Pigeon Spire, The Bugaboos

Cirrus Alpine Guides specialize in custom alpine climbing trips. Be guided up one of the Rockies’ classic alpine snow and ice routes in style. All Guides are certified local IFMGA/ACMG Mountain or Alpine guides. We offer 16 years of professional experience guiding the peaks of the Canadian Rockies.  Some routes are long day trips from the road, but most are two or three day venues. Trips offered here have alpine hut accommodation with climbing venues nearby. If you are looking for mountaineering instruction try one of our Summer Mountain Craft courses. Here are a few of the most aesthetic routes and venues around. They attract climbers from around the world.

Lake Louise Group
These trips are out of the Lake Louise area. Prices include guiding fees only, food for out trips can be catered for $33.00 per person per day. Park entry pass, hut fees and travel expenses are extra. June through Sept. 2008

Mt Victoria 3464m/Mt Lefroy 3424m.  One of the most popular alpine trips with a well equipped and comfortable stone hut to base from. A mix of easy snow and ice ridge travel with a few 5.5 moves on rock. We jump on the 3:30 pm bus arriving at Lake O’Hara at 4:00 and hike up to the Abbott hut (3.5 hrs). The next day we attempt the classic South East Ridge of Mt Victoria high above Lake Louise, a full day, then hike down and bus out, we are back in Lake Louise by dinner. 1.5 days total. Cost $530.00 for one, $590:00 for two.

A three day trip. with two nights including an ascent of Mt Lefroy's West Face a snow and ice route with the option of heading out via the Furman Ledges down to Lake Louise or out via the bus at Lake O'Hara.                                                   Cost $920.00 for one, $1100.00 for two.

Mt Fay 3234m. This North Face offers a selection of 8 pitch snow and ice ascents as well as the 5.3 West Ridge Route. These routes are climbed from the Niel Colgan hut. Day one we climb the Perren route up to the hut (6-8 hrs) mostly 4th class with a few short sections of 5.5 on quartzite rock. Day two we climb to the summit on a snow or rock route and descend back to Lake Louise (10-12 hrs). 2 days total. Cost $800:00 for one $980:00 for two climbers.  This hut works well for a 3-4 day trip if you are interested in a good variety of snow/ice and local easy 4th class peaks all over 3020m.

Mt Temple 3543m  East Ridge. Highest peak in the Lake Louise group, one of the “50 classics”. A long ridge climb on quartzite, mostly lower 5th class climbing with two pitches of 5.7 rock climbing and a snow and ice finish. This route requires an overnight bivy and good weather to go for the top on day two.  2 full days $900.00 for one, $1200:00 for a second climber.

Mt Aberdeen 3151m. North Glacier, a snow and ice route that is a 10-12 hrs day from Lake Louise. You can also summit Mt Haddo 3070m via the SW ridge on route to Aberdeen. $430.00 for one $530.00 for a second climber.

Unnamed Peak 3155m East Ridge. This classic rock ridge day trip from Lake Louise has great views of Mt Victoria, Mt Lefroy and Mt Saddleback. $400.00 for one $500 a second climber.

Columbia Icefields, Jasper National Park

These two high snow and ice peaks attract climbers from around the world. There location is road side 2 hours north of Lake Louise and one hour south of Jasper Alberta. They offer short approaches to large alpine snow and ice climbs of all difficulties. Mt Athabasca provides some excellent big mountain terrain for general mountaineering style climbing as well as multie pitch snow and ice routes. There is hotel, hut or car camping available at the base. Training days are for climbing skills refresher, warm up and or acclimatization if needed. Cost includes guiding fee only.

Mt Athabasca 3491m
North Glacier Route-  Climb only, 1.5 days. Meet evening before climb, peak ascent next day. $530.00 for one  $50.00 for each additional climber.  Climb with full training day. Two days, $790.00  3 climbers max.  
Silver Horn Route- Climb only, 1.5 days, $550.00  $50.00 for each additional climber. Climb with full training day $790.00   3 climbers max.
East Ridge- Climb only $550.00  $50.00 for a second climber. With training day $850.00
North Face- Climb only $550.00  $50.00 for second climber. With training day $850.00

Mt Andromeda 3450m
Sky Ladder Route- Climb only $550.00 $50.00 for second climber.  With training day $850.00
North Face Route- Climb only $550.00 $50.00 for second climber.  With training day $850.00

Mt Columbia 3747m  East Face. A mini expedition to a classic snow and ice route with spectacular views of the Columbia Icefields and it's surrounding peaks.  The highest point in Alberta and also the largest ice fields in the Canadian Rockies. We are also in position for an alpine ascent of Mt Castleguard from base camp. This trip requires camping out to preposition for the climb and takes 6-8 hrs on day one. Peak ascent on day two and out day three. A weather day can be a good idea for this trip. Late Aug and Sept are the best times for clear sky's.

