With hundreds of people visiting our booth, it was a great turn out at all the events, and we loved having all the people stop by and be so excited by the fun adventures that Yamnuska has on offer to keep you active and outdoors in every season. 

We are please to be able to announce the prize winners from the shows, who won spots in either our Avalanche Skills Training 1 courses this winter or our Snow and Ice Long Weekend courses this coming summer:

PRIZE WINNERS

Randy Heil - Edmonton Ski and Snowboard Show (AST 1)
James Alato – Mountain Equipment Co-op Snowfest (AST 1)
Nancy Schneider – Banff Mountain Film Festival (AST 1)
Beverly Verroen – Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show (Snow & Ice Long Weekend)
Geoff Wilson - Ottawa Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show (Snow & Ice Long Weekend)
Chelsea Stone - Calgary Outdoor Adventure Show (Snow & Ice Long Weekend)

* All winners have been contacted by email.  But if your name is above, and you didn’t receive your notification, please send us an email to claim your prize.

Congratulations to you all!

On March 16th and 17th we'll be in Ottawa at the Outdoor and Adventure Travel Show, located at the Ernst & Young Centre (CE Centre), 4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa.  You'll be presented with exciting new adventures and interesting travel destinations.  Book with us at the show and you'll receive 10% off (some conditions apply).

Ottawa Outdoor Show Schedule
Saturday March 16th: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday March 17th: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Just one week later, you can catch us at the Calgary Outdoor Adventure Show being hosted at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park.  On March 23rd and 24th come check out over 200 exhibits, featuring pre-season deals on the newest gear and amazing outdoor adventures and travel.  It’s a must see event! Enclosed you will find a coupon that will give you $2 off admission to the show.  Please use this coupon to come check out the show and stop by our booth to say hello. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about Yamnuska programs.

Calgary Adventure Show Schedule
Saturday March 23rd:  10:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday March 24th: 10:00am – 5:00pm

Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show Schedule
Friday February 22nd:  11:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday February 23rd:  10:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday February 24th: 10:00am – 5:00pm

Patagonia is known for producing high quality mountain wear and we are excited to be partnering with this very recognizable and environmentally focused brand.  Yamnuska will be a member of the Pataguides Program – Patagonia’s recommended Guide Services.  We are currently the only Canadian Guiding Company that is a member of Pataguides.  .

Our partnership with Patagonia was established through our relationship with OnwardUp, the western Canadian Patagonia representatives.  At the same time, we secured our long standing partnership agreement with Petzl via OnwardUp. Yam staff guide Jason Billing is a technical rep for Onward Up and Associate Director Barry Blanchard was one of Patagonia’s first Ambassadors.  Barry is also a member of the Patagonia Research and Development Team.

We are confident that we have excellent suppliers that outfit our guides and guests with the highest quality clothing, gear and equipment.  Our relationships with Patagonia and Petzl match our high standards which we believe will enhance our guest’s experience in the mountains.

Canadian Rockies Hiking Tour July 14-19, 2012

"You can't beat the magnificent mountain scenery of the Canadian Rockies coupled with fields of wildflowers in all colours.  Even watching a female grizzly ripping out glacier lillies while her 2 cubs sat and watched the clouds move by."

One of our guests on this trip reported “I loved Jane! She was the best guide I've ever had and is one of the most interesting people I've ever met. She went out of her way to equip us and to educate us on the flora, fauna, history, and culture of the area. I'm really glad to have met her.”

Private Hiking trip July 20-21, 2012

'We sat down for lunch in a field of heather next to a babbling creek.  The mountain scenery couldn't have been prettier.  We had just seen a grzzly and wondered if it was returning, for all of the ground squirrels and marmots were calling at high alert.  David asked 'Is that a bobcat?'  I looked at him and he described a cat's face peering out around a rock 4 metres from us, locking eyes with him, then quietly backing up, instantly out of sight.  We found him up the hillside and later alongside the far shore of the lake, still hunting, it's big paws quietly padding across the heather.'

We know that most people in the Rockies are finally just starting to enjoy their summer, but the real snow and ice fanatics always have ice climbing and backcountry skiing on their minds.  There are two sales a year at Yamnuska Mountain Adventures and we are excited about our upcoming Canada Day Sale.  Many of our guests took advantage of the Boxing Week Sale and are now enjoying their summer adventures at a 15% discount.

Starting June 29 through to July 7 book any winter 2012/2013 scheduled winter program and you will get 15% off the price everyone else pays.  This deal is for ALL of our winter programs – avalanche courses, backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering and of course ice climbing!  This is a fantastic way to book your winter training course or adventure to guarantee the time you want and take advantage of fantastic savings.  Many of our winter courses fill up quickly so make sure you get the date that works for you and save some money while you are at it!

As always, there are two ways to book.  You can reserve online or call our office and say hi to the friendly Yam team. 

We believe in transparent pricing for our guests and don’t discount trips last minute to sell spaces.  When you take advantage of either our Boxing Week or Canada Day Sales you can be certain that your are getting the best pricing.  Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is a proud member of the Southern Alberta and East Kootenays Better Business Bureau.

Bring along a friend or family member with this 2 for 1 coupon.  Simply print it out and bring it to the show.

BBB Accreditation is an honor – and not every company is eligible. Businesses that meet their high standards are invited to join the Better Business Bureau. Businesses meeting BBB standards are presented to local Boards of Directors (or designees) for review and acceptance as a BBB Accredited Business. To read more about their Accreditation Standards, click here.

