Mountain Courses & Certifications — Avalanche, Climbing, Skiing & Wilderness Medicine
Learn from the Experts
The Mountain Guides offer 29 courses and certifications across six states, taught by AMGA-trained and certified instructors with decades of professional mountain experience. From AIARE avalanche education and outdoor rock climbing classes to wilderness first responder certifications and kids’ programs, our course catalog covers every stage of your mountain education. Whether you’re a beginner taking your first steps outdoors or a seasoned backcountry traveler pursuing advanced certifications, we have a course designed for your goals. Browse by category or location below, or read on for an overview of what we offer.
Avalanche Education & AIARE Certifications
Our avalanche education program spans four states with AIARE Level 1, Level 2, and Companion Rescue courses for skiers, splitboarders, and mountaineers. We use a hybrid format — online learning followed by field days in real avalanche terrain — making it easy to earn your AIARE certification in a long weekend. Women’s-specific avalanche courses are available in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Our Montana location also offers unique yurt-based immersion courses through our Great Northern Powder Guides partnership.
Rock Climbing & Mountaineering Instruction
From introductory climbing classes in Boulder and Red Rock to advanced multi-pitch and alpine mountaineering courses, our climbing instruction programs build skills progressively. Learn to climb outdoors on real rock with professional guidance, or refine your technique with courses in crack climbing, anchor building, lead climbing, and alpine movement. Our Colorado climbing classes near Boulder are a great entry point, and our Red Rock intro course brings beginners from the gym to outdoor sandstone in a single day.
Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding Courses
Making the leap from resort skiing to backcountry travel requires new skills. Our Backcountry Essentials course teaches skinning, transitions, and touring fundamentals in a single day. For advanced skiers and splitboarders, our multi-day Ski Mountaineering Camps in the Tetons, Colorado, and the Wasatch cover rope systems, steep skiing technique, and alpine travel under the guidance of experienced ski mountaineering professionals.
Wilderness Medicine Certifications
Essential credentials for backcountry professionals, outdoor educators, ski patrollers, and serious recreationists. The Mountain Guides offer Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certifications and recertifications at two locations: Whitefish, Montana and Red Rock, Nevada. These multi-day courses teach wilderness medical assessment, patient care, evacuation techniques, and decision-making in remote settings where help may be hours away. A WFR certification is the gold standard for anyone leading others in the backcountry.
Kids & Family Programs
Our Kids Rock! program in Jackson Hole introduces children ages 5 and up to rock climbing in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment. Many of our single-day climbing programs across all locations are also excellent for families with older children and teenagers. Rock climbing builds confidence, communication, and trust — it’s one of the best outdoor activities for families.
Why Learn with The Mountain Guides
Since 1968, The Mountain Guides have been teaching people to climb, ski, and travel safely in the mountains. As an AMGA-accredited guide service and authorized AIARE course provider, every course we teach meets the highest professional standards in the industry. Our instructors aren’t just certified — they’re working mountain professionals who guide and teach year-round across six states. All technical gear is provided, group sizes are small, and every course is designed to build real skills you’ll use in the mountains for years to come.
