Who are we?
For nearly 50 years, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures has been helping people explore, learn, and achieve their goals in the mountains. Based in Canmore, Alberta, at the gateway to Banff National Park, we are one of Canada’s leading mountain guiding, instruction, and adventure travel companies, offering exceptional experiences in climbing, mountaineering, scrambling, backcountry skiing, hiking, trekking, and custom mountain adventures throughout the Canadian Rockies and beyond.
Founded in 1977 as an adult wilderness program at the YMCA’s Yamnuska Centre, we have grown into one of Canada’s most respected mountain schools, welcoming thousands of guests from across Canada and around the world. Whether you’re joining us for a backpacking adventure, a mountaineering course, or a custom expedition, our certified guides combine deep local knowledge, professional instruction, and a passion for sharing the mountain environment. Guided by a commitment to excellence that has defined Yamnuska since 1977, we are proud to deliver exceptional mountain experiences in some of the world’s most inspiring landscapes.
Our Vision
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is passionately committed to providing exceptional mountain experiences and services in a sustainable and respectful manner with safety as our top priority.
Land Acknowledgement
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures recognizes that the traditional stewards of the land on which we live, work and play are the First Nations and Metis peoples of Canada.
Yamnuska is located within Treaty 7 territory, the traditional territories and home of the Stoney Nakoda, Blackfoot Confederacy and Tsuut’ina Nations, as well as Zone 3 Metis Nation.
We honour, respect and celebrate this territory with all those who steward this land.
Guest Service
All of our guides are ACMG/IFMGA certified and, beyond their exceptional technical expertise, are committed to delivering the outstanding experience our guests expect. We take pride in setting the standard for guide training, professionalism, and guest service within the mountain guiding industry.
Our modern 4,000-square-foot training facility features two classrooms, a fully equipped backcountry kitchen, and a comfortable guides’ lounge for your convenience. We also maintain an extensive inventory of high-quality technical mountain equipment available for use on our programs. Through a rigorous inspection, maintenance, and replacement program, we ensure that our guests have access to modern, reliable gear on every course and adventure.
Our Guides
Our guides are among the most experienced and highly qualified professionals in the industry. All of our guides hold certifications through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and/or the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), and are also accredited through the Interpretive Guides Association. Beyond their technical expertise, our guides are passionate educators and ambassadors for the mountain environment, combining exceptional mountain skills with a deep knowledge of the natural and cultural history of the places we explore. We take pride in setting the standard for guide training, professionalism, and guest service, delivering the exceptional experiences our guests have come to expect from Yamnuska. Learn more about the people behind our programs on our Meet the Team page.
Safety & Risk Management
As Canada’s largest mountain skills instruction school, our safety and risk management plans are unmatched. A full-time, on-call duty manager ensures that we are prepared to deal with any emergency or program requirements around the clock. Our rigorous safety policies and procedures have been developed through our experience from more than 45 years of training and working with military organizations from around the world.
All of our safety, risk management, and avalanche plans are written by our operations team and updated constantly. We pride ourselves on our ‘Culture of Safety’ and think you will appreciate this focus on your mountain adventures with us.
Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here.
All participants must sign the Yamnuska waiver of liability prior to commencing any Yamnuska Mountain Adventures program. Read the sample waiver.
Environmental Stewardship
Respect for the mountain environment is deeply embedded in the values that have guided Yamnuska since 1977. We believe in self-propelled mountain experiences—whether hiking, climbing, mountaineering, or backcountry skiing—and embrace the philosophy that the journey is as important as the destination. Our programs are primarily human-powered endeavors, encouraging a deeper connection with the landscapes we explore while minimizing our impact on the environment.
As stewards of the mountains, we are committed to promoting sustainable travel and tourism practices that help preserve the fragile alpine ecosystems of the Canadian Rockies and mountain regions around the world. We practice the principles of Leave No Trace, and our guides act as ambassadors for environmental responsibility, helping educate guests about conservation, environmental ethics, and responsible recreation.
We recognize the importance of protecting these special places for future generations and actively support local and national environmental organizations that share this commitment. Through our programs, partnerships, and everyday operations, we strive to reduce our environmental footprint while fostering a lasting appreciation for the natural world. Learn more about our commitment to Environmental Stewardship & Responsible Travel.
Police, Military, and First Responder Experience
Yamnuska is proud to support Canadian and British military organizations through the delivery of technical skills training and adventurous training programs for active and serving personnel. We have also worked extensively with police, search and rescue, and other first responder organizations, helping participants develop the skills and confidence required to operate effectively in mountain and technical environments.
