Mooney Mountain Guides - Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Mountaineering and Backcountry Skiing

Art Mooney UIAGM-AMGA Certified Mountain Guide

Canadian Rockies Ice
December-March

Itinerary | Fees | Why us?

Each winter many climbers travel to western Canada to test their skills on the region's challenging ice climbs. Here the ice climbing season runs all winter long, with the best conditions usually occurring in March. The terrain is wild, with huge mountains and glaciers all around us. At night wolves howl and the northern lights dance in the sky. The area abounds with ice climbs of all types, from one pitch desperates to huge, remote alpine-like objectives. On this 7 day trip we sample many of the region's classic ice routes and areas. We enjoy the camaraderie of other climbers from around the world while we stay in hostels located along the Icefield's Parkway north of Lake Louise. If you're an ice climber who enjoys challenging routes, this is the trip for you.

To participate on this trip you should be at least an intermediate ice climber. You should be comfortable following ice routes up to WI 4+. Below is a sample itinerary. Different routes can be chosen to suit your needs and desires. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Canadian Rockies Ice Trip Sample Itinerary

Day 0: Arrive in Calgary. Travel to Banff or Lake Louise where we will spend the night.

Day 1: Climb Lake Louise Falls, a multipitch WI 4+ route. This route's short approach and beautiful scenery make it an area classic. In the evening we drive to the Rampart Creek Hostel on the Icefield's Parkway where we spend the night.

Day 2-3: We climb various routes at the Weeping Wall area. This ice face is huge and offers a variety of multipitch routes from WI 3-6.

Day 4: Climb Polar Circus, one of the world's most famous ice routes. This climb is many pitches long and culminates with a steep pillar enclosed in a beautiful, cathedral-like cirque. Our descent is accomplished via numerous rappels and easy downclimbing. We get an early start to make it back to the hostel in time for a big dinner.

Day 5: We return to the Lake Louise/Banff area. We spend the afternoon practicing our steep ice and mixed climb skills at Johnstone Canyon or Haffner Creek, two popular local ice areas.

Day 6: We climb Professor Falls, a multipitch ice route which rises above the town of Banff. This is a Rockies classic and a great choice for our last day.

Day 7: Return to Calgary and catch flights home

Canadian Rockies Ice Trip Fees
Cost per person:
   $1950 (1:1 client to guide ratio)
   $1450 (2:1 client to guide ratio)

Program Cost Inclusions
  -UIAGM / AMGA certified guide Art Mooney
  -Group climbing gear

Program Cost Exclusions
  -Airfare to and from Calgary
  -Lodging on a shared basis in hostels
  -Rental car
  -Food in restaurants
  -Personal equipment
  -Insurance
  -Items of a personal nature

Why go with us?

Art has climbed extensively in Canada.
IFMGA certified guide trained to an international standard, utilizing the safest and most current guiding techniques.
Our low client to guide ratios increase your chance of a successful trip.
You will know who your guide will be.

Mooney Mountain Guides
638 Old Bristol Rd. ~ New Hampton, NH 03256
Phone: 603-744-5853 ~ Contact: art@mooneymountainguides.com

Top of Page