About Us…

“Diversity – the art of thinking independently together”

– Malcolm Forbes -

At Paramount Guides we are fortunate to call the Canadian Rockies our home.  This area is not just a scenic paradise but it is world famous for all types of recreation.

Right outside our front door we hike, climb, ski and so much more and we want to ensure that visitors with a limited amount of time find the perfect activity or activities, benefiting from our personal knowledge .

Our guides are all certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), which means you are hiring a professional, experienced guide who has been trained to the highest standards.

Our programs take place in Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.

Our Team:

Francisco (Pancho) Medina - Owner and Lead Guide - ACMG/IFMGA

Francisco Medina is originally from Santiago, Chile where he began his outdoor pursuits at a very early age accomplishing numerous first ascents.  At 18 he was invited on a climbing trip to the Alps where his passion for the mountains was cemented.  

He began his guiding career leading mountaineering trips to Aconcagua and trekking trips to Patagonia and The Atacama Desert in South America. 

In 2001 he was the lead cinematographer for “Mujeres el Everest” which was the first successful, Latin American, women’s expedition to summit Mount Everest. 

Then in 2004 he received his UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide diploma in France and continued his guiding career in the Andes, Alps, Rockies and Himalayas.

In 2006 he began semi-annual trips to Canada to experience all the Canadian Rockies have to offer and now resides full-time in Canmore. In the winter he leads the avalanche control program for a local ski hill and in the summer you will find him on the glaciers and mountains surrounding Banff National Park.  Whether it is mountaineering expeditions, climbing, skiing, trekking or outdoor education courses Francisco is excited about sharing the outdoors with his guests.

Francisco speaks English, Spanish, Italian and French.

Certifications:

  • International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) - Mountain Guide

  • Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) - Mountain Guide

  • Canadian Avalanche Association - Level 3 Professional Member

  • National Outdoor Education (NOLS USA) - Instructor

  • Chilean Ski Instructors Association - Level II Ski Instructor

  • Federazione de Arrampicata Sportiva (FASI-Italy) - Rock Climbing Instructor Diploma

  • Association des Entreprises de Transport a Cable (ASC - Switzerland) - Ski Patrol Certification

  • Advanced Adventure Medic 80 hour course

  • Interpretive Guides Association (IGA) - Apprentice Interpreter

Kathryn MacDonald - Operations & Logistic Manager

Kathryn was born and raised in Calgary. With the Canadian Rockies practically in her backyard it was only a matter of time before she moved to Canmore to reduce her commute. Hiking, skiing and climbing are her favourite activities and every chance she gets you will find her outdoors.

Kathryn is not only our Manager of Operations, she is also the owner of Paramount Adventures, a boutique travel company that specializes in creating customized travel experiences around the world. She can book not only what you find on our Paramount Guides website but so much more. If you are looking for a complete adventure package in Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, including accommodation, transportation and activities reach out, she has decades of experience and will help make your holiday memorable.

We are proud members of:

In the spirit of reconciliation, Paramount-Guides acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

For Truth and Reconciliation

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At Paramount-Guides we believe that the only way to be sustainable is through responsibility, awareness and education, as such we promote and follow Leave No Trace principles in each one of our commercial as well personal activities.

For the environment and the future

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Also, 1.5% of your program fee goes to support Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.