ITINERARY

ARRIVAL & PRE-ASCENT

7 days in advance of your ascent, our Program Managers will touch base to provide you with an update on expected route conditions, avalanche hazards (if applicable), and expected weather for your ascent day. Your Guide(s) will be in touch 24-48hrs in advance of departure at a minimum to further discuss final logistics and your expectations for your trip with us.

Day 1 

On our first day, you will Meet Your Guide Here in the village of Lake Louise at ~ 0330hrs where we'll start with a brief round of introductions and a pre-departure briefing which will include the following: 

• Review of any expected changes to weather or climbing conditions
• Expected Hazards, risk management plan, and associated mitigations for the duration of the trip
• Distribution and repacking of meal program and trip food for participants
• Distribution of any required technical equipment
• Presentation of physical Waiver of Liability Document & Signing
   

On Your Ascent Day 

You can expect an alpine (early) start to the day. Start times will be based primarily on conditions on the peak as well as expected weather. Most frequently our teams will depart the trailhead at 4am. However there are circumstances that may dictate an earlier departure. Your Guide will suggest a departure time based on conditions in the interests of maximizing potential for a summit of the peak - we will, however, work with you to find a departure time that's suitable for you (and the team) so long as this does not unduly increase risk to the climbing team. 

Usually our Mountain Guides will Guide ascents of Mount Aberdeen in approximately 9-10hrs. During periods where near perfect conditions exist on the peak, fast ascents with quick teams may be possible in 6-7hrs. Where more challenging conditions exist or a team requires a slower pace, ascent times approaching 12hrs can also be experienced. 

LOGISTICS

Guide : Guest Ratios

Given the technical nature of the ascent, Mount Aberdeen is offered at a maximum Guide to Guest ratio of 1:2.
 

Travel to Lake Louise

Our suggestions for your most efficient way to access the program venue from a variety of locations and international ports of entry:

• Calgary (YYC) to Lake Louise:

  • Those Guests traveling from or arriving by air at Calgary International Airport: Your most efficient route to join us in Lake Louise will be through our base in Canmore, Alberta and onward to Lake Louise. A rental car while suggested, is not essential for this itinerary. A combination of airport transfer and local taxi service will be available to you and sufficient for this program.
    Find a travel plan here

• Edmonton (YEG) to Lake Louise: 

  • Those Guests travelling from or arriving by air at Edmonton International Airport: the fastest route is via Calgary by AB-2 S and then Highway 1 to Lake Louise. An alternative and more scenic route travels via Rocky Mountain House, then Saskatchewan River Crossing, turning south on HWY 93N toward Lake Louise. A rental car or personal transportation will be required.
    Find a travel plan here

• Travelling from British Columbia: 

  • For our Guests travelling and arriving from locations in British Columbia: Please use the following map link to aid in your planning and arrival in Lake Louise at our meeting point.
    Meeting Place
     

Early ARRIVALS Pre-Trip

ACCOMMODATION & TRIP PREP

For those looking to arrive early ahead of your program, there are a variety of useful pre-trip amenities and comfortable accommodation options around our base in Canmore, Alberta, the townsite of Banff, a further 20-minute drive inside the East Gates of Banff National Park, and Lake Louise. The following are our suggestions for accommodation as well as gear and equipment retailers to help you prepare post-arrival:

• ACCOMMODATION:
   

  • CANMORE 
    ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA
    THE PAINTBOX LODGE

  • BANFF
    BUFFALOBERRY LODGE

  • LAKE LOUISE
    CANADIAN ALPINE CENTRE
    THE POST HOTEL
     

• GEAR PURCHASES PRE-TRIP:

  For those looking to purchase gear and equipment prior to your course, we would suggest the following local Bow Valley retailers:

  • Vertical Addiction
    • Located in Canmore, Vertical Addiction offers a complete selection of technical climbing, mountaineering and ski equipment along with a broad selection of technical clothing. 
       
