Private Mountaineering and Guiding

Options and Program Ideas

Hiring a private mountain guide for your adventure ensures an experience tailored specifically to you and your climbing partners. Your guide will be entirely dedicated to achieving your objectives.

Day Climbs near Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise:

The highways that traverse the Rockies provide easy access to a wonderful variety of peaks and make rewarding day climbs possible. From Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise you can book climbs for one day or several. Kananaskis Country and the Rocky Mountain National Parks (Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho) are all possible day destinations (Jasper is further away and you may be better staying at one of the hotels or hostels along the Banff-Jasper Parkway). Typically these climbs are mostly on rock with some snow in the early season.

Private Day Climbs are easiest to organize and involve the fewest costs, typically just guide fee plus gear rentals, if you are supplying transport.

Here are a few suggestions:

Beginner Level

Mount Edith – 2554 m
An accessible rock peak just north of Banff featuring short sections of easy 5.4 rock. A great introduction to roped alpine movement and scrambling on solid limestone. Allow at least 8 hours with approximately 1200 m of elevation gain. June – October.

Mount Rundle – 2949 m
A classic Banff objective rising directly above town with an elevation gain of roughly 1500 m. The standard route follows a steep hiking trail with no technical climbing. The West Ridge from the Golf Course adds enjoyable 4th and easy 5th class scrambling and rock climbing before returning to the valley. June – October.

Mount Temple – 3544 m
The highest peak in the Lake Louise area, reached via a long but straightforward scramble with several cliff bands. The reward is an exceptional summit panorama. Approximately 1500 m of elevation gain. Requires a minimum of three guests from July – September (additional guests may be added to meet minimum numbers).

Mounts Whyte & Niblock – 2983 m & 2976 m
Two adjacent summits above Lake Louise offering a more alpine feel than many beginner peaks. These climbs involve glacier travel, moderate scrambling, and excellent views. A good introduction to classic alpine mountaineering. Mid-June – September.

Mount Fairview – 2744 m
A popular introductory mountaineering objective above Lake Louise with a combination of hiking, moderate scrambling, and optional snow travel early in the season. Ideal for first-time alpine climbers. June – September.

Mount Indefatigable – 2670 m
An enjoyable scramble near Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park featuring exposed ridges, hands-on movement, and rewarding views. Well-suited for developing scrambling and route-finding skills. July – September.

Mount Cory (South Peak) – 2802 m
A classic beginner scramble near Banff with short sections of easy rock and big views of the Bow Valley. A great objective for building confidence on exposed terrain. June – October.

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Intermediate & Advanced Levels

Castle Mountain – 2760 m
A dramatic limestone massif dominating the Bow Valley. Can be climbed in a long day or broken up with an overnight stay in the hut. Multiple routes are available, including Eisenhower Tower (5.5) and the spectacular Brewer’s Buttress (5.7), each involving approximately 10 pitches of roped climbing. June – September.

Mount Aberdeen – 3151 m
A striking alpine peak above Lake Louise requiring a 1524 m (5000 ft) elevation gain, steep glacier travel, and exposed summit terrain. A rewarding objective for experienced mountaineers. June – July.

Mount Louis – 2680 m
A spectacular limestone spire just north of Banff. The classic Kain Route with the Perren finish (5.7) is one of the most sought-after alpine rock climbs in the Rockies. June – September.

Mount Athabasca – 3491 m
One of the most popular glaciated peaks in the Canadian Rockies. Involves glacier travel, crevasse navigation, and moderate snow and ice slopes, making it an excellent intermediate mountaineering objective. May – July.

Mount Andromeda – 3450 m
Often combined with Mount Athabasca, this peak offers steeper snow and ice climbing and more sustained glacier travel for advanced intermediate climbers. May – July.

Mount Victoria – 3464 m
A classic alpine mountaineering route combining glacier travel, exposed scrambling, and rock climbing. A historic Rockies ascent with a true alpine feel. July – September.

Mount Assiniboine – 3618 m
Often referred to as the “Matterhorn of the Rockies,” Assiniboine offers several technical routes including the North Ridge (5.5–5.6). A premier objective for advanced alpine climbers seeking a remote and iconic ascent. July – September.

