LOGISTICS

Guide : Guest Ratios

Guide to Guest Ratios on our Private Ice Climbing Programs are 1:8 for single pitch objectives with limited complexity, 1:2 for multi-pitch objectives and waterfall routes, and 1:1 for long and/or highly technical objectives. 
 

Travel to Banff • Canmore • Lake Louise

Our suggestions for your most efficient way to access the program venue from a variety of locations and international ports of entry:

• Calgary (YYC) to Lake Louise:

  • Those Guests traveling from or arriving by air at Calgary International Airport: Your most efficient route to join us for a program start in Lake Louise, for example, will be through our base in Canmore, Alberta. A rental car may be required, though public transfers or transportation options are also available to you.
    Find a travel plan here

• Edmonton (YEG) to Lake Louise: 

  • Those Guests travelling from or arriving by air at Edmonton International Airport: the fastest route is via Calgary by AB-2 S and then Highway 1 to Lake Louise. An alternative and more scenic route travels via Rocky Mountain House, then Saskatchewan River Crossing, turning south on HWY 93N toward Lake Louise. A rental car or personal transportation will be required.
    Find a travel plan here

• Travelling from British Columbia: 

  • For our Guests travelling and arriving from locations in British Columbia: Please use the following map link to aid in your planning and arrival in Lake Louise. 
    Our Meeting Point in Lake Louise

Transfers from Calgary international Airport:

Transfers are available departing Calgary International, arriving in Canmore and Banff. We'd suggest The Banff Airporter for those requiring transfers from Calgary.

• The Banff Airporter
   

Early ARRIVALS - Accommodation & trip prep

For those looking to arrive early ahead of your program, there are a variety of useful pre-trip amenities and comfortable accommodation options around our base in Canmore, Alberta, the townsite of Banff, a further 20-minute drive inside the East Gates of Banff National Park, and Lake Louise. The following are our suggestions for accommodation as well as gear and equipment retailers to help you prepare post-arrival:

• ACCOMMODATION:
   

  • CANMORE 
    ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA
    THE PAINTBOX LODGE

  • BANFF
    BUFFALOBERRY LODGE

  • LAKE LOUISE
    HI LAKE LOUISE ALPINE CENTRE
    THE POST HOTEL & SPA
     

• GEAR PURCHASES PRE-TRIP:

  For those looking to purchase gear and equipment prior to your course, we would suggest the following local Bow Valley retailers:

  • Vertical Addiction
    • Located in Canmore, Vertical Addiction offers a complete selection of technical climbing, mountaineering and ski equipment along with a broad selection of technical clothing. 
       
  • SkiUphill
    • Located in Canmore, SkiUphill is a collective of experience driven individuals each with their own history, knowledge and stories of getting out there and getting after it. They offer expertise in backcountry skiing, trail running, climbing and any combination of those activities all while offering the best selection of curated equipment. 
       
  • Monods Sports
    • Located in Banff, Monods is one of the longest operating outdoor equipment and clothing retailers in the Bow Valley. Monods has a large selection of technical clothing and equipment offerings.
       
  • Ortovox
    • Our Partners at Ortovox are known for their high-quality technical outerwear and are a supporting partner of C9G and our ski guiding programs.
       
  • Black Diamond Equipment
    • Black Diamond Equipment has been providing skiers and alpinists with technical equipment since 1989, and is a supporting partner of C9G and our guided ski programs.

YOUR MOUNTAIN GUIDE'S TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION COSTS

In addition to your Ice Climbing Package Fee, an additional fee will be applied to your order. These amounts are paid in full and directly to our Guiding Staff to cover the transportation routes required to arrive at your desired ascent: $50 for objectives departing from Lake Louise, $150 around Wapta Icefields, and $200 for further objectives like the Columbia Icefields. In circumstances where you are able to provide your Guide with Transportation from our hub in Canmore, and where no other factors prohibit this option, this fee will be waived.

Mountain Meal Program

Complete or partial Meal Programs are available as additional add-ons to all our Private Guiding Programs.

Dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Please contact our Program Managers at the office for more information on Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Paleo diets, or any allergy restrictions for your trip.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Gear & Equipment Required will be based on your finalized Private Program Itinerary.

Please find the following as a baseline for your reference. We are able to provide all technical equipment for the program that you choose. The only thing that we cannot provide is Mountaineering boots. 

Items, such as all technical equipment and avalanche rescue equipment if needed, can be provided additionally to your booking at your request:

• Backpacks - Small Day Pack ~ 35L
• Mountaineering Boots (not provided)
• Ice Axes (can be provided upon request)
• Crampons (can be provided upon request)
• Harness (can be provided upon request)
• Helmet (can be provided upon request)
• ATC Style Belay Device (can be provided upon request)
• 2 Locking Carabiners (can be provided upon request)
• 120cm Sewn Sling (can be provided upon request)
• Leash or Personal Anchor System (can be provided upon request)
• Sunglasses (We suggest Julbo Sun Glasses)
• 50+ SPF Sunscreen
• Lip Balm with SPF
• Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
• Water Bottle - min. 1L 
• Blister Kit
• Camera
• Trekking Pole

ESSENTIAL CLOTHING

This essential clothing list is provided firstly to help support a better quality experience for you while on trip.

• Base Layers - Either wool or synthetic, or a polypro base layer are the best options. DO NOT wear cotton base layers. 
• Mid Layers - Wool, synthetic or polypro is are best
• Softshell Jacket or Gore-Tex Jacket
• Softshell Pants or Gore-Tex Pants
• Insulated Jacket - Large Parka style jackets are very important for the moments we are stopped or belaying.
• Socks - Wool blend, no cotton.

TRIP CANCELLATION & INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

The best method to protect your investment with us should unforeseen arise, requiring you cancel your booking, is to purchase a Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Policy. 

Lifestyle Insurance has covered many of Cloud Nine Guests on trips all over the world, and we have first-hand experience seeing these policies activated by our Guests. 

Safeguard your trip costs and investment with us. Request a Quote from Lifestyle Financial.

Is this coverage required?

• For Canadian Residents, coverage is suggested but not required to register.
• For Non-Canadian Citizens, coverage is suggested but not required. It is strongly suggested that your policy includes Emergency Medical Coverage, unless you carry an alternative policy which will respond in the event of medical emergency.

WAIVER - Release of Liability & Indemnity Agreement

Prior to booking you will be required to acknowledge that you have been provided a copy of our Waiver of Liability Agreement for your review. All participants, or their legal guardians wishing to participate on any Cloud Nine Programs, must acknowledge that they have been presented this document, have read it in its entirety, and understand the agreement being entered into by signing. While there is no obligation to enter into this agreement with us, it is a condition of our service provision. 

    REVIEW OUR WAIVER OF LIABILITY HERE

Booking TErms & Conditions

Before you book your course, please review our Booking Terms & Conditions. We do not accept bookings without your voluntary acceptance of these terms. Please read carefully as these terms outline specific policies and guidance for both our staff and clients with respect to refunds, cancellations, rescheduling, credit forward, refund exemptions etc.

    REVIEW OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS HERE

Book a free consultation

Book a phone call or video call with either of our Program Managers or with our Director of Operations.

This is an excellent preliminary step towards booking a trip with us. It allows us to better understand your requirements and needs for your desired objective.