Last week my friend and I ice climbed with Ridgeline Guiding Services. Patrick, the owner of the company and our guide for the day, is an all-around terrific human being. After spending a full day with him, I know this to be true in his work-life and couldn't imagine it to be untrue in his personal life. His attentiveness, attention to detail, prompt responses to emails/questions I had prior to the trip are indicative of (and what you would expect from) a small business. I would highly recommend checking out Ridgeline before booking with one of the bigger, touristy companies. It's a much more personal experience that a large company just can't match. I've climbed with numerous guides in the past and Patrick is by far, one of the best. Not only is he knowledgeable, he is personable and makes you feel very safe in a sport that could otherwise seem a little sketchy. It was my first time climbing ice and my friend's first time climbing anything. Regardless of our difference in experience, Patrick was able to arrange a day that was enjoyable for both of us. My only regret is that we didn't have more time. Already looking forward to the next trip and steeper ice! read more

This past weekend was my first, and definitely not my last, course with Ridgeline. I've been trying out a variety of different guiding companies in the Bow Valley and Patrick was hands down amazing. I was super impressed at his engagement with me as a potential client on his Level 2 Steep Ice course - how soon he responded, asking me lots of questions to understand what I hoped to achieve and solid information in preparation for the course. On our course, I was amazed at how he could break down individual's techniques (from a distance and at an angle too!!) and provide suggestions for improvement. I loved that he taped our performance and then personally go through the pros and cons for each movement. It was a visual and tactical learning experience. As someone who is new to the sport and quite anxious at height, he gave me confidence in the systems and helpful pointers to alleviate the nerves. I am looking forward to booking with him again and without a doubt recommend him to others. Patrick is personable, fun, safety conscious and a great teacher. You will have a great experience with Ridgeline! read more

Janet and I just returned home from a glorious week in the Rockies. We enlisted the services of Patrick at Ridgeline Guiding to organize and accompany us on our first adventure into the mountains in many years. First time with Patrick, and first time with a professional alpine guide. Turned out to be the best decision. Patrick lead us up to the Peyto Hut from the Peyto lake parking lot. We spent two days exploring, recovering and learning there and then we trekked over to the Bow Hut across the stunning Wapta Icefields where we got to the top of Onion. The arrangements were 'tight' and proper, the route finding and recommendations were great, and the food was plentiful and good. Importantly, it was our first time in this area and Patrick clearly put safety first and knew what he was doing. Finally, Patrick put his climbing and trekking and river crossing skills to great use while being respectful of our less accomplished capabilities. Patrick provided more than we could have expected and was a joy to be around. We will without hesitation use Patick (Ridgeline) again. read more

Patrick took us out for a half-day's intro to ice climbing and whilst we all have experience with indoor rock climbing, none of us had tried ice climbing before. We had an amazing time, Patrick was very professional and safety conscious, while still being friendly and easy to get along with. He took us through all the basic steps and gave us some tips for taking it to the next level, happily answering any and all questions we had. The ice climbing itself was extremely fun, with the right amount of challenge for our skill level and general fitness, while still being enjoyable and not exhausting. The location Patrick took us to was beautiful and the gear used was all solid and well maintained. Patrick was also more than happy to take photos for us as well. I would highly recommend Patrick and Ridgeline Guiding for anyone interested in trying ice climbing for the first time or even those with experience that are looking to sample what the region has to offer. read more

My boyfriend and I signed up for a 2 day Private Guide Course with Patrick and we were super impressed with the service and his professionalism. We spent 1 day at the crag reviewing anchors, rope skills, and best practices and on day 2 Patrick guided us through our very first multi-pitch climb! We are both of different climbing skill levels and also rookies of the mountains/outdoor climbing. Patrick was more than accommodating to both our needs and a patient teacher. He taught us some of the vital skills we require to further progress as climbers and most importantly, how to implement safe climbing practices. Which is exactly what we were hoping to learn from our guide. Patrick is a wealth of knowledge and offered us a fantastic experience transitioning from indoor climbing to our first outdoor rock climb. We will for sure be returning to Ridgeline Guiding Services for a new climbing adventure with Patrick. Highly recommended! read more