Mount Sir Donald – 3285 m
A renowned alpine rock climb in Glacier National Park featuring sustained 5.4–5.6 climbing on excellent rock. Ideal for climbers looking to push into longer, more committing alpine routes. July – September.

There are also many great multi-pitch rock routes in the area such as those on Yamnuska, East End of Rundle, and Ha Ling Peak. These are better outlined on our Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing page.

Costs

Yamnuska guides are renowned as the best in the industry. Our rigorous standards ensure that we deliver the highest quality experience for you and your climbing partners. Our guiding team benefits from continuous staff training, peer and client reviews, daily conditions updates, and mentoring and oversight from senior guides. We support all our programs with a dedicated Duty Manager and a responsive office staff ready to assist with any situation. Additionally, we offer state-of-the-art equipment for rent or loan across all our programs. As the oldest mountain school and guiding company in Canada, we have a long-standing reputation for consistently meeting our clients’ objectives.

When you arrange a private or custom program you will be paying a guide fee plus the expenses incurred in running the program. It is important to understand that should you wish to shorten your trip due to weather or personal reasons you will still be paying for the entire duration that you registered for.

This is an outline of the typical costs involved.

These costs do not include Goods & Services Tax (GST) which is usually 5%.  Gratuities are not included.

Before booking your private program we will give you a final quote as to cost.

Guide fees:

The fees below are set by the number of people in your group. The guide to client ratio will be determined by the difficulty and technicality of your objective. For intermediate and advanced climbs we recommend no more than a 1 guide to 2 client ratio, for beginner level ascents and basic instruction ratios can reach 1:6.

Number in group/Per person, per day

• 1 – $875
• 2 – $500
• 3 – $375
• 4 – $312.50
• Please Contact the Yamnuska Office for 5 or more guests

The above prices do not include 5% GST (sales tax)

Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group.

Where climbs are more difficult, serious, and/or long (for example Mounts Assiniboine, Louis, Robson, Sir Donald; Chouinard-Beckey on Howser) a surcharge will apply. We will advise you of this surcharge should it be applicable.

Guide’s Expenses

Our quote will include costs for your guide’s expenses during your program. These include driving costs (unless you drive the guide), accommodation & meals (doesn’t apply to local day climbs), helicopter costs, etc.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Other charges that may apply to a private program are:

National Park Fees: If we climb in Banff or the other National Parks entry fees apply.

Helicopter Access: Some backcountry areas (e.g. B.C. Interior Ranges, Mount Robson, Assiniboine) are best accessed by helicopter. Where the fee is fixed we can include that in our package price, where it may vary we will give you our best estimate and arrange for you to pay the helicopter pilot directly.

Porters: We can arrange for a porter to help on access climbs and on backpack trips to lessen your loads. In the winter or avalanche terrain, we may require that two porters travel together for safety purposes and to meet provincial regulations.

Park Passes

Please note that program venues may be within National Parks and/or Kananaskis Country. For programs where transportation is not provided by Yamnuska/Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska, guests will be required to purchase their own pass.

National Park passes are available both online at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/admission and in-person at National park gates and some information centres.

Kananaskis Country conservation passes are available online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx

Transportation

You will either need to provide the transportation for you and the guide or, should the guide need to drive him/herself to the program area then a charge, based on distance will apply. This ranges from $20 on up depending upon where you go. Once we know whether you will be able to drive the guide or where you will be going we will include transport costs in your quote.

Yamnuska has several 15 passenger vans and we can supply transportation for your group using these. We can quote you a cost for this which will also depend upon how far you are driving and how much the vehicle will be used.

Accommodation

For accommodation before and after a program or during a program involving day trips from either Canmore, Banff, or Lake Louise, there are a variety of accommodations available.

During a program you may find yourself camping, using mountain huts and hostels or even staying in hotels. Thus the cost of trip accommodation will vary with what you choose. Backcountry camping may involve minimal cost, National Park Campgrounds such as those at the Columbia Icefields cost approx. $25 per tent per night. Mountain huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada average $60/night/person (guides free). In constructing your private program we can include the cost of accommodation for you. The actual costs will be outlined in the quote.

