Get Started

Step 1: Think about your goals

What Draws You into the Mountains?

Perhaps you’re already a hiker who loves the beauty and solace of the outdoors. Or perhaps you’re an athlete seeking new challenges, new ways to move. Then again, you may already be an experienced climber, skier, or outdoor educator seeking to up your game or add professional certifications.

Depending on your desires and constraints, AAI can offer many different paths to attaining your goals. With a vast variety of programs, ranging from just a couple hours of classroom instruction to month-long expeditions, we can accommodate almost any approach.

Step 2: Browse Our Website

Browse our Programs, Activities, and Destinations menus or pages. Whether you are dreaming of climbing the high peaks of the Cascades or rock climbing at your local crag, these menus can help you define your interests. Think about what kind of commitment you’re ready to make, how much time you want to devote, and what kind of program scratches your itch.

Refine your Search – Using the Filters

When you pick a program category from the menus, you’ll go to an “archive” or results page with a list of programs to consider. Just above the list, you’ll see filters that look like this:

By selecting criteria from these filters, you can narrow down a search to exactly the programs that might interest you the most – including by difficulty (which we’re not showing in this graphic).

Difficulty Ratings

All our trips have two difficulty ratings, one for physical difficulty, the other for technical difficulty. Check out this page to learn more about the difficulty ratings. You can filter by technical difficulty AND by physical difficulty level.

Beginner or Seasoned Climber?

Whether beginner or advanced climber, or anything in between, go to All Programs and filter by difficulty level to fine tune your program search.

If you’re a beginner, check out our Beginner Climbing Courses page. This page can help you find the right program fast.

Group Program or Private Trip?

Think about whether you’d like to join a group program, such as an instructional course or a group summit climb. These programs offer an opportunity to meet new people and acquire skills that can be applied in larger groups.

Trips to less-frequented or more technical destinations are most often available as private, custom trips. We offer everything from a half-day of rock climbing to a multi-week expedition as private, custom trips.

Almost all of our courses, expeditions, and other group programs can also be reserved as private, custom trips, if that’s your preference. If you have a group of your own, such as a group of family and friends, a club, or a corporate team, this can be a good option.

Learn Skills, or Just Go Climbing?

If your goal is just to go climbing, we’ll be glad to take you! While we identify ourselves first as a climbing school, we know that many people would rather just climb, take in the views from summits, and have fun. For those people, we offer a long menu of peaks, routes, and expeditions for which we provide instruction on just the minimum skill set needed for the climb, either with a public group or on a private basis.

If You’re Local, Consider the AAI Mountain Center

While we’d all prefer to be outside, we offer a small set of short classroom programs at our HQ in Bellingham, Washington. From a couple hours to a full day in duration, these programs introduce skills like navigation, hauling systems, and other “small bites.” They’re an economical way to sample our offerings and learn from our guide staff.

Step 3: Ask Us Anything!

If you have any difficulty deciding on a program, call us! Or, if you prefer, use our online inquiry form.

Unlike some of our competitors, we pick up the phone! If you call, chances are you’ll speak with your Program Coordinator – the very person who will set up your trip, schedule your guide, and see to campgrounds and permits. Our Program Coordinators are themselves experienced climbers and guides, and they are passionate about getting you into the mountains. In addition, our office and equipment shop staff includes active guides who can answer detailed questions about conditions, routes, and equipment.

Call (360) 671-1505 anytime between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm Pacific time, Monday–Friday.

Or, if you live in northwest Washington, drop by our headquarters office and equipment shop at 4041 Home Road, Bellingham, WA 98226. Full information on our hours and location can be found here.

Step 4: Pick a Program and Register

Once you’ve decided on a program, go to “Dates” and click through to our Registration Form. Fill out the form as completely as possible – if you omit key information, it may slow down the process. You can also access the form directly here, but it’s easiest to fill out the form by going through the program page.

Additional Group Members

The registration form gives you the option of choosing to pay for yourself only, for your whole group, or on behalf of another person, such as a child. Each participant must fill out a registration form, regardless of whether they will be paying.

Screening and Acceptance

When we receive your registration, your Program Coordinator will double-check availability and review your details. In some cases, you may receive follow-up questions or consultation.

Once you are accepted for a program, you will receive an email with links to an invoice and a waiver. A registration is not confirmed until payment is received, as detailed in our Terms and Conditions.

Upon confirmation of your registration, you will receive a link to your Program Packet containing all the necessary information to prepare for your trip.

Step 5: Gear up and prepare

Equipment

The Equipment Shop at American Alpine Institute offers complete rental and retail services for all Bellingham area programs. Programs starting in other locations, such as Red Rock, Nevada or Boulder, Colorado also offer limited rentals. Your Program Coordinator will provide equipment lists and key information.

Training

Many people will want to follow a deliberate training program before their trip, either to maintain or to build fitness for the specific activities on the itinerary. Your Program Coordinator will provide you with links and materials to help ensure a successful trip.

AAI Travel Office

If you are taking an international trip, or if you would like the assistance of a travel agent who understands AAI’s programs, contact the AAI Travel Office. Lisa Greif, our Travel Coordinator, is able to help with a wide range of services.

Step 6: Take your Trip!

Rendezvous – Meet your Guides and Teammates

You will receive detailed information about where and when you will meet your guide at the start of the trip. Most regular, public trips based out of Bellingham meet at The Equipment Shop at American Alpine Institute, co-located with our headquarters offices. Most trips begin with a thorough inventory of required gear and an opportunity to rent and/or buy additional items.

Trips originating in our satellite locations typically have access to mountain shops with both rental and retail inventory. In some cases, a guide will bring your pre-arranged rental gear, or our Equipment Shop can ship rental gear to your location by prior arrangement. Your Program Coordinator can provide details.

Return at the End of Your Trip

At the conclusion of your trip, you’ll return to our Bellingham headquarters or, if in a satellite location, to the designated rendezvous/return point.

Tipping

Our guides are professional outdoor educators who have invested in building their careers; they are also, in a sense, your hosts in the mountains. We encourage you to consider both the professional and personal dimensions of the service they provide to you and to strongly consider offering them a gratuity accordingly.

Step 7: Look back, and forward

Course and Guide Evaluation

Once you’ve completed your trip and have had a little time to unwind and reflect, please check your email for a link to our Trip and Guide Evaluation Form. This step is very important to us because it allows us to follow a path of continuous improvement, providing feedback to administrators, coordinators, and guides.

Talk to Your Guide or Program Coordinator

We love to talk about people’s trips in the mountains! Please feel free to reach out to your guide or program coordinator to chat about what went well, what could have gone better, and what you might want to do next, either independently or with AAI. Bear in mind that most guides spend the majority of their time in the mountains or on the road, and it’s not always easy to connect.

Think about What’s Next for You in the Mountains

For some of us, reaching a major summit like Mt. Baker or Denali is just one of many diverse life goals, and the itch to climb will be satisfied by the achievement. For others, each new trip is merely a gateway to still harder or higher summits, richer experiences, and a deepening engagement with the natural environment and cultures of the world’s mountain ranges.

If you’re in the latter category, consider what courses or climbs you might take next with American Alpine Institute. There’s a wealth to choose from!