Events, Films and Speakers

Some events are free to attend, while others have a small cost. Please note if tickets are sold ahead of time. Some events have limited space.

Cocaine Bear (6pm Halloween Party / 7pm Movie, October 29th, Free)

Looking for a Halloween movie night that’s equal parts horror, comedy, and complete chaos? Join us for a free screening of Cocaine Bear, the wildly over-the-top thriller inspired by the unbelievable true story of a black bear that stumbled onto a stash of cocaine in the Georgia wilderness. Expect bad decisions, ridiculous survival tactics, and one very angry apex predator with absolutely no chill. Costumes are encouraged, laughter is guaranteed, and nobody will ever look at a picnic cooler the same way again. Bring your friends and come celebrate Halloween with a movie that proves nature was never meant to party this hard.

Community Re-Bolting Projects in Washington State

The Washington Climbers Coalition and the American Alpine Institute are partnering up to do community work on rock climbing crags throughout Washington State. This is accomplished in two ways. First, AAI and WCC work together to provide free ground school training for those that wish to replace old bolts. And second, we work together to provide field-based work to replace aging bolts throughout the state.

When re-bolting is done in the field, there is a small fee to work under the supervision of bolting instructors to participate in this.

Prerequisites:

• Minimum of one year of outdoor sport climbing experience
• Knowledge of basic climbing knots
• Familiarity with toprope anchors
• Actively uses a Grigri or Neox for toprope belaying
• Able to push with legs in a ladder climbing type motion
• Able to pull on a rope in a downward motion with upper body
• Completion of a WCC ground school

Re-Bolting Equipment List

To sign up for this program, push Book Now. After we receive your registration, we will review and determine whether you have the appropriate background for this project.

AAI offers an array of “Know Before You Go” 60-90 minute skills seminars throughout the year at the Mountain Center. These programs are constantly being revised and reworked with the most up-to-date information possible. Some programs are offered regularly, while others are only offered once a year. It is possible for a group to request a specialty seminar.

Know Before You Go: Avalanche Awareness (Free)

The American Alpine Institute offers 90-minute Avalanche Awareness seminars throughout the winter season. These short evening programs are designed to introduce winter backcountry enthusiasts to avalanche terrain assessment, winter snowpack analysis and rescue technique. The programs also provide you a venue to talk frankly with our expert guides on how to create a reasonable margin of safety when climbing, skiing, or snowboarding on avalanche prone slopes.

Know Before You Go: Effective Use of Outdoor Electronics (Free)

AAI’s Know Before You Go program is a series of in-person informal seminars for those that are new to a given skillset. The Know Before You Go Effective Use of Outdoor Electronics will be a presentation on several things that all outdoor enthusiasts should be aware of.

This program include discussions on phones and their effectiveness in the backcountry, a comparison of mapping applications and their values, ancillary phone applications, issues with satellite messaging both on the phone and in a device, satellite phones, radios, avalanche transceivers, drones, battery banks and solar charging. There is always something new to learn about each one of these backcountry electronics!

Know Before You Go: Wilderness Rescue Resources and What to Expect (Free)

What happens when you need a rescue in the wilderness? Who shows up? What do they do? How do they manage a situation? Do you have to pay for a rescue? Will a helicopter come? Who is in charge? How will they find me?

Wilderness rescue, search and rescue and mountain rescue are complicated topics. This is because they don’t fit easily into one box. It’s different everywhere you go. In this seminar, we will discuss how rescue operations work locally, how they work in other jurisdictions, and how they work internationally. In addition to that, we’ll talk about tne complicated politics of search and rescue operations in a wilderness setting.

Know Before You Go: Frostbite and Hypothermia in the Backcountry (Free)

Frostbite and/or hypothermia present a significant hazard to skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and mountaineers. In this seminar we will discuss cold weather injury avoidance, as well as improvised field evaluation and treatment.

This free program is open to all that are interested. No previous medical or backcountry experience is required to attend.

Know Before You Go: Leave No Trace Awareness (Free)

Leave No Trace is a philosophy that was designed for those that recreate in the outdoors. This evening program will provide some baseline training on LNT to those that are interested in leading groups in an outdoor setting. This is a great program for recreationalists that are new to outdoor adventure, as well as for club leaders, scout leaders, university outdoor center leaders, or really anyone that is interested in sharing this essential training in the outdoor environment.

The American Alpine Institute has a long history with Leave No Trace. We helped the organization become a stand-alone not-for-profit. We teach Leave No Trace Level I and Level II programs to outdoor professionals. And we hold the prestigious Leave No Trace credential for outfitters and guides.

Know Before You Go: Ski Wax and Tuning Clinic ($30)

Learn how to wax and tune your skis. Bring your skis and join AAI equipment shop experts to get your skis or snowboard ready to go for 2025. Please note that you may bring alpine skis, touring skis, tele skis, a snowboard or a splitboard to this event.

Know Before You Go: Navigation Programs (Varies)

AAI offers two backcountry navigation programs. The Backcountry Navigation Essentials course is a three-hour introductory course for those who spend time in the wilderness both on and off-trail. This program provides you with the basic skills required to manage wilderness route-finding on trails, in complicated terrain or in whiteout conditions. To learn more about this program, click here.

The Backcountry Navigation Comprehensive course is a one-day program for those who spend significant time in the wilderness both on and off-trail. This program provides you with both the basic and advanced skills required to manage tour planning and wilderness route-finding on trails, in complicated terrain or in whiteout conditions. To learn more about this program, click here.

AAI displays artwork and photography from mountain-oriented artists in the retail shop. We generally change out the art on a quarterly basis.

AAI’s annual Mountain Fest and Gear Sale includes a Maker’s Market. Individuals that would like to display and sell their wares at the annual sale may do so for a small fee.

Inquires concerning showing art on the wall, or participating in the Maker’s Market should be made to info@alpineinstitute.com.