With its mix of scrambling, steep rock climbing and a long summit snow ridge, the East Ridge of Mount Temple attracts climbers from around the world.  Included in the 'Fifty Classic Climbs of North America' by Steve Roper and Allan Steck, this peak was first climbed in 1894 via the SW Face and Ridge.  The East Ridge is a committing route with great rewards for the experienced climber.

Please note that if our scheduled program dates don't work for you, you can still enjoy this climb.  We would be happy to organize a more convenient time for you.  Please contact our office to arrange.

Skyladder is the classic alpine route on this peak arcing up to it's summit ridge.  First climbed in 1961, this route involves glacier travel and 40-45 degree snow and ice climbing with excellent views of the Athabasca Glacier to the north and the Saskatchewan Glacier to the south.

Please note that if our scheduled program dates don't work for you, you can still enjoy this trip.  We would be happy to organize a more convenient time for you.  Please contact our office to arrange.

Please note that if our scheduled program dates don't work for you, you can still enjoy this climb.  We would be happy to organize a more convenient time for you.  Please contact our office to arrange.

The North East Ridge is considered one of the 'Fifty Classic Climbs of North America' by Steve Roper and Allan Steck and should be at the top of all alpinists tick lists.  The route involves a short glacial approach, 14 high quality pitches on the crest of the NE Ridge, a stunning summit traverse and a technical descent.  Who could ask for more??

Please note that if our scheduled program dates don't work for you, you can still enjoy this trip.  We would be happy to organize a more convenient time for you.  Please contact our office to arrange.

Please note that if our scheduled program dates don't work for you, you can still enjoy this climb.  We would be happy to organize a more convenient time for you.  Please contact our office to arrange.

Please note that if our scheduled program dates don't work for you, you can still enjoy this climb.  We would be happy to organize a more convenient time for you.  Please contact our office to arrange.

To commemorate the 100^th year anniversary of Conrad Kain’s remarkable ascent, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is offering two scheduled climbs in the summer of 2013.

At 3,954m Mount Robson is the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Climbers come from around the world to attempt its icy flanks on the way to the summit. The great bulk of this heavily glaciated peak creates its own climate and with all of the world's great peaks, the summit is never assured. Mt Robson is a much sought after test piece for experienced mountaineers.

This is a truly challenging objective for those with a number of intermediate and advanced peaks under their belt. Reaching the summit of is for many the ultimate Canadian Rockies mountaineering objective.  And what better time to try, then the 100^th year anniversary of the first ascent.

This trip will be lead by Yamnuska's senior mountain guides including Barry Blanchard and Grant Meekins. Barry has been on the mountain 9 times including putting up a new route on the Emporer Face 'Infinite patience'. Grant has arguably been our most successful guide on Robson over the past few years. You will have decades of experience with our team.

This trip is an excellent choice for adventurers looking to learn the skills involved in successfully planning and completing ski expeditions. Ski mountaineers on this trip should have previous winter camping and glacier travel experience and have a high level of fitness.

Join us as we ski through France, Italy and Switzerland enjoying excellent skiing, views and European mountain culture.

We will look at preventative measures in avalanche terrain, understanding and utilizing the avalanche safety gear, learn and practice search and rescue with transceivers probes and shovels. Learn and practice with digital beacon technology, learn techniques for deep burials, learn how to search without a beacon by identifying likely areas and random spot probing and also learn and practice new and effective shovel techniques. We will also practice with multiple burials, managing a search and post incident considerations.

Upon completion of the course you will receive a certificate in Companion Rescue.

Yamnuska is partnering with MEC to offer 2 half-day basic ice climbing clinics and 1 full-day advanced clinic.  Full details can be found under the itinerary and logistics tabs below.

Get trained by the leading recreational Avalanche Course provider in the Canadian Rockies. Our avalanche safety courses are held in Calgary and Canmore throughout the winter.