‘We conduct ourselves in an ethical manner and over 34 years have built a high level of trust with our clients. We are honored to be part of an association that promotes the same values we do’ says Len Youden, Yamnuska’s General Manager. ‘We have positioned ourselves as a high quality mountain adventure company so this recognition fits well with our brand and reputation’.

Nigel Pass acts like a guard for the grand tour of the southern ranges of Jasper Park, it welcomes us on the first day, and whispers goodbye as we leave. Poboktan Pass is encountered a few days into the trip, when the packs have been adjusted and our loads lightened. Hiking through the Pass, we are again above tree line, and can enjoy rolling terrain and the wonderful views. This is a good day to keep the binoculars handy, and scout for bears or caribou in the distance. Going up and over Jonas Shoulder is a highpoint of the trip, also literally with its 2470 meters. It feels as if we can touch the glaciated peaks just across the valley. The "alpine" feeling stays with us as we traverse along Jonas Pass, before dropping below treeline again.

Living for a week on the Brazeau Lake Loop is an easy going life. After hiking through lush meadows and green forests, or over a high pass we hit camp in the afternoon. The campgrounds are situated in beautiful forest, and have rivers or lake water close by.  Hanging out at the beach is possible at Brazeau Lake campground. You can dry yourself off in the warm afternoon sun while you wait for someone else to make afternoon drinks and snack. The food is great tasting, and feels wonderful in your tummy after being carried on your back all day.

Spending this time in a remote, quiet and beautiful place effects all of us who do this. We have a chance to spend some time with just ourselves as we silently hike along as a part of the group. And being in a group with new and exciting people with the same passion as yourself, offers endless amounts of opportunities to have good conversations and many belly laughs.

After hiking the Jasper Highline I have warm and fun memories in my mind, great pictures in my photo album and new friends who write to me and want to go out hiking again.

Inka Karlsen

The Naiset Huts are very basic although the Wonder Lodge cook hut is well equipped with 4 propane stove burners, propane lights and a heater. In total there were 31 people staying in the huts which did make meal preparation a bit challenging but in general we were never waiting too long. There are no cooking pots or utensils at the Wonder Lodge so you need to pack it all in. The water source is a creek over by the ranger cabin which tended to freeze over a lot but the ranger did have an ice auger. We chose not to boil or treat the water and we were fine….so far anyway.

British Columbia parks recommended compressed logs as a heating source for the Naiset Huts and although I was hesitant they did provide enough heat to keep the hut toasty when it was into the -20’s during the night. BC Parks does not provide wood and you are not allowed to burn deadfalls. It doesn’t take much to warm the small cabins up but unless you were treating a winter trip into the huts as a camping expedition, a heat source is recommended. Plus it’s nice to be able to dry out your clothes from the day. Each hut has a small stove that most 3 hour compressed logs would fit in. Another group staying in one of the other huts had a visit by a pack rat. Keep food out of your cabin.

There wasn’t much snow higher up so we spent our time touring around. It’s obvious that area hasn’t seen much ski touring as we broke trail pretty much every route we skied. Although the trails are well marked and obvious during the summer, route finding was required under snow cover. I’m sure as more people ski it, the tracks will be more obvious.

On the third day we skied out to the Bryant Shelter. Again, there was some route finding and what old tracks there were on the way to Assiniboine pass could easily get you off track. A map and compass are essential. Once you get to the pass, the route to Bryant Shelter is pretty obvious. Just below the pass the trail is narrow and steep. We had fun on Alpine Touring skis but those who had cross country skis definitely struggled more.

Bryant Shelter is a basic structure with wooden bunks, tables and a stove – that’s it. There was a good supply of wood to burn which we appreciated as it did get down to as low as -30. The water supply is the creek which again froze over a lot. We didn’t treat or boil water here either but others did. We filled everything that would hold water before we went to bed to avoid the early morning fetching. You need to bring a thermarest or some other sleep pad and although we brought a cooking stove, if you get the fire going well you can boil water and cook your meal right on top of the wood stove.

The ski back to the Mt Shark trailhead is relatively flat except the one big hill. That is where the cross country skiers exacted their revenge as they sped up it while those of us on touring gear either skinned up or fish boned. A lot of the way out is track set for cross country skis which big AT skis don’t come even close to fitting in. Again the cross country skiers cruised. I never put my skins on for the ski out to Mt Shark but I did use grip wax.

Mt Assiniboine is a beautiful area in the winter and I look forward to getting back for some turns.

Len Youden

Senior Guide and avalanche training expert Steve Blagbrough was impressed with the keen group who braved -22 degree temps for the field training day. The snowpack was surprisingly good for instruction but of course we have offered our November avalanche course students an additional field day to ensure they get the best field training possible. There was some ‘whumping’ with the settling of the recent snow and the November rain crust was evident so it’s safe to say we are well into the avalanche season.

Thanks to everyone for choosing us for your avalanche course training and for being responsible in getting educated.

Jana lives in Canmore and before coming to play in the mountains she held various logistical positions within the oil and gas industry. Her experience will ensure our guests have the best gear for their programs and that all the details for their trips will be expertly coordinated.

This weekend marks the official start of our winter season and with all this snow and ice around us, it sure feels that way too. The next time you are here for a trip or course, be sure to say Hi to Jana.

