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Policies and FAQ

Booking

Courses and trips can be booked directly through our website or by email. Private guiding and custom trips can be arranged by email or phone.

Mountain activities are risky. Each participant must complete a liability waiver. This waiver is available to view on the website and will need to be filled out and signed on the first day of the trip.

Waiver

Each participant must complete a liability waiver. Please access and fill it out here.

Payment

  • Single day trips must be paid in full at the time of booking.
  • Multi-day trips must be paid 50% at the time of booking with full payment due 30 days prior to the start date.  Deposits are refundable if the trip is cancelled 30 days before the start date (minus a 20% processing fee and any incurred costs i.e.: hut reservations, etc).
  • Forfeited deposits and payments may be applied to another Global Alpine trip if taken within one year’s time.*
  • If for any reason Global Alpine must cancel the trip, you will receive a 100% refund.
  • Bookings can only be confirmed upon receipt of deposit.

*Special Circumstances: the above policy may be waived if proof of serious circumstances beyond your control have prevented you from attending. This will be done at our discretion on a case-by-case basis.

Weather Policy

Mountain weather is unpredictable. If the weather or the conditions are not suitable for your main objective, we will do everything in our power to find another climb or location. Flexibility is crucial when planning mountain related activities and your safety will always be our number one priority.

A Note on Risk

Any time an individual goes into the mountains they assume a degree of risk. This is true whether a guide is present or not. Board room risk is not the same as mountain risk and risking assets is not the same as risking lives. These two things should never be conflated or confused. All guides want to help their guests achieve their goals, but, more than anything, all guides want to return home safely.

Gear Lists
mount bell couloir canadian rockies backcountry skiing andrew wexler

Recommended Gear Lists

 Please try to keep your gear weight to a minimum. This will make for a much more enjoyable mountain experience. It is possible to purchase or rent most items in Canmore. If you are unsure about anything please ask.

Avalanche Instruction Gear List

Clothing

  • Thermal base layers:  top and  bottom,  polypro, wool, capilene or fleece. I like a 150 Icebreaker  top layer and something very light for the legs.
  • Ski Pants: Weather  proof or gore-tex
  • Medium weight insulated jacket
  • Heavier weight  insulated jacket
  • Water proof  outer jacket: gore-tex.
  • Ski  gloves:  I usually bring 2 pairs.
  • Warm Hat
  • Sun / touring / baseball hat
  • Neck tube or Buff

Equipment

  • Ski pack: 30 -40  liters for a day trip. Something with a designated compartment for avy gear is helpful.
  • Ski Boots 
  • Skis with touring bindings
  • Skins
  • Ski Poles: adjustable are helpful but not mandatory (also helpful with snowshoes).
  • Snow Shoes: this is an option if people don’t have touring gear.
  • Beacon: fresh batteries.
  • Probe
  • Shovel: must be collapsible.
  • Ski Helmet: (optional)
  • Repair kit for bindings: optional
  • Sunglasses
  • Ski goggles
  • Sun Screen
  • Headlamp: lightweight + with fresh batteries (optional).H20 Bottles: 1 liter minimum and / or a  thermos of  tea or coffee, Camel Bak
  • First Aid Kit:  (band-aids, ibuprofen,  aspirin, athletic tape,  personal meds and blister kit).
  • Camera:  optional.
  • Personal Snacks + Lunch: Cliff Bars, Power Bars, Gels, Gu, Energy Drink, Chocolate, etc.
  • National Park Pass: can purchase this on the way to the venue.
  • Emergency Satellite Beacon: In Reach or SPOT (optional)

Canadian Summer Alpine Climbing Gear List

Clothing

  • Thermal base layers:  top and  bottom,  polypro, wool, capilene or fleece. I like a 150 Icebreaker  top layer and something very light for the legs
  • Climbing Pants: softshell
  • Lightweight softshell Jacket
  • Medium weight insulated jacket
  • Heavier weight puffy jacket: optional
  • Water proof  outer jacket : gore-tex
  • Waterproof  outer pants:  light weight and with side-zips that can fit over climbing pants
  • Gaiters: optional
  • Light and medium weight gloves
  • Warm gloves: optional
  • Warm Hat
  • Sun hat
  • Long sleeve sun shirt for the glacier: optional
  • Socks
  • Neck tube or Buff
  • Shorts: optional