Avalanche is the greatest hazard facing 'out of bounds' backcountry skiers/riders, 'sledders' and ice climbers. The knowledge gained from Yamnuska's avalanche safety courses will significantly improve your safety margins and introduce you to risk assessment. Yamnuska avalanche courses are taught by a core staff of senior full time certified guides and professional members of the Canadian Avalanche Association.

These safety courses follow and exceed curriculum established by the Canadian Avalanche Centre.

We are a 'Presenting Sponsor' of the Canadian Avalanche Center. That means we provide financial support and professional resources to this invaluable organization. By taking an avalanche safety course with us you help support the CAC.

We offer courses in Calgary at the CAOC office, in Canmore out of our own classroom, and in Rogers Pass out of Glacier Park Lodge.

AST1 (click here) - We are the largest provider of recreational avalanche training in Canada. This intensive 2 day course involves a full classroom day then a field training and study day. We offer courses in Canmore and Calgary.

AST 2 (click here) - Four days of advanced avalanche training and study. We do an advanced classroom day then spend 3 days out in the field. We run this course in Canmore and Rogers Pass.

Special: Sign up for our AST 1 and AST 2 recreational avalanche courses at the same time and save 10% off the cost of both courses.

The AST 1 avalanche course is a great introductory program. If you are a regular backcountry enthusiast we recommend you sign up for the AST 1 course, get outside and build your experience level, then take the AST 2. 

Each year a group of dedicated ice climbers travel out to the rocky spires and blue ice waterfalls of the Canadian Rockies surrounding Canmore, Alberta for a week of superlative ice climbing on some of the most incredible ice routes in the world. 

Barry will be hosting this climbing adventure and will also be presenting a slide show of his past exploits and experiences on the second night of this program. 

Our curriculum is constantly updated to reflect the most current standards and practices.

During the day, build your skills and climb peaks. In the evening, share stories and lessons with your fellow mountaineers while relaxing in the comfortable Bow Hut.

This Canadian Rockies mountaineering course meets the prerequisites of high altitude expedition companies who require participants to have basic mountaineering skills prior to being accepted for a climb.

A climb of Mt. Assiniboine with a certified Yamnuska mountain guide can be the experience of a lifetime. If you'd like to climb Mt. Assiniboine with a Yamnuska guide this prospectus will give you a sense for what is is about. Once decided, we can confirm arrangements for this terrific adventure.

Mount Assiniboine is located 30 km SW of Canmore on the main divide of the Canadian Rockies. It sits on the border of Banff National Park and British Columbia's Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. The southern most of the major peaks in the Canadian Rockies, the triangular pyramid of Mt. Assiniboine dominates this section of the divide. It is 11,876 feet high (3618m).

This is a truly challenging objective for those with a number of intermediate and advanced peaks under their belt. Reaching the summit of is for many the ultimate Canadian Rockies mountaineering objective.

Our ice climbing guides work in the mountains year round but they live for ice climbing in the winter! The Yamnuska ice guide team is a highly skilled group of certified guides who exchange conditions information within our organization on a daily basis via the exclusive "Yam Ice Exchange". Expert ice climbers and guides, they have the most current conditions reports for climbs in Canmore, Banff, Kananaskis, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho. We have a daily check-in requirement for our ice climbing guides and safety is always our first priority. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures has a 7 x 24 duty manager who is equipped to support our guides and guests in the field should the need arise.

Most climbing trips start at our comfortable office in Canmore, Alberta Canada where our guides check conditions reports, file their trip report, and outfit you for any gear. For more involved ice climbing trips we can meet where it is most convenient for you. We have been in business for over 33 years and consider our ice climbing guides experts in the Canmore, Banff, Jasper, Kananaskis, Kootenay and Yoho ice climbing routes. We have guided guests from all over the world and are well equipped to plan your whole trip if needed.