You all knew it was coming but today it’s official. Based on the popularity of our summer promotion, we are announcing our ‘Win with Yamnuska this Winter’ promotion. Like our summer promo, it’s pretty simple.

Beginning Nov 15 through to May 16, 2011 one of our guests will win a $500 credit towards their next trip with us. Any guest who attends a scheduled or private program during the period above is eligible to win.

Here is how you can win:

While you are on your Yamnuska Mountain Adventures trip, take pictures or video then post it on our Facebook site. The picture or video that receives the most ‘likes’ by May 16, 2011 wins the prize. It’s that simple.

This is a great way to share your pictures and video with other participants plus win a $500 credit. Each year we are overwhelmed with pictures that our guests send us, now you can post them yourself for everyone else to see.

Our summer promotion ended in an exciting ‘photo finish’ and we expect nothing less from the winter contest. So when you are on your program, pull that camera out – it could win you a $500 credit towards your next mountain adventure.

Our first Avalanche Skills Training 1 Course (AST1) runs this weekend, Nov 20 at our office in Canmore. For those who are taking this course, it will run as scheduled. However, because we want our students to get the best avalanche training possible, we are offering our November students a chance to come back on another field day to ensure they see a more complex layered snow pack.

By running an additional field day, we maintain our commitment as the leader in technical training and guest service. Anyone who takes an avalanche course from Yamnuska will walk away with exposure to the highest industry standards. We are committed to being the premier mountain school in Canada and believe we live up to this reputation by constantly reviewing the output and quality of our programs.

Also, due to overwhelming demand for our early season AST 1 courses, we have added an additional Canmore-based program for the December 11th -12th/10 weekend. You can register on the program website or give us a call at the office to book a spot.

Thank you for choosing us as your avalanche training provider!

We have now set our summer 2011 program dates and our website is up to date so you can start browsing.

Coming soon, 2012 dates will be added and going forward we will always be at least a year ahead. To help our international guests plan trips and for those who have to set vacation dates well in advance, we are making it easier for you to trip plan. We are implementing this change as a result of feedback from you, our valued guests.

In the meantime winter looks like it has finally hit. Ice is forming nicely and we are experiencing the season’s first snow storm. See you out there.

Yamnuska offers gift certificates at all dollar values for that person on your list who is addicted to the outdoors. Or perhaps you want to drop a not so subtle hint to others that a gift certificate from Yam would be the perfect gift for you.

If you want to order a gift certificate that never expires and is guaranteed to be a hit, just give us a call or order online. Gift certificates can be issued in any value and be applied to any of our trips or private guiding. Stocking stuffers or that dream gift – we can hook you up with whatever you have in mind, and you don’t have to brave the dreaded mall parking lot. We can ship anywhere in the world or you can swing by our office to say Hi.

Save time this holiday season and give the coolest gift ever.

As many of the scheduled openings for the ski resorts in the Rockies approach, you may be thinking about learning to Backcountry Ski. This incredible sport takes your on-piste resort skills and opens up a whole new world of terrain. Although your resort skiing skills will help you make the transition to backcountry skiing, there are enough differences to make an introductory course well worthwhile.

Ski touring boots and bindings are the first obvious differences as well as the use of ‘skins’ to walk uphill. Learning the subtleties of set up and use are critical to enjoying your backcountry skiing experience. There is also a difference between skiing groomed runs and untracked lines – again technique is everything and will mean the difference between falling down every turn or truly enjoying a fresh powder run.

Like all of our Intro courses, Intro to Backcountry Skiing is a low commitment weekend course that gives you a first taste of getting out there on touring gear and finding great ski runs. Our certified guides will show you everything you need to get started and take you out to a few classic spots in Banff and Kananaskis.

As always, before venturing out into the Backcountry, we recommend formal avalanche training. It isn’t a prerequisite for our course but it is invaluable training if you spend any amount of time in the backcountry.

Don’t forget we also do Private Guiding days where you can get individual instruction or have one of our guides take you out for an unforgettable skiing experience. This is very popular for people who are staying in Banff or Canmore to ski the local resorts but want to really experience what Rockies powder is all about.

Now bring on the snow!

For those of you residing in our fair province’s capital, there is also the Edmonton Ski and Snowboard Show this same weekend that will feature a Trade Show, Gear Swap and a killer Snowboard Rail competition on an indoor rail park! It is time to get stoked for the ski season and check out the next generation of toys to get you out enjoying the slopes.

Outdoor festivals and shows are a great way to interact with fellow adventurers, learn what is the latest and greatest in the industry, and plan for an exciting winter of adventure in the mountains. Yamnuska will be at both shows this weekend to chat with folks about our new winter program line-up and get people excited for the coming winter ski and climbing season.

Also, don’t forget to get your tickets to the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festivals coming up October 30th to November 7th/10. With a Radical Reels night, an adrenaline pumping Snow Show, featured author readings, and a full weekend of trade shows and film screenings (Nov. 5th – 7th/10), this will be an exciting week of pure clean mountain adventure with something for everyone! Yamnuska guides will be on hand at our booth November 5th, 6th, and 7th to chat about their adventures and help you plan yours for this winter.

We hope to see you there.

It’s that time of year at Yamnuska Mountain Adventures where we are looking at our equipment needs for this winter and next summer. What does that mean to you? Some great deals on our old gear! We will have 3 tables at the Mountain Equipment Co-op gear swap in Calgary to sell the gear we will be replacing. All of our gear is well maintained, in good shape and ready for adventure!

