On Top

PROGRAMS:

Private Guiding Custom Courses

Trekking
and Hiking

Via Ferratas

Rock Climbing

Ice Climbing

Mountaineering,
Glaciated Peaks

Ski Touring

Family Trips


FAVORITES:

Private Guiding
Custom Trips

Summer
Mont Blanc
Alpine course

Best around Cortina
Via Ferrata

Best around Cortina
Hikes

Haute Route Trek

Winter
Haute Route Ski

Wapta Traverse

Rogers Pass Skiing

Fairy Meadows
Ski Touring Week

Ice Climbing

Avalanche Courses

Enthusiasm for the Mountains - Personal Attention for our Clients -
and a Safe Return Home!

OnTop Mountain Guides

Click for guide profiles

EUROPE

Click for guide profiles

CANADA

Your guide is probably the most crucial factor to the success of your trip. Some good advice when shopping for a guide can be found in great detail on the web site of Cosley/Houston Mountain Guides.

Our trips are organized and led by Jörg Wilz, owner of OnTop, or fellow guides, who are all members of their national mountain guide associations. Every fully certified mountain guide is also a members of the UIAGM / IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations). The UIAGM / IFMGA certification is the highest certification level available worldwide for mountain and ski guides and requires many years of experience in all mountaineering disciplines followed by a lengthy training and a series of rigorous exams. While this certification level is commonplace in Europe, where mountain guiding has been a regulated and highly regarded profession for more than a century, it is much harder to find in North America. There are currently only about 60 UIAGM / IFMGA certified guides in the US and about 140 in Canada.

Aside from being experienced and highly qualified professionals our guides are personable and fun loving individuals!

WHY BOOK WITH US:

UIAGM / IFMGA Guides Badges

- Mountain Guide Certification/Licensing:
Jorg and alomst all OnTop guides hold UIAGM / IFMGA certification - the highest certification available internationally for mountain guides. At times, we also use Assistant Guides or "Guide Aspirants" who have passed exams on their way to full UIAGM / IFMGA certification. If so, we adhere to the supervision and terrain guidelines of the Canadian Mountain Guide Association (ACMG) and the UIAGM / IFMGA. For non-technical trips (hiking / backpacking) we also use ACMG hiking or backpacking guides or in Europe non-certified guides if they are under close supervision by fully certified mountain guide.

- Mountain Guiding Permits/Legality
All European alpine countries as well as Canadian National and Provincial Parks require commercial mountain guides to hold UIAGM / IFMGA certification to ensure public safety. Guides that have not completed their full UIAGM / IFMGA certification must be supervised by a fully certified guide. Many guide services, namely in the US, largely violate the certification requirement outside of the US, which could lead to a rather abrupt end of your trip, if you were out with the wrong guide. Ask your guide for his/her valid UIAGM / IFMGA guide's card. Our guides have it!

- You know your Mountain Guide
Your guide is the single most important factor for a fun and safe trip. We gladly put you in touch with your guide / course instructor early on in your trip planning to discuss trip details and to ensure compatibility. We also encourage our clients to obtain references from former clients by e-mail or phone before committing to a trip.

- Direct Communication:
We don't mind the extra effort to e-mail or talk back and forth to make sure a trip is right for you or a custom itinerary meets your expectations.

- Local Knowledge/Foreign Languages:
Our mountain guides are local experts, with many years of experience in particular areas. Consequently, they are well familiar with local culture, language and mountain conditions as well as suitable alternatives, if ever the conditions dictated a change of plans.

- Insurance:
Our mountain guides hold valid liability insurance through their professional guides associations.

 

 

1-800-506-7177 or (001) (403) 678-2717 -  email:info@ontopmountaineering.com
Canada: 340 Canyon Close, Canmore, AB T1W 1H4, Canada
USA: 119 S. Sherwood, Fort Collins, CO 80155, USA

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