Home/Courses + trips/Mountaineering Course
Intro Mountaineering Course
Four days from Squamish crags to an alpine summit. Rope, rock, snow and ice skills with an ACMG guide, at 4 students per guide.
- Location
- Squamish Adventure Centre
- Duration
- 4 Days / 2 Nights
- Difficulty
- Introductory / Intermediate
- Guest Ratio
- 4 to 1
Starting at $1075 per person
Book nowLearn Mountaineering in Four Days in the Sea to Sky
The Intro Mountaineering Course is four days with an ACMG guide that takes you from hiker to roped-up alpine climber, at 4 students per guide. You’ll learn short roping, rappelling, anchors in rock, snow and ice, self-arrest, roping up for glacier travel and spotting crevasses, then lead a summit objective yourselves on the last day. It costs $1,075, and you need hiking or scrambling experience and the fitness to move for 6 hours.
Day 1 is on the rock around Squamish. Days 2 and 3 we camp in the Whistler or Squamish backcountry and train on snow and ice. On Day 4 you put it together on a student-led objective with your guide watching. Depending on conditions we may use a local gondola to get to the alpine, and lift tickets aren’t included.
Grads tend to go on to peaks like Mount Garibaldi (see our Garibaldi guide), Mount Baker or the Blackcomb Buttress. Want more glacier time first? Follow up with Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue or the Advanced Mountaineering Course. New to off-trail travel? Start with Scrambling Skills.
What does this course cover?
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Part of the Introductory skill set.
Our goal is to dial-up our participants in Glacier Travel, Crevasse Rescue, and Alpine Rock tactics. Students typically look to tackle glaciated peaks after the course, such as Mount Baker, Mount Garibaldi, Mount Matier, or simple alpine rock routes such as Blackcomb Buttress, Pigeon NE ridge, Kain Face - Bugaboo Spire.
Prerequisites
No prerequisites required
Is this course for me?
If you have logged some time in the mountains, scrambling or advanced hiking, and are ready to take it to the summit- this is the course for you!
- No previous outdoor rock climbing experience (although recommended)
- Fitness to be moving for a minimum of 6 hours
- Likes being outside
Includes
- 4 days with an ACMG guide
- A student-led summit objective on Day 4, supervised by your guide
- Group technical equipment
- Helmet
- Camping permits
Does Not Include
- Food
- Mountaineering boots (available for rent)
- Harness, ice axe, crampons (available for rent)
- Tent, sleeping bag and mat
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
- This course may use a local gondola to access the alpine depending on conditions. The cost of these lift tickets is not included.
2027 DATES
- May 28–31$1075 per person + GSTBook
- June 4–7$1075 per person + GSTBook
- June 25–28$1075 per person + GSTBook
- July 9–12$1075 per person + GSTBook
- July 30–Aug 2$1075 per person + GSTBook
- Aug 6–9$1075 per person + GSTBook
- Aug 20–23$1075 per person + GSTBook
- Sept 3–6$1075 per person + GSTBook
- Sept 17–20$1075 per person + GSTBook
- Custom Courses Available$875 per day per group + GSTBook
Itinerary
Day 1 - Rock & Rope Skills
Squamish based
Using maps to plan objective
Rock protection tactics
Short pitching on rock
Short roping on rock
Rappelling
Day 2 - Rock, Snow and Ice climbing
Overnight in Whistler or Squamish backcountry
Pitched climbing in snow and ice
Crevasse identification and avoidance
Understanding mountain hazards
Roping up for glacier travel
Supervised practice
Day 3 - Rock, Snow and Ice climbing
Overnight in Whistler or Squamish backcountry
Self-arrest
Snow climbing techniques
Ice climbing techniques
Snow anchors, Rock anchors, and Ice anchors
Supervised practice
Day 4 - Student lead objective
Students lead the objective to put all skills into practice.
*Content covered is dependent on conditions and group abilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Gear List
Boots- sturdy leather or Cordura with lug soles and good ankle support
Crampons*
Ice Axe*
Helmet*- designed for climbing
Harness*- less than 10 years old
Backpack: 30L for day 1, >50L for overnight
Hiking Poles (collapsible poles with summer, hiking basket)
Crevasse Rescue Kit:*
• 1 x 1.5m 7mm cord
• 2 x 5m 7mm cord
• 2 x double length sling
• 4 locking carabiners
• 2 non-locking carabiner
• Belay device
• Pulley (optional)
• Ice screw (16cm min)
*We have lots of extra crevasse gear so don’t feel you need to bring all.
Base Layers (thermals: top, bottoms, socks)
Climbing Layers (mid-weight softshell jacket and pants)
Waterproof Shells (pants and jacket)
Insulated Jacket (down or synthetic)
Warm Headwear
Gloves (2 pairs- one lighter weight for climbing and one for colder temps)
Sleeping Bag (temperature depending on the location, of course)
Sleeping Pad
Tent (3 or 4 season tent)
Sandals or Shoes for around camp
Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip protection
Personal first aid, medication
Water Bottle/ Thermos
Food & snacks for each day
Headlamp
Camera
Booking Policy
Please take a moment to read and understand our policies before booking! All the information you need about booking, payment, cancellation and weather policies can be found in our cancellation policy and FAQs.
Do I need climbing experience?
No outdoor rock climbing is required, though it helps. You should have done some hiking or scrambling in the mountains and be able to move for 6 hours a day with a pack.
Where do we camp?
We camp for two nights in the Whistler or Squamish backcountry, choosing the spot for the best snow and ice conditions. Camping permits are included. You bring your own tent, sleeping bag and mat.
What gear can I rent?
Mountaineering boots, harness, ice axe and crampons are available to rent. We also have plenty of spare crevasse rescue gear, so you don’t need to own the full kit. Helmets and group technical gear are included.
Will we stand on a summit?
Day 4 is a student-led objective where you put your skills to work, usually a summit. Which peak depends on conditions, and your guide will make the call on what’s safe.
What can I climb after this course?
Many students go on to glaciated peaks like Mount Garibaldi and Mount Baker, or easier alpine rock like the Blackcomb Buttress, usually with a guide or more experienced partners at first.
Can I book a custom course?
Yes. Custom courses are $875 per day for your group. Contact us with your dates and group size.
