Canada Ice Expedition 2026

Join MAA in Alberta, Canada for a stellar week of backcountry ice climbing. The Canadian Rockies are well known for world-class adventurous multi-pitch ice climbing. We'll operate from a couple beautiful hostels in Banff & Rampart Creek and drive to any number of ice destinations within an hour or so away. This event is geared for those who are experienced backcountry ice climbers, can lead or follow at the WI4-WI5 level, and can handle 1-3 hour approaches. Loaner gear is available to paid members. Maximum of 6 participants. Recommended ICE 3 or equivalent experience such as the MAA Bozeman and/or Cody ice expeditions.

Screened Event: Please join the waitlist. Attendees will be selected based on skill proficiency and experience shown on MAA profile. Those registered will be notified with instructions to pay the expedition fee.

DETAILS:

• DATES: Saturday, February 7th to Sunday, February 15th, 2026 (9 days: 2 days for travel and 7 for climbing)
• LOCATIONS: Alberta, Canada: (1) Banff Alpine Center; (2) Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel
• SHARED COST: $900 per participant. This covers accommodations for 8 nights, airfare or mileage reimbursement to get the ELs and gear to Alberta, and a mandatory MAA operations and gear usage fee ($300). Vehicle rentals (if needed) for transportation to/from hostels and objectives will be an additional cost to be determined at our planning meeting or in the field, and shared amongst the team members.
• EVENT LEADERS: Darren Shutt, Kelvin Nguyen, Todd Martin
• MIN / MAX: 3/9
  
• REFUNDS: Full refunds are available 90 days before the trip date. Between 30 and 90 days, 50% refunds are possible. Less than 30 days, no refunds will be given.
  
• PERSONAL GEAR: Members are encouraged to use your own equipment. If you're missing something, club loaner gear may be available (except footwear). Please let the event leader know if you need something.
• WHAT TO BRING: Warm boots, crampons, ice tools, harness, belay device, eye protection (sunny & cloudy days), carabiners, slings, any personal lead climbing or anchor building equipment, rope, cold weather clothing, shell layers, multiple socks and gloves, pack, sleeping bag, travel clothes.
• MEDICAL: If you have any medical conditions pertinent to your participation on this event, please inform the event leaders after registration.
  
• TRAVEL: Each person is responsible for their travel to the cabin, either driving or flying. This will be coordinated as a group. 
• LODGING: Cabin is about an hour drive from Cody, and only a short drive from the ice climbing. Cost for the cabin is included in the expedition fee. 
  

ITINERARY:

• Team online meeting/conference call in late December or early January (TBD)
• Saturday, February 7th: Arrive in Calgary. Meet and proceed to the Banff Alpine Center hostel, check in and prepare for the next few days.
• Sunday, February 8th: Climbing multi-pitch backcountry ice in teams of 2 or 3, returning to the Banff hostel each night. 
• Tuesday, February 10th: Exit the Banff Alpine Center hostel and relocate to the Rampart Creek hostel. Most likely climbing at the Weeping Wall that day. We will have 2 nights (10th & 11th) at Rampart and be climbing at locations in the surrounding areas. This hostel is remote and more primitive than our Banff location, so please visit the Rampart hostel website and be prepared for the limitations. 
• Thursday, February 12th: Exit the Rampart Creek hostel and proceed back to the Banff Alpine Center for the remainder of the trip. Depending on conditions and team consensus, we may climb in either the Rampart area or another location along the way back to Banff on Thursday. We will continue crushing ice through Saturday while based in Banff. 
• Sunday, February 15th: Clean up, check out and proceed home. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Because of the demands of this event it is for Apex or Base level participants only.

• MAA event leaders are experienced members who are board-approved and volunteer to host the event as a representative of MAA, but are not operating as a guide or compensated as a guide - all participants on the event share responsibility for the safety, decisions, and actions of the group.
  

• Accordingly, the physical demands, required skills or technical terrain of some events require that we screen participants; individuals should join the waitlist to be considered for RSVP. The experience, skills and fitness in the MAA membership profile will be used to determine the suitability of each individual to the demands of that particular event.

• Participant safety is our top priority. Many circumstances such as mountain conditions, weather, or subjective hazards may necessitate changes to the published itinerary, including cancellation.

• As a private, non-commercial group we operate within the posted group size limits and regulations for this area.

• All MAA members are taught and practice Leave No Trace principles to be good stewards of wild places.

• The event begins and ends at the trailhead. MAA does not insure ridesharing or other travel arrangements and bears no responsibility for them. Carpooling, ride sharing, or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among individuals.

• MAA event leaders carry communication devices and a medical kit; The primary event leader at a minimum has current wilderness first aid and CPR training as well as MAA policy training. 

• Travel arrangements are separate. Flights can be arranged to Cody, remember winter time flights into Wyoming can be unreliable. Driving may also be hampered by winter storms and road closures.

For more information or questions about this climbing event, please contact the listed event leaders, or darren@mountainascent.org, or (916) 872-3399.