Discover Rock Climbing
  • photo credit: Eva Capozzola
    photo credit: Eva Capozzola
  • photo credit: Eva Capozzola
    photo credit: Eva Capozzola

Discover Rock Climbing in the Canadian Rockies

Step into the world of vertical adventure with our Discover Rock Climbing course—an unforgettable introduction to outdoor climbing in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Designed for first-time climbers and curious adventurers, this hands-on experience is led by certified, professional guides who will teach you the basics of top-rope climbing, climbing movement, and equipment use—all on real rock in a stunning mountain setting.

Whether you’re exploring a new outdoor activity, spending the day with family, or planning a fun group outing, Discover Rock Climbing offers the perfect mix of learning, excitement, and scenic beauty. Join Yamnuska Mountain Adventures for an inspiring day on the rock—and take your first step into the climbing world.

‘I just wanted to Thank you for such a quality first experience rock climbing. I certainly made the right choice with Yammuska. My guide was clearly a skilled professional, was engaging, thoughtful, safety first and completely committed to making it a quality experience for me. Worth every penny and then some! Thank you.’ Michael M

Daily Lessons and Beginner Instruction

Full-day or half-day lessons are available for individuals or groups in the Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise (full-day only) areas by request.

Lessons can be booked by individuals, families or groups. We can accommodate children 5 years and older with a guardian.

Private guiding is a very effective way to accelerate skills development. Our certified guides will give you focused instruction and coaching to quickly increase your capability and confidence.

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Want to add an adventurous white water rafting trip to your rock climbing program? Our partner Wild Water Adventures offers a variety of gentle and adventurous white water rafting half and full-day trips on the Kicking Horse River just west of Lake Louise.

Itinerary

Locations

There are several great and scenic rock climbing instruction areas that can be readily accessed for daily lessons, they include:

Banff Rundle Rock: Next to the Banff Springs Golf Course, this is a great spot for first-time rock climbers. Suitable for full and half-day climbing.

Zygote Crag: 20-minute drive from Canmore. Good beginner location for a full or half-day of climbing with some challenging short climbs to finish on. (5.6-5.10)

Yamnuska Bluffs: 20 minutes drive from Canmore. Excellent beginner location for full or half-days.

Wasootch Creek: 40-minute drive from Canmore. A good variety of climbs, due to driving times this location is more suitable for full-day programs. Top rope and sport climbing venue.

Lake Louise: A spectacular and famous climbing crag at the head of Lake Louise. Due to driving and approach times available for full-day climbing only.

FAQ/Logistics

Meeting Place and Time

We will arrange this with you when you book.  Generally, the morning sessions begin at 8:30 am and the afternoon sessions at 1:00 pm.  A full-day program generally begins at 8:30 am.

Instructors and Instruction Ratios

Instructors are certified guides licensed to operate in the National and Provincial Parks. They are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.

The maximum instructor to client ratio for instruction is 1:6

Transportation

Transportation is not usually included. Clients generally provide transportation for the guide. If there is a vehicle available, Yamnuska can provide transportation for a pick-up in Banff or Canmore. Lake Louise Surcharge – $90 travel cost surcharge applies to groups wishing to meet at Lake Louise.

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

Gear

What you need to bring

  • Lunch/snack and plenty to drink,
  • Day pack,
  • Rain gear,
  • Clothing allowing for easy and complete range of movement,
  • Warm weather gear as necessary for the season,
  • Running shoes or hiking boots.

Booking Info

Please email or call the Yamnuska office at 1 866 678 4164 (Canada USA only), +1 403 678 4164, or local 403 678 4164. Full payment is required on registration.

Detailed 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.

Insurance

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.

Gallery

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PRICE:

Full-Day: Included is instruction, use of equipment, and rock shoes. 5% GST & gratuities extra.

1 person – $525.00
2 people – $297.00 per person
3 people – $225.00 per person
4 people – $189.00 per person
5 people – $185.00 per person
6 people – $181.00 per person

For larger groups please contact the office

Lake Louise Surcharge – $90 travel cost surcharge applies to groups wishing to meet at Lake Louise

Half Day: Included is instruction, use of equipment, and rock shoes. 5% GST & gratuities extra.

1 person – $445.00
2 people – $235.00 per person
3 people – $189.00 per person
4 people – $159.00 per person
5 people – $155.00 per person
6 people – $155.00 per person

For larger groups please contact the office

Please note you will be required to sign the Yamnuska Release of Liability, and Waiver of Claims prior to commencing the program. Please review the sample waiver prior to booking and call us with any questions.

Rock Climbing Season

Rock climbing is typically available from May until mid-October. The optimum season is mid-May to late September.

Private Instructional Courses

These can be arranged for individuals, families and groups. They are customized to meet your specific needs and objectives. They can be a beginner or advanced level or focus on specific aspects of climbing such as sport climbing, trad leading, multi-pitch climbing or instruction for kids. Courses can be for one or several days.