August 29th to September 1st 2024

Join our mountain guides, scientist and artist in a multi-facetted exploration of our mountains while helping us raise funds for our youth expeditions!

Our 2024 Women* on Ice program is fully booked! Please stay tuned for 2025 or email programadmin@inspiringgirls.org to be placed on a waitlist.

Immerse yourself in a captivating four-day experience in the alpine environment surrounding Bow Hut, located in the stunning Banff National Park. During this adventure, you will not only learn essential mountaineering skills but also explore the landscape through the lenses of art and science, all while connecting with a group of inspiring women*.

Our program offers mountaineering training, enriched with art lessons and scientific insights. You will not only acquire practical skills for navigating mountains but also gain a deeper understanding of their beauty and significance through the expertise of our professional guides, artists, and scientists. It's a unique opportunity to nourish your inner scientist and artist, embracing a holistic perspective on the mountains.

By participating in our Women* on Ice Camp, you will directly contribute to our remarkable and tuition-free youth expeditions. Your involvement in this program supports the next generation's exploration of the mountains, empowering them to discover their own potential through the fusion of art, science, and exploration.

Join us on this unforgettable journey and make a difference in the lives of young adventurers, while embarking on an incredible exploration of our majestic mountains.

All proceeds from our Women* on Ice Camp go to fund our unique, tuition-free, gender-inclusive youth expeditions. The base rate cost for the Women* on Ice program is $1895 CAD. If you have the means to contribute more or organize a fundraising campaign in your community, we would truly appreciate it! This is not a requirement though, we are happy to welcome you to our program at the base rate.

* We welcome cisgender women and transgender, agender, Two Spirit, nonbinary, intersex, and genderqueer participants.

Experience level:
If you are keen and curious to experience the mountains through science, art and mountaineering, this camp is for you! While you do not need previous mountaineering experience, you should be comfortable on long day hikes. Our days will involve being away from the hut for up to 8 hours, hiking across uneven rock surfaces and on snow and ice. A good level of fitness and being able to carry up to a 16 – 18kg (35 – 40lb) pack for several hours will help make this program most enjoyable.
For the hike into the Bow hut (7km, 400 meters of elevation gain), volunteer porters will helps us carry the food and gear up to the hut.
If you already have mountaineering experience, we can build upon your existing skills to make sure you get the most out of this program.
For any questions about fitness or experience please feel free to reach out to anna@inspiringgirls.org. We can work with you to help you get ready to be part of the Women* on Ice program!

Itinerary and curriculum:

The glacier and surrounding peaks will be our classroom for the duration of this course. During the day, build your skills and learn about the mountain environment. In the evening, share stories and lessons with your fellow mountaineers while relaxing in the comfortable Bow Hut.

Day 1: We meet at the trailhead, and after introductions and a gear check, we hike in to Bow hut. While we hike and discover the sceneries, we will take the opportunities to get to know our team and start dicusisng our physical environment! The hike takes between 4-6 hours, with a distance of 7km and 400m elevation gain.

Day 2-3: After building the skills to get on the ice, we head and explore the Wapta Icefield. Both days will be filled with a mix of glacier travel, art sessions and science lessons. 

Day 4: A morning of reflection activities and putting our new knowledge in perspective before we hike back down. We aim to be back at the trailhead late afternoon.

Topics include:
Flexibility is built into the program structure to accommodate weather and the conditions of the glacier, but also specific interests of the participants. Here is a sample of the topics and activities you can expect during the expedition:

• Snow School: Movement on snow – Use of Ice Axe – Self Arrests 

• Ice School: Walking with Crampons

• Glacier Safety: Glacier Morphology – Choosing a Safe Route – Rope Use for Glaciers – Crevasse Rescue

• Sketching and watercolor lessons

• Observing the landscape throught art and science

• Glacier 101: How glaciers forms, how they melt

• Retreating glaciers and water resources

• Leadership activities

Cost: $1895 CAD base rate. If you are able to pay more or raise additional funds to support Girls* on Ice Canada, we appreciate it!

What’s included:

• Accommodation at the ACC Bow hut

• Delicious food catered by Peak Eats

• Instructions from ACMG certified female Mountain Guides

• Professional Scientist and Artist

What’s not included:

• Transportation to the trailhead. We invite you to contact other group participants to carpool!

• Gear: check out our gear list. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything, we’ll lend you what you need. 

Alpine Club of Canada’s cancellation policy
ACC Waiver
ACMG Waiver

Still have questions? Email programadmin@inspiringgirls.org

Support Girls* on Ice Canada

Girls* on Ice Canada is fundraising for Summer 2024 expeditions