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ADVENTURES IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

Climbing Mt Indefatigable in the Canadian Rockies Photo Credit: John Price @johnpricephotography

WHO WE ARE Yamnuska Mountain Adventures Since 1977 Yamnuska Mountain Adventures has been the leading provider of mountain adventure and training in Canada. From our beginnings as an adult wilderness program at the YMCA’s Yamnuska Center, we have grown to be recognized internationally for our superior guest service, exemplary safety record and the highest standard of program instruction. We are proud to call the climbing mecca of Canmore, Alberta our home but consider the mountains of western Canada our classroom and playground. Our internationally certified guides have experience climbing all over the world yet we find ourselves in the Canadian Rockies because there truly is no other place like it.

Our vision Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is passionately committed to providing mountain experiences and services in a sustainable and respectful manner with safety as our top priority.

Guest Service All of our guides are ACMG/IFMGA certified and in addition to their exceptional technical skill, our team is trained to give you the quality experience you deserve. Our passion for sharing the

mountain environment with others and providing unparalleled experiences is revealed on every program. We pride ourselves on setting the standard for staff training and guest service. Our modern 4,000 square foot facility has a classroom, full service kitchen, and guide’s lounge for your comfort and convenience. We maintain an inventory of technical mountain gear for you to use on our programs.

Safety Your safety is very import to us at Yamnuska. While it is not possible to eliminate risk in any endeavour we have worked hard to reduce that risk to optimize learning and enjoyment. Yamnuska has developed a solid safety culture from program development through to delivery. Our operations and safety plans set industry standards and are constantly reviewed by the risk management team at Yamnuska. We have a full-time, on call Duty Manager ensuring that we are prepared to deal with any occurrence or program requirement. In addition, our operational team are certified Mountain Guides, Level Three avalanche planners and professionals who have developed our procedures and practices with everyone’s safety in mind.

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Sustainability We believe in self-propelled mountain experiences. With us, you “earn your turns” and we believe there is only one way to get to the top of a mountain or ski slope – you climb it. We are an active member of Leave No Trace and our guides act as custodians of our mountain parks and protected areas. Our respect for nature and the environment is deeply embedded in the core values of our organization, and we are committed to passing these values on to future generations of mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts.

200 - 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore, Alberta, Canada T1W 3E9 Toll Free North America: 1.866.678.4164 Phone: 403.678.4164 Fax: 403.678.4450 Email: info@yamnuska.com

BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL GUIDE The road to professional guide certification is physically, financially and mentally committing. In addition to having the technical expertise, it is a passion for the mountains and a love of sharing the mountain environment with others that drives somebody along this path. Through years of experience and education (up to 10 years), guides are highly trained to manage the risks involved in hiking, rock, ice and alpine climbing as well as backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. Current certified guides are members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and/or International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA). The years of experience to gain the skills to navigate in mountain terrain, make sound judgments on conditions and manage risk are the true cruxes of becoming a certified guide. These high standards are a mandatory part of a guide’s training, which help to ensure the safety of the guide and our guests. There are two levels of examination for each discipline (Hiking, Rock, Alpine and Ski), the Apprentice and Full guide. For each level, the exam evaluates the aspirant guides in small groups, testing them on their technical and decision making skills while they lead examiners on difficult objectives. Days will often be 12 hours or more in the field and are physically and mentally demanding. Bottom line… guides are well-trained to provide a successful experience in the mountains. Guides are proud of their profession and you should expect a high quality of care and enjoyment in your mountain adventure. Please find below a selection of some of our skilled guides.

OUR PROFESSIONAL GUIDES

Dave Stark Director of Operations

Dave Stark has been instructing and guiding in the mountains of Western Canada since 1981. As a certified ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide, his climbing resume spans the globe with climbing and mountaineering experience on five continents. He has guided groups on high alpine peaks in North and South America, Asia, and Antarctica. As the Director of Operations at Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, Dave is in charge of the guides and all aspects of the field programming. In addition to his supervisory and training duties, he still actively guides Yamnuska guests and mentors the next generation of aspiring guides.

Jesse de Montigny Managing Director Jesse moved to the Bow Valley in 1998 to take part in Yamnuska’s 3-Month Mountain Skills Semester program. Using this as a springboard for his skills development, he has travelled all over the world to climb, ski and pursue his passion to become an internationally certified Mountain Guide. He is now the Assistant Director of Operations for Yamnuska and uses his skills both in the field and in the office to provide you with the best mountain experience possible. Some of Jesse’s personal mountain achievements have included: a 175km ski tour through the spine of the Canadian Rockies from Jasper to the Columbia Icefields, climbing the north face of Mt Temple, and climbing 5.12+ routes around the world.

Paul Chiddle Program Director Paul is Yamnuska’s Program Director and a fully certified international mountain guide originally from the UK. He has been active in the outdoors for over 20 years, during which he has climbed and skied extensively in all corners of the Alps, as well as the Himalayas, Norway, North America, Canada and Alaska. For more than a decade Paul delivered and managed all aspects of climbing, mountaineering and back country ski courses for the British Armed Forces.

Tim Ricci

Program Director

Tim moved to the mountain over 20 years ago and has not looked back since. With a deep passion for skiing and climbing you can find him out in the hills most days. Tim spent 14 seasons working as a ski patroller and avalanche forecaster at several Rockies ski resorts and works as an ITP instructor for the Canadian Avalanche Association. Tim has worked in multiple sectors including recreational guiding, industrial avalanche work and as a rope access technician taking him to several exciting work locations worldwide. Tim is a Full Apprentice ACMG Guide, CAA Level 3 and SPRAT Level 3 Rope Access Technician

Barry Blanchard Associate Director A six month trip to the French Alps in 1980 set the course of Barry’s life: to climb the steepest and most complicated faces of the world’s great peaks. Barry moved to the Rocky Mountains in 1982 to pursue his mountain guiding career. Since then he has set a high standard of first ascents and pushed the boundaries of modern alpinism. He is a certified ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide and has guided with Yamnuska for the majority of his career. Barry is an Associate Director of Yamnuska involved in the promotion of modern alpinism and mentoring our junior guides.

Grant Meekins Born and raised in the Yukon Territory, Grant transferred his focus from Nordic ski racing to backcountry skiing and climbing and has never looked back! After starting his guiding career in 1998, Grant quickly became respected as a clear, patient instructor, and as an excellent ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide. He has numerous first ascents to his credit, and has climbed several of the world’s most difficult mixed climbs. Bilingual in French and English, Grant has a calm, easy-going manner, and gets satisfaction out of helping people attain their mountain dreams.

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OUR PROFESSIONAL GUIDES Takeshi Tani

Pat Delaney

Takeshi moved to Canada in 2012 to climb and has since climbed several significant routes including Wild Things at 1400m M7 ED1, and Greenwood Locke 1200m M6 ED1 in winter conditions. Takeshi is an Alpine Guide and Apprentice Ski Gudie and has been guiding since 2013.

Pat’s vertical addiction has taken him around the world in search of rock, ice and snow. He has been guiding with Yamnuska since 2006. Patrick is an ACMG Alpine Guide and Apprentice Ski Guide and holds Level 2 certification with the Canadian Avalanche Association.

Carl Johnston

Nick Sharpe

Carl grew up scrambling rock outcrops in Ontario. His fascination with big peaks was revealed while on a family vacation at age 12 when he attempted a spontaneous solo crossing of the Columbia Glacier. Carl has enjoyed surprising people in the mountains ever since. Joining Yamnuska in 2000, Carl is also an ACMG instructor and a paramedic.

Nick moved to Canada in 2002 from the UK. As a key member of the Royal Air Force’s Mountain Rescue Service, Nick brings a wealth of professional mountain skills and over 22 years of rescue team training He has many European Alpine seasons under his belt and has climbed around the world. Nick is a certified IFMGA Mountain Guides.

Darcy Chilton

Brad Cooke

After realizing that post secondary education might not be for him, Darcy opted for a job at a Ski Resort, and quickly realized he wanted a career surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. He then registered in Yamnuska’s Mountain Skills Semester and hasn’t looked back. He has been an ACMG ski guide since 2000.

Brad grew up within view of the Rockies. He began climbing and backcountry skiing while attending university. Not long after he began training for guides’ exams. Having climbed throughout Western Canada and North America Brad is an ACMG Apprentice Alpine Guide and CSIA-certified ski instructor.

Erica Roles

Shaun King

Erica has been working for Yamnuska since 2006. Born in the UK, she moved to Canada with her family and fell in love with the mountains of Western Canada. Initially she began her career as a Pro Ski Patroller. Wanting to share her passion for the mountains with other people led her to a career in guiding. Erica is an IFMGA certified Mountain Guide.

