At Ridgeline Guiding we offer a wide variety of ice climbing courses to fit all our guests needs; from beginners who need to start on something easy, to the seasoned climbers who are looking to improve their steep ice technique and want to learn how to multi-pitch ice climb. All ages are welcome, though the kids get more value if they are 10 years of age or older. Ice climbing Banff and ice climbing Canmore area are some of the best places in the world to Ice climb. Within an hour or two drive, there are hundreds of routes that people come all over the world to try. You can now be one of them!
Ice Climbing Banff & Ice Climbing Canmore
Intro Ice Teaser
Half Day Experience
Perfect for the busy vacationer or business professional who want to experience the thrill of ice climbing. The Intro Ice Teaser is a 4hr outing with two timeslots: 8am and 1pm. Alternate times can be arranged if requested. *We recommend groups 4 or larger to book our Full Day Ice Fun program.
Full Day Ice Fun
Full Day Experience
Great for families, friends, and corporate team building- any day of the week. Full Day Ice Fun is similar to the Ice Teaser, but being the full day option, is a better BANG for your buck!
5 - Day Ice Intensive
Beginner to Intermediate
Take your climbing to the next level with this intensive course. Five days of skills and training to get you ready to crush on your own!
What You’ll Learn
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Emergency Protocols, Site Safety, Hazard Assessment, Mountain Sense
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Knots, Belaying, Communication
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Ice Safety Practices (ie. Standing and Belay Locations)
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Steep Ice Technique & Ice Screws Placements
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Rappelling & Prusiks
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Avalanche Awareness
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Crampon Techniques & Tool Placement
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Ice Anchors & V-threads
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Mock-leading Experience with Instant & Positive Feedback
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Route Planning Strategies
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Emergency & Limited Improvised Rescue Practice
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Avalanche Awareness
Ice Climbing Course 1
Intro & Movement – Beginner Level
Spend 2 days learning how to ice climb with instruction and coaching. This is a beginner Level Ice Climbing Class.
What You’ll Learn
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Site Safety, Hazard Assessment, Emergency Protocols
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Equipment & Proper Use
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Staying Warm as an Ice Climber
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Ice Climbing Safety Practices (ie. Belay Locations, etc.)
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Ground School (Walking in Crampons, Ice Tool Placement, etc)
- Knots, Belaying, Communication
- Roped Ice Climbing Skill Session
- Climbing w/ Direct Feedback
- Waterfall Ice Grading System
- Lots of Climbing and Fun!
- Ice Progression (ie. Ice 2)
Ice Climbing Course 2
Steep Ice & Anchors – Beginner to Intermediate Level
Spend 2 days learning how to gracefully & efficiently climb waterfall ice, how to setup various ice anchors, and much much more. Expand your experience with the “Draft Monday” option available during checkout.
*On we’ll be offering a 1-day Steep Ice Technique camp. Sign up if you want to hone in your ice climbing and become a better climber. Cost $175 + tax.
What You’ll Learn
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Site Safety, Hazard Assessment, Emergency Protocols
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Equipment & Proper Use
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Knots, Belaying, Communication
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Crampon Techniques and Tool Placement
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Ice Safety Practices (ie. Standing and Belay Locations)
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Ice Screws & V-Threads
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Top-Rope Anchors & Directionals
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Rappelling, Prusiks
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Waterfall Ice Grades and Guidebooks
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Steep Ice Technique
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Ice Progression (ie. Ice 3)
Ice Climbing Course 3
Lead Climbing – Intermediate Level
Spend 2 days with the pros learning how to become a solid and responsible lead climber. Expand your experience with the “Draft Monday” option available during checkout.