Bugaboo Spire is surrounded by other spectacular spires, vertiginous Snowpatch Spire is a little lower but has fantastic technical routes for rock climbers. The W. Ridge of Pigeon Spire is one of the most enjoyable technical scrambles to be found anywhere and the smaller Crescent Spires offer enjoyable climbing at every level. Then there are the Howser Towers which dominate the entire group. One of the most famous climbs in the world, the Chouinard-Beckey route, is on the South Tower's west face.

This famed group of granite spires is found in the Purcell Mountains west of Canmore and Banff (3.5 hour drive) and can't be more highly recommended for those of you interested in high quality alpine rock climbing. It is served by an excellent alpine hut or you can camp in one of the most spectacular campgrounds known. This area is ideal for private and custom climbing programs from 3 - 7 days. It is also a great place to experience mountaineering with your kids (10 yrs. plus). Even the less famous routes offer amazing climbing objectives.

A climb of Athabasca with a certified Yamnuska mountain guide is a great and memorable experience.

Mount Athabasca is located at the eastern edge of the Columbia Icefields on the ridge between the Athabasca and Saskatchewan Glaciers. It is immediately adjacent to the Banff-Jasper Parkway from where it is climbed in a day. This makes it an ideal objective for anyone with limited time. In addition several nearby training sites make it an ideal finale to a general mountaineering course. It is 3,491m. high (11,453 ft).

Our depth of knowledge in the Canadian Rockies and surrounding mountain ranges is unmatched. Ski touring, backcountry skiing, or ski mountaineering are all popular private ski guiding activities that we have years of experience planning single and multi day trips. We can organize rental gear, accommodations and food so all you need to do is focus on the skiing.

Backcountry ski guiding is very popular with people who are in town resort skiing but want to experience the beauty of our backcountry environment for a day or two.

Perhaps our scheduled program dates don't work for you. You can still enjoy the full variety of our trips but on a more exclusive basis.

There are a multitude of fine climbing areas, alpine traverses, unique expeditions and adventures that are not in our brochure. If you would like to do something different in the mountains then consider a custom trip. In the past we have operated private trips not only in Canada but also in Antarctica, Asia, Europe, Mexico, Bolivia and Peru.

Many of our summer students go on to pursue a career in the outdoor recreation industry and use this program as a springboard to advance their technical skills and improve their overall knowledge and fitness. With a strong focus on the fundamentals of outdoor leadership, this is a fantastic program for anyone wishing to feel confident and secure in most any terrain and condition that can be found in the summer mountain environment.

The objective of this program is simple: climbing and instruction on the area's famous classic rock routes with our guides. In addition to Bugaboo Spire, Pigeon Spire and Snowpatch Spire, there are many enjoyable climbing routes on other nearby granite spires. Yamnuska's Bugaboos Climbing Guides have extensive knowledge of this area and its climbing routes.

This trip is designed for intermediate rock climbers who also have some mountaineering experience.

Our objectives this week are the spectacular peaks surrounding Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: Mt. Victoria, Mt. Lefroy & Mt Fay. This is going to be a terrific week of alpine climbing. And, if you're pressed for time, you can join us for the first three days only. 

This trip is an excellent choice for adventurers looking to learn the skills involved in successfully planning and completing mountaineering expeditions.

By camping in the Ghost Valley, we will have quick access to our rock routes.

This program is ideal for those hikers wanting a more casual mountaineering experience without sacrificing the scenery.

"A truly once in a life time experience that brought the Canadian Rockies to life for us." Amy, July 2012  

• Pigeon Spire: West Ridge (the best 5.4 route in North America!)
• Bugaboos Spire: Kain Route (5.7), N.E. Ridge (5.8)
• Snowpatch Spire: S.E. Corner (very long 5.7), S.W Corner (classic 5.0), Krauss-McCarthy (5.8), plus many other good routes
• Crescent Spires: Lions Way (5.6), McTech Arete (5.10), Between the Ears (5.7)
• There are also several other less known routes offering great climbing at different levels.

