Sean, today was completely amazing - the right amount of challenge and a ton of fun - thanks for a fantastic day!
Katy

Ice Climbing Instruction in Canada

You can learn to ice climb in a day, you can spend years mastering the sport.
Gain the skills and knowledge that give you the confidence to be your best at this engaging sport.
We teach professional level, current knowledge.
Accelerated learning due to: small groups, expert instruction and individual coaching.
Comprehensive and thorough coverage of program content, tailored to your pace.
We offer instruction for absolute beginners to start with a solid foundation, as well as for expert climbers looking at advanced clinics or to update their knowledge base.

Your Instructors

• Have extensive instruction and coaching experience
• Are patient and attentive
• Have developed and refined these programs, and will tailor them to your unique abilities and goals
• Provide clinics for ice festivals, gear manufacturers, educational institutes, individuals and groups
• Have mastered these skills themselves through years of training and experience at the forefront of the sport
• Are dedicated to seeing you progress as climbers, becoming efficient and confident in your abilities, and enjoying the process!

All programs:

• We suggest a program length. This is flexible, stay longer to solidify your skills and learn more advanced concepts. Pick a shorter trip and we will focus in on key concepts
• YOU PICK THE DATES
• YOU PICK THE GROUP SIZE
• We keep our instructor to participant ratio's low to increase the value of your experience. Although it would be more profitable for us to fill larger courses, we know a superior program has fewer participants. When comparing prices with other guiding services, keep in mind the group size GREATLY impacts the amount of time you spend climbing, and the level of focused personalized coaching you receive. Remember, the price of one day at a 2:1 ratio is worth three days spent out at 6:1 ratios!

First Time Ice Climbing Page

Mixed Climbing Clinics Page

Steep and Funky Ice   (2 days)   (1- 4 participants)

Prior ice climbing experience required. (Can climb Grade 4 Ice)

Overview:
On this technique orientated program you will develop an efficient and controlled climbing style on steep and funky ice.
This is fun and physical climbing on some wild ice formations.

• Learn specialized techniques for tackling: overhanging ice, sustained steep ice, super thin ice
• Get comfortable dealing with chandeliers, cauliflowers, daggers and funky ice formations
• Find out what it takes to climb Grade 6 ice.
• Learn advanced ice climbing techniques- tool stacking, crossthroughs, back stepping, matching, figure 4’s+9’s, hooking, and more.
• Study leashless climbing techniques
• Finding resting positions
• Intensive personalized coaching will give you an accelerated learning process
• Experience a dramatic increase in your confidence and abilities when confronted with steep ice

Multipitch Ice   (4 days)   (1-2 participants)

Prior ice climbing experience, can second Grade 3 ice
No prior mulitpitch or lead climbing experience is needed
If you are competent leader on ice, this program will integrate mulitpitch lead climbing into the syllabus

Overview
Climbing multipitch ice demands more advanced skills.
Learn to become a competent member on a multipitch climbing team.
This is a practical course, we will climb a bunch of the classic multipitch routes of Canada.

Topics covered are:

• Gear selection, proper use and racking
• Route selection, planning and route finding
• Rope management, anchor construction, belay site selection
• Ice protection placement and removal strategies
• Hazard awareness and management
• Belay techniques for leader and seconds on mulitpitch routes, direct anchor vs. redirect body belays
• Descent systems: Rap anchor construction, evaluation. Abalakovs(V-Threads), lowering, rappelling, rappel backups, efficiency and safety considerations

Learn to Lead   (4 days)   (1-2 participants)

Prior ice climbing experience required, can climb grade 4 ice.

Overview:
Leading on ice is both rewarding and serious.
This course will give you the knowledge, experience and confidence to head out on the ‘sharp end’.
Initial focus is ascent and descent of single pitch routes. Based on your progress we may move into mulitpitch leading activities.

Topics covered:

• Gear selection, use and racking
• Route selection, planning and routefinding
• Anchor construction
• Lead climbing belaying
• Belaying up a second
• Protection strategies
• Protection evaluation and placement
• Efficient climbing technique
• Mental techniques (How to hold it all together!)
• Risk level evaluation
• Descent systems

For all programs we require details of your climbing experience, and an overview of your personal climbing goals. This allows us to custom plan the content and focus of your program.

For further information and to reserve your instructor
Visit our Bookings Page or contact us at:
info@rockies-ice.com
1-403-678-1181
Canada