What You’ll Learn
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Site Safety, Hazard Assessment, Emergency Protocols
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Knots, Belaying, Communication
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Ice Safety Practices (ie. Standing and Belay Locations)
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Steep Ice Technique, Ice Screws, Anchors
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Rappelling
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Fall Forces/Fall Factors
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Mock Leading w/ Ice Screw Placement
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Opportunity to Lead Easier Ice if Competent
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Avalanche Awareness
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Ice Progression (ie. Ice 4)
Ice Climbing Course 4
Multi-Pitch Climbing – Intermediate to Advanced Levels
Spend 2 days learning the skills required to multi-pitch climb longer, frozen waterfalls. Expand your experience with the “Draft Monday” option available during checkout.
What You’ll Learn
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Emergency Protocols, Site Safety, Hazard Assessment, Mountain Sense
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Knots, Belaying, Communication
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Ice Safety Practices (ie. Standing and Belay Locations)
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Leading Steep Ice Technique & Ice Screws Placements
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Rappelling & Prusiks
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Avalanche Awareness
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Thermal Layering Strategies
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Multi-Pitch Ice Anchors & New Belay Techniques
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Multi-Pitch Ice Experience with Instant & Positive Feedback
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Route Planning Strategies
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Emergency & Limited Improvised Rescue Practice
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Ice Progression- Staying Safe
Improvised Rescue - Rock & Ice
Training For The Vertical World
Spend 2 days learning your basic and advanced improvised rescue skills for the vertical terrain. These are essential skills if you carry a rope into the mountains.
What You’ll Learn
- Site Safety, Hazard Assessment, Emergency Protocols
- Knots & Hitches
- Material Strengths & Weaknesses
- Forces & Loads Discussion
- Anchor Refresher
- Rescue Progression
- Belay Methods (Pros/Cons)
- Escaping the Belay
- Raising & Lowering
- Adding Mechanical Advantage
- Rope Ascent
- Counter-Balance Rappel
- Rescue Based Scenario Practice
- Rescue Demonstrations
- Rescuing Another Team’s Leader
- Rope Ascent/Descent w/ Knot Pass
- Extended Lowers w/ Knot Pass
- Traverse Rescue Discussions
- And More!
Dry-Tooling
1-Day Experiential Course
Start your season off early and join us for this 1-day dry-tooling course. This is a great way to prepare yourself for the upcoming season and feel what it’s like to place your picks when there’s no ice.
What You’ll Learn
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Site Safety, Hazard Assessment, Emergency Protocols
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Knots, Belaying, Communication
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Best Practices (ie. Standing and Belay Locations)
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Equipment for Dry-Tool Climbing
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Movement Skills & Techniques
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Direct Feedback on your Technique
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Lots of Practice Top-Rope Climbing
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Mock Leading upon Request
Mixed Climbing Course
Mixed Climbing – Beginner to Intermediate Levels
Challenge yourself in the rock and ice playground of mixed climbing.
Totally Fun! Totally Worth It!
What You’ll Learn
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Site Safety, Hazard Assessment, Emergency Protocols
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Knots, Belaying, Communication
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Ice Safety Practices (ie. Standing and Belay Locations)
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Equipment for Mixed Climbing
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Efficient Mixed Climbing Techniques
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Steep Ice Techniques
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Mock Leading upon Request
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Direct Feedback on your Technique
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Having a Blast!
Custom Course
Custom Climbing – All Levels
We can develop custom courses to fit your specific requests.
Just Ask 🙂
- You request the specific topics and we’ll work with you to develop a course that fits your needs.
Booking Information
Prior to booking any of our courses please review our Booking Info. All guests must read, understand, & sign our ACMG Waiver. We will provide a copy of the waiver for you to sign at the start of your respective trip or course. Our ‘experiential’ ice programs (eg. Intro Ice Teaser, Full Day Ice Fun) includes the all the required technical gear (both group & personal). Our ‘educational’ programs (eg. Ice Climbing Courses 1-4, etc.) do not include equipment rentals which, if needed, can be added to your booking during the are checkout process. The available booking dates can be found above next to their respective program. If you have any question please check out our FAQ or reach out via our Contact Us page.