A beginner ice climbing retreat in the Canadian Rockies
Ice climbing is strange in the best way: spikes on your feet, axes in your hands, frozen waterfalls somehow becoming something you can climb.
This retreat is a true introduction to ice climbing in Canmore, Alberta, with three days of top-rope climbing, movement coaching, and technique instruction from Arc’teryx and SCARPA athlete Sarah Hueniken and a small team of certified ACMG/IFMGA guides.
No ice climbing experience is required. Just come ready to be cold, curious, and probably a little awkward at first.
Introduction to Ice Climbing
- Regular price
- $2,450.00 USD
- Sale price
- $2,450.00 USD
- Regular price
What's Included & Not Included
What's Included & Not Included
Included:
- Four nights’ accommodation at Basecamp Lodge in Canmore.
- Welcome and farewell dinners.
- Group Climbing Gear
- Crampons & Ice Tools
- Low-ratio, personalized guiding from an all-star team of certified ACMG and IFMGA guides with local expertise.
Not Included:
- Trip insurance.
- Airfare.
- Transportation during the course (we can help coordinate carpooling).
- Breakfasts & Lunches
- Park passes for driving and parking in fee areas
- Transportation to and from Canmore upon arrival and departure (rental cars are very affordable, or a shuttle service is available from Banff Airporter).
- Dinner on arrival day and our second climbing day.
- Personal climbing equipment (helmet, harness, climbing boots etc.)
- Clothing & personal gear
- Ability to control the weather (In a worst-case scenario we may have to change plans due to weather and conditions, but we’ll do our best!).
- Gratuities for your guides. We recommend between 15-20% depending on your experience.
Couldn't load pickup availability
Is This Trip For You?
This trip is for anyone who has looked at a frozen waterfall and thought, I kind of want to climb that... but I have absolutely no idea where to start.
We’ll start at the beginning. You’ll learn how to move in crampons, use ice tools, and understand the basic footwork and body positioning that make climbing ice more efficient. We’ll spend time practicing these skills on the ground before taking them onto waterfall ice, with plenty of time to build confidence before moving onto steeper terrain and longer climbs.
If you’re looking for advanced ice objectives or lead climbing instruction, this probably isn’t the right trip. This is about building a strong foundation, climbing a lot of ice, and learning the skills to keep exploring the sport.
Why This Is a Really Good Place to Start Ice Climbing
Learn From Sarah Hueniken
Sarah Hueniken is leading this retreat, which is kind of a big deal.
She’s an Arc’teryx and SCARPA athlete, an ACMG alpine guide, and one of the most accomplished ice and mixed climbers in the world. She’s also spent more than 20 years guiding in the Canadian Rockies.
Her resume is a little absurd in the best way. But more importantly, Sarah knows how to teach. She can break down awkward movements, explain what actually works, and make ice climbing feel a little less strange.
A Lot of Really Good Ice
The Canadian Rockies have some of the best waterfall ice in the world, and Canmore sits right in the middle of it. The area has a long, reliable ice season and a huge variety of terrain.
For us, that means options. Our guides can choose climbs that make sense for the group, starting on moderate ice and moving toward steeper terrain and longer routes as your skills progress.
Three Days to Actually Learn
We’re not trying to teach you ice climbing in one afternoon.
You’ll have three days to learn skills, practice them, get feedback, and try again. We start with movement, crampons, and ice tools on the ground before moving onto waterfall ice and building from there.
The goal isn’t to rush through a list of techniques. It’s to give you enough time for ice climbing to actually start making sense.
Accommodations
Canmore is located near the Banff National Park in Canada's Rocky Mountains, and is Banff’s less-famous nextdoor neighbor. It’s also perfectly located as a central jump-off point for climbs throughout the range.
A classic Canadian mountain town, Canmore comes complete with gob-smacking views, great restaurants and bars, supermarkets, and other amenities. After all, one of the best parts of any climbing vacation is the vacation, and we want to make sure that you've got something good to come home to after a day out in the cold.
We'll be based out of Basecamp Lodge. With a killer location, cozy rooms, and a sauna, it is the perfect home away from home.
Meals
We'll go out as a group for our welcome and farewell dinner to celebrate at some of our favorite restaurants in town, but the rest of the meals for this trip you'll be on your own.
Our hotel is literally steps away from Rocky Mountain Bagel Co where you can order brekfast and a to-go lunch. They have GF and vegan options so there should be something for everyone.
Schedule
Day 1 | Welcome to Canada!
You get yourself to Canmore and we'll have a room ready for you! The airport in Calgary is just a short drive away, or shuttle service is available through Banff Airporter. The journey is beautiful and only a little over an hour as you cross the front ranges and wind your way up into the Bow Valley, home to Canmore and Banff.
We don’t like to make anybody do too much after a long day of travel, so you’ll be on your own for the evening. Your only job will be to find something tasty for dinner and get some sleep.
Day 2 | Ice 101 - The Basics
We’ll officially start the trip in the Great Room at Basecamp Lodge where we will get to know each other a bit and discuss what to expect during the retreat.
