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Specializing in guided outdoor mountain adventures in Western Canada since 2008

Featured Trips and Courses

Explore our most popular trips and courses

Steep Ice Clinics

Ice Climbing

Ice is Nice Intro

Ice Climbing

Avalanche Training

Ski

Rogers Pass Powder

Ski

Rockies Ski Mountaineering

Ski

Film and Videography Support

Commercial Services

See More Trips and Courses

More of our adventures
caribiner
Small Group Sizes

Our instructional courses have a maximum of 6 people to 1 guide

Trips for all skill levels

Our trips are suited to all skill levels from beginner to advanced

ice axe
ACMG and IFMGA Guides

Our guides have been trained and examined at the highest levels through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides training and assessment program

Location
Personalized Service

We are a small operation that prides itself on excellent customer service and an attention to detail

Since 2008 Higher Ground (formerly known as Rockies Alpine Specialists) has specialized in guided outdoor mountain adventures in the Canadian Rockies.

Our home base is located in beautiful Banff National Park, but our exploratory trips take us all over western Canada, and the world. Come and join us for an unforgettable experience.

Testimonials

The feeling of accomplishment, adventure and success is something everyone not only deserves but is capable of. As a client of Rockies Ice Specialists/ Kris Irwin for the past five years- I've always been impressed. He is a top-notch guide with an inspiring attitude and great sensibilities. What makes Kris particularly stand out is his uncanny knack at making even the most formidable alpine, rock or ice adventure a really fun, rewarding and memorable experience. In my opinion he offers the ultimate in quality guiding service.

Claire Wilkinson

As always, such a pleasure climbing with a guide who is not only uber-competent, but a cool guy with people skills.

Andrew Klug

SKris was a real pleasure and privilege to get our climbing with you. Not all guides are created equal and you are as good as they come. Was a real treat to roll up our sleeves on some WI 4 under your tutelage. My bro and I will try and keep building experience/keep the momentum building so we can take it to the next level the next time we see you.

David Klug

Climbing with Kris over the past few years has greatly improved my skill set, and it has given me new found confidence to lead on ice. Done safely with the environment in mind.

Sean Cullen

I've been out on multiple days (over 20?) with Kris and every single time it has always been great and a fun experience. Not just a good time but great. From the morning coffee stop, to the conversation heading in to the climb, through the climbing of our intended objective for the day, Kris is always engaging and excited to be out climbing. In my opinion, Kris exemplifies what it is to be a guide- breadth of knowledge and skill, leadership, safety, humble, and just a really good guy to spend a day with in the mountains. It's hard to summarize just what it is that makes a day out with Kris so good, but it really is the whole experience that makes it so worth while. When climbing with Kris, he seems just as happy to follow as he does to lead (those easy days at the office, as he puts it :). In an area and community that is saturated with well respected ACMG guides, Kris is a standout in my opinion and it's who I choose to spend my days with in mountains. Guiding, training, educating, swapping leads, big or small objectives, Kris is the man to have on the other end of the rope.

Adam Raffkind