Peak perfection: Alberta Rockies rise as popular ice climbing destination

High above the ground in Canmore, Alta., axe-wielding ice climbers are ascending a column of sheer ice that, in other seasons, is a waterfall.

The sport of ice climbing has been around for years but interest in it has grown exponentially in the last decade, said Dave Stark, a Canmore guide and climber since 1989.

As operations director for Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, which offers ice climbing experiences in the Canmore and Banff National Park area, Stark saw a drop-off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Now bookings are coming in from people around the world, he said. 

"The Canadian Rockies are famous for the waterfall ice and now more people are getting into it," Stark said.

"They're looking for alternate things to do in the winter. Downhill skiing is extremely expensive. Ice climbing might be a little expensive to get into at the start but once you have the equipment, you're not paying entry fees — you're just going out and climbing."

There are almost 1,500 climbing spots, many accessible from the road, in the Canmore and Banff areas, he said. 

And while a wall of sheer ice may look daunting to beginners, the sport is fairly easy to learn.

"With crampons, which are the spikes on the boots, and the ice axes that you hold in your hands, you always have good holds. You've always got contact with the ice," Stark said. 

Of course, variables like ice quality or steepness can make an outing easy or "really hard and miserable." Either way, it will be challenging, he said.  

"And that's what most people want, they want a challenge."

In the heart of Edmonton's river valley, the Edmonton Ice Wall offers lessons and equipment rental in an effort to remove some challenges for people looking to try the growing sport.

"People don't have to drive out for hours to the mountains and it also costs them a lot less because if you're in the mountains, you usually have to pay for a guide unless you have friends that are already ice climbers," said instructor Stacey Yuen.

Located at the Edmonton Ski Club, the three-storey ice wall is an opportunity for a low-stakes attempt at climbing with most newcomers are able to scamper up the wall after a few lessons.