Private Guiding & Instruction Service

Meeting, satisfying and exceeding your goals!

GENERAL INFORMATION - OPTIONS - FEES - BOOKING INFORMATION

PLUS: GUIDED ASCENTS OF MOUNT ASSINIBOINE

PLUS: GUIDED ASCENTS OF MOUNT ATHABASCA

Organizing your own climbs, expeditions or courses on a private basis can be extremely rewarding in terms of what you achieve. This is because the pace of the activity depends on you and your group, there is no compromise involved as the sole aim is to satisfy your goals.

There are a multitude of fine climbing areas, alpine traverses, unique expeditions, treks and adventures that are not in our brochure. If you would like to do something different in the mountains then why not consider a custom trip. In the last year we have operated private trips to the Yukon, to the Purcells, the Selkirks and to many places in the Rockies. If you don't have enough people for your specific trip we would be willing to let other prospective partners know about it so as to reduce the costs for all.

Why use Yamnuska? When you hire guides from Yamnuska you are hiring certified professionals who rank among the very best. Each guide is a member of a team and is accountable. Our guides must go through a yearly staff training program that not only deals with updating and upgrading hard skills but also with the 'soft' skills of guiding and teaching and with using feedback as a tool for self-improvement. Unlike those who always work alone our guides receive continuous feedback which is also monitored by the company so that the highest standards are maintained. Brave words? Why not ask us for references?

When you hire a Yamnuska guide you are hiring a professional who will quickly get a good idea of your potential and help you achieve it. He/she is also hired to make the tough operational decisions necessary in the mountains and we would ask that you follow advice and respect decisions as this is what you are paying for: expert leadership and tuition.

There is often some confusion as to what is involved when hiring a guide or instructor. When you hire a guide you will be paying for each day they spend with you. This means you pay for approach days and weather days in addition to climbing days. Guides are highly-trained professionals and their time is at a premium.

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The following information should help explain things. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to discuss things further.

Options

These are endless. Essentially you can hire a guide/instructor to do any activity listed in our brochure. You can learn to climb, hike or ski or you can simply customize your own trip.

We organize for individuals, for families and for groups of friends. We also organize corporate team incentive programs for which slightly different conditions apply. If it happens in the mountains we can do it. We operate mainly in Canada but can organize trips to other parts of the world such as the Himalayas, Andes or Alps.

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Schedule Of Fees And Booking Procedures

When an instructor or guide is booked privately the guest pays guide fees and the expenses incurred by guest and guide during the trip's duration. Because many of our guests come a considerable distance to join us we offer a service by which we organize food, local accommodation and equipment thus relieving guests of the necessity of arranging these things. Should guests however, prefer to organize things themselves they can opt to pay only the guide fee and cover guide's food and out of pocket expenses as they occur.

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Fees

1. Alpine Climbing, Multi-pitch Rock Climbing, Waterfall Ice Climbing, Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering. One person $350 ($240US) per day; thereafter an extra $50 ($34US) per extra person per day, guide/instructor ratios to depend upon difficulty and seriousness of activity. Price includes GST.

Where climbs are more difficult, serious and/or long (for example Mounts Assiniboine, Louis, Robson, Sir Donald; Chouinard-Beckey on Howser; Polar Circus) a surcharge will apply.

2. Beginner Rock Climbing in Banff/Canmore/Lake Louise Region. One person $300 ($205US) per day; thereafter an extra $30 ($21US) per extra person per day, with a maximum of six per instructor. Price includes GST, use of climbing gear, & rock shoes, if available.

3. Hiking/Backpacking. One person $300 ($205US) per day; thereafter an extra $30 ($21US) per extra person per day. Price includes GST.

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Logistical Costs

1. Food We recommend that you have us supply the food for your trip. If you prefer you can arrange your own and we supply food for the guide only. One person with guide is $60/day, thereafter $25 for each extra person. Guide's food only $25/day. Price includes GST, food for the guide and any camp stoves or cooking gear .

2. Transport It is your responsibility to arrange for or to cover cost of transportation for yourself and for the guide. If flying in we recommend that you rent a car for the duration of your trip.

3. Accommodation We can arrange your accommodation in Banff and Canmore. This can range from the comfortable yet inexpensive Hostels to 'Bed and Breakfasts' to motels and hotels.

In the mountains we may use huts and cabins, the price of which varies. Huts cost, on average $19 per person per night, with the guide often free. If the trip involves camping we can supply tents at $13 per night.

4. Equipment We have a range of rental equipment available for use by guests. This includes harnesses, helmets, plastic mountaineering boots, ice axes, crampons, alpine touring skis, skins, avalanche beacons, tents and camping gear. Where guests lose or damage gear belonging to the guide or to Yamnuska restitution is expected.

5. National Park Fees Overnight, back country fees amount to either $6 per night/per person or $42 for the season, National Park entry fees also apply.

6. Travel Insurance Depending upon the area we visit you may need to be insured for the cost of evacuation and rescue should you fall ill or be injured. Most health benefit plans and many travel insurance policies do cover this. Otherwise in the unlikely event that you need rescue or evacuation you may be liable for this cost. We can give you further information if necessary.

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To Book

We will supply you with a quote which will include all expenses such as meals, accommodation and rental gear when we know your requirements. Registration requires a deposit of one third of the quote or, for trips of three days or less, full payment. All guests must fill in an application form and an experience questionnaire. The company waiver (sample supplied in advance) must be signed on trip commencement.

Balance of payment is required eight weeks before trip commencement. Should you cancel more than eight weeks in advance of trip, a $107 cancellation fee will apply. Cancellation between six and eight weeks before trip commencement will mean a loss of your deposit. Cancellation less than six weeks before trip commencement will result in a loss of all payments made.

We suggest you take cancellation insurance, this is available on booking and will cost 5% of total fee quoted.

For detailed booking instructions and conditions, click here.

Upon booking we will send you a complete equipment and clothing list as needed for your trip. If you need boots or any other rental gear please let us know early to ensure their availability.

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The success of YOUR program depends upon us having a complete understanding of your objectives! Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions or concerns whatsoever.

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