Early ice. A head start on winter.
Ice season comes early to the Canadian Rockies, with routes often forming in October and November. Join us in December to build confidence and find your rhythm for the winter ahead.
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Start your season
CANADIAN ROCKIES ICE CLIMBING CAMP
Start your season
on the ice.
December 3–6, 2026 · Canmore, Alberta
4 days · Beginner to advanced
Kick off winter in the mecca of ice climbing. Join lead guide Maarten van Haeren, Seb Taborszky, and photographer Tim Banfield for four days of coaching and climbing in our Canadian Rockies backyard.
Three days to build your skills. A multi-pitch climb to bring it all together.
Included: lodging, four days of guiding, two group dinners, professional photos, and access to the CAMP demo fleet.
$3,675.00 CAD
Per person · Includes 5% GST · Pay in full · Choose your hotel room below
CANADIAN ROCKIES · CANMORE, ALBERTA
The best of ice climbing, in our backyard
Iceclimbing connects us with standout climbers, trusted guides, and unforgettable terrain. With a combined 40 years here, we’re bringing that community together for four days in the mecca of ice climbing.
CAMP HIGHLIGHTS
Kick off your ice season here
Four days in our backyard, with the people who know it best.
Local knowledge, exceptional guides
Climb with lead guide Maarten van Haeren, backed by a team with a combined 40 years in the Rockies. Seb Taborszky joins the guiding team.
Four days to move your climbing forward
Three days of cragging tailored to your ability, followed by a multi-pitch day. Beginners through advanced climbers are welcome.
Come home with more than memories
Tim Banfield, photographer and author of How to Ice Climb, will document the camp. Every participant receives photos.
Four days on the ice, built around your ability
Learn, refine, and climb with a small group. The first three days focus on cragging, with the option to split into two locations by ability. The final day is reserved for multi-pitch climbing.
Guides
LEAD GUIDE · ACMG ALPINE GUIDE
Maarten van Haeren
An ACMG-certified Alpine Guide and athlete with The North Face and Blue Ice, Maarten has more than a decade of climbing and guiding experience. Based in the Bow Valley since 2013, he has opened more than 40 multi-pitch ice, mixed, rock, and alpine routes across three continents. His team’s first ascent of Ultar Sar’s southeast pillar was selected for a 2026 Piolet d’Or.
Client review of Maarten
“He meets you where you're at and then shares his knowledge and experience to tweak technique, skills, and comfort level.”
Seb Taborszky
Seb Taborszky is an ACMG-certified Alpine Guide and a familiar face on the Canadian Rockies’ biggest ice routes, regularly climbing major lines and putting up first ascents. He’s probably already logged more days on ice this season than most of us will all winter.
Client review of Seb
“If I’m pushing the grade on ice, he’s who I want coaching me through it.”
Supported by CAMP
Participants can try CAMP X-Dream ice tools, Blade Runner crampons and more, subject to availability.
Every ice camp participant will receive a CAMP ice screw during the camp.
Missing part of your climbing kit? Contact us before renting. We have limited spare equipment, but no boots. Rentals may be needed for the multi-pitch day.
THE EXPERIENCE
Why this camp stands out
A lot of really good ice
The Canadian Rockies are home to some of the world’s best waterfall ice, and Canmore puts us in the middle of it. With a long, reliable season and a huge range of terrain, our guides can match climbs to the group, from moderate ice to steeper terrain and longer routes as your skills progress.
Photographed by Tim Banfield
Tim runs @iceclimbing on Instagram, is a world-class ice-climbing photographer, and wrote How to Ice Climb. He’ll document the weekend, and every participant will receive photos from the camp.
CAMP demo gear and an ice screw
Try CAMP’s demo gear, including X-Dream ice tools and Blade Runner crampons, subject to availability. Every ice camp participant takes home a CAMP ice screw.
OUR BACKYARD
Canmore, Canadian Rockies
Base yourself in Canmore, surrounded by the mountains and frozen waterfalls that make the Canadian Rockies a mecca for ice climbing.
Our group stays together at Lamphouse Hotel. Each day, the guides choose climbing locations to suit the group and current conditions.
Explore the mapCanmore · Alberta, Canada
Accommodations
We’ll stay together at Lamphouse Hotel by Basecamp in Canmore. Lodging is included, so the hotel will be our home base between climbing days. Choose a shared hotel room or a private hotel room when you book. Both options include the same four days of guiding, group dinners and photography.
Meals
We’ll go out together for a welcome dinner and a farewell dinner at some of our favorite restaurants in Canmore. The rest of your meals are on your own.
Lamphouse is steps from Rocky Mountain Bagel Co, where you can grab breakfast or a to-go lunch. They offer gluten-free and vegan options.