We’ll begin with the basics of ice climbing at one of the many fantastic crags around Canmore. After focusing on the basics of good footwork and body positioning, we'll transition into the finer points of ice tools and how to swing them.
While we will start on moderate terrain, you'll be surprised how quickly you can progress once you get comfortable with the techniques.
We'll finish the day by working into some steeper climbs before heading back into town. Once there, you'll have time to warm up before going out to a welcome dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants.
Day 3 | Ice 102 - Advanced Technique
We'll once again head out to climb for the day. We'll warm up with some more top-roped climbing before spending the day putting a bit of polish on our ice technique. We'll cover techniques for steep ice, as well as advanced techniques to help you maximize efficiency with good body positioning and proper movement.
After a full day, we’ll head back to town for another night at the hotel. This time you'll have the night off from any group activities, so you can rest and recoup, or head out and explore on your own.
Day 4 | Putting it All Together
This will be the culmination of everything you’ve learned so far as we’ll tackle a variety of steeper, longer, and more advanced routes. Depending on the group's interests, we can also cover anchors and equipment for lead climbing on ice (though participants will not be ready to lead yet), as well as techniques for mixed climbing on snow, ice, and rock. Whatever we do, we'll reconvene in the evening to finish the day with a much deserved meal of some of the best food in the Rockies.
Day 5 | Heading Home
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and you’ll have to go home. A short journey from our hotel to the airport should have you on your way. Of course we recommend staying a few more days to climb or relax, but that one’s up to you.
FAQs
Do I need climbing experience?
You do not need any ice climbing or outdoor climbing experience to join us. We’ll start with the basics and teach you how to move in crampons, use ice tools, and climb waterfall ice.
You do need to know how to independently top-rope belay before the retreat. Indoor gym experience is completely fine, but we will not be teaching belaying during this course. You should arrive comfortable using an ATC-style belay device and managing the rope for a top-rope climber.
How fit do I need to be?
You do not need to train like a mountaineer for this trip, but you should be comfortable being active outside for a full winter day and climbing multiple days in a row.
Approaches are generally 10-30 minutes with very little elevation gain. The physical challenge comes more from spending the day in crampons, climbing repeatedly, and carrying your daypack and winter gear.
You do not need exceptional upper body strength. Good ice climbing is much more about footwork, body positioning, and learning to use your tools efficiently.
Who is this trip for?
Participants must be 18 or older.
Our retreats are designed to center women and are open to anyone who feels comfortable participating in a women-centered space.
There is no upper age limit. What matters most is that you meet the physical requirements of the trip and are excited to spend a few cold days learning to climb ice with us.
What ice climbing gear is provided?
We provide crampons and ice tools for the group, along with the group climbing equipment needed for the course.
You do not need to go out and buy a pair of ice tools before discovering whether you actually like swinging them into frozen waterfalls.
What gear do I need to bring?
You’ll need mountaineering boots that are compatible with crampons, a climbing harness, climbing helmet, ATC-style belay device, and appropriate winter clothing.
We’ll send you a complete packing list before the retreat so you know exactly what to bring.
Do I need to buy mountaineering boots?
No. Mountaineering boots can be rented in Canmore and reserved online before the retreat.
You are responsible for arriving with appropriate boots, but you do not need to invest in a pair just to try ice climbing for the first time.
Is it okay to come alone?
Absolutely. Most She Moves Mountains participants come on retreats by themselves.
You’ll meet the group at the beginning of the trip, climb together for three days, and share our welcome and farewell dinners. Coming alone is very normal around here.
How cold will it be?
Cold. We are climbing frozen waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies, after all.
Winter weather in the mountains can vary significantly, and conditions may feel relatively mild one day and very cold the next. The right clothing makes a huge difference, and we’ll provide a detailed packing list to help you prepare.
You should come expecting to spend full days outside in winter conditions.
What happens is the weather or ice conditions change?
Frozen waterfalls are, unfortunately, not very interested in following our itinerary.
Our guides will make daily decisions based on temperatures, ice conditions, and what is safest for the group. Sometimes that means changing climbing areas. And if it's simply too cold or unsafe to climb ice, we'll change the plan entirely. We've even headed to a climbing gym in Calgary when the Canadian Rockies got a little too Canadian.
We won't cancel the retreat because of weather. We'll adjust, find another way to climb or learn, and make the best plan for the conditions in front of us.
How do I get to Canmore and the climbing areas?
Most participants fly into Calgary International Airport and rent a car for the retreat. Another option is to coordinate a carpool with a participant who is renting one.
You are responsible for transportation to Canmore and to the climbing areas each day, but you won't be left to figure out carpools on your own. We'll connect the group before the retreat so participants can coordinate rides and transportation plans.
Are payment plans available?
Yes. We know paying for a retreat all at once isn't always realistic, so we offer payment plan options to help spread out the cost.
If you'd like to join us but need a little more flexibility, reach out. We're happy to help you figure out an option that works.
Still have questions?
Reach out. We’re real humans on the other side of the inbox, and we’re happy to answer your questions or talk through anything that’s giving you pause.
More Adventures