Here is a partial list of some of the more popular items we are selling:

• Petzl Quarks ice climbing axes
• Petzl Nomics ice and mixed climbing axes
• Petzl Cosmic mountaineering axes
• Black Diamond Ice Screws (various sizes)
• Petzl crampons (waterfall ice and general mountaineering)
• BCA Tracker avalanche beacons
• Probes and shovels

As well, we have harnesses, helmets, sleeping bags, tents, rock shoes, mountaineering boots, cooking gear, pickets and a good assortment of carabiners. Cash only, all sales final.

We’ll see you there!! October 17, 10am-3pm in the MEC Calgary parking lot.

The event which is held on September 20, 2010 is in support of the Sir Edmond Hillary Foundation which is committed to improving the quality of life of the Sherpa people of Nepal in the areas of Health Care, Education and the Environment.

On Sunday, September 19, 2010 the Sherpa Stair Climbing Challenge with Everest Summiteers Apa Sherpa (20 times to summit), Ang Dorjee Sherpa (14 times to summit), Mingma Tenji Sherpa (2000), Laurie Skreslet (1st Canadian), and Byron Smith (2000) will climb all 828 stairs.

The gala dinner event will be held on Friday October 22 at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel. To attend the dinner or sponsor one of the fun events visit the foundation’s website for more details. There will be a host of incredible prizes for auction at the gala dinner.

It turned out to be every bit as good as we expected with the new portion north of Loomis Lake (we had checked out the southern section 2 years ago) even better than expected. Every night we camped at a different lake, starting with Carnarvon Lake in the south and finishing at Running Rain Lake in the north with Lake of the Horns and Loomis in between.

Linking the lakes we followed mostly game trails at or near treeline that took us across the ridges that radiate from the Divide, to spice it up there was also a peak ascent, a scree slog and some bush bashing. The views were fantastic and there was very little sign of the trails being used by other hikers for the most part.

Several of us are enthusiastic fly fisherman and great fishing in the lakes each evening were a nice bonus.

This was a unique trip that was at times very strenuous and challenging. For folks that are in great shape and like being well off the beaten trail it’s a great opportunity. I’d encourage anyone interested in joining us on this or a similar trip next year to get in contact with us immediately so that we can gauge whether or not the interest is there to include it again.

For the full trip slideshow visit David’s album on Picasa.

David Begg

“Each year we show our support for the Alpine Club of Canada and the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides by sponsoring this event that celebrates those guides who have completed their certification testing” says Len Youden, Yamnuska’s General Manager. “This year Yamnuska’s senior guide Grant Meekins will be recognized for having completing the highest level of certification and we couldn’t be more proud”.

In addition to our sponsorship we have donated a spot for our summer 2011 Intro to Mountaineering to the silent auction. We hope you can join us for this fun evening at the Rim Rock where Patron Pat Morrow will be honored for his lifelong commitment to climbing and the mountain environment.

“I am looking forward to helping develop and execute on the marketing strategy for this incredible part of the world” says Len. “Yamnuska has been a member of Tourism Canmore for many years and I think our company represents the high caliber of activities and attractions that are available to residents and visitors. We epitomize ‘mountain adventure’ and as custodians of the mountains we can responsibly promote our products to people all over the world”.

In the upcoming annual strategy session, Len is looking forward to being an advocate for an increased web presence for Tourism Canmore and actively promoting the activities of our region.

“The Wapta Ice Hike is a unique hiking trip that goes from hut to hut across the Wapta Icefields just north of Lake Louise. It’s a great trip for hikers who’d like to experience some beginner mountaineering in stunning surroundings.

I’ve never seen so much snow on the glacier at this time of year. It means that the crevasses are well covered and travel over the snow is very easy. I anticipate great conditions for the rest of the summer. In addition the Alpine Club has renovated both Bow and Peyto Huts which are very comfortable and clean.

Our guests, Dinah who’s from Ontario and Vincent from here in Canmore did really well and enjoyed the adventure we had. The pictures I’ve included tell the story!”

We are pleased to announce that we have signed an agreement with Outward Bound Canada as the logistical support provider for their Rocky Mountain Wilderness Adventure and Rocky Mountain Wilderness Discovery programs.

These incredible 21 day adventures for youths aged 15 – 18 are world renowned programs that build strength and character in addition to sparking that life-long love of the mountains and outdoors. In addition to this arrangement, Outward Bound is also co-branding our Intro to Youth Mountaineering program running July 31st to August 5th.

To be partnered with a strong and respected brand is an honor for us at Yamnuska. Our experience with this age group is unmatched as we are the western Canada adventure trainer for the army cadets in addition to running our own Youth Mountaineering Program. Anyone who has taken our programs knows our logistical expertise in planning mountain adventures and we look forward to providing the highest quality logistical support for these distinguished Outward Bound programs.

Wow! What a combination for our first summer mountaineering program!

We hosted Vancouver 2010 Olympic Snowboarding Gold Medalist Maelle Ricker for our May 22nd/10 Snow and Ice Long Weekend Program. We paired her up with Yamnuska’s Associate Director and Master Alpinist Barry Blanchard to take on Mt Athabasca and you can guess what happened from there! That’s right, we’d expect nothing else but a summit from these two world class athletes. With Barry as her mentor, we think this outstanding young Canadian is headed for success as an Alpinist. Here is Maelle’s blog about the weekend and we look forward to climbing with her again!

