Here’s your chance to do a remote Via Ferrata adventure with Bow Valley Insider

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned we were toying with the idea of organizing unique adventures just for the Bow Valley Insider community. We’re calling it the “Bow Valley Insider Adventure Club.” Maybe the name sticks, maybe it doesn’t.

Either way, the response was overwhelming, so we’re moving forward with our first adventure: via ferrata.

But this isn’t your typical via ferrata...

You’ve probably seen the Banff Norquay route on social media. It’s marketed to tourists, very popular, and costs $408 for a 6-hour experience. Fun, but far from wild, and expensive.

The trip we’re organizing is different.

It’s near Abraham Lake, about two hours from Canmore.

Here’s a picture if you’ve never been (it’s beautiful this time of year):

It’s the kind of adventure where you need to know a guy who knows a guy just to hear about it. Then you actually need someone who knows the approach and how to get to the start of the via ferrata route.

In other words, it’s the opposite of the thing you get when you pay $408 for the Banff Norquay via ferrata.

This is wild and remote, and exactly the experience we wanted to create for Bow Valley Insiders.

The setting is truly untouched.

Our friend Braeden Ennis from Leviathan Guides will be leading the trip. He’s a local ACMG-certified Alpine Guide who knows every detail of the approach and climb, and brings the expertise to keep everyone safe while making the adventure a really cool experience.

The route starts with a 30-minute hike from the shores of Abraham Lake, then moves onto a series of ladders and cables as you climb higher. Along the way you’ll have amazing views of the Lake, and even pass by fossils embedded in the rock. You’ll top out on a sub-peak, then hike off the back side of the mountain.

It’s classified as a beginner-friendly via ferrata route. So it’s accessible for people with no climbing background. Whether you’ve climbed before or not, it's totally fine.

The Details:

Date: Sunday, October 12

Length: 5-ish hours car to car + drive time

Spots: 6 total (however, 3 are already booked, so there are only 3 left)

Cost: $225 + GST (way cheaper than Norquay and far more adventurous)

Gear: Climbing harness and helmet not provided. You can rent from Gear Up in Canmore for $8 each if you don’t have your own. Everything else is provided (lanyards, carabiners, etc.).

As I mentioned, we’re only taking six people because we want this to be a small-group experience. So it's first-come, first-served.

Because I just promoted this adventure to our entire 16,000+ community, I expect the remaining spots will be booked by tomorrow.

Here’s the link to pay. Once paid, I’ll confirm receipt and send next steps.

(Note: If you’ve clicked the link and are unable to pay, it means that it’s already sold out. You can join the waitlist for our next via ferrata adventure here).

Happy to answer any questions. Just reply to: [email protected].

I really hope to see you on October 12th! It’ll be a fun day!

Questions Your Inner Couch Potato Might Ask

Abraham Lake is kinda far… Isn’t there a via ferrata adventure that’s closer?

Sure, if you like tourist conveyor belts. This trip is for people who want actual adventure, not a queue of matching helmets. The drive is part of the fun too. The Icefield Parkway is one of the most beautiful highways in the World and far less busy in October.

I’m from Calgary. Is this still open to me?

Totally. We don’t check your postal code at the trailhead.

How fit do I have to be to take part?

You should have at least hiked some mountains before. So if you’ve done some hiking around the Bow Valley, like Ha Ling, you’re good.

How does a via ferrata work?

Imagine a mountain hike with a built-in jungle gym. You wear a harness, clip into a steel cable, and climb using ladders, pegs, and rock features. The system keeps you attached to the mountain the entire time, and Braeden (our guide) is there to walk you through the whole thing.

What if I’m scared of heights?

Totally normal. You’ll be safely clipped in the entire time, and the route builds up gradually so you can get comfortable.

What happens if the weather is bad?

We’re adventurous, not reckless. If the weather looks unsafe, we’ll reschedule or refund. If it’s just a bit chilly or breezy, well, that’s called “character building.”

What if I need to back out last minute?

Life happens. But this is already pretty last-minute, given it’s less than 2 weeks away. So, if you bail and we can’t find someone to take your spot, we might not be able to refund.

What if I’ve never climbed before?

Perfect. Most people on their first via ferrata have zero climbing background. That’s kind of the point. Think of this as “climbing with training wheels… in a ridiculously scenic place.”

Where do we meet?

Once you snag a spot, we’ll send you a pinned location at Abraham Lake along with all the details: when to show up, what to wear, what to pack, etc. We’ll also connect everyone beforehand so you can sort out carpooling if you’d rather share the ride.