Originally from Ontario, Shaun completed the Adventure Guide Diploma at Thompson Rivers University. In 1997 Shaun became a member of the ACMG and is now a fully certified Mountain Guide. He has been teaching courses for years and loves sharing his knowledge with keen learners.

Daire Maguire

Larry Shiu

Daire is originally from Ireland, having made the leap to Canada in 2008 to do a “diploma” in adventure guiding where he got a crash course in rock, ice and alpine climbing. Daire is working his way through the ACMG Mountain Stream. He began working with Yamnuska in the summer of 2016. Daire is an Apprentice Alpine Guide and Hiking Guide.

Originally from Taiwan, Larry started to rock climb and explore the mountains in 2000. In 2007, Larry traveled to Canada and took Yamnuska’s 3- month Mountain Skills Semester. This trip opened his eyes and changed his life. Glaciated peaks, big rock walls, and the powder snow completely embraced his heart. He soon decided to move to Canada to pursue a mountain life. Larry is an Apprentice Alpine Guide.

Mike Caswell

Richard Howes

Mike grew up in British Columbia, climbing and skiing from an early age. Mike began his professional career in the mountains working as a mountain rescue technician in summer and avalanche forecaster for ski areas in winter. Mike is an ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide and pursues his passion of taking guests into the mountains year round. Mike has been working with Yamnuska since 2015.

Richard is perhaps our most cosmopolitan guide. An Australian/Canadian resident in Germany, Richard spends his northern summers guiding for Yamnuska. Richard has been instructing rock and alpine mountaineering for Yamnuska for over 15 years. His primary residence is in Germany though you may also find him guiding in New Zealand. Richard is an Apprentice Alpine Guide.

James Blench

Chhering Sherpa

One of the original “Yam” guides, James was involved in its founding and has been an active guide and instructor since the late ‘70s. To this day James is an active high-end climber and fully certified Mountain Guide (IFMGA).

Chhering was born in a remote mountain village of Nepal, and began his career in the mountains at age 17. He successfully summited Mt. Everest for the first time in 2008, as a climbing sherpa. A few years later he led an Everest Expedition, recording the first Autumn ascent in 10 years. Chhering began working with Yamnuska during a 2012 expedition in Nepal. He has since settled in Canmore and works full-time with Yamnuska. Chhering is an IFMGA certified Mountain Guide.

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SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT A

t Yamnuska Mountain Adventures we approach risk in a systematic manner. Our operations incorporate an overall philosophy, which shapes our policies, define our procedures and drive our practices. Risk is an inherent part of mountain activities and we can never totally eliminate it but we can reduce it and make wise informed decisions that will enhance our safety practices. Three stages of risk assessment we use are Operational, Daily, and Dynamic. Our operational structure has been set and refined to deliver programs and courses that are within our acceptable level of risk. Daily assessments take into account weather, conditions, client profiles, energy and skill levels to choose appropriate objectives and routes. Dynamic assessment is moment to moment with the guide making and implementing decisions to enhance safety and optimize the level of risk in the field. Asessing risk is one of the most difficult tasks we all face in the mountain world. We look at risk as being the culmination of many variables. First off, we need to know what hazards we face. Some are obvious such as avalanches and some are less obvious because their frequency is so low we haven’t had much exposure to them. Knowing the hazards then allows us to think about how we deal with them with our safety system in place. The next step is to consider the likelihood of that event ocurring. This is definitely the hardest piece of the puzzle. Determining likelihood of an event in the mountain environment is most certainly a subjective expert based assessment. Therefore, having a team of experienced guides working together, sharing conditions and information will de-bias the subjectivity. This allows our guides to better determine the likelihood of the event. Step three is considering the consequence or severity of that event ocurring with our safety measures in place. Would it be of minor consequence or severe? Step four is looking at our overall exposure to the event. Are we in the avalanche path for 1 minute or all day? Therefore we determine Hazard Risk = Likelihood x Consequence x Exposure.

So if we feel a risk is too high we can reduce this through eliminating or avoiding the hazard and or, reducing the likelihood and or, reducing the consequence and or reducing our overall exposure. Critical to dealing with risk is having renowned guides and experts building on close to forty operational years of being the leader in Mountain Adventures. Guides at Yamnuska have undergone rigorous certification through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the Canadian Avalanche Association. Yamnuska has more certified Mountain Guides on staff than any other Mountain School in North America. We have over twenty-five CAA level 2 professional members and two Level 3 members in our staffing roster. All of our guides have a minimum first aid requirement of an 80-hour Wilderness First Responder course, recertified every three years. In addition to this, Yamnuska conducts up to five different staff trainings every year. Staff training is a big commitment but we look at it as investing in the development of our guides and the safety of our guests. Training consists of reviewing emergency procedures, policies, risk assessments and technical training and development. Certification is not all we look for in hiring guides. They must be personable and good educators, show good judgement and have exceptional decision making skills. We have strict hiring criteria and though many guides apply not all are chosen. Risk management practices extend into all areas of our operation: Vehicles, food, gear and compliance with Land Managers regulations. When a guest rides in a Yamnuska vehicle they can be assured that our vehicles are commercially licensed, inspected, insured for transporting guests and have all the necessary provincial and federal operating authorities. All of our drivers possess commercial class four operator’s licenses, are listed on our insurance, provide a yearly driver’s abstract and undergo a driving orientation. For the safety of our guests, we do not allow guides to transport guests in personal guide vehicles as those vehicles are not commercially licensed or insured. Yamnuska’s Backcountry Kitchen is li-

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censed by the Province of Alberta as a commercial kitchen. This means we adhere to strict food handling and preparation guidelines. All of our key kitchen and operations staff have food safe certificates from the Government of Alberta. We have substantially revamped our food programs over the years to produce high quality dehydrated food prepared to industry standards. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures works in partnership with some of the best gear manufacturers in the business. We have chosen to work with companies such as Petzl, Patagonia, Backcountry Access to name a few. Gear is rigorously maintained and serviced. Our rollover on gear is well within the manufacturer’s recommendations so that we may continue to provide quality gear in great condition well within its serviceable life. We track and cycle through our ropes to ensure we know the history and age of them. A rope is never in our system more than one year as a lead rope or two as a top rope. The word ‘risk’ derives from the Italian word risicare which means to dare. The Yamnuska risk management program optimizes levels of risk to allow for positive outcomes and we strive to eliminate the negative. We are proud of our culture and we continuously are striving to maintain the balance of risk and reward. Our intent is to work in an environment with control, not to control the environment. Dave Stark Director of Operations

PROGRAMS & COURSES MOUNTAIN SKILLS SEMESTER

MOUNTAINEERING

ROCK CLIMBING

ICE CLIMBING

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & BOARDING

AVALANCHE AWARENESS

HIKING & BACKPACKING

CUSTOM ADVENTURES

BACKCOUNTRY FOOD SERVICES

I choose Yamnuska for quality plain and simple. Yamnuska provides the best quality customer service right from first contact and through all communication. You provide the best quality equipment, food and experienced personnel who understand and care about providing the best mountain experience. You have proven this 3 times over now. Thank you.” – Edward

Photo Credit: John Price @johnpricephotography

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MOUNTAIN SKILLS SEMESTER

he Mountain Skills Semester is designed from the cumulative experience of over 40 years of professional guiding in the Canadian Rockies and internationally. We focus on the most important skills required to travel safely and confidently in the mountains and present them in a logical progression from basic safety protocols and technical gear handling to intermediate and advanced techniques. The MSS program is almost entirely a handson technical skills course. Over 90 percent of the 3 month program is spent outdoors learning the skills and techniques to shape our students into competent recreational mountaineers. This is reflected in the certifications that you receive upon completion of the semester including: 80-Hour Wilderness First Aid course, Canadian Avalanche Centre’s Avalanche Skills Training Level 2, Interpretative Guide’s Association Standard Interpreter, and of course the Yamnuska MSS Certificate. With these certifications and the wealth of experience that the MSS program provides, students can go directly into working in the outdoor tourism and recreation industry. It is also a great starting place for further training and career-tracking ACMG guiding certifications. In fact, many of our current guides started out with our semester and are now working for us as certified guides. Yamnuska’s location in Canmore, Alberta, Canada is unparalleled for accessing some of the best rock & ice climbing, backcountry skiing, and mountaineering that can be found anywhere in the world! Our guides and staff live in this area because they are passionate about mountain sports and they are the perfect ambassadors to induct you into this elite community. Most field sites are within a 1 – 2 hour drive of our office, so we spend more time in the wilderness and less time in a vehicle. All of Yamnuska’s guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and recognized by the IFMGA. They are professionally trained to teach mountain skills and are selected for their ability to clearly convey the key skills

in a fun and effective manner. We focus on the “hard skills” of mountain travel and safety and teach them in progression to form well rounded mountaineers. Many other competing programs have more of a “soft adventure” focus and teach numerous days of theoretical skills in a classroom setting. There are also many other semester programs that have a large water component which involve either marine or fresh water paddle sports. In our opinion, the most important skills for safe mountain travel are gained from travelling and professional instruction in the mountain environment. Building on this base one can progress to advanced technical mountaineering, skiing, and climbing objectives. As with most athletics, building this core of safety, knowledge, and fitness will help students in whichever other outdoor sports they choose to pursue. The reasons people take this program and their backgrounds prior to entering the semester are very diverse but the common end result is a life changing experience. Many of our students tell us the sense of accomplishment they feel at the end of the semester is unlike anything they have ever experienced. The confidence that comes with this accomplishment lasts well beyond the three month semester and permeates into every aspect of day to day life after the program. Our semester students become like our extended family and we aim to offer you as much support as we can. Secure storage, internet access, travel arrangements, messaging services, and advice on local attractions and destinations are examples of the support you can expect from our team of professional administrative staff here at the office. We look forward to seeing you out in the mountains on this incredible adventure!