Our long-standing relationships with military, law enforcement, and emergency services organizations reflect a deep respect for those who serve and a proven track record of delivering high-quality training in challenging terrain. As a gesture of appreciation, we are pleased to offer discounted pricing to active military personnel and law enforcement members.
Canadian Tourism Commission Signature Experience
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures has been recognized as a ‘Signature Experience’ provider for offering uniquely Canadian experiences by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). On October 18, 2011, the CTC announced that we had been granted this prestigious honour citing our Wapta Traverse ski trip as a signature winter experience and our Wapta Ice Hike as a signature summer experience. Both glacier traverse programs are located in Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest and largest National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Climbing
We are a proud sponsor of several youth, climbing, and mountain culture initiatives. Although we donate trips and money to numerous causes, a few of the more popular ones are listed below.
John Lachlan Memorial Award The John Lauchlan Memorial Award is a cash and mentorship award designed to assist Canadian climbers. It exists to perpetuate the bold and adventurous spirit which John Lauchlan exemplified in his climbing exploits. Specifically, the award strives to promote the development of Canadian climbers through the support of worthy expeditions and mountainous adventures.
Climber’s Access Society of Alberta (CASA) The Climber’s Access Society of Alberta’s primary objective is to provide and preserve public access for climbers to the montane and alpine regions as well as related and surrounding wilderness of the Rocky Mountain Cordillera and Eastern Slope foothills of Alberta. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is a proud supporter of this organization.
The Association of Bow Valley Climbers (TABVAR) The Association of Bow Valley Rock Climbers (TABVAR) is a not for profit organization, funded by donations, whose purpose is to promote the responsible development of safe rock climbing areas serving the Calgary, Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise climbing communities. TABVAR provides funds for fixed anchors on routes and for “environmental” projects such as erosion protection measures at the base of cliffs.
Avalanche Safety
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures strongly supports the work of Avalanche Canada and recognizes the vital role they play in Canada’s mountain community.
Through public avalanche forecasting, education, awareness programs, and research, Avalanche Canada helps people make informed decisions in avalanche terrain and contributes significantly to safer backcountry travel across the country.
The Avalanche Canada Foundation is a registered charity that supports avalanche awareness, public safety programs, education, and research initiatives aimed at reducing avalanche risk and improving mountain safety.
We believe Avalanche Canada is an essential resource for everyone who lives, works, and recreates in the mountains, and we are grateful for the important work they do.
Tourism Associations
We are proud members of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism and Tourism Canmore Kananaskis
Sales and Industry Trade Shows
We attend the following consumer trade shows each year:
- The Calgary Outdoor Adventure Show
- The Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show
We regularly attend the following Industry Trade Shows:
- The Banff Mountain Film Festival Sponsor Trade Show
- Canada’s West Marketplace
Annual Sales Promotions
Like you, we think it’s unfair if everyone on a trip has paid a different price so we are transparent about our pricing policy and sales discounts. At the trade shows listed above, any purchase is eligible for a 10% discount (see restrictions below). As well, our Early Bird discounts offer guests 15% off scheduled trips and programs they purchase for the upcoming summer or winter season. The early bird discount for upcoming winter programs runs until July 1 of the previous season and for upcoming summer programs, the discount runs until December 31 of the previous season. We encourage you to take advantage of these great discount opportunities and assure you we will not suddenly offer other sale prices. The Mountain Skills, Summer and Winter Semesters, International programs, Lodge Based ski trips, and certain hiking programs are not eligible for these discounts. Programs that we re-sell for our partners are also not available for these discounts (i.e. Wilderness First Aid programs). Signature Series programs do not qualify for the discount.
Receptive Tour Operators and Agents
With agreements, we offer some of our trips to commissioned sales agents. The terms and conditions vary based on volume and reciprocal marketing initiatives. We deal with some of Canada’s largest receptive tour operators and select international sales agents.
Our Address
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures
Unit 202, 56 Lincoln Park
Canmore, Alberta, Canada T1W3E9
Toll-Free North America: 1 866 678 4164
Tel.: +1 403 678 4164 | Fax: +1 403 678 4450
E-mail: info@yamnuska.com
Office Hours
Monday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Tuesday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Wednesday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Saturday 8:30am to 4:00pm
We are open Saturdays during Peak Seasons