I was still sore from a grueling fat-tire bike ride to a mountaintop backcountry cabin with Discover Banff Tours when I strapped on crampons for my next winter adventure. I had arrived in Banff while roads and trails were still dusted with fresh snow, intent on turning a summer beach routine into a genuine appreciation for winter. Patient guidance from experienced local guides eased my nerves as I tried winter hiking and ice climbing. Before long I was grinning, ice axes in hand, inching up a frozen canyon wall and discovering a new love of cold-weather pursuits.
“We consistently hear that our ice climbing lessons are a highlight of a trip to the Canadian Rockies,” said Jesse de Montigny, IFMGA/ACMG mountain guide at Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. “Using ice axes and crampons for waterfall ice climbing may sound intimidating, but people of many ages and fitness levels can enjoy this sport without needing brute upper-body strength. When taught correctly, beginner pitches feel a lot like climbing a ladder.”
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures runs both introductory and advanced ice climbing courses. Beginner sessions typically operate from December through mid-March, and guests are provided with all necessary gear and expert guidance for a safe, enjoyable climb.
PHOTO: © KRISTY ALPERT
Ice climbing, like many winter activities in Banff, places visitors amid some of Alberta’s most spectacular scenery. Active outdoor pursuits often lead to moments where you both catch your breath from exertion and gasp at a view. In addition to ice climbing, the company offers backcountry skiing tours and introductory ski-mountaineering lessons, equipping guests with modern gear before they carve through deep powder.
Banff’s winter offerings span a wide range of activity levels, from gentle walks on frozen lakes to adrenaline-packed heli-skiing. The Banff Gondola provides breathtaking views with minimal effort, delivering a mountain-top experience that overlooks Banff townsite, Mount Rundle and the peaks across the Bow Valley. Even outside of winter, visitors can enjoy dog-sled experiences with Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours—mushing in winter or riding carts in summer—or take scenic mountain flights with Alpine Heli Tours for a bird’s-eye perspective of the range.
While Banff is a year‑round destination, its winter activities have a special ability to convert warm-weather visitors into enthusiasts of snow and ice. Whether you seek a gentle panoramic ride, a guided hike, or a technical climb, accessible lessons and guided trips make it possible to explore the Rockies with confidence and wonder.