Intro to Sport

Start your outdoor climbing journey off right with ACC this summer

Intro to Sport

Start your outdoor climbing journey off right with ACC this summer

Ideal for climbers with indoor experience but little to no outdoor climbing experience

Focus on safety and building confidence in real rock environments

Experience hands-on learning at some of the Bow Valley's most popular crags

Build skill essential to start climbing outside

Trip Description

This 2-day course, led by ACMG certified alpine guides, is designed to help build confidence and skills in an outdoor setting. Our sport climbing program focuses on rope management, clipping, cleaning gear, and leading techniques to keep you safe while boosting your confidence. Our experienced guides will take you through fundamental to advanced techniques that will give you the knowledge and assurance to head out on your own sport climbing adventures with confidence.

This course is designed for those with little or no previous outdoor climbing experience. You should be familiar with the sport and have some indoor climbing experience. A good level of fitness is required, as you’ll need to carry a 16-18kg (35-40lb) pack to and from the crag. While this is not a course on climbing technique (though guides are happy to provide tips), it focuses on rope systems, safety procedures, and building confidence. This course focuses on skills development rather than climbing technique, so any grade-ability is welcome!

The course includes two days of instruction and group gear like ropes. Participants are responsible for their own transportation, accommodation, snacks, lunches, and personal gear. Please view the gear list for required personal gear.

Special thanks to TABVAR for helping maintain sport climbing in the Bow Valley.

Itinerary

During the course, you’ll meet each morning at a designated parking area before heading to the day’s climbing location. Your guide will provide comprehensive instruction on hazards, safety protocols, and essential climbing skills. You’ll progress from basic techniques like setting up and cleaning sport climbs to more advanced skills including lead climbing, belaying techniques, and rappelling.

The location for each day could be anywhere from the front range crags in Kananaskis to the “back of the lake” crags at Lake Louise. Climbing areas will be determined by your guide based on factors including weather, distance, group size, and dynamics.
Day one
  • Meet in parking at 8:00 am (MST). Location will be emailed to you one week before the course start date. Here, the group will do introductions , review the plan for the day, go over equipment, the head up to the crag of the day!
  • At the crag, the guide will first review hazards, safety, and basic climbing skills.
  • The first day will focus on setting up and cleaning sport climbs, progressing from top rope to lead climbing, and rappelling.
Day two
  • Meet in parking at 8:00 am (MST). Location will be decided and communicated on day 1.
  • Once up at the crag, the group will first review lessons from previous day before continue to build confidence practice lead climbing and belaying techniques.

Location

A valley of adventure

Situated in the eastern Canadian Rockies, the Bow Valley encompasses the stunning landscapes around Canmore and Banff. Known for its world-class limestone crags and accessible climbing routes, this region offers the perfect setting for sport climbing. The valley features diverse climbing areas for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly walls to challenging routes that attract climbers worldwide. With pristine mountain environments, reliable summer conditions, and good approach trails, the Bow Valley provides an iconic backdrop for those taking their first steps into the vertical world.

Guides & Staff

Our team of ACMG-certified guides offers a 6:1 participant-to-guide ratio, ensuring personalized coaching. With extensive local knowledge of the Bow Valley, our guides will also recommend routes and crags to help you continue developing your skills after you complete the course.
kris-irwin
Kris Irwin
Kris is an ACMG Alpine Guide and lives in Banff with his wife Ellen and their daughters Aria and Annie....
kris-irwin
Kris Irwin
Kris is an ACMG Alpine Guide and lives in Banff with his wife...
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We sell Tugo® Travel Insurance suitable for both ACC Adventures and personal trips

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Details

* Camps are subject to minimum enrollment in order to run.

Adventure Hazards

Terrain

Risks include but are not limited to: ​Cornices and crevasses. Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps. Cliffs, creeks,  rocks and boulders. Holes and depressions below the snow surface. Variable and difficult snow conditions. Snowcat roads and road ranks. Fences and other man-made structures. Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects. Encounters with domestic or wild animals. Loss of balance or control. Becoming lost or separated from the group. Slips, trips, and falls. 

General Hazards

Risks include but are not limited to:Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor. Equipment failure. Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Negligence of other persons, including other guests. Negligent first aid. Negligence of the guide Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities

Rockfall and Icefall

Risks include but are not limited to:Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking) 

Falls and Belaying

Risks include but are not limited to:Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground which can lead to injury or death. The risk of a belay failure is also present which can contribute to a ground fall.

Communication and Rescue

Risks include but are not limited to:Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available. Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field. If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow.

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