Road tripping across BC fill up some of my favorite memories in the past decade. I love camping and exploring right at my doorstep, especially when I’m finished a crazy year of travel abroad. Sitting still at home is just not in my blood; however, being in the mountains is. When I’m not on my snowboard I try to get out and about in the summer months. I’ve done some backpacking with friends over the years and now I’m yearning to go deeper, higher, whatever… the next step. I also love backcountry free-riding as well when I’m not racing down a snowboardcross track.

Last summer I got my first taste of “mountaineering” when some friends took me up Mt. Rainier. I absolutely loved it and realized it’s something I want to do more of, and wished I had some knowledge to be out there with a clue! So this May long weekend I decided it was time to do something about it, and why not start with an introductory course from the experts. My teammate Rob and I filled up his car with all sorts of fun toys for a good couple of weeks on the road. We left Squamish and drove to the Columbia Icefields campground to meet up with the other participants and guides of the Yamnuska Snow and Ice Long Weekend Course.

Saturday morning was filled with the usual formalities of signing waivers and getting gear together. There were 18 of us taking the course but the three guides, Barry, Andrew, and Matt did a fantastic job “herding the kittens” and teaching us the ropes. We started off with some exercises around the camp area, learning how to get roped in and familiarize ourselves with walking around being linked up to one another. After a quick lunch break, we headed out to a snow slope to learn some self-arrest techniques with the ice axes and got started on crevasse rescue. Day one finished with some chilly snowstorms and good times around the campfire with new friends from the course.

Day two was just as fun and even more informative as the first day. By this point we got to start working on the North Glacier of Mt. Athabasca. I was lucky enough to have been in a team of 6 instructed by Barry Blanchard. I was quite happy to listen to every lesson and story told by Barry, hoping his expertise and experience would somehow seep into me via osmosis or some equivalent.

The last day was the big day of climbing Mt. Athabasca. I love the early morning starts, especially when I wake up in a cozy tent in the mountains. The fresh air is always nice, even at 2am. We got going by about 4am and ascended the mountain by mid morning. The views were incredible and the company was fantastic. I had a great time making my way up the glaciers to the peak. Luck was on our side as we had sunny skies and little wind on the summit… perfect for enjoying the view and lunch before making our way back down. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit disappointed I didn’t have my snowboard for the ride out. The conditions were perfect for a nice cruise down to the cars below. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one with this mindset, as I watched Rob and Andrew picking out lines!

I absolutely loved the course and hope to take part in more of Yamnuska’s programs in the future!

Maelle

I am finding this the jacket that I get the most use out of in year round activities. The Ferrosi is a lighter weight breathable soft shell fabric with shoulders and arms made of cordura and lycra. The rest of the jacket is a blend of abrasion resistant, ripstop and spandex. This equates to a thinner but durable soft shell jacket that moves with you. The Hoody is water repellant and wind resistant and really breathable.

The Ferrosi has a decent zippered radio pocket on the chest and two zippered hand pockets. The front zipper is offset at the neck to prevent rubbing on the chin.

My only negative points are that I am not really a hoody kind of guy. The hood did come in handy however last fall while climbing in the desert when the afternoon winds came up and my hat was back in camp. The weight of the jacket is just an ounce shy of a pound (427 grams) which, in my opinion, is a tad on the heavy side for shells, buts that’s a minor point given the versatility of this jacket.

I use this jacket ski touring, rock climbing, mountain biking and also for everyday use. I have had a lot of use on my jacket and it still looks good.

I chose this jacket for our 2010 guiding staff as it is a durable, functional Jacket with a pretty darn, good price point. Check it out! 

Dave Stark - Director of Operations

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/or-gear/jackets/soft-shells/ferrosi-hoody-m-s.html

I hope you had a great long weekend and got outside. Congrats to our Snow and Ice Long Weekend guests who topped out on Mt. Athabasca on the weekend – well done.

I had an inspiring weekend which started at the TEdx Canadian Rockies conference at the Banff Center which I would like to share. Then I read stories and blogs about the many Everest Summits that happened over the past 72 hours and that always gives me pause for reflection.As many people are planning their summer vacations I encourage you to do something different and go outside of your comfort zone. Instead of sitting on a crowded beach (which yes I did do once and it was ok for the first 30 minutes) put on some boots, throw only what you need in a pack, and head for the mountains with us. You’ll be amazed at how you feel physically and emotionally. ‘Self Propelled’ vacations as we call them are the most fulfilling. Along the way, take time to reflect on your environment and within yourself. When you go back to work you are bound to have tired muscles but you’ll be way more relaxed, feel better about yourself, and be more creative. That cool beverage at the end of the trip will be especially well deserved and I bet you even have a few new friends.

You’ll learn technical skills on our adventures and that’s what most people sign up for. However, a majority come home talking about what they learned about themselves and feel like their accomplishments were significant because they weren’t sure they could even do the trip (I won’t mention the beautiful scenery because that is a given). Accomplishment is always more meaningful when it is achieved under some level of adversity – and that adversity doesn’t have to be climbing Everest. This summer I encourage you to find your own Everest and hike it, ski it or climb it….but do try it.

Join us for a backpacking, skiing or climbing adventure. I bet you’ll be glad you did.