Four day trip three nights, walk in via the Athabasca glacier $1560.00 for one $1960.00 for two. Food can be catered for $33.00 per day per person.       

Three day trip two nights cost $1180.00 for one, $1480.00 for two.  Includes guiding and safety gear, food can be catered at $33.00 per person per day. Helicopter from Nordegg Alberta one way in cost $1100.00 4 climbers max.

Mt Edith Cavell 3363m, East Ridge. One of the 50 classic climbs of North America. A 10-12 hr long quartzite ridge route on excellent rock in the Jasper area. A preposition at the base camp ground is required for an early morning start. 1.5 days total cost $550.00 for one $650.00 for a second climber.  Hotel at base is also an option. 

Yoho National Park

The President/Vice President 3138m. The approach day up the Little Yoho Valley  to the Stanley Mitchell Hut is about 4.5 hours on excellent hiking trails. This beautiful compact area sports 3 snow and ice peaks all over 3000m. The President, the Vice President and Mt McArthur all make for excellent general mountaineering objectives with glacier travel and alpine ridges to traverse. Day climbing trips from the hut are 6-8 hour days. Two day and up to four day trips works well in this area. Camping at base is also an option.

Two day cost $790.00 for one and  $890.00 for two. Three day cost $1170.00 for one, $1320.00 for two. Hut fees are $33.00 per night. Food can be catered for $33.00 per person per day. Max 4 climbers depending on conditions.

Glacier National Park

The Rogers pass area in the Selkirk Mountains offers extensive glaciated terrain with good rock climbing and alpine mountaineering on long quartzite ridges and faces. The Asulkan hut or the Wheeler hut can be used for local accommodation. $390.00 per day. $50.00 for a second climber

The Rampart 2576m. The East Face at 5.6 and the Northeast Buttress at 5.8 are great one day alpine rock routes.

Mt Swanzy 2891m. The North Ridge 5.5 A day trip on a Selkirk classic

Castor Peak 2777m. Northeast Ridge 5.7 rock climbing

Mt Sir Donald 3297m. The great North West Ridge, the most prominent peak in the Central Selkirks. 2 days $850.00  camp at base plus one day climb.

Mt Tupper 2816m West Ridge 5.5. Some of the finest quartzite alpine rock in the Rogers pass.

Mount Robson Provincial Park Mt Robson,12973 ft.                     “King of the Rockies” This is a Six day alpine style ascent of the classic North East face. Day 1- Drive to Mt Robson Provincial Park and helicopter into the Extinguisher Tower camping sites. Day 2- Glacier travel and snow climbing to gain our high camp on the Dome. Day 3- We attempt the summit via the Kain Face, 1500 ft of snow and ice up to 55 degrees, then 3 hrs of moderate snow travel to the summit.  Day 4- Try Mt Robson again if no luck on day 3.  Or an ascent day of near by       Mt Resplendent, 11241ft or opt for a rest day or bad weather day. Day 5-  Option to climb Mt Resplendent or fly out and preposition to climb        Mt Edith Cavell, 11034 ft near Jasper. Day 6- Travel and fly out to car park. Previous experience climbing snow and ice and strong fitness levels are a must for this trip. Dates: Aug 9 - 14, 25 - 30  2008 Cost is per person and includes:guiding, food, camping gear and helicopter flight. A second guide is brought in for more then 2 clients. 1 client $4900.00;                           2,3 or 4 clients $2850.00pp.                     No GST.

Mt. Robson's North and Emperor Face Other climbing route options Mt Robson's South Face.                                    3 day, 2 night all inclusive trip based from the Ralph Forester Hut. 1:1 client guide ratio only, with fly in as an option.    The South Face is the most direct way to climb the mountain.  Day 1- A 5000 ft. hiking ascent to the hut. Day 2- 5000 ft. climb on snow and ice, including some steep ice climbing. Day 3- Hike down from the hut and out to car park. Cost $1800.00 pp.  All inclusive.                         No GST. Mt Resplendent  Ice Arête.                                A beautiful long moderate snow and ice ridge route is a 4 day, 3 night trip. This climb is much shorter, less hazardous and easier  to climb then Mt Robson. It is  based from the Extinguisher Tower camp site on the NE side of Robson and is a full day of climbing.          There is a fly in, fly out option or a fly in, walk out option.        2:1 client guide ratio. Fly in, fly out cost $2200.00 pp based on two.      Fly in, walk out cost $1680.00 pp.                       All inclusive.

Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park

Mt Assiniboine, 3618m                                                                                       “Matterhorn of the Rockies” . 

The North Ridge is the classic line to the top of the highest peak in the Southern Rockies and is a 3 or 4 day trip.                                                                                                             This route is 1:1 client guide ratio and a second guide will be on board for a group of two.            

Day 1- We fly in from Canmore on the east side and climb up to the Hind hut via the Mosers Ledges.

Day 2- Ascend the north ridge of Mt Assiniboine.  A 10 to 12 hour climbing day with rock moves up to 5.5  

Day 3- Climb and hike down from the hut to fly out from Assiniboine Lodge.

Day 4- Allows for bad weather or an ascent of nearby Mt.Sturdy,  this peak is on the west side of Mt. Assiniboine and offers a 6-8 hour day of climbing with options of snow and ice or rock objectives.

Prices include helicopter, hut, food and guiding services. July through Sept. Mid week is best.

3 day trips fly Wed-Fri and Fri-Sun: Cost $2100.00 for one person, $3600.00 for two.                  4 day trips fly Sun-Wed: Cost $2500.00 for one person and $3900.00 for two.                           

Alpine Climbing Education

Cirrus Alpine guides specialize in personalized and innovative instruction. We teach modern state of the art techniques that are used by professional Mountain Guides.

We provide a custom personal interactive learning environment and offer 2:1  client instructor ratio only for our alpine skills adventures. Yes this does cost a little more then being with a larger group but allows for more climbing options and flexibility and saves time. We actually get out and do some alpine climbing on routes that are more then a walk up and suitable for one guide and two clients. This means maximizing our safety and enjoyment while you develop and experience essential skills.

Improvised Rope Rescue Course
A one day improvised rope rescue course for climbers and skiers. We teach snow, ice and rock anchor systems as well as self extraction techniques. Learn the components of the Canadian drop loop rescue system and be able to secure, transfer, raise and lower a climber or skier. Cost $190.00 per person 4 max and includes use of all technical gear. Held at the Columbia Icefield on the Athabasca glacier or Rundle Rock in Banff.  Dates available upon request.

Summer Mountain Craft - 2 Day An introduction to alpine climbing. Snow and ice climbing movement skills, use of ice axe, crampons, rope and hardware. Glacier travel techniques and hazard awareness. The second day you continue to develop new skills while climbing a suitable snow and ice peak. This course is held in the Bugaboos or at Mt Athabasca in the the Columbia Icefield. Both areas allow easy and near by access to the glacier and excellent introductory snow, ice and rock routes. Dates: June 7-8, 14-15, 28-29. July 5-6, 12-13, 26-27. Aug 2-3, 9-10. Sept 6-7. Cost $410.00 per person. 2:1 client guide ratio. Includes instruction, guiding and use of all technical gear like ice tools, crampons, harness, helmet and rope. You must provide food, suitable clothing and mountain boots. Hut, hotel or car camping available at base.

Mt. Logan's East Ridge and tent camp

Summer Mountain Craft - 5 Day
An intense, comprehensive alpine skills course designed to help develop the independent mountaineer. Trip planning, equipment considerations, rock, snow and ice climbing, anchor building, belaying and rappelling, glacier travel techniques, route selection and navigation, improvised rope rescue and hazard awareness are all part of the curriculum. Learn “hands on” while leading your team to a number of summits during the week.

Three possible locations and possible objectives: The Columbia Icefield area, based around Mt Athabasca and Andromeda, Lake Louise Group, Mt Victoria, Mt Lefroy, Mt Fay, hut based or the Bugaboos, Pigeon, Bugaboo Spires and Marmolata or Pigeon Feathers Traverse also hut based.   
Dates: June 7-11, 14-18. July 5-9, 12-16.  Aug 2-6, 9-13.  Sept 6-10. 

Cost $1050.00 per person. 2:1 client guide ratio. Includes instruction, guiding and use of all technical gear such as Ice tools, crampons, helmet, harness, rope. You need to provide mountain boots, suitable clothing and food. Hotel, hut or car camping is available.

If you have any questions or concerns or to receive a logistics package call: Mark Stewart at CIRRUS Alpine Guides Tel: 403-678-8567 e-mail: cirrus@shaw.ca