gear, as well as some basic rock climbing and scrambling skills.
An outdoors background (hiking and/or backpacking) and very good general level of fitness are required for both courses.
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Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.
Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.
Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.
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Here’s what you need for your mountaineering course in the Squamish and Whistler areas:
For general equipment, you will need:
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- 45-55 L Backpack
- Trekking poles
- Warm single or double boots
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Camera (optional)
For clothing, you will need:
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- Wool and/or synthetic socks
- Synthetic or wool base layer, top, and bottom
- Multipurpose climbing pants
- Waterproof breathable jacket, and pants
- Light jacket or sweater
- Warm outer jacket
- Toque (beanie) – wool or synthetic
- Brimmed cap
- Face warmer or buff
- Light leather gloves
- Insulated gloves
- Gaiters (optional)
For technical mountaineering equipment, you will need:
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- Helmet
- Harness
- Belay device
- Locking carabiner x 4
- Non-locking carabiner x 3
- 5m x 7mm Prusik Cord x 1
- Crampons
- Ice ax
- Ice screw
For personal overnight equipment, you will need:
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- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Lighter, small stove, and pot
- Fuel
- Eating cup and spoon
- Light camp shoes
- Reusable lunch bag
- Water bottle and/or thermos (min. 1L capacity)
Keep in mind that this is a comprehensive list of all the equipment you may need and that your packing list may differ depending on which course you book. It should also be noted that you will carry your meals during the summit objectives. Most technical equipment can be rented from the guiding service upon request. You’ll get a chance to discuss the equipment list in more detail with your guide prior to the course.
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Group sizes and prices:
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- For these group courses, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1.
- The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
Mountaineering courses in the Squamish and Whistler areas can be arranged for larger and private groups. Contact us to arrange a custom package with a date that best suits you!
Min. age requirements:
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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To get to Squamish, the base for your mountaineering course, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport, which is 1.5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.
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. Depending on whether you’ve booked the introductory or the advanced course, the course will begin in the morning or in the afternoon/evening.
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We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
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