M-T-N Guiding

03/25/2025

Spring means big traverses, bigger lines, and a snowpack that’s changing by the day. Before you commit to that sufferfest of a ski traverse or drop into a no-fall-zone couloir, let’s talk conditions, strategy, and survival.⁠
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As always, Kevin Hjertaas (the wise, bearded snow guru) is at the helm, backed by Marcus Baranow, Zoe Ryan, and Kananaskis Mountain Rescue. They’ll dish out the latest on spring snowpack trends, smart travel decisions, and how to make sure your “epic” doesn’t turn into an epic fail.⁠
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Doors open at 6:15 PM for the usual pre-show banter, and we dive in at 7 PM sharp. No sign-ups, no fees—just good beta, good people, and probably a few questionable ski stories. See you there!⁠
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📍 SkiUphill Canmore⁠
🕡 Doors at 6:15 PM | Talk at 7:00 PM

03/05/2025

11/05/2024

A few snaps from our avalanche courses over the last few years. Our teaching and learning philosophy is to get out into big terrain and make real decisions as a group. We try to foster a fun and relaxed group dynamic where students can ask questions and push themselves.

AST1 Nov 23
AST1+ Nov 24
AST2 Dec 20, 21 and March 14, 15 (4 field days!)

Thanks to for developing the curriculum for these courses!

09/20/2024

Snow on Norquay today got me scrolling back to September skiing in seasons past. There have been a few fun days, but not many. Looking through the library I noticed a lot of good October ski days though! 🤞
It's getting close!
Kevin

08/21/2024

Thinking about snow yet? Good, us too!!

Well, last winter produced the wildest avalanche conditions I've personally ever seen. Have you ever seen 1m deep slabs triggering from 25 degree forested terrain? The January warm temps and rain event produced a thick hard crust layer with well developed facets on top. The layer was then loaded rapidly with 160cm of storm snow.

We have some AST1 and AST2 course dates up on the website in case you want to learn more!!

12/19/2023

Tonight.

Our monthly snowpack’ is tomorrow evening at Canmore Brewing Co. Doors open at 6:30 and we’ll get started at 7pm. The monthly snowpack discussion brings people together, from guides to guide book authors to avalanche forecasters. A great way to share what we are seeing in the snowpack in the Rockies. Get ready for more drawing by MTN Guiding's ACMG Ski Guide Kevin Hjertaas, Guide Book Author (Confessions of a Ski Bum), Marcus Baranow and Avalanche Canada, Zoe Ryan. Come share your observations of the start of the season and learn more about the skiing and avalanche conditions around the Rockies.

12/07/2023

Our AST 2 with Dr Snowflake is running Dec. 15-16 & Feb 9-10 in the Rockies. Sign up to learn all the snowy things from one of the best out there, Scott Thumlert.

No. Photo is not current. It's from last season.

11/14/2023

Here's touring up the backside of the Big Sister. We bailed on the "Canmore Traverse" due to wind slabs building on an exposed slope above a cliff.

Grand adventures in the backcountry require solid avalanche risk management skills! We have a few spaces open for AST 1 and AST 2 courses.

Also, we built an online backcountry navigation with modern digital tools course. First 2 people to use this code can access it for free! Head to the website and find it in the "school" section.

MTNPROMO!

09/13/2023

Have you ever gotten a little turned around in the mountains? 🤔

How about getting a little confused by these whizzy mapping apps some people seem to be using? 🙃

MTN just built a solution - an online course covering the basics of modern digital tools specifc for backcountry travel! 🤯🤯

It covers:
- Navigation Fundamentals, e.g. map and compass, coordinates, contour lines.
- Route Planning, e.g. waypoints, tracks, timing, hazard identification.
- Modern Digital Tools, e.g. practicing with apps like FatMap and CanadaTopo, emergency communication of locations, practice planning touring trips.

08/28/2023

Feel that chill in the morning air? Seasons are a changing 🥵 to 🥶

Winter shredding comes with avalanches 😟

MTN Rockies based AST 1 and AST 1+ course dates are up: Nov 18 - 19, Nov 25 - 26 🤩

Certified Avalanche Canada curriculum, taught exclusively by ACMG certified guides, supplemented by our in-house Avalsnche Specialists!!