Equipment

  • Backpack: 50-70 liter pack for overnight approaches.
  • Summit Pack: 15 – 30 liters for climbing days.
  • Sleeping Bag: rated between 30 degrees C – 0 degrees C.  Bring a stuff sac that will reduce your bag to its minimum size (i.e. one with compression straps), so you don’t use up all the room in your pack.
  • Ground Pad for sleeping: some huts supply these.
  • Mountaineering Boots:  you will need mountaineering boots designed specifically for this use.
  • Ice Axe: General light weight mountaineering axe.
  • Technical ice axe: shorter and lightweight (optional).
  • Crampons:  must fit your boots.
  • Harness:  light weight with adjustable leg loops and a belay loop.
  • Climbing Helmet
  • Personal Climbing Gear: Ropes, cams, slings, ice screws, etc. for special courses / projects.
  • Carabiners: 2 locking and 2 non-locking.  Should be light weight. These can be provided.
  • Belay Device: for technical ascents only.
  • Rock Climbing Shoes: in case the weather is not good for climbing up high.
  • Chalk Bag: optional.
  • Sticky rubber approach shoes: optional.
  • Collapsible trekking pole with snow basket: can use 1 or 2 poles.
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun Screen
  • Headlamp: lightweight + with extra batteries.
  • H20 Bottles or hydration bag:  2 liters minimum. Anything with a tube is not recommended.
  • First Aid Kit:  band-aids, ibuprofen,  aspirin, athletic tape,  personal meds and blister kit.
  • Camera: optional.
  • Personal snacks for climbing day
  • Eating Utensils: bowl, mug, spoon, fork (some huts provide these).
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Emergency Satellite Communication Device: SPOT or InReach
  • It is also a good  idea to pack your own tent and stove for any car camping or non hut based trips.

Canadian Summer Rock Climbing Gear List

Clothing

  • Climbing Pants: softshell
  • Lightweight softshell Jacket
  • Medium weight insulated jacket
  • Weather proof outer jacket: Light weight Gore-Tex
  • Weather proof outer pants:  light weight and with side-zips that can fit over climbing pants
  • Light  weight gloves: leather gloves are best for rapel
  • Warm Hat
  • Sun hat
  • Light weight long sleeve shirt
  • Socks
  • Neck tube or Buff
  • Shorts

Equipment

  • Climbing  Pack: 15 – 30 liters, lightweight and without a frame. Something that can be used to approach  the cliff and climb
  • Harness:  designed for rock climbing
  • Climbing Helmet
  • Carabiners: 2 locking and 2 non-locking.  Should be light weight.
  • Belay Device
  • Rock Climbing Shoes
  • Chalk Bag
  • Sticky rubber approach shoes
  • Collapsible poles for approach:  3 sectional poles that can fold up small enough to fit into pack are best. Poles cannot be strapped to outside of pack while climbing
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun Screen
  • Headlamp: lightweight + with extra batteries
  • H20 Bottles or hydration bag:  2 liters minimum. Anything with a tube is not recommended
  • First Aid Kit:  band-aids, ibuprofen,  aspirin, athletic tape,  personal meds and blister kit
  • Camera: optional
  • Personal snacks for climbing day
  • Emergency Satellite Communication Device: SPOT or InReach

European Alps Climbing Gear List

Please Note when packing equipment and clothing for European trips:

Please try to keep your gear weight to a minimum. It is also possible to purchase or rent most items in Chamonix. If you are unsure about anything please ask.

Clothing

  • Thermal base layers:  top and  bottom,  polypro, wool, capilene or fleece. I like a 150 Icebreaker  top layer and something very light for the legs.
  • Climbing Pants: softshell
  • Lightweight softshell Jacket
  • Medium weight insulated jacket
  • Heavier weight puffy jacket: Mandatory for Mont Blanc.
  • Water proof  outer jacket : gore-tex
  • Waterproof  outer pants:  light weight and with side-zips that can fit over climbing pants
  • Gaiters: optional
  • Light and medium weight gloves
  • Warm gloves for Mont Blanc
  • Warm Hat
  • Sun hat
  • Long sleeve sun shirt for the glacier
  • Socks
  • Neck tube or Buff