The two of us booked as a couple but with very different experience and skill levels (Neil, experienced and Alice beginner). Neil's perspective: Patrick was an excellent coach showing me new skills on crevasse and avalanche rescue but also always explaining it in a way that Alice and I can use for future mountain trips together. Finding the right balance of routes to be a challenge for both of us but above all this he brought the rockies alive and is a cool, hugely knowledgeable guy to be out in the mountains with. Alice's perspective: Had an amazing couple of days with Patrick. Not only did he put my mind at ease when I was feeling nervous, he was brilliant at teaching and has made me want to learn and experience more. He had organised our hostel stay and catered to my nut allergy perfectly. Couldn't fault anything and would recommend ridgeline guiding for all abilities. We will be booking with Ridgeline again read more

Patrick was an amazing guide and incredibly knowledgeable. He took my on my first winter hike in Lake Louise, Alberta. With being completely new to winter hiking he gave me a ton of information and tips on courses to take if I wish to continue in the future. In addition, I was able to complete the objective of reaching the summit of saddleback mountain which I was not experienced enough to do on my own. Before meeting on the day of the snowshoe hike, Patrick has sent me a supples/ Graf list, with knowing nothing about winter hiking I arrived fairly unprepared, without hesitation Patrick offered me extra supplies and clothing to stay warm in the weather conditions and also allowed me to borrow his wife's boots since mine were not meant for deep snow! Thank you for the great day. Would highly recommend to anyone, experienced or not he has a ton of knowledge and experience to share! read more

Unforgettable Mount Robson Adventure - A True Lifetime Highlight! I was incredibly lucky to take part in a 4-day guided tour on Mount Robson - and without a doubt, it was one of the best experiences of my life! The guide, Patrick Lindsay, was absolutely outstanding. From the very beginning, I felt completely safe and in good hands. His experience, calm demeanor, and professionalism gave me confidence, even in the more challenging sections. The tour was perfectly organized - from the route and pacing to food and logistics. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour - and especially Patrick as a guide - to anyone looking for an intense, nature-filled, and safe mountain adventure. I'll be thinking back to those days with deep gratitude and a big smile for a long time to come. Thank you, Patrick, for this unforgettable adventure! read more

I hired Patrick (Ridgeline) on a recommendation from a friend. I am quite surprised there are not more (positive) reviews on here. I have hired other guide services in the past and this was was the best experience by a decent margin. Patrick took us to Lake Louise, to a crag called Back of the Lake as an introduction to traditional/gear rock climbing. My partner and I both had experience, but wanted some first hand instruction. Ridgeline delivered and surpassed expectations. We definitely kept him out on a longer day then I am sure he was used to but he never once mentioned that length of day. The instruction, guidance, details throughout the day as well as excellent recommendations for follow up climbs were perfect. We will be booking with Ridgeline again for large ascents. Strongly recommended. CJ read more

We had a fabulous time on the half day ice climbing with Patrick! Super fun to try something new and he made it a really great experience. I would fully recommend to anyone looking for an adventure activity in Banff/Canmore. We met at 8AM at Gear Up - got booted up and were given crampons to match the boots - the gear was really new and in great condition. We drove about 10-15 minutes out of town to Junkyards and parked up, a 15-20 minute walk and we were at the frozen waterfall! Patrick showed us the ice climbing technique and explained all the safety aspects we were required to be aware of and off we went up the walls! We got in three climbs each (a group of 4) and finished up back at the car around 12PM. Next time we will be signing up for the full day or the 2 day course! We will be back! read more

I've taken two courses now with Ridgeline and thoroughly happy with Patrick's approach to teaching, safety and fun. My second course was focused on learning to lead on ice. We worked on our technique, learned about proper screw placement, v-threads and anchors. I walked away from the course feeling more confident going out with friends as I now have a baseline of information to build upon. Both courses I've taken with Ridgeline have been full of laughter and learning. The people dynamics were amazing and Patrick engaged all of us to ensure we were participating and learning. If you're new to an alpine sport or just looking to enhance those skill sets, I highly recommend Ridgeline. You will not be disappointed!! ps...I'm already planning my next summer course with Ridgeline and cannot wait! read more