Len

Start your adventure in Kananskis Country, a lesser known gem often referred to by locals as "K-Country".  It is a region of tightly folded limestone peaks and alpine lakes. The grey of the mountains contrast sharply with the blue of their lakes and the conifer green of the forests cloaking the lower elevations.  The area offers a multitude of landscapes and trails. It is also home to a large variety of wildlife including wolves, grizzly and black bears, elk, moose, deer and big horn sheep.  Kananaskis Country, which was given protected status in 1977, is located in the Front Ranges of the Canadian Rockies immediately to the south of Banff National Park.  It consists of over 4000 square km of foothills, valleys and mountains.

We'll then move into Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that is famous for its meadows and easy hiking peaks.  They all lie below the Matterhorn-like summit that is a constant tower above. Using a helicopter to transport guests and gear, we by-pass the typically strenuous hike to reach this alpine paradise. We travel light during the day as we explore the lakes, peaks, meadows and passes that surround our glorious base.

Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its meadows and easy hiking peaks which lie below the Matterhorn-like summit that towers above. Using a helicopter to transport our guests and gear, we by-pass the typically strenuous hike to reach this alpine paradise. With our food and gear transported in we travel light during the day as we explore the lakes, peaks, meadows and passes that surround our base for the four days.

This relaxed hiking program is for those interested in experiencing four days of walking in the beautiful sub-alpine region. There are not many areas where it is possible to do this and avoid carrying the heavier backpack usually required to visit such a place.

Climb Mount Assiniboine!

We will look at preventative measures in avalanche terrain, understanding and utilizing the avalanche safety gear, learn and practice search and rescue with transceivers probes and shovels. Learn and practice with digital beacon technology, learn techniques for deep burials, learn how to search without a beacon by identifying likely areas and random spot probing and also learn and practice new and effective shovel techniques. We will also practice with multiple burials, managing a search and post incident considerations.

Upon completion of the course you will receive a certificate in Companion Rescue.
 

This trip is being offered in late summer when a burst of colour blankets the landscape.  Crimson and gold moss and shrubs cover the valley floors while a mix of black granite and multicoloured lichen paint the jagged peaks of the Tombstone mountain range that tower above. 

Tombstone Valley is considered one of the most scenic spots in the Yukon.  Add to this some of the best off-trail hiking in Canada.  The outcome:  one of the best wilderness adventures and photographic opportunities of a lifetime!
 

The variety of breathtaking trails available makes this 4-day trip suitable for all levels.  We’ll explore the valley basin, azure lakes, alpine meadows and mountain routes with vistas that will not only immediately impress you but leave you with memories to cherish forever!

Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its meadows and easy hiking peaks which lie below the Matterhorn-like summit that towers above. Using a helicopter to transport our guests and gear, we by-pass the typically strenuous hike to reach this alpine paradise. With our food and gear transported in we travel light during the day as we explore the lakes, peaks, meadows and passes that surround our base for the four days.

This relaxed hiking program is for those interested in experiencing four days of walking in the beautiful sub-alpine region. There are not many areas where it is possible to do this and avoid carrying the heavier backpack usually required to visit such a place.

Climb Mount Assiniboine!

Our certified ski guides will teach you how to use the gear, travel on 'skins' and backcountry skiing technique in this course. Whether your objective is to ski untracked backcountry powder or to experience the beauty of alpine ski touring, this weekend course will introduce you to one of the fastest growing winter activities in the world.

The opportunity for backcountry skiing in Banff, Canmore, Kananaskis and Lake Louise is nearly limitless. Discover this magnificent sport and learn the skills to get out backcountry skiing where its 'fresh tracks' nearly every run. Caution: You may never return to a ski hill again!

Serious backcountry skiers and riders who expect to be skiing Rogers Pass in the future will find this course offers the best of both worlds - indepth knowledge of 'the pass' from one of our knowledgeable guides along with your AST 2 training.

The Rogers Pass AST 2 will help you build a solid knowledge base to safely expand your backcountry horizons. It will be a valuable investment in your mountain safety in addition to exposing you to some magical terrain.

This is a hands-on program featuring extensive practical field experience augmented with one day of classroom theory. The curriculum is designed to give a solid grounding in the essentials and is based on the requirements set out by the Canadian Avalanche Center (CAC). Your instructors are guides seasoned in touring, heliskiing and forecasting. This program is suitable for those who have taken the AST 1 program in the past and who are advanced/intermediate backcountry skiers looking to expand their skills.

If you're a serious backcountry skier or winter mountaineer wishing to build a solid knowledge base to safely expand your backcountry horizons then this is the course for you. It will be a valuable investment in your mountain safety and significantly increase your avalanche knowledge.

This is a hands-on program featuring extensive practical field experience augmented with one day of classroom theory. The curriculum is designed to give a solid grounding in the essentials and is based on the requirements set out by the Canadian Avalanche Center (CAC). Your instructors are guides seasoned in touring, heliskiing and forecasting. This program is suitable for those who have taken the AST 1 program in the past, or for experienced backcountry skiers looking to expand their skills.

For advanced skiers we also offer this four day program in Rogers Pass. This is one of the most exciting backcountry ski locations in Western Canada, and is a great spot to learn how to evaluate avalanche conditions to keep safe in steeper terrain.

Our classroom days in Canmore and Calgary are full instructional days dedicated to the theoretical study of avalanche types and terrain. Then on the second day, we travel to field locations in Banff National Park or Kananaskis Provincial Park for some hands on training. 

Winter activities in the Canadian Rockies are growing in popularity. An introductory avalanche skills course will help you identify avalanche hazards and minimize unnecessary exposure to risk. Winter is an amazing time to explore the mountains, but safety is paramount.