Photo Credit: Eva Capozzola

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MOUNTAIN SKILLS SEMESTER

Photo Credit: Eva Capozzola

Photo Credit: @chasingphil

CURRICULUM:

• Ice Climbing

• Mountaineering

• Mixed Climbing

• Advanced Hiking and Backpacking

• Avalanche Safety Training

• Wilderness First Aid

• Downhill Skiing (SplitBoarding)

• Rock Climbing

• Backcountry Skiing (SplitBoarding)

• Trip Planning

• Ski Touring

• Wilderness Food Systems

• Glacier Travel

• Navigation & Weather

• Ski Mountaineering

• Group Management

• Crevasse Rescue

• Winter Camping

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MOUNTAINEERING The mountaineering environment in the Canadian Rockies is very well suited to the skills development and progression from the beginner to a highly accomplished alpinist. With an enviable combination of glaciated and transitional terrain, and steep or low angle faces, objectives and training areas are limitless.

Photo Credit: Saori Hattori

Intro to Mountaineering

Women’s Intro to Mountaineering

For almost four decades, our Intro to Mountaineering program has produced many dedicated mountaineers and has been the catalyst to long-term climbing friendships. This comprehensive program is specifically designed for hikers or other outdoor enthusiasts with little or no mountaineering experience who wish to learn how to approach more challenging mountain objectives.

This beginner course mirrors the curriculum of our Intro to Mountaineering program but is for women only and taught by one of our highly skilled female guides. This fun week is ideal for adventurous women who prefer to learn and experience the mountains with other women. This program is notorious for being a fun, relaxed and challenging week that is filled with laughter, growth and achievement.

Based out of the Bow Hut on the spectacular Wapta Icefields, guests enjoy comfortable backcountry hut accommodations while learning the basic skills of mountaineering. The glacier will be our classroom for the week and newly learned skills will be tested directly on the peaks that tower over the icefield around us. The Bow Hut has ideal beginner terrain while being challenging and diverse enough to allow for a comprehensive curriculum. Throughout the course of the week students will often be at the front of the rope making decisions on route selection and glacier navigation while under the tutelage of seasoned Yamnuska guides. We provide the food and technical equipment for this expedition-style program so the only thing you need to bring is your personal gear, your desire to learn and your sense of adventure. As a graduate of this program you will have the basic skills for many easy mountain peaks as well as the knowledge and training to advance to more complex mountain objectives with us on scheduled or private programs. This course meets the criteria of high altitude expedition companies who require participants to have basic mountaineering skills prior to being accepted for a climb. Duration: 6 days

Youth Intro to Mountaineering Our extensive experience training youth and army cadets is applied to this fun and challenging week of mountaineering instruction. Being exposed to the mountain environment and developing skills at a young age typically leads to a lifelong love of the mountains and outdoor pursuits. Our curriculum is tailored to the learning styles and needs of active teens and our guides are outstanding personal coaches and teachers who present these skills in a fun and interactive manner. Our youth program is unmatched by any other and is a thrilling experience for fit and adventurous teens.. ‘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

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MOUNTAINEERING Snow & Ice Long Weekend

Yoho Peaks

Mountaineers tend to have a reputation around the world as high risk takers and extreme athletes. Although many people aspire to experience the sights and thrills of mountaineering, for many of us the sport may seem a bit “out there”. The Snow and Ice Long Weekend is an excellent, low commitment introduction to the mystical world of mountaineering and mountain climbing. As our most popular summer program, many of our guests choose this course as their first taste of the sport without having to invest a lot of time or money. From here you can decide if mountaineering is for you and take one of our longer programs. The only thing you need is a hiking level of fitness and a sense of adventure. We provide all of the technical equipment and base the course on the world famous Columbia Icefields where we teach you a curriculum that has been developed from over 30 years of experience. After two days of training on snow travel and ice travel techniques, you will be confident at using the technical equipment and proficient with the safety systems that allow us to traverse glaciers and conquer peaks. On the third day we put it all together with a summit attempt on one of the surrounding peaks. The Columbia Icefields is ideal for this weekend course due to its proximity to the highway, abundance of beginner terrain and the many accommodation options within minutes of the training sites. Each year thousands of visitors to the Columbia Icefields drive by the peaks and glaciers snap a few pictures and say they were “in the mountains”. Come experience the mountains the way they were meant to be enjoyed!

The Little Yoho Valley in Yoho National Park is home to some of the most incredible scenery and terrain of any one place in the Rockies. This guided program is based out of the historic Stanley Mitchell Hut and aims to have intermediate mountaineers add three or four more peaks to notch on their belts! We aim for a number of summits including the President, Vice President, Mount McArthur, Mount Kerr and Isolated Peak. This program is a great next step from the Snow and Ice Long Weekend or our Intro to Mountaineering courses. Duration: 4 days

Duration: 3 days

Navigation 1 - Map & Compass The ability to navigate accurately is the most important skill for anyone heading into the mountains. In the Rockies the weather and visibility can change rapidly, making it especially important for hikers and mountain users to be able to navigate effectively even in limited visibility. This basic 1-day mountain navigation skills course aims to give you an introduction to planning and navigating with the use of a map and compass. This course will provide you with the skills you require to navigate in both summer and winter, with no trails and in all weather conditions

Navigation 2 - Digital Navigation In todays high tech world planning safe and efficient back country routes using a variety of digital topographic maps and electronic devices can be mind boggling. Whether you are a seasoned mountaineer or first timer looking to explore the back country, this 1-day land navigation training course will walk you through a variety of online resources and teach you the fundamental tools for both trip planning and use while out in the back country. Whether you have cell service or not, we’ll show you how to use your smartphone to plan, navigate and track your routes, while conserving battery life.

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MOUNTAINEERING Intro to Alpine Ice

Bugaboos Granite

The great peaks of the Columbia Icefields rise abruptly next to the Icefields Parkway. Heavy glaciation means alpine ice climbing, not only for experts challenging famous routes such as the ‘Andromeda Strain’ but also for those wishing to learn and to experience for the first time the visceral excitement that alpine ice provides.

The ‘Bugs’ are one of North America’s most famous climbing areas. This world renowned alpine paradise with its awesome granite spires, beautiful glaciers and lush green valleys, attracts alpinists from around the world. The objective of this program is simple: climbing and instruction on the area’s famous classic rock routes. In addition to Bugaboo, Pigeon and Snowpatch Spires, there are many enjoyable routes on other nearby spires.

We build technical skills over the first three instructional days and put all of them to use on an alpine ice mountain route for the final day. The skills learned will provide the necessary base for advanced summits such as Mt Robson. The icy peak of Athabasca is a great classroom and its steeper routes great objectives for this program. Designed for intermediate mountaineers with some peak experience, this program is a great progression from our Lake Louise Classics trip.

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

Duration: 5 days

Duration: 4 days

Intro to Alpine Rock in the Bugaboos The towering tooth like spires and broken glaciers of Bugaboo Provincial Park make this iconic alpine climbing zone the perfect venue for an intro to alpine rock course. The Bugaboos Intro to Alpine Rock has been designed for people with basic mountaineering and rock climbing skills who would like to progress towards climbing more challenging alpine rock objectives. With the low guide to guest ratios on this mountaineering program you can expect intensive personal instruction tailored to both your ability and objectives. This program is based from the Kain hut in the world famous Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.

Duration: 6 days

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MOUNTAINEERING Lake Louise Classics

Rogers Pass Alpinist Camp

The mountains surrounding Lake Louise, Alberta are the birthplace of Canadian mountaineering. Often referred to as the â€œClassic Peaksâ€? of the Canadian Rockies, Mt. Victoria and Fay are rich in Canadian mountaineering history and tie deeply into our cultural history and mountain traditions. From the turquoise waters of Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, lofty glacier capped peaks soar into the sky making this one of the most picturesque spots in the park. This program is a perfect extension of our Intro to Mountaineering or Yoho Peaks programs as you need to have some basic mountaineering skills and some peak ascents under your belt. We spend the first three days based out of the second highest permanent structure in Canada, the historic Abbot Hut. From here we set our sights on the classic mountaineering objectives of Mt Victoria, Mt Lefroy, or Mt Schaffer and build your experience from basic to intermediate level.

