Jeff on The Professors Falls Banff.

The 2009-10 Rockies ice climbing season Nov-April is under way. Ice routes grade 3-5 in Kananaskis, Ghost River, Banff, Lake Louise and the Ice Fields area are in great shape and seeing traffic. The Rockies have had cold weather since late Sept and have received 30-60cm of snow in the alpine. Game on. We offer the best quality ice routes in the Rockies. Enjoy a guided ascent on one of our famous multi pitch classic lines. Give me a call if you want to get out and climb ice. If you’re looking for ice climbing skills, check out one of our Ice Craft courses this winter. Mark Stewart,  Mountain Guide. ACMG/IFMGA 403 678 8567 Canmore AB Cananda

One Day Guided Waterfall Ice Climbs

Levels of route difficulty range from easy grade 3 to steep and difficult grade 5 or 6, including mixed climbing. There are many options for all ages and abilities only a shot drive from Canmore, Banff or Lake Louise. I have a 4+4 so getting into the Ghost River is not a problem.

$400.00 CD per day 1 guest, $450 CD per day 2 guests, plus tax. 6-8hrs day.
$600.00 per day for 8-12hrs days on long demanding alpine ice routes.
Ice climbing gear is available. If you do not have a route in mind here’s a list of some of the best  local ice routes to be found, Oct-April.

Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise. -Lone Ranger 120m WI 3 -Cascade Falls 300m WI 3 -The Professor Falls 280m WI 3-4 -Louise Falls 110m WI 4-5 -Snowline Falls 110m WI 4 -Bourgeau Left 185m WI 5 -Bourgeau Right 190m WI 4 -Murchison Falls 200m 4+                            -Polar Circus 300m WI 4                            -Weeping Wall 160m WI 4-5                      Field BC, Yoho National Park -Carlsberg Column 90m WI 5 -Pilsner Pillar 215m WI 6 -Guinness Gully 245m WI 4 -Super Bok 300m WI 5 Kootenay National Park -Nemesis 160m WI 6 The Ghost River Area -Malignant Mushroom 55m WI 5 -Valley of The Birds 30-100m WI 3-5 -The Sorcerer 183m WI 5 -Hydrophobia 150m WI 5 -House of Sky 400m WI 3 -Green Angel 50m WI 4 -Dragon/Joker 100m WI 4

Lisa and Aaron on Chalice & the Blade, Ranger Creek. 80m Grade 5.

3 & 4 Day Ice Climbing Package

We offer 3 different styles.

Canmore based down town B&B close to restaurants. $115.00 per night, guiding costs are $400.00 for 1 and $450.00 for 2 per day.

Canmore based in town 1 bedroom apartment with kitchenette. $130.00 per night, guiding costs are $400.00 for 1, $450.00 per day for two.

Ice Field Parkway based. Rampart Creek Hostel. Self catering inexpensive style hostel well set up with full kitchen, sauna, lounge. Quick access and a short drive to all the North Ice Fields and David Thompson ice climbing routes.  $35.00 per night per person, guiding costs are $450.00 for 1, $550 per day for 2 climbers.

Mid Nov through April 2009-2010

Ice Climbing Education
Cirrus Alpine Guides specialize in high quality personalized ice climbing and mixed climbing instruction. 1:1 or 2:1 client/guide ratio. Ice climbing courses can be based out of  Banff/Canmore/Lake Louise areas as well as the Ghost River.

Cost: $350.00 CD for 1 guest, $425.00 for 2 guests per day, plus tax.
We have many years of experience instructing and coaching beginners to experts, pure ice or mixed. Shorten your learning curve by years and learn safe, modern techniques used by professional climbing guides.

Ice Craft - 1 or 2 Day For introductory or advanced ice climbing skills. We custom fit a program that suits your abilities and needs. Introduction to rope, knots, hardware.  Moderate, steep and mixed ice climbing techniques, belaying, anchor building, protection placement, mountain hazard awareness, avalanche awareness. Practice skills while you climb one of the local "Classic Ice Routes". You won’t believe how exciting this is until you try it, held in Canmore, Banff or Lake Louise Alberta. Dates: Dec through April 2009-10. Book any time.

The Famous Weeping Wall 180m Grade 4-6.

Ice Craft - 4 Day
The four day comprehensive advanced ice climbing course has been very popular. 1:1 or 2:1  client/guide ratio allows us to get some experience on some of our local classic multi pitch routes and focus on advanced personal ice climbing skills. For any ice climbers who wish to develop or improve leading skills and climb more committing and harder routes.

This course will cover advanced movement skills, steep ice and mixed climbing technique , lead climbing and leading strategies, lowering, rappelling, anchor building, placing protection, rope systems, snow safety and mountain  hazard recognition. One or two days at the ice crag and a few days developing skills while multi pitch climbing grade 3-5 ice.
 

Dates: 2009-10, Any Sat to Tues, Dec 5th through to April 15th
$1400.00 for one person, $1600.00 for two climbers.

If you have any questions or need more information or would like to book call or e-mail.

Mark Stewart at CIRRUS Alpine Guides Tel 403-678-8567 cirrus@shaw.ca