  • SkiUphill
    • Located in Canmore, SkiUphill is a collective of experience driven individuals each with their own history, knowledge and stories of getting out there and getting after it. They offer expertise in backcountry skiing, trail running, climbing and any combination of those activities all while offering the best selection of curated equipment. 
       
  • Monods Sports
    • Located in Banff, Monods is one of the longest operating outdoor equipment and clothing retailers in the Bow Valley. Monods has a large selection of technical clothing and equipment offerings.
       
  • Ortovox
    • Our Partners at Ortovox are known for their high-quality technical outerwear and are a supporting partner of C9G and our ski guiding programs.
       
  • Black Diamond Equipment
    • Black Diamond Equipment has been providing skiers and alpinists with technical equipment since 1989, and is a supporting partner of C9G and our guided ski programs.

Mountain Meal Program

MEAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ADD-ON

Meal Programs are available as an additional add-on to your program at the time of booking. Guests are welcome to provide their own meal programs for the duration of the trip if desired.

Dietary restrictions can be accommodated at an additional cost. Reach out for more information on Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Paleo, or allergy restrictions for your trip.

Required Equipment & Personal Items

• Backpacks - Small Day Pack ~ 35L
• Mountaineering Boots (not provided)
• Ice Axe (optional)
• Crampons (optional)
• Harness (optional)
• Helmet (optional)
• Sunglasses (We suggest Julbo Sun Glasses)
• 50+ SPF Sunscreen
• Lip Balm with SPF
• Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
• Water Bottle - 2 X Collapsable Nalgene Style Water Bottle
• Blister Kit
• Camera
• Trekking Pole

essential clothing

• Base Layers - Tops and Bottoms (Wool or Synthetic Only)
• Mid Layers - Tops and Bottoms (200 Weight Wool or Synthetic is Ideal)
• Socks - Wool Blend is best, no cotton
• Light Collared Synthetic Shirt (optional, nice for the really hot sunny days)
• Softshell Jacket and Pants
• Gore-Tex Jacket and Pants
• Sun Hat
• Buff Style Neck Tube or Similar
• Insulated Hat
• Gloves - Heavyweight and Lightweight Options
• Down or Synthetic Insulated Jacket

TRIP CANCELLATION & INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

The best method to protect your investment with us should unforeseen arise, requiring you cancel your booking, is to purchase a Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Policy. 

Lifestyle Insurance has covered many of Cloud Nine Guests on trips all over the world, and we have first-hand experience seeing these policies activated by our Guests. 

Safeguard your trip costs and investment with us. Request a Quote from Lifestyle Financial.

Is this coverage required?

• For Canadian Residents, coverage is suggested but not required to register.
• For Non-Canadian Citizens, coverage is suggested but not required. It is strongly suggested that your policy includes Emergency Medical Coverage, unless you carry an alternative policy which will respond in the event of medical emergency.

WAIVER - Release of Liability & Indemnity Agreement

Prior to booking you will be required to acknowledge that you have been provided a copy of our Waiver of Liability Agreement for your review. All participants, or their legal guardians wishing to participate on any Cloud Nine Programs, must acknowledge that they have been presented this document in advance of booking, have read it in its entirety, and understand the agreement being entered into by signing. While there is no obligation to enter into this agreement with us, it is a condition of our service provision. 

   REVIEW OUR WAIVER OF LIABILITY HERE

Booking TErms & Conditions

Before you book your course, please review our Booking Terms & Conditions. We do not accept bookings without your voluntary acceptance of these terms. Please read carefully as these terms outline specific policies and guidance for both our staff and clients with respect to refunds, cancellations, rescheduling etc.

   REVIEW OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS HERE

Book a free consultation

Book a phone call or video call with either of our Program Managers or with our Director of Operations.

This is an excellent preliminary step towards booking a trip with us. It allows us to better understand your requirements and needs for your desired objective.