• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Canada West Mountain School

Canada West Mountain School

Explore. Learn. Escape.

  • PROGRAMS & COURSES
    • First Aid
      • Intro Wilderness First Aid
      • WFR Re-Cert
    • Hiking
      • Mountain Navigation
      • Overnight Backpacking
      • Wilderness Survival
      • Garibaldi Wilderness Traverse
      • Chilcotin Wilderness Traverse
      • Advanced backpacking – E.C. Manning Park
    • Mountaineering
      • Mountaineering Essentials
      • Complete Mountaineering
      • Alpine Skills Week
      • Crevasse Rescue
    • Squamish Rock
      • Squamish Rock Intro
      • Top Rope anchors
    • Custom
      • Rock Guiding & Instruction
      • Hiking and Navigation
      • Alpine Instruction & Guiding
      • Backcountry Skiing
      • Avalanche Training
    • Avalanche Safety
      • AST 1
      • AST 2
      • AST-Refresher
      • Avalanche First Aid
    • Backcountry Skiing
      • Crevasse Rescue – Skiers
      • Ski Mountaineering
      • Guided Trips
      • Intro to Backcountry touring
      • Ski Touring Weekend
      • Winter Snow Camping
  • FAQ
  • OUR TEAM
  • CONTACT
  • cart

Uncategorized

How to choose your mountaineering boots

2025-04-01 by Brian Jones

One of most common questions we get is “what are the best boots for my mountaineering course”, and this is also one of the most challenging questions to give a simple answer to. Footwear is one of the most important pieces of gear that you will need on any mountaineering trip,  and the wrong boots can ruin an otherwise great adventure. Here are some suggestions to help you:

Your first goal is to determine what you will be using your boots for the most – hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, technical alpine climbing? If you are looking to buy only one pair of boots, carefully consider what you will be wearing them the most for. If you plan on mainly using them for a lot of backpacking trips with only a few occasional forays off-trail, a boot with a more flexible sole is ideal, as this will generally be more comfortable for long days on a trail with a big pack on. However, if you are looking to spend more time off-trail on snow or steep/loose scrambling terrain, then a boot that is on the stiffer end of the scale will provide much more security. So, while a good light backpacking boot might be fine for your first few mountaineering trips, you may find yourself wanting a beefier boot while kicking steps and travelling on steeper snow.

You will next want to consider the “welts” on the boots (the lip on the toe and heel of the boot). This will determine the style of crampon used for that boot. For most summer general mountaineering and glacier travel, a universal style crampon is fine, which opens up the range of boots without welts that you can choose from.

Another very popular crampon system is a “Hybrid strap-on”, that uses a step-in style that requires a heel-welt and a universal style basket for the toe. This Hybrid style only requires a heel welt, and is a popular system found on many general mountaineering boots. If you are looking at more technical mountaineering and ice climbing, a boot with a heel and toe welt is a good idea as it will allow a technical “step-in” style of crampon attachment, much simpler and more secure for technical climbing (though these boots are often the most stiff/rigid and less comfortable for extended walking).

In terms of construction, any boot used for off-trail and mountaineering should be above the ankle, as this style of boot will provide protection when scrambling on loose rock; helps keep small stones, sticks and snow out of the boots; and is generally a  more secure and stable boot. Boots that are a lower-cut will not perform very well with crampons, and while very comfortable for trail use, they are not recommended for mountaineering.

Most mountaineering in British Columbia involves a lot of travel on snow, so you will certainly want to choose a mountaineering boot that is waterproof. Many fabrics are used in boot construction, ranging from the traditional all-leather boots to a complex combination of modern fabrics and materials.  If you opt for a leather boot, be aware that leather requires ongoing care and treatment to maintain its ability to stay waterproof; be sure to get proper waterproofing at the same time as you get the boots. Synthetic fabric boots and hybrid (part leather/part synthetic) boots are often very waterproof, but be sure to do your “due diligence” and research the boot model before you buy, as not every boot is equal! Generally, the more stitching you see on a boot, the more likelihood of water getting inside. As with most gear, a cheaper product will usually not perform well. Most name-brand boots that may cost more will generally be well designed and are worth the extra dollars.

Finally, the most important point of all when choosing your mountaineering boots – fit. After you determine the general style of boot, you will need to try a lot of different boots on, and go with the one that has the best fit. A boot that fits well is more important than almost any other factor, as long as it is a decently built boot suitable for the activity. Make sure you allow enough time when boot shopping to try them on, walk around the store for a while, compare different models/size on each foot. Avoid buying the cheapest boots unless they fit better than any other boot you can find! If you are unable to visit a store in person to try boots on, most retailers allow you to buy 2-3 pairs and try them on at home and wear them for a few hours each (indoors). Then, you can return the boots that do not fit and keep the best ones.

For Canada West Mountaineering courses, any boot that accepts crampons and is designed for mountaineering or light mountaineering will be fine. Even many sturdier backpacking boots are fine as long as they are reasonably stiff and can accept a universal style crampon.

Lastly, please make sure that you spend enough time in the boots to break them in before your course or trip! Do not plan on “breaking in” your boots on the course, this will likely lead to blisters and possibly ruin your trip!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Spring is here (but winter is not over yet…!)

2025-03-20 by Brian Jones Leave a Comment

We’ve had such a great winter season that it is hard to believe Spring has arrived! Winter has not relinquished its hold in the mountains quite yet, but the rock in Squamish is warming up, days are getting longer and the hiking trails are drying out.

We are starting our 2025 Scheduled Rock Programs on the first weekend in April (April 5/6), but are already booking Private Custom Programs for Hiking, Wilderness Survival, Crevasse Rescue, and Squamish Rock!

