Icefields Parkway, Canadian Ice

Cascade ice-fall and sport mixed climbing in the Canadian Rockies. Probably the world’s best ice climbing destination. So good we’ve been six times for two weeks in late February.

Buy kit there in one of the Banff gear stores. The numbers on the price tags are the same as the UK, but thanks to the exchange rate, it works out at about half price.
Flying to Canada is the most expensive part of trip. However, if you work out the cost per metre of ice climbed, it has to be the cheapest venue in the world.
Visiting the Ghost River Wilderness area? You need a Monster Truck (4×4) to get there. The guide says a normal car might make it – it won’t! Whatever you get, be prepared for a lot of driving, the routes are wide spread, but well worth travelling for and the driving is easy on long straight roads.
We have stayed at the Canmore Inn which is really nice, and not too expensive if there are a few of you. Friends have stayed at the Bow Valley Motel which I’m told is reasonable and comfortable.
Make sure you visit the hot springs in Banff, great after a long route.
The Joe Josephson guidebook is essential. (Although currently out of print. 🙁 )
Take care on the big routes – they are big! A full rope of vertical ice is guaranteed to scare the knickers off anyone used to Scotland!
Our favourite route: Hydrophobia (WI5+), or maybe Whiteman Falls (WI6).
Here are a few more pictures of Canadian Ice Climbing…
And a few reports on Canadian Ice…
But the super classic +800m (+500m of ice) Polar Circus (WI5) along the Icefields Parkway is “a must for all climbers” and should be ticked! 😉
Of course, the Weeping Wall also needs a mention… Oh, there’s so many world famous routes!