Ice Masters: Advanced

The Course:

 

This course is designed for climbers looking for the full package, it is recommended that you have a few days of ice climbing experience before signing up for the Ice Masters course. The AAA guides will be sharing with you all of their years of climbing experience while climbing at a new locations each day, you will see four different venues.

 

This 4 day climbing adventure will begin in the Bow Valley and move West and North as the week progresses spending two nights and three days climbing on the famous Ice Fields Parkway where so many classic lines are waiting to be ascended.

 

Depending on the group and the avalanche conditions, there  will be options for some craging for working on technique and safety skills and multi-pitch routes. The Ice Progression is an excellent pre courses for the Ice Masters program.

 

Itinerary

 

You will receive a final logistics email 3 days prior to the course start date, this will highlight any last minute details.

 

For the masters program the best location for accommodations is in Lake Louise. If you are from out of the country, planning to spend the night before the start date in Banff, then moving to Lake Louise will work the best.

 

Day 1: Banff Crag

 

Meet guide at the AAA guides office located at 229 Bear street. After signing waivers, the group will head out to a local ice cragging venue. You can expect to review many basic skills and be introduced to new concepts including leading fundamentals, anchor building and anchor cleaning, multi-pitch fundamentals.

 

Day 2: Banff or Lake Louise Crag

 

Day two the guides will begin to accelerate the learning and encourage the guests to safely push their climbing skills. Mock leads with more challenging climbing lines will be encouraged with instructor evaluation and feedback. Preparation for day three & four multi-pitches.

 

Day 3: Multi-pitch locations TBD but in the Lake Louise, Field or hwy 93 North zone. AM & PM hazard analysis meetings which include avalanche forecasting and plan adjustments for current conditions.

 

Day 4: Multi-pitch locations TBD but in the Lake Louise, Field or hwy 93 North zone. AM & PM hazard analysis meetings which include avalanche forecasting and plan adjustments for current conditions.

Route selection will be discussed with the group and decided based on weather conditions and group objectives. If weather is inclement there will be other options to relocate and consider different scenarios for the climbing day.

 

If you have attended the Ice Progression courses you will receive 10% off the Masters week.

 

A detailed course package will be emailed 3 days prior to course commencement.

 

If you have an exceptional experience and would like to leave a tip for your guide, 10-15% is a customary amount. You can pay with cash or contact the AAA office directly to arrange.

 

• Please read and review our waiver prior to booking.
• Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group
• All of our guides have undergone training and evaluation by the ACMG, meeting the established criteria of a globally acknowledged professional organization.