Night 1-5
Bow Hut in the Canadian Rockies
This hut is operated by the Alpine Club of Canada and provides basic accommodations in a stunning location.
Women’s Introduction to Mountaineering
Prices
Highlights
Develop an understanding of mountaineering basics on an all-women team
Are you a solid hiker looking to get to the next level? Learn the fundamentals of mountain navigation and movement on the Women's Introduction to Mountaineering course, an unforgettable adventure designed to teach you the skills you’ll need to conquer new mountains without previous experience required.
All you need to take this course is a solid level of hiking fitness and a willingness to learn. You’ll be taught from the ground up, learning about proper equipment use, movement skills, safety essentials, and on-mountain movement. You’ll do it all with the awe-inspiring Canadian Rockies as your backdrop! On the final day, you’ll be given the chance to lead the group, putting everything you’ve learned into practice. If you identify as a woman and want to further your mountain adventures, the Women's Introduction to Mountaineering course is perfect for you.
Women's Introduction to Mountaineering Itinerary
Day 1 Meet and First Lessons
Begin your course by meeting in Canmore. You’ll go over your equipment and fit your crampons, then head to Bow Lake. From here, you’ll hike to Bow Hut, where you’ll settle in for the night.
- Overnight Location
- Mountain hut in the Canadian Rockies
- Distance
- 3-5 hours
- Meals
- Lunch, dinner
Day 2-5 Mountaineering near Bow Hut
Get ready to learn! The next three days will be spent learning crevasse rescue, glacier morphology, crampon technique, low angle climbing, ice screw use, axe use, and more. You’ll climb peaks like Mt. Olive, Mt. St. Nicholas, Mt. Gordon, and Mt. Thompson. When you’re ready, you’ll have the chance to lead the group on a climb.
Each evening, you’ll return to Bow Hut to rest up and relax, laughing and chatting with your fellow mountaineers.
- Overnight Location
- Mountain hut in the Canadian Rockies
- Distance
- Between 8-10 hours per day
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Technique Review and Return to Canmore
Take a final day to review your technique, then begin the hike back down to Bow Lake. Your tour concludes once you get back to Canmore.
- Overnight Location
- None
- Distance
- 8km, 20m elevation gain
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch
Women's Introduction to Mountaineering Price and Dates
This guided mountaineering tour in the Canadian Rockies is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group, however, custom private tours can be organized for those willing to travel with their group only (please contact us with your preferred date and the number of people in your group and we will create the itinerary just for you).
Prices below are per person:
Accommodation on the Women's Introduction to Mountaineering Tour
This tour is based in mountain huts. Sleeping areas are communal and the facilities are basic. There is no running water, but you will gather water as needed.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
There are no single rooms available on this tour as all accommodations are communal. There may be a minimum required group size, so please contact us about joining an existing group if you are a solo traveller.
Hotels on Standard Tour
What’s Included in the Women's Introduction to Mountaineering Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners are included. If you have a special dietary requirement, please let us know. Additional charges may apply for dietary restrictions.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 5 nights are included on this tour.
Transportation During the Tour
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to Canmore and will be driven from Canmore to the trailhead. We recommend renting a car or booking a shuttle. Canmore is about an hour from Calgary.
Also Included
- Crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, etc.
- Excess luggage storage
Not Included
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
- Visas if required
- Anything not mentioned as included
- GST (5%)
Optional Extras
- Special dietary requirement meals
Frequenty Asked Questions about Women’s Introduction to Mountaineering
How hard is the Women's Introduction to Mountaineering tour?
We rate this tour as a 4/5. While you don’t need any experience mountaineering, this tour is not recommended for beginner hikers. You should have experience hiking and a high level of fitness to enjoy this tour, as you’ll be on the mountain for 8-10 hours each day completing high-elevation climbs.
Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Women's Introduction to Mountaineering tour?
5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners are included. If you have a special dietary requirement, please let us know. Additional charges may apply for dietary restrictions.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Please verify that your insurance covers the included activities on this tour. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Canmore to start this tour?
Fly into the Calgary International Airport (YYC). We recommend you rent a car or book a shuttle as there is no included transportation between Calgary and the meeting point on this tour.
Is the Women's Introduction to Mountaineering tour guided?
Yes, you will be led by an experienced guide.
Who can join this tour?
Any confident hiker who identifies as a woman and is ready to learn the sport of mountaineering! If you don’t identify as a woman or you’d prefer a group not organized by gender identity, check out our Introduction to Mountaineering course.
Where does the Women's Introduction to Mountaineering tour end?
The tour ends in Canmore. You will be responsible for finding your own way back to the airport after the tour.
What do I need to bring?
You will be provided with crampons, mountaineering ice axes, climbing harnesses, helmets, and all other technical equipment. Please bring:
- Mountaineering boots (must be crampon compatible, rentals available)
- Multiday and daypack
- Water bottle (1-2 litres)
- Sunglasses
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Sunscreen, SPF lip balm
- Camera
- Compass
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Blister kit
- Earplugs
- First aid items (guides carry a first aid kit, but you may bring your own Band-Aids and anti-inflammatory medication if desired)
- Personal toiletries, including hand sanitizer
- Plastic mug, bowl, and eating utensils
- Trekking poles (optional)
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Canada for this tour?
The best time to visit the Rockies for this tour is between August and the end of September when the conditions tend to be the best.
Reviews
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Why 10Adventures?
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Tour Difficulty
We rate this tour as a 4/5. While you don’t need any experience mountaineering, this tour is not recommended for beginner hikers. You should have experience hiking and a high level of fitness to enjoy this tour, as you’ll be on the mountain for 8-10 hours each day completing high-elevation climbs.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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