THE CAMP
What’s included
Included
- Accommodation at Lamphouse Hotel by Basecamp, with the whole group staying together
- Two group suppers
- Professional guiding
- Weekend photos from Tim Banfield
- Access to the CAMP demo fleet to try
- 5% GST
Plan for separately
- Travel to Canmore and transportation to the climbing areas
- Breakfasts, lunches, and meals beyond the two group suppers
FOUR DAYS ON THE ICE
How the days unfold
1Day 1 | Cragging as a group
Meet the guides and group, then head to a nearby ice crag for the first day on the tools. We’ll get a feel for the ice and set objectives that work for everyone’s experience.
2Day 2 | Build your technique
Keep building your movement, footwork, tool placements, and efficiency as we explore the area’s varied terrain. The guides will adjust the objectives to the group and conditions.
3Day 3 | Climb at your level
Spend another full day cragging. Depending on group size and experience, we may climb together or split into two locations so each group can focus on suitable terrain.
4Day 4 | Multi-pitch climbing
Bring the first three days together on a multi-pitch ice climb selected for the group’s experience, conditions, and safe objectives. Expect a longer day on the ice.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Frequently asked questions
Can I join if I’ve never ice climbed before?
Yes. The camp welcomes everyone from first-time ice climbers to advanced climbers. The guides will shape objectives around the group’s experience and current conditions, and may split into two locations so climbers can focus on suitable terrain. Tell us about your background and goals when you register.
What level of fitness should I have?
Be ready for several full days outside in winter, with repeated climbing and hikes into the crags while carrying your daypack and climbing kit. The final day is a multi-pitch climb, so expect a longer day. Approaches and conditions vary; reach out if you have questions about the physical demands.
Who can take part?
All ice-climbing levels are welcome, from first-time climbers to advanced climbers. The guides will work with the group to choose appropriate objectives.
What ice-climbing gear should I bring?
Bring your personal ice-climbing kit: mountaineering boots that fit crampons, crampons, two ice tools, helmet, harness, and belay device. Participants can try CAMP X-Dream ice tools, Blade Runner crampons and more, subject to availability. Missing part of your climbing kit? Contact us before renting. We have limited spare equipment, but no boots. Rentals may be needed for the multi-pitch day.
GearUp offers ice-climbing and avalanche gear rentals. Avalanche gear rentals are also available through SkiUphill.
How cold will it be, and what should I pack?
Plan for full winter days outside. Pack warm layers, waterproof and windproof outerwear, warm gloves and socks, a hat, headlamp, water, snacks, and a daypack for the approaches. We’ll share a more detailed packing checklist before camp; contact us if you’re unsure about a specific item.
Is it okay to come on my own?
Absolutely. We’ll all stay at the same hotel and climb together as a camp. We can connect participants before arrival to help coordinate shared logistics.
Where will we stay, and what meals are included?
We’ll stay together at Lamphouse Hotel by Basecamp in Canmore. Choose shared-room or private-room accommodation using the hotel-room selector. Prices are per participant. Both options include a group welcome dinner and a farewell dinner; breakfasts, lunches, and other meals are on your own.
How do I get to Canmore and the climbing areas?
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the nearest major airport. Lamphouse Hotel in Canmore will be our group base and meeting point; we’ll send first-day timing before camp. Participants arrange their own travel to Canmore and daily transport to the climbing areas, and we’ll connect the group ahead of time to help coordinate carpools.
What if the weather or ice conditions change?
The guides make daily decisions based on safety, weather, and ice conditions, and may change locations or activities to suit the conditions. If a climb feels beyond your comfort or ability, tell your guide early. They’ll reassess the objective and make the final call on what is safe. Weather or itinerary changes alone do not qualify for a refund.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
For participant cancellations, the non-refundable portion of the total camp price is: 10% more than 120 days before the camp; 35% at 90–120 days; 65% at 61–89 days; 85% at 30–60 days; and 100% less than 30 days before the camp. If we cancel, participants may choose an 85% refund or a 100% e-gift credit. We strongly recommend trip cancellation protection.
What if a climb feels too challenging?
Let your guide know as early as possible. The team can reassess the objective and group plan, including choosing more suitable terrain or splitting by ability when conditions allow. The guides make the final decision about what is safe to climb.
Questions about gear or the camp? Get in touch.
Guides who know this ice
Our team brings a combined 40 years in the Canadian Rockies, with lead guide Maarten van Haeren.
Terrain for your level
Beginners through advanced climbers are welcome. The first three days can be tailored to the group, with a multi-pitch objective to finish.
One Canmore home base
Stay together at Lamphouse Hotel, with a group welcome dinner and farewell dinner included in the camp.
Photos to take home
Tim Banfield will photograph the weekend, and every participant will receive photos from camp.
OUR PURPOSE
Bring the best of ice climbing together in our backyard.
The Canadian Rockies: Canmore, Alberta, and the mecca of ice climbing.
Refund and cancellation policy
For participant cancellations, the non-refundable portion of the total camp price is: 10% more than 120 days before the camp; 35% at 90–120 days; 65% at 61–89 days; 85% at 30–60 days; and 100% less than 30 days before the camp. If we cancel, participants may choose an 85% refund or a 100% e-gift credit. We strongly recommend trip cancellation protection.
Weather or itinerary changes alone do not qualify for a refund.
