Backpacking · Alpine wilderness · Expedition guides

Routes you couldn't
find alone.

Multi-day backcountry expeditions led by guides who have walked these ridges a hundred times. Permits handled, route planned, food packed, weather watched. You bring your boots.

Plan my trip → See expeditions

Years guiding

Routes mapped

420+

Summits reached

78%

Repeat clients

§03 / The story

About Northwind

A guide service for people
who treat the wilderness
like the room they're entering.

Northwind opened in 2008. Eighteen years of guiding the same alpine country, the same river drainages, the same exposed ridges. We know the routes well enough to break them when the weather demands.

Five guides. WFR-certified. Three carry Class IV swiftwater rescue. Two carry avalanche level 2. We are slow on purpose — we would rather lead 18 great trips per year than 40 rushed ones.

Permits, insurance, satellite check-ins, route-plan filing with rangers — all in the package. You bring your fitness and your boots.

§04 / Guides

Guides

Three guides
worth following.

Every Northwind guide trained under our chief for at least two seasons before leading a paying party. They each have a specialty — ask at booking and we will match the right one to your route.

Marcus Holloway

Director · 18 yrs guiding

Devon Hayes

Lead · Alpine routes

Henrik Sondergaard

Senior · Expedition logistics

§05 / Selected routes

Selected routes

Where we've
been.

A small slice of recent country we've guided through. Each shot taken on the trip, no retouching.

Alpine lake · 8,400 ft

Wildflower meadow · summer

Summit cairn · September

Aurora basecamp · October

§08 / FAQ

Common questions

Asked &
answered.

Do I need previous backpacking experience?

For our standard routes — light to moderate experience is enough. Our chief guides will scale pace and pack weight to the party. For technical routes, we ask for a brief fitness intake before booking.

What's included in the price?

Permits, route plan, all meals on trail, group gear (shelters, water filtration, cook system, first aid), satellite check-in with rangers, and the guide. You bring personal gear (sleep system, boots, clothing).

What if the weather forces a route change?

We file two routes for every trip — the planned and the backup. If conditions push us to the backup, we go there with no fuss. If both routes are unsafe, we postpone and reschedule at no charge.

How do I pay?

30% deposit at booking, balance due 30 days before the trip. Cash, e-transfer, credit card. If we cancel for weather, full refund. If you cancel within 14 days, deposit is non-refundable.

§09 / Book a trip

Book a trip

Tell us where you
want to be.

Trip planning starts with a 20-min call. We map a route around your fitness, your timeline, and the photo you want to come home with.

Call

(555) 123-4567

trips@northwind-outfitters.ca

Find us

Box 184 · Banff · AB · T1L 1A1

Routes you couldn'tfind alone.

A guide service for peoplewho treat the wildernesslike the room they're entering.

Three guidesworth following.

Where we'vebeen.

The kit, the truck,the fire.

Asked &answered.