It is impossible to drive East or West on the Trans-Canada highway and not stop at the summit of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. Once stopped the alpinist in you will take over, looking up at the endless possibilities of peaks to climb. Peaks of the Hermit Range, the Bonney and Bostock Groups, the Van Horne Range, Purity Range, Dawson Range, and especially the challenging Sir Donald Range all lie wholly or in part within Glacier National Park. Over the course of five days we will travel throughout the National Park and focus on objectives such as Mt. Tupper, The Swiss Peaks Traverse, Uto and Mt. Sir Donald via the Northwest Arete which is listed as one of the 50 classic climbs in North America. Duration: 5 days

The second half of the trip begins at Moraine Lake where we enter the Valley of the 10 Peaks and make our way up to the highest habitable structure in Canada, the Neil Colgan Hut. From this base we will attempt climbs on Mt. Fay and Mt. Little as well as any other peaks that time and energy allow for. This program is suited for people with a basic mountaineering course and a high level of fitness who want to continue their skill development with hands-on experience of classic peaks. Enjoy the company of other guests who are like minded and share the success of your first intermediate level mountain experience. Many of our past guests have gone on to climb together and become life-long climbing partners.

Duration: 3 or 6 days

Fairy Meadows Granite Base Camp Join us at the Fairy Meadows Base Camp where we will spend the week focusing on some of the classic alpine granite routes that the Adamants has to offer. We will be based out of the Fairy Meadows hut (2050m) that was built in 1965. It is a modern hut that comes complete with wood burning stoves, a complete propane system including an oven for baking and a wood burning sauna to relax in after a long day of climbing splitter granite in the alpine. Some of the famous faces we will aim to climb will include Outpost, Quadrant Mountain, The Stickle, Gibraltor, Magog, Pioneer with potential larger days on The Turret, Adamant or Thor. .

Duration: 5 days

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MOUNTAINEERING Fast & Light Series Our ‘Fast and Light’ series climbs are an exciting addition to our long list of trips. They have been designed for experienced climbers who are looking for classic objectives requiring a short time commitment. Climbs in this series have been selected for their quality and aesthetics and should be on all mountaineers’ tick lists. Objectives include Castle Mountain, Mount Louis, Bugaboo Spire, Mount Sir Donald, Mount Aberdeen, Mount Andromeda, Mount Fay and the East Ridge of Mount Temple.

Summer Mountaineering Semester This condensed and intensive high-end program is designed for those who cannot take three months off to do our semester skills course. It focuses on the skills required of the summer mountaineer: climbing alpine rock, snow and ice, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, technical rock climbing, mountain living plus navigation and route finding. These skills are presented in a logical progression from basic safety protocols and technical gear handling to intermediate and advanced techniques that are constantly being reviewed and updated by our professional guides. 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.

Mt Assiniboine & Mt Robson Yamnuska offers private departures to these popular and magnificent Rockies peaks. Mt Assiniboine is often referred to as the Matterhorn of the Canadian Rockies. This intermediate alpine rock route is visually stunning as well as physically demanding. Access is by helicopter and climbers typically spend between 2 – 4 nights at the Hind Hut high in the alpine. At 3954 meters, Mt Robson is the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies and for that reason is a much sought after test piece for experienced mountaineers. This summit is more of a classical glaciated peak with steeper snow and ice slopes that must be climbed to reach the peak. This is a fantastic objective for those with alpine ice experience and a number of intermediate summits under their belt.

Duration: 30 days

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MOUNTAINEERING

Canadian Rockies 11,000’ers Each year, Yamnuska’s guiding staff puts together a target list from among the highest mountains in the Canadian Rockies. Based on our experience and what our guests tell us they would like to climb, we pick peaks that soar over 11,000ft and set our sights on the summit. Whether your plan is to summit all 54 peaks or climb a favorite, our experienced guides will improve your chances of being successful. The experience level required varies depending on the objective but fitness is critical in summiting any of our 11,000ft peaks. The Canadian Rockies aren’t the highest mountains in the world, but those of us who climb them know they offer some of the best alpine objectives of any continent. The rugged Canadian landscape and heavily glaciated peaks make for one of the last few remaining pristine landscapes in the world. You won’t find gondolas or hundreds of other climbers on our mountains. Enjoy the solitude and challenge of climbing to the highest points in Canada with our guides who call these mountains home. Beginner and expert climbers alike will find a challenge that suits their skill level and objectives. Mount Temple (11,627 feet Scramble Route) - This is the most visible peak in the Lake Louise area and was the first of the Canadian Rockies’ 11,000ers to be climbed back in 1894. The SW Face/Ridge is a scramble route that offers beautiful views of Paradise Valley and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. A few short rock bands are easily climbed on route to the summit. Mount Willingdon (11,089 feet) - Mt Willingdon is the tallest peak between Mt Hector to the South and Mt Forbes to the North. This is an easy to moderate objective and while guests do not need to have any previous mountaineering experience, good hiking fitness is required. Mount Cline (11,027 feet SW Ridge 5.4) - Rarely visited Mt. Cline boarders the White Goat Wilderness Area and is one of only a handful of 11,000 foot peaks East of the Continental Divide. A beautiful sub-alpine lake campsite and views of the David Thompson are highlights of this easy to moderate climbing objective. Mounts Woolley & Diadem (11,220 & 11,060 feet) - Why summit one 11,000ft mountain when you can get two summits in one day! Woolley & Diadem are two peaks just north of the Columbia Icefields. Once on the summit of either peak guests are treated to an outstanding view of Mt. Alberta’s East Face and the impressive north wall of Twin’s Tower. Mount Athabasca (11,385 feet) - Mt. Athabasca is one of the most accessible and enjoyable big peaks in the Canadian Rockies. Its position on the edge of the Columbia Icefields and with it entirely above treeline make for spectacular summit views and its glaciation makes for fine snow and ice mountaineering. Some previous glaciated mountaineering experience is required for this moderate climbing objective. Mount Andromeda (11,319 feet) -Mt. Andromeda sits on the Continental Divide at the east end of the Columbia Icefields. Skyladder is the classic Alberta mountain climbing route on this peak arcing up to its summit ridge. First climbed in 1961, Skyladder involves glacier travel and 40-45-degree snow and ice summit hiking with excellent views of the Athabasca Glacier to the north and the Saskatchewan Glacier to the south. Mount Joffre (11,263 feet) - Mt Joffre combines the remote feel of an expedition peak with some of the most stunning scenery that the Canadian Rockies has to offer! This peak dominates the skyline in Kananaskis Country, a wilderness area less visited than the Mountain National Parks. Designed as a peak-bagging trip, this program is suitable for beginner mountaineers, or fit, experienced backpackers who wish to climb their first glaciated peak. Mount Victoria (11,191 feet North Summit) - The classic North Summit of Mt. Victoria is likely the most photographed peak in the world! The route involves glacier travel, steep snow and ice and some easy rock climbing to reach the summit. This is a challenging objective and guests should have prior intermediate mountaineering experience and a high level of fitness. Mt Forbes (11,867 feet) - Mt Forbes is the 5th highest peak in Alberta and is the highest peak completely in Banff National Park. With its remote position on the continental divide, Mt Forbes is a true alpine climbing expedition.

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ROCK CLIMBING Yamnuska Mountain Adventures’ rock climbing programs provide progressive training from beginner level to advanced. Instructors are certified guides and leading edge climbers who are selected for their teaching ability and dynamic personalities. Individuals, families and groups are all welcome!

Level 1 - Outdoor Rock Intro

Level 2 – Learn to Lead

Rock climbing is an exhilarating sport and the Outdoor Rock Intro course is a great way to get started. As the foundation for many other types of climbing, learning to rock climb properly is essential. And where better to learn than the Canadian Rockies! The Canadian Rockies surrounding Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise offer seemingly endless opportunities for beginner through expert climbers.

This is the Learn to Lead course! Level 2 focuses on the skills needed to progress to becoming a confident sport climbing leader. Using the local crags of the Bow Valley we will develop the technical skills required to belay, lead and clean single pitch sport climbs. We will also help you develop your movement skills to be able to efficiently move across the rock while leading. Many rock climbers have completed their first lead on this course.

