Canadian Icefalls

2009 DATES Click Dates To Book.... Week 12: 15 Mar - 21 Mar Week 13: 22 Mar - 28 Mar Full Ice Programme Click Here COURSE DURATION 1 week ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE £1295 Your course price covers: • Guiding + guides expenses • Full board + accommodation • All picnic lunches/snack food • All course transportation • All mechanical uplift • Loan of technical equipment Click here for Full Details RATIO 2:1 COURSE GRADE Difficulty: 4/5 Fitness: 4 Click Here for Grading Details

Ice climbing in the Canadian Rockies is an unforgettable experience. The icefalls are on a grand scale and set in a vast mountain wilderness of snow-capped summits and deep glaciated valleys.

These trips are a perfect progression for people who have already gained experience climbing alpine icefalls and feel ready to climb in an even more adventurous arena. People with winter experience in Scotland climbing at grade IV will also be able to make the most of the exceptional climbing offered by Canadian icefalls.

Our base in Banff is central to all the major icefalls as well as being a great place to spend time when you’re not on the ice. The Banff National Park plays a key role in making up the 30,000sq kilometres of wilderness, geographically called the Canadian Rockies, which is probably the biggest protected area in the world.

Traditionally, March has always been the best time for climbing the frozen waterfalls, as the daytime temperatures are ideal for high-quality ice and the weather and snow conditions are at their most stable. ISM is offering two week-long courses during this period, which may be taken singly or, for those with the time and energy, combined to give a fantastic two-week ice climbing trip. For the past few years these trips have enjoyed superb climbing conditions.

Each course consists of 5 days guided climbing and the courses run back-to-back, allowing you to choose either a 1-week or a 2-week icefall climbing holiday. The weekend break between the courses gives people staying on for a second week a chance to relax, recharge their batteries and enjoy some of the local attractions in and around Banff and Lake Louise. Your guide will be able to make recommendations and give any advice needed to make the most of this weekend break. .

During the courses we try to give a good spread of all the Canadian Rockies have to offer, from ice that forms close to the road to 'full-on' wilderness days into the heart of the mountains. Without creating a 'must do' tick list (as conditions vary from year to year) world famous routes we attempt on this course include Weeping Wall 4/5, Murchison Falls 4, Polar Circus 5, The Sorcerer 5, Bourgeau left hand 5, Louise Falls 4/5, Carlsberg Column 5, Guinness Gully 4, Professor Falls 5, and Pilsner Pillar 6. These are just some of the major classic’s that will open your eyes to the amazing world of Canadian ice climbing.

Please Note: Accommodation on this course is on a bed and breakfast basis - click on Information Sheet below for full details.

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