Start Your Mountaineering Journey in the Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies around Banff, Lake Louise, and Canmore offer the perfect playground for aspiring mountaineers, providing unforgettable challenges and opportunities for personal growth.
Many accomplished climbers began their journey with a beginner mountaineering course at Yamnuska. We offer weekend and weeklong trips, as well as alpine-style climbing programs for beginners, designed to fit your schedule and budget—giving you the skills and confidence to explore and climb the mountains.
Scrambling Skills – 2 days of basic skills and judgment for non-technical scrambling peaks. A great first off-trail program for experienced hikers.
Snow and Ice Long Weekend – A 3-day program with two training days and a summit attempt at Mt Athabasca.
Intro to Mountaineering – Our signature 6-day mountaineering course.
Women’s Intro to Mountaineering – This beginner mountaineering class mirrors the curriculum of our Intro to Mountaineering program but is for women only and taught by female Yam Guides. This fun week is ideal for adventurous women who prefer to learn skills and experience the mountains with other women
Youth Mountaineering Course – 6 days of in-depth skills training plus peak ascents designed for 15 – 17-year-olds.
Wapta Ice Hike – A more casual mountaineering adventure for those who want to experience the thrill of glacier travel.
Private Guiding & Instruction – We can tailor your mountain climbing or training objectives to meet your personal schedule and requirements. This can happen in a location of your choice. Very friendly for beginners and experts alike. Our certified guides are leading climbers and professionals who can meet your training and climbing objectives.
Mountain Skills Semester
Our Mountaineering Semester is the cumulative experience of over 30 years of professional mountain guiding in the Canadian Rockies and internationally. Our aim of this field-based and intensive course is to make you a self-sufficient mountaineer. For more information, visit our Mountain Skills Semester and Outdoor Leadership Training Programs page.
Intermediate and Advanced Programs
For climbers with a base level of mountaineering training, please explore our Intermediate & Advanced Mountaineering Courses in Canada. Many intermediate and advanced objectives are within a short drive of our office.
You guys got this adventure nailed down perfect, keep up the high energy and motivation! —Elia, ON