The Outdoor Rock Intro course is designed for those who have never climbed before or who have done some basic climbing either in the gym or outdoors. In this course you will learn basic climbing movement skills and top rope techniques for rock climbing outdoors. An introduction to the skills necessary for seconding on both sport and ‘trad’ multi-pitch climbs is also included in the course. Developing these skills early on will allow you to progress at a quicker rate and you will likely find climbing much more rewarding. You will be taught and coached by our very talented and certified guides delivering our well established curriculum. Sign up for our ‘Plus Day’, an optional Day 3 of the program where you can join a guide led team to climb one of the many great multipitch climbs in the region. Duration: 2 days

This course is designed as the next step for guests who have taken our Outdoor Rock Intro or for guests who have equivalent top roping experience either indoors or outdoors. Sign up for our ‘Plus Day’, an optional Day 3 of the program where you can join a guide led team to climb one of the many great multipitch climbs in the region. An introduction to lead belaying and the multi-pitch system will be covered on this day before starting our climb. Duration: 2 days

‘(The guide) had a great mix of experience, knowledge and fun. Instruction was thorough and we had lots of practice time. This was truly one of the best weekends of my life. All around amazing experience!’ – Shane

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ROCK CLIMBING Level 1 & 2 - Rock Evolution Rock Evolution is an innovative and modern rock climbing development program designed for beginner to intermediate climbers. This 5-day course incorporates elements from Yamnuska’s ‘Level 1 - Outdoor Rock Intro’ and ‘Level 2 - Learn to Lead’ programs, starting with the basics of movement, equipment and the top rope system and progressing onto learning to lead on bolted sport climbs. The course also introduces instruction on the multi-pitch system, traditional gear placement/removal, rope handling techniques and of course plenty of movement skill coaching and development. Our program is designed to accelerate the learning curve with the goal of having guests become competent and independent top rope and sport lead climbers.

Duration: 5 days

Level 3 – Multi-Pitch Climbing Course Progressing to the multi-pitch routes in the Bow Valley and beyond is the goal of many climbers. There are numerous lifetimes of multi-pitch climbing but it’s the additional skills and challenges that drive us to climb higher and higher. The Level 3 – Multi-Pitch Climbing Course will focus on providing you with the skills to successfully and efficiently complete multi-pitch climbs at almost any rock climbing destination. Skill development will focus on: route selection, belaying methods in the multipitch setting, protecting both the leader and the second while climbing, anchor construction and considerations for multi-pitch climbing, route finding on route, rappel descents and emergency preparedness. This course is the perfect progression for climbers who are leading Sport or Trad routes in the 5.7 range or harder and are looking to perform successfully and efficiently in the multi-pitch environment.

Duration: 2 days

Level 4 – ‘Trad’ Rock Leader The ‘Trad’ Rock Leader course consists of two days of intensive traditional rock climbing training with an optional “Plus Day” on an advanced multi-pitch climb. This is an ideal progression from Yamnuska’s Level 2 - Learn to Lead, Level 1-2 - Rock Evolution or Level 3 – Multi Pitch Climbing Course or for guests with equivalent skills. Climbing on ‘gear routes’ where you construct your own anchors and place your own protection is far more challenging than using bolts. You can’t afford to make mistakes, as the consequences have the potential to be serious. If you’re currently leading sport routes outdoors in the 5.7 range or are leading at a 5.9 level in the climbing gym then you’re ready for this course. The objective of this course is to work on natural (traditional) rock protection and belay systems and introduce traditionally protected lead climbing tactics on a variety of rock types. Considerations for multi-pitch gear climbing will be covered. Duration: 2 days

Rock Rescue & Advanced Ropework Three pitches up, the leader is thirty meters out on a fifty meter rope. They fall and are caught on a good piece of gear out of your view. You yell! No response. Do you know what to do? Could you deal with the technical aspects of a complex rope rescue? Be safe, be secure and be self-sufficient on your climbs. Learn the basics of self and partner rescue on rock. This program will give you these tools so that you can be more confident in dealing with an emergency situation in the rock climbing environment. Our course is designed to introduce or refresh the skills of Rock Rescue and will allow you an opportunity to practice these skills in a controlled environment. This is a must-have course for any active rock climber.

Duration: 2 days Photo Credit: Eva Capozzola

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ROCK CLIMBING ‘Hot’ Rock

‘Ghost’ Rock

El Potrero Chico Mexico

One of our most adventurous climbing programs will see you seconding some of the most picturesque and towering multipitch routes that can be found in the Canadian Rockies. The limitless sport and long multi-pitch routes combined with low instructor ratios will ensure you’ll get totally pumped. A flexible agenda, personalized coaching and lots of climbing make this program a rock climber’s dream trip.

The Ghost Valley is a hidden gem of classic gun-smoke colored limestone cliffs. Difficult access and the remote nature of the area make this a secluded place for both single and multi-pitch rock climbing. There is an excellent mix of both bolted and naturally protected routes to choose from in the area that will provide high quality climbing for the program. The low instructor ratio will ensure a flexible agenda with personalized coaching and lots of climbing. The objective of this program is to get in as much climbing as possible from our camp in this beautiful area.

El Potrero Chico has become one of North America’s largest and best big rock climbing destinations. With over 600 routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.13 that are up to 20 pitches in length there is no shortage of wall sport climbing in the area. The shear cliffs provide high quality single and multipitch climbing often climbing past palm trees, spectacular exposure and top outs on aesthetic high points.

The Canadian Rockies have an abundance of varied and challenging climbing ranging from limestone sport crags to fabulous quartzite and long multipitch routes. The objective of this program is to get out and climb it all!

Duration: 5 days Duration: 3 days

Mature Movement 50+ This rock climbing course is designed for new climbers or less experienced climbers in the over 50 crowd who are interested in gaining some exposure to outdoor rock climbing. You will learn the skills to set up your own top-rope and follow a multi-pitch climb. Curriculum will be taught in a logical manner to transition your indoor skills and knowledge to the outdoors. Our classroom for the first two days will be the limestone cliffs of the Bow Valley. The program will culminate on a classic multi-pitch route that suits your abilities and reinforces the skills you have learned. Duration: 2 days

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The limestone climbs are fully bolted on the massive faces above the small town of Hidalgo in North Eastern Mexico. This rock climbing program is a great place to push your multi-pitch grade and skills to the next level with personalized coaching from your guide. On our rest day we will have the opportunity to go to the local Hidalgo markets, visit hot springs or do a cultural trip into Monterrey. Duration: 9 days

ICE CLIMBING The Canadian Rockies boast some of the best ice and mixed climbing in the world. Easy access canyons and massive multi-pitch frozen waterfalls provide almost unlimited challenges for beginners to elite climbers alike. Many of Canada’s top ice climbers call Canmore their home, and many of them guide for Yamnuska.

Level 1 - Basic Ice Climbing

Level 1 & 2 – Ice Evolution

Experience and enjoy this exhilarating sport on our introductory ice climbing course. We have decades of experience delivering courses and teaching beginners. Many of our students have become highly skilled and accomplished ice climbers.

The Ice Evolution technical ice climbing course mirrors development for the average person in the sport of ice climbing over a period of 5 days. First we instruct and coach you on ice climbing movement skills. You will make full use of modern ice climbing equipment in this course and get instruction on current ice climbing standards. Quickly improving, you’ll find yourself climbing steeper and steeper ice as the course progresses. You’ll also experience the excitement of climbing a classic multi-pitch ice climbing route.

A strong base of skills will be developed on the Basic Ice course so you will be able to use the top rope belay system efficiently and understand the use of personal ice climbing equipment. Personalized instruction in this course will help you to develop your climbing technique - the signature of a good ice climber. We will also introduce you to the basics of ice screw placement and anchor construction; the next step in your ice climbing progression. Our easy access to some of the best venues for learning the sport means the bulk of the weekend course is spent ice climbing. We will teach you how to ice climb efficiently while having an unforgettable experience. With the enthusiastic and dedicated ‘Yam Ice Team’, comprising of top Canadian Rockies ice climbing guides, you’ll experience an unforgettable weekend of learning, challenge and exhilaration! No experience is necessary, leave that to us! Our two day learn to ice climb course includes the use of all the technical gear you need to get started ice climbing. In addition to taking this beginner ice climbing course check out the ‘Plus Days’ add-on option and you’ll be just blown away by what you can accomplish. Duration: 2 days

This innovative and modern ice climbing development program is taught in the Canadian Rockies by instructors who are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and on the cutting edge of modern climbing. It is suitable for fit beginner climbers and is also a great transition program for rock climbers. Five days of focused instruction is designed to accelerate your ice climbing experience and ability. Duration: 5 days

‘Our guide was great and super informative! Clearly loved his job and was more than happy to answer any questions or demonstrate different techniques. Great locations and an awesome intro to ice climbing’ – Shani

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ICE CLIMBING Level 2 – Top Rope Management Now you are hooked on ice climbing and you would like to go out on your own. Continue your learning progression by joining our Top Rope Management course where you will learn the skills required to set up top rope ice climbs. Using the local climbing areas we will cover anchor positioning, construction and cleaning, placing ice screws as directionals, belayer positioning and anchoring, rappelling and general hazard management for single pitch ice climbing areas. Of course we will continue to build on and improve your climbing technique with personalized coaching so you can excel while climbing. Duration: 2 days

Level 3 – Ice Leader Transitioning into lead climbing on ice is a big step. It requires commitment and the right skill set to move safely over the ice in an efficient manner. It’s essential to be able to place solid protection and construct ‘bomb proof’ anchors both while ice climbing in control. The Ice Leader course is designed to give you the skills to become a confident lead climber on single pitch ice climbing routes. Based out of Canmore we will use the world class ice climbing venues in the area to give students the exposure and experience to be more confident leading and seconding on ice.