We consistently get superb feedback from our avalanche skills training course students. For your convenience we offer classroom courses in both Calgary and Canmore. We can offer private courses in British Columbia and Alberta.

Our Canmore and Calgary courses fill quickly with many people booking both the AST 1 and AST 2 courses. Take advantage of our Winter 2011/2012 promotion to reveive a 10% discount when you book our AST 1 and AST 2 courses at the same time. This is great value.

*New Winter 2012-13!  Join us for an additional day of backcountry skiing every Monday following our AST 1 course.  Sign up for our ‘Plus Day’ add-on option where you’ll get the opportunity to put into practice all of the AST 1 skills:  route selection, terrain recognition and assessment, group management and safe travel practices and snow study opportunities where appropriate. 

Often referred to by locals as "K-Country", it is a region of tightly folded limestone peaks and alpine lakes. The grey of the mountains contrast sharply with the blue of their lakes and the conifer green of the forests cloaking the lower elevations.

The area offers a multitude of landscapes and trails. It is also home to a large variety of wildlife including wolves, grizzly and black bears, elk, moose, deer and big horn sheep.

This five-day trip across the South and North Kananaskis Passes offers varied scenery with lots of lakes, glaciers and spectacular canyons gouged through the rock.

The following topics are covered in great detail: patient assessment, body systems, environmental injuries, anaphylaxis, patient extrication, patient carries, backcountry medicine, and of course CPR.

Where appropriate, the curriculum is taught and examined using simulation exercises. The course is recommended for anyone who leads adventure trips and those who are in the backcountry for days or weeks at a time and may have to care for a patient over an extended period. In the outdoors, emergency response time is not always quick.

This program is recognized by Alberta Occupational Health & Safety as an Advanced First Aid certificate and is an important distinction when choosing a wilderness first aid course. There is a pre-requisite if you require the recognition by Alberta occupational Health and Safety. Please see 'Certification Options' on the sidebar.

The intent of Scrambling Skills is to give you the skills to safely climb the scramble peaks and not put yourself or partners at unnecessary risk. We will focus on the most important elements of scrambling safety: route finding, hazard assessment and movement skills on loose steep terrain and on snow and iced rock. Most scrambling accidents are the result of bad route choices and poor terrain assessment.

Rope use and technical aspects of mountaineering will not be taught on this program.

The Banff Highline Trail is a wonderful journey through the Canadian Rockies during which we encounter much of the diversity to be found in these beautiful mountains. Day after day we cross spectacular passes interspersed with alpine lakes. Craggy peaks constructed of multi-hued quartzite give way to the massive gun-metal grey limestone slabs typical of the Front Ranges.

Different elevations feature a variety of flowers and vegetation from the delicate moss campions of the alpine zone to the flowering shrubs and berries of the forest floor. A daily constant will be Mount Assiniboine's massive pyramid, first seen from Arnica ridge on Day 2 then gradually getting closer until we reach its base three days later.

We picked the most beautiful and accessible sections of the Continental Divide and hike south through Banff National Park. We straddle the Continental Divide hiking through both British Columbia and Alberta. There is excellent wildlife viewing opportunities throughout this whole trip. We will hike more than 100km of trails.

This is one of our most popular backcountry hikes - and for good reason!

'A perfect trip, everyone was so friendly and help-full, from booking the trip, to being picked up from the hostel, everything was handled in a relaxed but very professional manor. The trip itself was exactly as advertised, absolutely breathtaking scenery, the conditions did make it a little more challenging in places however for me this just added to the truly inspiring experience.'  Ian, August, 2012

Add comfortable huts, home cooked meals and light daypacks to get a walking experience that is pure mountain enjoyment!

Access is exclusively by helicopter, a great way to start and finish the trip.

From late May to mid August the forest and especially the meadows are lit in glorious wildflower shades of red, blue, yellow and white. By late August wildflower color is replaced by the reds and golds of Fall. September is in some ways the most spectacular month as the alpine larches turn the treeline into a blazing line of gold and incandescent aspens that speckle the valley floors.

We live and play in these mountains and we really enjoy showing them to you. We will spend two nights here in Canmore before taking you for two nights each in Banff and Lake Louise. We look forward to introducing you to the great hiking we have here in the Canadian Rockies! This is a hotel based trip so we carry light day packs and sleep in a comfortable bed.

This program can be combined with the "Mount Assiniboine Walking Tour", our backcountry hiking tour to magnificent Mount Assiniboine Park, where the scenic rewards of walking far from the highways in these exceptionally spectacular alpine meadows makes roughing it (we stay in rustic log cabins) all worthwhile!

In the remote headwaters of Jasper National Park's Brazeau River, where Poboktan and Jonas Creeks pass, there are huge expanses of alpine meadows that we call the Jasper Highlands! Our hiking journey circumnavigates much of this expanse in a huge triangular route also known as the "Brazeau Loop". The South Branch of the Brazeau River which we follow for the first two days is a very old trail long used by the indigenous people and later followed by European trappers and explorers. Now this trail is used by backpackers and wildlife including wolves and the elusive mountain caribou.

The ambiance of this valley is evocative of all that is wild, remote and beautiful in the northern reaches of the Canadian Rockies in what is one of our most challenging hiking trips.

If you have already enjoyed the Mount Assiniboine Backpack or the Rockwall Highline this is a natural step onto another level of mountain adventure. It's a more challenging and remote trip that should be on the list of any backpacking enthusiast.