My wife and I did our first privately guided multi-pitch climb with Patrick in Banff on August 12th. We loved the entire experience. All of my pre-trip communication was with Chelsea and she did a fantastic job of answering all my questions and working with me to find the best possible date that worked for both of us. In fact, I had a date preference which wasn't initially available but opened up last minute and she made sure to reach out and get us moved over to our preferred date. On the day itself, we had such a great time climbing with Patrick. He is incredibly friendly and a joy to climb with, but he is also an excellent teacher and very thorough when it comes to safety. I hope to return to the Canadian Rockies at some point and climb with Ridgeline again! read more

Came to Banff for my 6 year wedding anniversary and my wife wanted to finally try ice climbing. Patrick helped us through the booking process and linked us with our great guide Maarten Van Haeren. I fully intended to just get my wife out on some ice laps, but Marteen excelled at finding a middle ground to still benefit my experience and teach my wife in an easy and calming setting. My wife went from knowing how to belay but being terrified of most climbs, to realizing how great crampons work, the techniques to walk in them, how to swing tools efficiently, got to understand screws/anchors, and even got her up a WI4 with ease from great climbing technique tips. Definitely recommend this service. Thank you! read more

I hired Ridgeline Guiding Services to summit Mt Athabasca for a fundraising initiative I put together in support of a local charity. From the time I first reached out, Patrick was very willing to help and step up to support my idea and make my climb a success. His communication is great leading up to the scheduled date, letting you know when he will and won't be available. On the climb day, Patrick was enthusiastic, explained why we were doing different techniques, told stories and shared in the excitement. I think he went above and beyond. I am definitely going to use Ridgeline for future adventures, knowing that I will be safe and entertained! Thanks for the awesome experience :) read more

Patrick is very approachable, patient, and knowledgeable. I will recommend Ridgeline Guiding to anyone that is looking for a guide. He will ask you what you want to achieve during your time with him and will work with you to make sure that you get the understanding, experience, and results expected. I attended his Steep Ice course and left feeling more confident of my personal technique, and safe anchor systems. The course had climbers of all abilities and his curriculum was dialed to accommodate everyone's strengths and weaknesses. I'm giving him 5 stars and two thumbs up. Book with Ridgeline Guiding and you will not be disappointed! read more

My boyfriend and I recently completed a day of Beginner Ice Climbing with Patrick and it was truly a great day. Patrick is very personable and his knowledge of not only ice climbing but the mountains in general was impressive. Safety is obvious a priority when he has guests and that made me (who started the day quite nervous) feel much more at ease. We were both able to do several climbs, take turns belaying, and repel. Patrick also took the time to teach us about the equipment so that we were involved in the entire experience of ice climbing. Would highly recommend Ridgeline Guiding Services to anyone - new or experienced. read more

Me and my friends did a two day ice climbing adventure with Ridgeline guiding services. We all had a great time which is amazing considering it was -27. Patrick was very accommodating and extremely helpful with organising the trip. He taylored the experience to our needs perfectly. We wanted to focus on instruction and we learnt a ton of stuff. He showed us the fundamentals of ice climbing making anchors, setting screws, v threads and rappelling. He explained everything excellently and backed it up with reasons for using each thing. A great time was had by all and I couldn't recommend Ridgeline highly enough read more

My sons and I went through Patrick's outdoor lead climbing lesson last weekend. It was fantastic. Patrick is an excellent instructor and we feel that we have a good base of knowledge to work from now as we build on our experience level. For the record, my almost 17 year-old son got a tremendous amount from the course. My 14 year-old son will still need to be re-taught a lot as we go but he now knows the risks involved in climbing outdoors and the importance of acting carefully and thoughtfully when planning and executing our adventures. read more

The greatest experience!!! Our guide, Ben, was awesome - super friendly, professional, knowledgable and personal. It felt like we went out for a morning of climbing with a friend. For a fee, they even picked us up from our hotel in Banff, which made it stress free for a couple of tourists! The owner of Ridgeline, Patrick, was so accommodating and helpful with all of my questions leading up to the climb. The whole experience was perfect from start to finish. Highly recommend! We can't wait to come back and climb again! read more