Duration: 2 days

Photo Credit: Eva Capozzola

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Level 4 – Multi-Pitch Ice Leader The Canadian Rockies are considered one of the best places to multi-pitch ice climb on the planet. This comes from the huge variety of routes and the long ice climbing season. If have progressed as an ice climbing leader, your sights have likely moved to some of the classic multi-pitch ice routes in the area. Having the skills and confidence to lead climb a multi-pitch ice route comes much easier with professional training. The Multi-Pitch Ice Leader course will build on your skills as a leader while teaching you the fundamental skills required to multi- pitch ice climb.

Duration: 2 days

Photo Credit: Glynis Rogers

ICE CLIMBING Rampart Creek Ice Camp

‘Ghost’ Ice Climbing Camp

‘Hot’ Ice

Along the remote Icefields Parkway north of Lake Louise lies multiple lifetimes of ice climbing adventure. Routes in the area range from long, difficult and multi-pitch to low commitment single-pitch venues. The Rampart Creek Hostel is positioned perfectly for an ice climbing adventure in a wilderness setting. The objective of the camp will be to build a solid ice climbing foundation and experience this areas single and multi-pitch climbs.

The Ghost River Valley has one of the highest concentrations of high quality alpine ice climbing routes in the Canadian Rockies. “The Ghost” also has a reputation for difficult access which keeps all but the most motivated away. Those who spend the effort to ice climb here are rewarded with long multi-pitch routes and great single-pitch venues of all grades. This is a waterfall ice climbing camp in the Ghost River Valley and is suited for those who have multi-pitch ice climbing experience. We will be staying at Trappers Hill Cabins, a 10 minute drive to the start of the Ghost Valley and the many climbs that it holds.

The Canadian Rockies have the best ice climbing in the world with reliable conditions, lots of areas and routes offering a complete range of difficulty and challenge. The ‘Hot’ Ice program takes full advantage of this, pairing experienced climbers with top ice guides on the classic multi-pitch routes of the area. Each winter provides a different set of challenges for returning guests with unique freeze/thaw cycles creating a virtually infinite array of surface conditions on even the most well-known climbs. With a 1:2 instructor ratio we can expect to meet the objectives of most climbers.

Duration: 3 days

Duration: 5 days

Photo Credit: Chris Brinlee Jr

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Duration: 3 days

Photo Credit: @chasingphil

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & BOARDING The heart of the Canadian Rockies provide a base for almost limitless backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering objectives. Learn the skills required for this incredible winter sport on one of our comprehensive courses and then join us on one of our exciting multi-day backcountry trips.

Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding With unlimited potential for ski descents, the backcountry is where the heart of every true skier resides. The shift from resort skiing and boarding to the backcountry has taken off in recent years and our beginner backcountry ski and splitboard course will give you the foundational skills you need to get out of the lift lines. Our certified guides will teach you to use the gear, how to route find and to backcountry ski on this course. Whether your objective is to find untracked backcountry powder or to experience the beauty of alpine ski touring or splitboarding, this weekend course will introduce you to one of the fastest growing winter activities in the world. Discover this magnificent sport and learn the skills to get out into the backcountry where its â€˜fresh tracksâ€™ nearly every run. Caution: You may never return to a ski resort again!

Duration: 2.5 days

Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding at Purcell Lodge The Purcell Mountains of British Columbia are renowned for their ability to produce high quality snow and provide excellent terrain for skiing & splitboarding. Our introductory backcountry ski training and splitboarding program at the comfortable Purcell Lodge is the perfect way to experience all that backcountry skiing has to offer. With a helicopter flight into the heart of the mountains you will feel the remoteness of the area while learning the skills to backcountry ski and splitboard. Days will be spent skiing the treeline and alpine terrain with instruction on the way. There will also be a focus on avalanche awareness and companion rescue skills. Purcell Lodge is a comfortable base for our program. This full-service lodge has comfortable amenities including a sauna and an onsite chef who will provide all meals on the program. Duration: 4 days

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BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & BOARDING Backcountry Freerider Camp This program is designed to refine your backcountry skill set allowing you the ability to venture deeper into the mountains. Throughout this backcountry skiing camp you will receive intensive coaching about your riding technique from Yamnuska’s renowned ACMG guides. Your technique will be fine-tuned with additional skills to cope with different snow conditions and slopes while skiing unforgettable descents. The final goal is to allow you to travel efficiently and confidently in the backcountry and be ready to take on more advanced tours and guided adventures. Join us for an additiponal day in the backcountry if you want to hunt for powder or just take your skiing/splitboarding to the next level. Your guide will find you the best snow and terrain on any given day. Duration: 2 days

‘By far the most experienced and professional guides in all of the Bow Valley. Very organized, knowledgeable, and lots of fun to be with. I would not go with any other company’. - Murray

STEEP& DEEP PROGRAMS Lift-Assisted Backcountry Skiing at Lake Louise Through our arrangement with Lake Louise Ski Resort, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is offering a world-class lift-assisted backcountry skiing and splitboarding package. A short distance from the crowded slopes and lift queues, you’ll discover hidden bowls, open slopes and forgotten valleys with acres of powder just waiting to be tracked. Whether you are ready for your first turns in powder, an expert skier looking for a challenge or simply want to get to know the area our guides will take you to suitable runs with fresh snow. Our side country skiing utilizes the lifts at the outset to access the terrain just outside the boundary where we will do a short practical session on avalanche companion rescue. Once in the backcountry we will use our climbing skins and skis or split boards to run laps and move efficiently through potential areas such as West Bowl, Speed Run area, Hidden Bowl, Redoubt Bowl, Purple Bowl, Wolverine Ridge and the Tylenols. Our Lake Louise skiing package is a great opportunity for intermediate and advanced resort skiers and splitboarders to experience backcountry skiing at its finest.

Photo Credit: Eva Capozzola

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Rogers Pass Ski Camp Are you a Powder Hound? Roger’s Pass in the Selkirk Mountains west of Golden, BC is widely known as Canada’s backcountry skiing and ski touring Mecca, where it never seems to stop snowing. With steep slopes and complex terrain, the area can be intimidating and most people prefer to ski it with a ski guide. Advanced skiers will be introduced to touring and skiing ‘The Pass’ by one of our certified ski guides who will show you the classic ski tours and lines in the area. Glaciated ascents, wide open bowls and fantastic treed and glade skiing await the fortunate skier in Roger’s Pass. Can’t make our scheduled ski trip dates? Our certified ski guides are available for private guiding in Roger’s Pass and surrounding areas. Duration: 3 days

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & BOARDING STEEP& DEEP PROGRAMS Steep and Deep Ski Camp

Signature Series Splitboard Camp

Remote Ski Camp - Freshfields

Join Yamnuska Mountain Adventures for an action packed 2-day adventure of searching deep in the Rockies for the most sought-after lines.

Join 2 time Olympian and ACMG splitboarding guide Justin Lamoureux for three days of chasing down sought-after lines. What once was a dream through your car window can now become a reality.

If you are in search of that gravity defying feeling of skiing through bottomless untracked powder you are in the right place! This ultimate backcountry skiers’ voyage will be the journey of a lifetime.

Over the course of this Canmore backcountry trip you will receive expert tuition in steep splitboarding skills such as learning how to handle all types of terrain, how to perform jump turns on steep faces, how to control your speed on icy snow and much more. You will not only gain confidence and strengthen your technique to tackle steeper and more challenging terrain than you’ve ever splitboarded before, but you will be able to approach those narrow gullies and steeper chutes with a lot more control making some of those more remote or mountainous ski traverses comfortably achievable.

