Canadian Classic Icefalls 2026
Level 2 : Guided Climbing
Climb in the Rocky Mountains of western Canada and you’re in for a treat. This is the Mecca for modern day icefall climbing. 33,000sq kilometres of National Park wilderness complete with moose, grizzly bears, cougars and of course, acres of beautiful ice.
ISM offers two weeks of icefall climbing in Canada, The first week is focused on climbing many of the great grade WI4/4+ icefalls in the Banff and Jasper National Parks and the second week, taken either as a stand alone or continuation of week one, focuses on the more technical world class grade 4+/WI5 icefalls in the same area.
Course Highlights
Experience world class icefall climbing
Stunning scenery in the Canadian Rockies
Quiet mountains and icefalls which makes for a wild and adventurous trip
Expert guiding from an experienced ISM Guide with 25 years' climbing in the Rockies
Week 1 - Climbing Classic WI4
We get stuck straight into climbing some of the classic icefalls in and around Banff, and then take the week from there in terms of venue choices and taking into account the local conditions and weather. The aim is to enjoy the huge wilderness which makes up the Canadian Rocky Mountains by climbing icefalls in Kananaskis Country, and the Banff, Kootenay and Jasper National Parks. We split venues through the week so that you get a flavour of both the Canadian culture, wildlife and incredible mountain scenery that stretches along the continental divide from Lake Louise and north to Jasper. This first week can be a stand alone week if you only have a week free, but would naturally lead into a second week where you will progress onto more technical icefalls and enjoy more of what the Rockies has to offer.
Week 2 - Climbing Technical WI4+/5
This second week has been designed to follow on as a progression from the first week, offering you a fantastic two-week holday climbing in the Rockies. It can also be taken as a stand-alone technical week of climbing if you only have one week free. We aim to get onto the more technical icefalls that the Rockies is classically famous for, and do routes that are synonymous with the garanduer and wild natuire of the mountains found in this beautiful landscape.
Selection of Routes Climbed
WI4
- Professor Falls
- Moonlight
- Lake Louise Falls
- Guiness Gully
- Extra Lite
- Bow Falls
- Murchisson
- Nothing But The Breast
- Elliot Lefthand
- Weeping Wall
- Shades of Beauty
WI4+ to WI6
- Spray River Falls
- Nemesis
- Carlsberg Column
- Superbok
- Pilsner Pillar
- Field of Dreams
- Oh La Tabernac
- Kitty Hawk
- Polar Circus
- Weeping Wall
- Curtain Call
Further information
If you are interested in joining either or both weeks please contact Adrian Nelhams for further information adriannelhams@alpin-ism.com
Please Note: Accommodation on this course is on a bed and breakfast basis - click on Information Sheet for full details.
Course Dates & Booking
Please call for availability
Meet the Team
Rose Gare-Simmons
ISM Marketing
Rose is a Summer Mountain Leader, healthcare professional, and passionate advocate for the healing power of the outdoors. Her work is rooted in the simple belief that time in the mountains can change how we feel, how…
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Terry Ralphs
IFMGA British Mountain Guide
Terry learnt to climb on the gritstone edges of the Peak District then after graduating from Leeds University he decided to make his living in the outdoors, moving to North Wales to work at Plas y Brenin…
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Adrian Nelhams
ISM Director and IFMGA British Mountain Guide
As a Director of ISM, Adrian splits his time between guiding, the ISM office, family and climbing for himself. During his 30+ year commitment to the team, Adrian has played a key role in the development of ISM.
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Paolo Intropido
IFMGA Italian Mountain Guide
Born in NW Italy in a region surrounded by mountains, Paolo started to ski and trek as a kid, always wanting to explore 'beyond the next hill'.
Read MoreVital Information
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