Looking towards the Summer, we have some exctiting new Hiking Expedition on our calander as well, be sure to check these out.

Be sure to check in and stay updated about these and other new trip offerings this spring and summer. In teh meantime, keep getting after the skiing while it lasts – and contact us to arrange a Private Spearhead tour, Garibaldi Neve Traverse, or custom guided backcountry skiing day!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Winter is coming…

2024-11-12 by canadawestms Leave a Comment

2024 has been a memorable summer, but we are now watching the snow falling in the alpine, days are cooling and the puffy jackets are all coming out again! Our final Mountaineering and Alpine programs are completed for the year, and now reports are trickling in of  early season skiing and trailbreaking through new snow and sub-zero temperatures.

Winter is on its way and we are looking forward to the snowy season! Backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and winter mountaineering are all sports easily enjoyed in Western Canada. Nothing can compare to a beautiful day in the alpine after a fresh dump of snow – many visitors come to BC only in the winter seeking out recreation and adventure in our mountains.

As enjoyable and inviting as a day on the slopes or trails may be, though, there are often harsh, tragic realities that go along with the winter environment. This is especially true in the mountainous regions of our provinces where avalanche hazards exist throughout the winter, even on the most spectacular of days. Fortunately for all of us, a little knowledge and awareness, combined with prudent decisions will go a long way to keeping our winter pursuits safe.

The first action we can all take to avoid getting into trouble this winter is to get the education needed to make appropriate decisions for you and your partners. An AST-1 or AST-2 course goes a long way to helping you make good decisions and stay safe (Avalanche Skills Training Programs)

Once you have your Avalanche Skills Training completed, the key to safety is to stay vigilant and carefully choose when and where to play (or, when/where not to play). Contrary to popular myth, avalanches are not random and unpredictable occurrences. This allows the knowledgeable backcountry traveller to make careful decisions regarding when and where to travel (though even the most experienced experts will often turn around due to uncertainty!) The basic rule for all people travelling in avalanche terrain is “Recognition and Avoidance.” Learn to identify the hazardous terrain, and stay away from it when there is an increased risk of an avalanche. This may sound simple, but in reality there are many, many variables that need to be considered; this is why we encourage everyone to be conservative, and err on the side of caution if you are not 100% certain of the conditions.

How do you recognize avalanche terrain? Generally any snow covered slope that is steeper than 25 degrees incline, or terrain with such a slope above it, is considered avalanche terrain. Now, if you are skiing or snowboarding, this is where you want to be, right? So, the next step, is to determine if the snow is safe to venture onto at that time. This is the difficult part, and requires education and experience to gain confidence in the decisions required. While a variety of learned skills and observation techniques are needed, the best source of information is by checking your local Avalanche Bulletin. In Canada, this will be found through Avalanche Canada at www.avalanche.ca.

However, always be aware that dangerous conditions often exist deep in the snow-pack without any signs at all, so never let your guard down!

The true key to safety in the mountains is avoidance of avalanche terrain. If you do choose to venture into these areas, make sure you (and your partners) have the knowledge and skills coupled with the appropriate rescue gear (transceiver, shovel, & probe) to be able to deal with all conditions. Without these skills and knowledge, you are relying on one thing only – LUCK!, (and luck can turn both ways). I always ask myself one question before heading into avalanche terrain, “What am I basing my decisions on today?” If I don’t have adequate information about the terrain, snow-pack, and weather history, I turn around and practice the highly respected mountain travel technique of avoidance!

With proper planning, our mountains are a fine and safe place to play in the winter. Get out and enjoy, but play safe!

Helpful resources:

  • Avalanche Canada Bulletins – www.avalanche.ca
  • Avalanche Skills Training courses – AST-1 and AST-2 Training Programs

Filed Under: Uncategorized

2025 Wilderness Expeditions

2024-09-23 by canadawestms Leave a Comment

It is the beginning of our winter season, but we are also getting excited about our 2025 Summer Wilderness Expeditions that we are planning right now!

One of the new additions is the “Advanced Backpacking – E.C Manning” trip into Manning Park during the Perseid Meteor Showers, Aug. 11-13, 2025! Check out full details here – “Advanced Backpacking – E.C Manning”

The Garibaldi Wilderness Traverse is guaranteed to be one of our premier trips next season as well. This small-group wilderness expedition will head out into the untraveled backcountry regions of Garibaldi Park, exploring remote areas that few have visited.

Be sure to check in and stay updated about these and other new trip offerings for next summer!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Footer

Menu

  • Programs & Courses
  • FAQ
  • Our Team
  • Partners
  • Testimonials
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Spring is here (but winter is not over yet…!)
    • Winter is coming…
    • 2025 Wilderness Expeditions

Policies

  • Waiver
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Gear Lists

  • Mountaineering
  • Hiking and Backpacking
  • Squamish Rock
  • Avalanche Course
  • Ski Touring

Programs

  • Avalanche Safety
  • Backcountry Skiing
  • Custom
  • First Aid
  • Mountaineering
  • Hiking
  • Squamish Rock

Contact

Main office 604.878.7007
Squamish 604.815.3451
Toll Free 1.888.892.2266

info@themountainschool.com

1290 3rd St
West Vancouver, BC
V7S 2Y2
Canada

Instagram Icon
Instagram Icon
Youtube Icon
Youtube Icon
Youtube Icon
Canada West Mountain School acknowledges that we operate on the unceded traditional territories of the Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lô), Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations
© 2025 Canada West Mountain School
developed by Mintstone | design by Sweet Imagery