This is expedition skiing at its finest, without the suffering. Access to this seldom visited ski mountaineer’s paradise starts with a short flight to our ultra-remote base camp situated in a rugged corner of the Freshfields Icefields in Banff National Park. The solitude, silence and freedom will provide the ideal setting from which our experienced guides can take you on a quest for fresh tracks, deep powder and no lines. With light packs you’ll be able to dedicate all your energy to skiing exhilarating glaciers, numerous high alpine ski peaks and even some tree skiing. A true adventure without the crowds

Over the course of this program you will receive expert instruction on steep skiing skills such as learning how to handle all types of terrain, how to perform jump turns on steep faces, how to control your speed on icy snow and much more. You will not only gain confidence and strengthen your technique to tackle steeper and more challenging terrain than you’ve ever skied before, but you will be able to approach those narrow gullies and steeper chutes with a lot more control making some of those more remote or mountainous ski traverses comfortably achievable.

Duration: 2 days

Duration: 3 days

Duration: 6 days

Photo Credit: Kennan Harvey

Photo Credit: Sherpas Cinema

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Photo Credit: Kennan Harvey

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & BOARDING SKI MOUNTAINEERING AND CLASSIC TRAVERSES Intro to Ski Mountaineering

Wapta Traverse

Bow to Yoho Advanced Ski Week

Ski mountaineering is one of the most incredible ways to enjoy the mountains in winter. With snow-covered approaches and rapid ski descents, it is easier to cover more ground and potentially summit more peaks than on a similar summer mountaineering trip. This comprehensive course covers all of the basic skills required of the winter mountaineer. Although the concepts and systems are similar, managing terrain in a deeper snow pack and on skis often requires a different approach from general mountaineering. Based out of the Bow Hut on the Wapta Icefields, we will explore the numerous snow covered peaks and ski the slopes of fresh Rockies powder! This course is the best of both worlds since the focus is on developing the skills to summit mountains while skiing down big glacier lines.

The Wapta Traverse is known around the world for being one of the true classic hut to hut ski tours. The glaciers that form the Wapta Icefield sit atop the continental divide North of Lake Louise and provide the perfect snow highway for adventurous backcountry skiers. With elements of ski mountaineering and the potential to reach the summit of one of the many peaks along the route, this is an ideal trip for fit intermediate downhill skiers looking to expand their skills into the backcountry.

In his book “Summits and Icefields”, Canadian Rockies ski touring legend Chic Scott describes this area as “the quintessential Canadian Rockies skiing experience”. With seemingly limitless options for summits and long powder runs we would have to agree. Join us as we traverse from Bow Lake to the Little Yoho Valley through the classic peaks and long powder slopes of the area. This will be a challenging backcountry tour with a great reward of powder skiing at the historic Stanley Mitchell Hut in Yoho National Park.

The huts along the traverse are maintained by the Alpine Club of Canada and are comfortable spots to prepare our delicious meals and socialize with new friends in the evening. We offer both a 4-day and 6-day option for the traverse where guests can choose to do a shorter trip or experience the entire North to South itinerary from Peyto to Scott Duncan Huts.

This trip is a natural extension of our Wapta Traverse or Ski Mountaineering Programs. Nights will be spent in Alpine Huts including the new Richard and Louise Guy Hut near the des Poilus glacier.

Duration: 6 days

Crevasse Rescue

Duration: 6 days

Duration: 4 or 6 days

This one-day course is designed specifically to teach skiers and snowboarders how to perform glacier crevasse rescue in a winter travel context. We will look at the tools that are available on the market today to make you an efficient rescue partner when travelling in the backcountry. We will emphasize learning and practicing rescue techniques where you will understand what to do if one of your party does fall into a crevasse, how to secure the rest of the group, set up a belay using your skis or snowboard and the different systems for pulling someone out. Duration: 1 day

Photo credit: Geoff George Photography

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BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & BOARDING SKI MOUNTAINEERING AND CLASSIC TRAVERSES Yoho Ski Safari For the adventurous skier looking for something different, look no further.  This action-packed 5-day Canada ski vacation is full of adventure. After our initial night at the Bow Hut we head over to the idyllic Richard and Louise Guy Hut near the Des Poilus glacier for the remaining 4 days. This trip is an excellent alternative to the other traverses on the Wapta, as this area is generally quieter, and the hut provides the perfect opportunity to recharge the batteries and go skiing with a light pack. Ours guides will lead you to some of the secret lines and hidden stashes which hopefully culminates with an ascent of Mt Des Polius. Duration: 5 days

Bugaboos to Rogers Pass Ski Traverse The Bugaboos to Roger’s Pass Grand Traverse is regarded as one of the top ski traverses in Canada. Crossing the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains, the traverse travels through the jagged granite spires of the Bugaboos as it works its way north through the large connected path of glaciers and summits. Where conditions and trip progress warrant, we will look to bag some of the many summits along the way. The journey ends in the skiing paradise of Roger’s Pass. It is truly a spectacular trip but one that requires a high level of fitness, winter camping skills and advanced skiing skills.

Canadian Rockies 11’000er’s Mt Hector: This is a great spring ski mountaineering objective on one of the tallest peaks in the Canadian Rockies! Beautiful views and a long glacier ski run will be the reward for our efforts on this 11,000 foot classic. Duration: 1.5 days

The Lyells & Mons Ski Descents: Are you looking to travel to some of the best ski mountaineering terrain in North America? Do you enjoy accessing 11,000ft peaks within a couple hours of a remote hut with all the basic amenities that one needs to create a trip of a lifetime? Then this is the trip for you.

Duration: 11 days Duration: 5 days ‘6 day intro to ski mountaineering - great course!! One of the best guides I have ever come across, helped us learn, facilitated group decision making effectively, and established a safe learning environment. I had a great time and the Bow Hut is a fun place to take this type of course - lots of glaciers and objectives nearby. Good food and straightforward logistics. Yamnuska is a top notch operation.’

Mt Columbia: Nestled deep on the Columbia Icefields Mount Columbia is considered one of the grandest ski objectives in the Canadian Rockies. Duration: 4 days

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BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & BOARDING INTERNATIONAL TRIPS Troll Peninsula, Iceland Ski Safari

Rishir Island, Japan Powder Skiing

Iceland is becoming one of the worlds most sought after back country ski locations. The Troll Peninsula sits in the Northern section of Iceland, close to the Arctic circle. With minimal vegetation, the terrain provides opportunities for long open runs ending near the sea. An added bonus of Icelandâ€™s active geography is there are plenty of opportunities to soak in local hot springs and see interesting geological areas after a good day of skiing.

Rishiri Island, 20 km off the Northern tip of Hokkaido, Japan is one of the most unique but unknown skiing destinations in the world. Rising directly out of the Sea of Japan, the 1721m Mt Rishiri is a dormant volcano that creates the island itself. With a circumference of around 60 km, the cone shaped mountain has been eroded over time to create many different ridges and valleys that provide seemingly endless options for skiing. There is no shortage of skiing options from steep alpine terrain up high to rolling treed terrain down low.

We will stay at a local guesthouse situated in a beautiful valley near Akureyri. The trip will be supported by vehicle to transport us to various ski locations close by.

Duration: 8 days

In addition to the skiing, the remote location and small communities in the area will be a fantastic cultural experience. Rishiri Islandâ€™s 5000 inhabitants come from a long history of fishing with tourism recently becoming popular. As part of our Japan ski trip package, we will be staying at a Ryokan (Japanese Inn) where the owner is one of the few backcountry skiers on the island. He will accompany us for part of our time skiing in the area. His family will also provide us with authentic Japanese cuisine. A private Onsen (hot spring) is also located onsite and will be a welcome addition to your Rishiri Island skiing experience. Duration: 8 days

1-MONTH WINTER BACKCOUNTRY SKI INTENSIVE

Duration: 31 days

Dial in your skill set as a backcountry traveler through our one-month winter ski program. Over the course of a month you will complete an AST1 and 2 as well as travel to several classic areas in Banff and Glacier National Parks on skis or a splitboard. You will travel to Rogers Pass and complete an expedition in a remote, world renowned ski mountaineering area where our experienced ACMG guides will show you what they have to offer. Over the course of one month of intensive high-end ski touring and ski mountaineering we will cover all the essential skills to help you take your back-country riding skills to the next level. This program focuses on travel in avalanche terrain, crevasse rescue, avalanche education, planning and completing a ski traverse, tackling steeper terrain with strategies for success, winter camping skills, navigation and route finding. These skills are presented in a logical progression from basic safety protocols to intermediate and advanced techniques. Many of our winter backcountry program students go on to pursue a career in the outdoor recreation industry including ski guiding and ski patrolling or use our programs 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 almost any terrain and conditions that can be found in the backcountry ski environment.

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AVALANCHE AWARENESS AST 2 - Bow Valley Based The Avalanche Skills Training 2 – AST 2 course is your next step in avalanche skills development after completing an introductory course. To fully enjoy the backcountry it’s crucial you understand avalanche phenomena, recognize the terrain where avalanches occur and find routes that minimize risk. Our AST 2 course addresses these issues over a comprehensive four day training period. If you’re a serious backcountry skier, snowshoer or winter mountaineer who wants to build a solid knowledge base to safely expand your backcountry horizons, then this is the avalanche awareness training course for you. It will be a valuable investment in your mountain safety training and will significantly increase your avalanche knowledge and experience.