Meals

Yamnuska can supply all your out-trip meals. Should you choose to supply your own we charge you only for the cost of your guide’s food.

In planning your menu we will need to know of any special dietary restrictions or preferences you may have (e.g. vegetarian) and of any allergies, you may have (e.g. shellfish). A dietary surcharge will apply.

Food charges will be prorated where less than 3 meals are supplied in a day. Included in the charge is a supply of group cooking gear (stoves, pots & pans).

For larger groups, we can also arrange for a cook when requested and appropriate (mountain huts & campsites).

Group safety & technical gear (e.g. ropes & rack) is included in the guide fee. You will need to supply personal clothing and gear (e.g. ice axe, crampons, helmet & harness). Some of these items can be rented and the cost included in your package price.

Yamnuska has a full range of climbing and camping gear for rent. We provide our guests with only the highest quality equipment from our trusted partners at Arc’teryx, Petzl, and BCA. All of our gear is top-of-the-line, carefully selected for performance, safety, and comfort in the mountains. Each piece goes through rigorous inspection and regular inventory turnover to ensure it meets the highest standards, so you can focus on the adventure knowing you’re outfitted with reliable, professional-grade gear.  Rental Gear

Arc’teryx Loaner Gear Now Available
Guests registered in Yamnuska programs (4 days or less) can borrow outerwear from the Arc’teryx store in Banff at no cost. Available items include jackets, insulated layers, and bib pants (men’s & women’s sizes). Simply show proof of enrollment at the store.

Available pieces include:

Thanks to our partners at Arc’teryx for making this opportunity available!

We will supply you with a quote that will include all expenses such as meals, accommodation and rental gear when we know your requirements. Registration requires a deposit of one-third of the quote or, for trips of three days or less, full payment. All guests must fill in an application form and an experience questionnaire. We accept Visa, Mastercard, money orders, money transfers, travellers’ cheques and Canadian dollar certified cheques.

The balance of payment is required eight weeks before trip commencement. Should you cancel more than eight weeks in advance of a trip, a $105 cancellation fee will apply. Cancellation between six and eight weeks before trip commencement will mean a loss of your deposit. Cancellation less than six weeks before trip commencement will result in a loss of all payments made.

We ask that you familiarize yourself with ourdetailed booking instructions and conditions.

Risk is an inherent part of all mountain activities. We strive to manage and reduce it however, it is impossible to totally eliminate. Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here.  Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.

If you need any rental gear please let us know early to ensure its availability.

The Simpson Group offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for both Canadian and International Travelers. Other providers offer similar services and we encourage you to select an appropriate level of coverage. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. The two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider are Medical and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.

Insurance Risk 
One of the ways to mitigate risk is by purchasing appropriate insurance. Simpson Group Insurance Services who are travel & health risk specialists, work with technical and high-risk insurance solutions both in medical and non-medical spheres.  We highly recommend that you review your insurance needs to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Simpson Group have a team standing by to answer any of your questions.

Emergency Medical Evacuation
While there is typically no charge for search & rescue in the National and Provincial Parks for active pass holders, costs such as air & ground ambulance after the rescue are not covered by your park pass. The chance of a large bill associated with this risk is a real possibility.

For Canadians
A common myth is that healthcare across provinces is fully covered. There are many things which do not carry interprovincial agreements. Ambulance services, medical evacuation, and some services which one province charges more than another you’d be responsible to pay the difference.

For Internationals
A common myth is that healthcare in Canada is free. Although it is less expensive than US healthcare, charges for non-residents can still be very high. Proper medical health insurance is essential if you were to get injured. Most coverages exclude rock climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, backcountry skiing and the like. Simpson Group can make sure all those risks are well covered.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons, business, family, flight delays, injuries, and other unplanned events.  For these eventualities, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment. We can assure you that circumstances do arise that prevent guests from participating in trips or courses and trip cancellation & interruption insurance is a relatively easy way to manage your level of risk of unforeseen events.

For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend Simpson Group Insurance Services.  For more information and to purchase a plan, visit Simpson Group’s website.