This camp will see you exploring the various glaciers which make up the Columbia Icefield.  But you'll also learn valuable winter camping and survival skills from your guide as you spend five days tenting out in this extreme wilderness environment. 

But we also hope to get you up some cool summits! The ski mountaineering objectives on this camp include: 

• Snowdome (3456m)
• Mt. Kitchener (3505m)
• Mt Castleguard (3090m)
• Mt. Stutfield (3450m)
• the Twins (3730m)
• Mt Columbia (3747m)

Whatever the conditions, you're guaranteed to have amazing experiences while at the same time developing your skills and backcountry knowledge.

Day 1: Meet at 8AM at the Columbia Icefield Visitor Centre parking lot. Review gear, organize vehicles for carpooling (if necessary) and start skiing. Today, your objective is to ski in to your camp location and set up a basecamp. This camp will be your home for the next five days, so you’ll spend some time with the assistance of the guides making it as comfortable as possible. Your group will discuss possible objectives for the next four days.

Day 2-4: Attempt a summit! Your group will get up early to take advantage of weather windows and snow stability. If you’re lucky, you may be able to tick off more than one Columbia Icefields summit off of your bucket list. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you may get a chance for some skills practice around camp. The peaks on the icefield are big and committing, and your guides’ first priority is making sure that everybody gets back safely.

Day 5: Ski out: your group may ski out the Saskatchewan Glacier (and possibly tag Castleguard on the way), or ski back the way that you came: it all depends on your guides’ evaluation of conditions and group fitness. You’ll collect in the parking lot, get rid of all of the group gear, and maybe make plans to meet again next year to tag the summits that got away.

Intermediate - Advanced

This camp is designed for people with good all-round backcountry skiing experience who are looking to explore this very remote area with the benefit of logistical support and the guidance and instruction of an ACMG-certified ski guide. 

The following are all required for your enjoyment:
- Strong level of fitness
- Confident downhill ski abilities in variable snow conditions (powder, icy, crust etc.) on the equivalent of blue (intermediate) runs at the ski hill
- Familiarity with avalanche transceivers (AST 1 or equivalent minimum, AST 2 or equivalent preferred)
- Several years of experience ski touring or splitboarding

If you have any concerns about your suitability for this camp, please contact the office before registering.

Food

All food will be provided on the camp. There will be a mix of lightweight but nutritious backpacking meals and snacks to keep you properly fuelled and hydrated for your adventure. Food supplies will be carried in by porter to reduce pack weights and increase the quality and enjoyment of skiing. Our food is provided by specialized backcountry caterers based out of the Bow Valley. Check out our sample menu for full details of catering on ACC Adventures camps and courses.

Accommodation

Accommodation for this camp will be in the form of premium Mountain Hardwear tents provided by the Club.The camp is priced for double tent occupancy. If there is an appetite for private tents, this can be arranged for an additional surcharge. Please contact us upon registration to find out more.

Guiding

Our Lead Winter Guide, Doug Latimer, will ensure your adventure is both safe and enjoyable. Doug has two decades of guiding experience behind him and received rave reviews from members and camp participants through the 2018/19 season. The maximum ratio of guides to participants will be 5:1 to ensure participants can travel at a pace which is right for them and have the chance to ask questions.