Equipment

  • Backpack: 25 – 40  liter pack designed for technical climbing
  • Mountaineering Boots:  you will need mountaineering boots designed specifically for this use
  • Ice Axe: General mountaineering axe between 55 – 75 cms
  • Technical ice axe: shorter and lightweight (optional)
  • Crampons:  must fit your boots
  • Harness:  light weight with adjustable leg loops and a belay loop
  • Climbing Helmet
  • Carabiners: 2 locking and 2 non-locking.  Should be light weight.
  • Belay Device
  • Silk weight sleeping bag liner for the huts.
  • Rock Climbing Shoes: in case the weather is not good for climbing up high. These can be rented in Chamonix
  • Sticky rubber approach shoes: optional
  • Collapsible trekking pole with snow basket: can use 1 or 2 poles.
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun Screen
  • Headlamp: lightweight + with extra batteries
  • H20 Bottles or hydration bag:  2 liters minimum. Anything with a tube is not recommended.
  • First Aid Kit:  band-aids, ibuprofen,  aspirin, athletic tape,  personal meds and blister kit
  • Camera: optional
  • Personal snacks for climbing day

Ice Climbing Gear List

Equipment

  • Ice Tools: I recommend the Petzl Nomics
  • Ice clippers to put on harness for racking screws: optional
  • Belay device: I like the Petzl Reverso
  • 2 regular carabiners
  • 2 locking carabiners
  • Crampons:  specifically designed for waterfall ice climbing
  • Boots: Insulated leathers will suffice for most winter days
  • Gloves: Two pair are ideal from very thin to well insulated. Thin, warm gloves are mandatory for leashless tools.
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Clothing: For the legs, I usually wear  medium weight thermals underneath a pair of Arcteryx Climbing Pants. For the upper body, I usually go with a light weight Icebreaker, a Patagonia Houdini, a light weight gore-tex, a light-weight puffy and a heavier puffy. Of course, I adjust these layers depending on temperature.
  • Pack: Medium size bag (30 liters+) for approaching the cliffs and a small pack (Black Diamond Bullet or Speed 22) for multi-pitch climbing.
  • Hand warmers
  • Trekking poles: for the approach. Collapsible poles work best.
  • Thermos with hot tea or coffee
  • Snacks
  • Water
  • Sunglasses
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff neck warmer

Rockies Ski Gear List

Clothing

  • Thermal base layers:  top and  bottom,  polypro, wool, capilene or fleece. I like a 150 Icebreaker  top layer and something very light for the legs
  • Ski Pants: Weather  proof soft shell or gore-tex
  • Medium weight insulated jacket
  • Heavier weight  insulated jacket
  • Weatherproof  outer jacket: gore-tex
  • Ski  gloves:  I usually bring 2 pairs
  • Warm Hat
  • Sun / touring / baseball hat
  • Neck tube or Buff

Equipment

  • Ski pack: 30 -40  liters for a day trip. Something with a designated compartment for avy gear is helpful. All gear MUST fit inside the pack. Probes and shovels cannot be strapped to the outside
  • Ski Boots
  • Skis with touring bindings
  • Skins
  • Ski Poles: adjustable are helpful but not mandatory
  • Beacon: fresh batteries
  • Probe: minimum 260 cm
  • Shovel: must be collapsible
  • Ski Helmet: (optional)
  • Repair kit for bindings: optional
  • Sunglasses
  • Ski goggles
  • Sun Screen
  • Headlamp: lightweight + with fresh batteries (optional)
  • H20 Bottles: 1 liter minimum and / or a  thermos of  tea or coffee . Anything with a tube is not recommended due to freezing
  • First Aid Kit:  band-aids, ibuprofen,  aspirin, athletic tape,  personal meds and blister kit
  • Camera:  optional
  • Personal Snacks + Lunch: Cliff Bars, Power Bars, Gels, Gu, Energy Drink, Chocolate, etc
  • National Park Pass: can purchase this on the way to the venue
  • Emergency Satellite Beacon: In Reach or SPOT

For Ski Mountaineering or Glacier Travel please add the following:

  • Harness: light weight with adjustable legs that can be put on easily over ski boots
  • Ski Crampons: MANDATORY FOR SPRING TOURING
  • Ice Axe: light glacier travel axe is best without a leash
  • Crampons: light glacier travel crampons for boots