In addition to the incredible rock climbing, there are splendid mountaineering routes that don't require more than a novice level of rock climbing and scrambling.

Come on out and join our happy crew!   

Barry Blanchard
Associate Director
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

If you have completed our Snow and Ice Long Weekend or Intro to Mountaineering Programs this trip will be a great next step for you.

We welcome parents to attend the program.

Children's Fitness Tax Credit

The Canadian Governement offers a federal non-refundable tax credit available to individuals for registration and membership costs of up to $500 per child for prescribed programs of physical activity for their children who are under 16 at the beginning of the taxation year.  A prescribed program of physical activity includes a program of 5 or more consescutive days, if more than 50% of the daily activities include a significant amount of physical activity.  Click here or contact us for more details. 

This program is notorious for a being fun, relaxed and challenging week that is filled with laughter and achievement.

Our course curriculum is constantly updated to reflect the most current mountaineering standards and practices. Our instructors are passionate mountaineers and educators who are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.

During the day, build your skills and climb peaks. In the evening, share stories and lessons with your fellow mountaineers while relaxing in the comfortable Bow Hut.

This Canadian Rockies mountaineering course meets the prerequisites of most high altitude expedition companies who require their participants to have a basic mountaineering course prior to being accepted for an expedition.

"I can't praise this course enough - clearly Yamnuska is a premier outfit from excellent guides to a thorough understanding of how to introduce a beginner to this incredible environment - everything was top notch and highly professional. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the program to anyone. It is clear that your staff possess a passion for the mountains, an exceptional level of knowledge, a lack of ego, and patience with those of us who are just learning that inspires confidence and lays a foundation for a lifetime of adventure. Thank you so much!." Marnie, August 2012

We offer two versions of the Wapta Traverse: the 4-Day Classic Wapta Traverse and the 6-Day Extended Wapta Traverse. The Classic Traverse will suit those with more limited time and is a better option for intermediate ski tourers. It starts from Bow Lake and finishes at Sherbrooke Lake just west of Lake Louise. The Extended Traverse starts at Peyto Lake near the northernmost end of the icefields and finishes at Sherbrooke Lake.

We are offering two types of crevasse rescue courses this year. The first is "Crevasse Rescue for Ski Mountaineers" featured below and will be held at the beginning of March just as the traditional ski mountaineering season gets going. The second, "Advanced Crevasse Rescue" will be held in May and June and includes a refresher plus training in 2-man crevasse rescue. Please note that these are not beginner programs. Most people who take these course have already taken an introductory mountaineering or ski mountaineering course and want to keep their skills current.

Ths trip is a natural extension of our Wapta Traverse or Ski Mountaineering Programs. We will spend one night camping on our way to the Stanley Mitchell Hut offering great winter/glacier camping experience. The remaining nights will be spent in Alpine Huts.

In this comprehensive 3 day introduction to general mountaineering, you'll receive instruction on techniques for travelling on snow and ice, an understanding of safe glacier travel and crevasse rescue. You will learn the current mountaineering practices plus understand gear and equipment fit and use. We then practice your newly acquired skills on a summit bid of a classic peak on the Columbia Icefields - ideally Mt Athabasca if conditions allow.

This course is designed for people with no previous mountaineering experience but it might just ignite a life-long passion for mountaineering and the outdoors.

Can't make our weekend ski trip dates? Our certified ski guides are available for private ski guiding in Roger's Pass and surrounding areas. Visit our Private Ski Guiding Page link here.

This is a great spring ski mountaineering objective on a tall peak! To position ourselves for the summit, we will spend a night camping at the base of the glacier that leads to the summit ridge. This is great winter camping experience. Early the next morning we will enjoy the sunrise from our camp and begin our summit attempt on skis. Beautiful views and a long glacier ski run will be the reward for our efforts on this 11,000 foot classic.