We especially recommend this hike to those of you who like to avoid high season travel and who want to explore less beaten trails.

North of Lake Louise in Banff National Park, a series of vast but gentle Icefields stretch for miles across the Great Divide of the Canadian Rockies. Known collectively as the Wapta Icefields they provide a unique opportunity for fit walkers and hikers to enjoy natural mountain scenery that is normally reserved for mountaineers.

In the course of this three-day traverse we start at Bow Lake and hike up to and over the Bow Glacier to the Peyto Glacier staying in well equipped alpine huts en-route. If you've never spent any time on a glacier, its an absolutely amazing experience. Our guides will show you this complex and fragile alpine environment in an up close and personal way. With no cell service or other modern distractions, you will be left to explore Banff National Park as it existed near the last ice age.

Standing on an icefield is like being on the ocean where you'll quickly get a sense for the vastness of the glacier. Jagged peaks pop out of the ice to stand 10,000 plus feet above sea level. It is a surreal experience.

This trip is a Canadian Tourism Commission 'Signature Experience'.

"A truly once in a life time experience that brought the Canadian Rockies to life for us."  Amy, July 2012  

The more we hike in the Rockies the more special places we discover! Join us this summer for our Banff-Sawback Traverse during which we travel to lakes and passes in the Front Ranges of Banff National Park. From spectacular Johnson Canyon we head north to Lake Louise via Pulsatilla Pass and Baker Creek with a visit to high and wild Badger Pass.

We offer a short but breathtaking backpacking tour of the Skoki region that is designed for newcomers to the activity or for those who enjoy a more relaxed approach to backcountry hiking.

The trails are good, the campsites are located in spectacular settings and the mountain ambiance around Lake Louise is as good as it gets!

This hike is designed specifically for hikers and backpackers who want to avoid more difficult itineraries whilst still preserving a true back country experience. We start with a day and a half in the core area around the base of Mount Assiniboine before heading out on a three-day backpack trip to Sunshine Meadows.

From the vast park-like Assiniboine Meadows we drop into the eerie rockscape of the aptly named "Valley of the Rocks". The next day we climb to Citadel Pass back to beautiful meadows which will lead us the next day to the trip's conclusion at Sunshine.

Join us in July and August when the alpine wildflowers are in full bloom or in September when the fall begins by tinting meadows and larches yellow and red  in summer's final explosion of color!

If great scenery, healthy exercise and good company sound like a great holiday then come and join us for an unforgettable mountain experience.

Climb Mount Assiniboine!

This sublime backpacking tour encapsulates much of the unique ambiance of the southern Canadian Rockies. Why is this? Perhaps it's the representative landscapes and the way they are revealed to us as we crest each pass and enter each valley: Primeval forests, flower-strewn meadows, turquoise lakes reflecting rugged peaks and glaciers with the occasional added glimpses of wildlife.

Walking is never boring in this wonderland with unbelievable flowers in July and August to be followed in September by the blazing fall colors of the larches which punctuate and define the alpine meadows.

With its mostly moderate distances and opportunities for ridge hiking The Rockwall Highline can be  a great first time backpacking experience in the Canadian Rockies, not only is there  exquisite scenery but you will also be sharing the trail with like-minded people from around the globe. However we calculate, it all adds up to an active and exhilarating mountain holiday!

Our easiest backpacking trip begins with a helicopter drop off deep in Mount Robson Provincial Park and away from the crowds. We spend two days sampling some of the excellent hiking in the region before shouldering our packs for the easy three day hike back to civiization,

This is a great trip for a first backcountry backpacking experience or for those who like to keep pack weights to a minimum. The tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies doesn't need to be climbed to be fully enjoyed but we can do that if you so desire! Click the link below.

Climb Mount Robson!

The Canadian Rockies is one of the finest hiking areas in the world. The mountain scenery is superb and easy access to exciting areas allows for a range of different styles of trip.

We organize trips for individuals, for families and for groups of friends of all ages. Whilst we operate mainly in Canada we can also organize trips to other parts of the world such as the Himalayas, Andes or European Alps.

You can ask us to organize a trip you've always wanted to do or we can work with you to develop an itinerary. We can even help you organize a package that includes local transportation and accommodation before and after the trip. We can arrange for rental equipment and supply all out trip meals.

Alberta Workplace Health and Safety recognizes our course as meeting the requirements for "standard" first aid making it a valuable workplace qualification for those working in more remote environments.

North of Lake Louise in Banff National Park, a series of gentle Icefields stretch for miles across the Great Divide of the Canadian Rockies. Known collectively as the Wapta Icefields they provide a unique opportunity for fit walkers and hikers to enjoy amazing mountain scenery that is normally reserved for mountaineers.

In the course of this three-day traverse we start at Bow Lake and hike up to and over the Bow Glacier to the Peyto Glacier staying in well equipped alpine huts en-route. If you've never spent any time on a glacier, its an absolutely amazing experience. Our guides will show you this complex and fragile alpine environment in an up close and personal way.

Standing on an icefield is like being on the ocean where you'll quickly get a sense for the vastness of the glacier. Jagged peaks pop out of the ice to stand 10,000 plus feet above sea level. It is a surreal experience.

This trip is a Canadian Tourism Commission 'Signature Experience'.

"A truly once in a life time experience that brought the Canadian Rockies to life for us."  Amy, July 2012