AST 1 - Avalanche Skills Training 1

AST 1 for Ice Climbers

Avalanches are the greatest hazard facing skiers and climbers in the backcountry. Enjoying the mountains during the winter months is an amazing experience and you can increase your awareness of avalanche hazards to more safely enjoy your surroundings. Venturing into avalanche terrain without proper training is an unnecessary risk and can easily be mitigated by taking this fun and informative 2-day course.

‘Avalanche hazard is the most significant threat to ice climbers in the Canadian Rockies. The vast majority of routes are exposed to avalanche hazard - often for extended periods. The simple fact that water flows and freezes in gullies makes most ice climbing routes natural terrain traps. Climbing early in the season before the snow arrives may mean reduced avalanche exposure but may also mean increased technical challenge on partially formed falls. Some of the avalanche related challenges facing the Rockies’ ice climber include; complicated approach terrain requiring early starts; long exposure times climbing waterfalls threatened by overhead hazard; Potentially different snow and weather conditions affecting avalanche terrain above the route; climbing above cliffs, or between steep pitches on avalanche prone terrain; rapid temperature changes that trigger avalanches and topple waterfalls; shallow and weak snowpack conditions that prevail most of the winter’ - Parks Canada – Mountain Safety.

Canada is a recognized world leader in avalanche training, forecasting and research, and no one teaches more Avalanche Skills Training (AST) courses in Canada than Yamnuska. Our combination of classroom and field training will give you the basic knowledge to assess and recognize avalanche terrain and hazards. Our courses follow the curriculum set out by Avalanche Canada and are taught by instructors who are active guides and professional members of the Canadian Avalanche Association. You will leave the course with an AST 1 Certificate.

Duration: 2 days

For snowshoers, we offer a Snowshoe Only Avalanche Skills Training level 2 based out of Canmore. Duration: 4 days

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is committed to leading the way in changing the culture of safety gear for ice climbing in avalanche terrain. You will leave the course with an AST 1 Certificate.

Duration: 2 days

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AVALANCHE AWARENESS AST 2 - Rogers Pass

AST 2 - Purcell Lodge

In this course, we take our regular AST 2 Course to one of the backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering capitals of North America – Roger’s Pass. You will end the course with all of the Avalanche Skills Training 2 curriculum while experiencing this amazing backcountry skiing area. While the focus is on developing your avalanche skills, you will no doubt be thrilled with the skiing this area affords.

In this program we take our avalanche safety course to a lodge based program. Students gain invaluable field experience at the spectacular Purcell Mountain Lodge west of Golden, BC. This location will have you fully immersed in the backcountry experience by flying you to a remote setting and luxurious lodge. The snow is shared by only the few people at the lodge allowing for untracked powder around every corner. The learning environment is primed for students to gain the advanced skills they are looking for through the avalanche safety course.

Serious backcountry skiers and riders who expect to be skiing Rogers Pass in the future will find this course offers the best of both worlds – indepth knowledge of ‘the pass’ from one of our knowledgeable guides along with the AST 2 course training. The Rogers Pass AST 2 course in Canada will help you build a solid knowledge base to safely expand your backcountry horizons. It will be a valuable investment in your mountain safety in addition to exposing you to some magical terrain.

Duration: 4 days

As with all our AST 2 programs, the Purcell Mountain Lodge Course will build on your previous avalanche training and push your knowledge to the next level. This is a hands-on course involving extensive practical field experience augmented with classroom theory. The curriculum is designed to give a solid grounding in the essentials of avalanche knowledge based on the requirements set out by Avalanche Canada. Duration: 5 days

Photo Credit: John Price @johnpricephotography

‘Information was exactly what I was looking for and the field exercises were both relevant and helpful. Have already implemented changes as to how I can improve my winter outings while managing the risk.’

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HIKING & BACKPACKING The Canadian Rockies provide some of the best hiking and backpacking that can be found anywhere in the world. Surrounded by towering peaks and with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, our trips strive to provide guests with an exceptional active mountain adventure.

Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska offers scheduled hiking and backpacking trips to different areas of the Canadian Rockies. Each program has its own unique ambiance, beauty and challenge. These trips can be arranged for private groups if our scheduled departures don’t suit you.

See our hiking brochure for full details

Our backpacking adventures are great escapes. As days pass you fall into a rhythm, you relax and sore muscles firm up. Hiking at an easy pace you soon forget that you’re moving at all as you become absorbed with your surroundings: a waterfall breaks through the cliffs above, an orchid peeps through the moss on the forest floor, clouds scud past the peaks high above. After a couple of days you realize that the next campsite is not the objective, it’s the journey that counts! Reaching the end you’re tempted to take a sharp turn, head up the next valley and just keep walking!

Photo Credit: Katie Goldie@goldiehawn_

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CUSTOM ADVENTURES Custom Adventures and Private Guiding Aside from our scheduled trips and programs, we run an extensive selection of private and custom departures. Do you have a specific training objective in mind or your sights set on that peak you have always wanted to climb? No problem, we can do it and you have the comfort of knowing that with over forty years behind us, we are a name you can trust. From one day programs to month long expeditions, our guiding team has climbed all over the Rockies and other parts of the world. Our experienced office team can arrange all of the logistics and the whole itinerary to make it a hassle free trip. All you have to do is take that first step! Perhaps our dates don’t work for you or you have a group for which you would like to set up a private program. You can still enjoy the full variety of our trips but on a more exclusive basis.

Corporate Groups

Weddings and Groups

Whether you’re planning a corporate event or simply looking to recognize your employees for the contribution they make to the success of your business, we have an activity for you. While you are in the Rockies, get outside for a hike, some easy rock or ice climbing, or a fun yet challenging day on our ropes course and zip line. Our experience in process improvement, risk management, decision making and team building activities in the mountains is unmatched and we know our activities will be the highlight of your event.

Planning a wedding or a family reunion? Organize a fun and unique activity that your group will never forget. We have organized activities for groups of up to 100 people and you know that when Yamnuska is organizing your event, safety and fun are our top priorities. We can offer a variety of activities from which your guests can choose. No experience? No problem! That’s where we come in. Our programs are suitable for all ability levels.

private guiding and custom adventures: • Mountaineering (including global expeditions) • Backcountry skiing and Ski Mountaineering • Ice Climbing • Rock Climbing • Hiking, Trekking or Backpacking • Avalanche Training • Wilderness First Aid • Skill specific training (Fall Protection for industry & Film) • Ropes course and zip line.

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BACKCOUNTRY FOOD SERVICES

Backcountry Kitchen and Meal Packages Food is an important component of every backcountry trip. It fuels our bodies and provides comfort in what can be at times harsh environments. Backcountry food needs to be lightweight, not take up much pack space and it should taste good. Over the course of a couple of decades we have refined our food system to meet these criteria and more. All of our food is prepared in our provincially inspected restaurant facility. We are proud of our high quality and hand prepared meals made right here in Canmore, Alberta. Yamnuskaâ€™s Backcountry Kitchen offers three main categories of prepared food: Meals that we supply on our programs, catering for personal or group trips, and individually packaged dehydrated meals available online, at our office and at select retail outlets.

trips but today we provide backcountry food service for many individuals and institutions. Our high quality and carefully planned menus are carefully designed to meet any budget and caloric requirements. In addition to mountain adventures, our food travels well on river trips, horse packs, military exercises and industrial projects. Individual Dehydrated Meals: Available online, at our office, and in select retail outlets, individual servings of our dehydrated meals are a great alternative to the mass-produced freezedried meals. Made from locally sourced ingredients and cooked right in our kitchen, our lightweight and delicious meals are an excellent addition to any backcountry adventure. Dinner options include vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free alternatives that are packed with calories and taste fantastic. Given them a try on your next trip!

When meals are provided for your Yamnuska trip or course, we take care of everything. Breakfasts, lunches, snacks, appetizers, beverages, main course, and desserts are all prepared and field packed for you prior to your trip. The menu is carefully planned, taking into consideration the location of the trip, participant allergies or food intolerances, the type of activity, the time of year and several other important factors. For food safety reasons we do not prepare raw meats in the field, but meat lovers will not go without delicious dehydrated or cured meats in their pack-outs. We can cater to most food preferences and restrictions. Catering for a personal or group trip: Inspired by our success in catering for our own programs, we began offering full or partial catering for adventurers heading out on their own. Our early food clients were all previous guests on Yamnuska

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Our Mission: Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is passionately committed to providing mountain experiences and services in a sustainable and respectful manner with safety as our top priority.

200 - 50 Lincoln Park Canmore,AlbertaT1W3E9 Canada