Private Guiding - Ice Climbing

Private guided ascents are the ultimate ice climbing experience. Our expert guides provide a high margin of safety, an unforgetable experience, and high chances for success. Perfect for visiting climbers who want to make the most of their time in the Rockies and for anyone who wants the adventure of a lifetime.

Just about every climb in the Rockies is available for guiding depending on current ice and avalanche conditions. Some of the best examples are briefly described below.

First Multipitch Routes
There are endless good moderate ice climbs in the Rockies, some of the best and least crowded are in the Nordegg area. The moderate nature of these routes allows for much time to be spent learning and practicing multipitch skills and techniques. The best parts may also be toproped a few times for extra practice!
Two O'Clock Falls (120m, WI 2/3)
A fun outing near Kootenay Plains with three pitches of ice and a variety of lines.
570/SARS on Ice (130m, WI 4)
A nice hike through open forest gets you up high to the base of SAR's on Ice. Above this another short walk brings you to a short pillar and large sheet of ice above. The walk down the ridge above offers outstanding views of the surrounding peaks.
Lady Wilsons Cleavage (300m, WI3)
Although quite long, the stepped nature of this classic route makes it a reasonable outing for the first time multipitch climber.

Intermediate Routes

Elliot's Left Hand (200m, WI4)
A few steps of easier ice in an amazing canyon lead to a steep last pitch high on Mt. Elliot.
Murchison Falls (180m, WI4+)
A very challenging route for the novice ice climber. A taxing approach brings you to a spectacular alpine setting with tremendous views. The route features four pitches of continuous climbing with the hardest part right at the top!
Wilson Major (350m, WI4-5)
After climbing the many steps of Lady Wilsons Cleavage, tackle 50m of steeper ice above. Depending on conditions and skill levels, lines from WI4 to WI6 can be found.

Advanced Routes

Weeping Wall - Right Hand Side or Central Pillar (180m, WI 5/5+)
Two classic steep routes on the world famous Weeping Wall, it's usually best to decide upon an exact line from the parking area. Often one of the sunniest ice climbs around!
Kitty Hawk (200m, WI 5)
The beautifull line snakes its way up a vertical canyon on the flanks of Mt. Elliot. The climbing gets progressively harder as you ascend and culminates in a very steep curtain, often covered in ice mushrooms.
Ice Nine (95m, WI6)
Although only 95 meters long this extremely steep pillar is sure to satisfy even the fittest ice climbers. It doesn't form every year, but when it does it is a classic and not to be missed!

The BIG Lines!
These routes are not for the uninitiated, they all require solid climbing technique and a high level of fitness. All big routes are done with a 1:1 guiding ratio unless both guests have significant experience following routes at this grade. An additional $100/day fee is added for these routes to cover the additional preperation, risk, and rest time taken by your guide.

Polar Circus (700m, WI 5)
The one and only! A contender for the worlds best and most famous ice line. Not to be missed!
Curtain Call (125m, WI 6)
Although only three pitches long, none of it is easy with much sustained WI6 climbing, a very difficult route.
Weeping Pillar - Upper Weeping Wall (350m, WI 6)
Start by climbing one of the routes on the Lower Weeping Wall (WI4-5+) then continue on to the spectacularly steep Upper Weeping Wall and climb three long pitches of hard ice.

Guides

All guides are members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. They are expert climbers with ascents of some of the Canadian Rockies biggest and hardest ice routes under their belts. Their overwhelming enthusiasm for the ice is highly contagious!
Learn more about Custom Outdoor Experience Guides.

Season
Ice guiding is available from late November until the end of March.
Please call to arrange your guided trip.

Cost
For 1 Day
1 guest: $400/day
2 guests: $465/day
3 or more Days
1 guest: $350/day
2 guests: $400/day
An additional $100/day fee is added for the Big Lines to cover the extra preparation, risk, and rest time for your guide.

Registration
Give us a call to discuss routes, dates and logistics.

<--Back to COE.CA
For more information about our programs please contact us:
COE, General Delivery, Nordegg, AB, T0M 2H0
Phone: (403) 721-2208 Fax: 1-888-314-3690 E-mail:info@coe.ca


First Multipitch Routes There are endless good moderate ice climbs in the Rockies, some of the best and least crowded are in the Nordegg area. The moderate nature of these routes allows for much time to be spent learning and practicing multipitch skills and techniques. The best parts may also be toproped a few times for extra practice!
Two O'Clock Falls (120m, WI 2/3) A fun outing near Kootenay Plains with three pitches of ice and a variety of lines.
570/SARS on Ice (130m, WI 4) A nice hike through open forest gets you up high to the base of SAR's on Ice. Above this another short walk brings you to a short pillar and large sheet of ice above. The walk down the ridge above offers outstanding views of the surrounding peaks.
Lady Wilsons Cleavage (300m, WI3) Although quite long, the stepped nature of this classic route makes it a reasonable outing for the first time multipitch climber.


Intermediate Routes
Elliot's Left Hand (200m, WI4) A few steps of easier ice in an amazing canyon lead to a steep last pitch high on Mt. Elliot.
Murchison Falls (180m, WI4+) A very challenging route for the novice ice climber. A taxing approach brings you to a spectacular alpine setting with tremendous views. The route features four pitches of continuous climbing with the hardest part right at the top!
Wilson Major (350m, WI4-5) After climbing the many steps of Lady Wilsons Cleavage, tackle 50m of steeper ice above. Depending on conditions and skill levels, lines from WI4 to WI6 can be found.


Advanced Routes
Weeping Wall - Right Hand Side or Central Pillar (180m, WI 5/5+) Two classic steep routes on the world famous Weeping Wall, it's usually best to decide upon an exact line from the parking area. Often one of the sunniest ice climbs around!
Kitty Hawk (200m, WI 5) The beautifull line snakes its way up a vertical canyon on the flanks of Mt. Elliot. The climbing gets progressively harder as you ascend and culminates in a very steep curtain, often covered in ice mushrooms.
Ice Nine (95m, WI6) Although only 95 meters long this extremely steep pillar is sure to satisfy even the fittest ice climbers. It doesn't form every year, but when it does it is a classic and not to be missed!


The BIG Lines! These routes are not for the uninitiated, they all require solid climbing technique and a high level of fitness. All big routes are done with a 1:1 guiding ratio unless both guests have significant experience following routes at this grade. An additional $100/day fee is added for these routes to cover the additional preperation, risk, and rest time taken by your guide.
Polar Circus (700m, WI 5) The one and only! A contender for the worlds best and most famous ice line. Not to be missed!
Curtain Call (125m, WI 6) Although only three pitches long, none of it is easy with much sustained WI6 climbing, a very difficult route.
Weeping Pillar - Upper Weeping Wall (350m, WI 6) Start by climbing one of the routes on the Lower Weeping Wall (WI4-5+) then continue on to the spectacularly steep Upper Weeping Wall and climb three long pitches of hard ice.