"Alpine climbing" refers to mountain climbing in its most classic form. An alpine climber uses a wide range of techniques to gain a summit, often carrying the bare minimum of technical gear, and relying instead on a deep skill base, adaptability, and good decision making. The courses listed here emphasize the multi-disciplinary character of alpine climbing, teaching a combination of rock climbing, ice climbing, snow skills, and glacier travel, or all of the above.
A student sets up a Z-pulley system to extract a fallen climber from a crevasse. Dylan TaylorThis 3-day course is a thorough introduction to the bare minimum skills necessary to climb glaciated peaks in a party led by a more seasoned climber. Though the course is designed as a cost-effective introduction, it is also popular with experienced leaders as a refresher course. Continual improvement of our curriculum insures that this course is a good way to keep up with the state of the art.
- Location:Mt. Baker, Washington
- Season:May - September
- Length:3 Days
- Cost:$625
A mock victim waits in a crevasse on Mt. Baker as students build a Z-pulley system to perform the rescue. Dylan TaylorThis course provides a general introduction to the sport of mountain climbing, including one day of rock climbing and five days on Mt. Baker for a thorough introduction to glacier travel, crevasse rescue, self-arrest, and movement on snow and ice. The course culminates with a climb of Mt. Baker.
- Location:Mt. Baker, Washington
- Season:May - September
- Length:6 days
- Cost:$1350
A climber finishing pitch 3 of the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell (7,720 ft.), a granite spire in Washington Pass. Jason MartinThis course provides a thorough introduction to alpine rock climbing at a moderate standard. Take this course to raise your skills to the intermediate level while climbing a series of spectacular North Cascades alpine summits such as South Early Winter Spire, Liberty Bell, Eldorado Peak, and Mt. Shuksan. Taken together with Alpinism 1, this course is the equivalent of our Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership, Part 1.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - September
- Length:6 days
- Cost:$1425
A climber works up the fantastic North Ridge of Lone Pine Peak (5.5, III). Photo by Mike PowersSome of the most inspirational and beautiful lines in North America may be found on remote, high and wild alpine peaks. The first part of this two-part program introduces climbers to the art of alpine rock climbing. The second part expands on the knowledge presented in the first part and provides climbers with the skills and techniques to lead their own alpine rock routes.
- Location:Sierra Nevada, CA; Rocky Mountain NP, CO
- Season:May - September
- Length:6 or 12 days
- Cost:$1390 ($2590 for Parts 1 and 2)
High on the North Ridge of Mt. Baker. Alasdair TurnerThe first course offered by AAI in 1975, this intensive program provides thorough instruction in all the skills required on difficult alpine ice climbs. Through this curriculum, you will develop a complete repertoire of state-of-the-art high-angle snow and ice climbing skills and learn to apply them efficiently in all conditions. All of this instruction is located in America's top glacier training area, the Coleman Glacier of Mt. Baker.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - September
- Length:6 Days
- Cost:$1395
Rope teams using two-tool technique as they near the exit of the V-Notch Couloir. Michael PowersAlpine ice persists year-round in many shaded couloirs and gullies in the high Sierra. This terrain is the perfect outdoor classrooms for teaching alpine ice climbing, one of the fundamental skills of mountaineering.
This course will prepare you for any alpine ice you would encounter in the Sierras and give you a solid base for climbing on larger glaciers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
- Location:Eastern Sierra Nevada, California
- Season:June - September
- Length:6 Days
- Cost:$1590 (2:1 Ratio); $2100 (1:1 Ratio)
Climbers nearing the summit of Sahale Peak, with Sharkfin Tower and Boston Peak in the background. Gerry ChikeMen's Journal calls AAI's four-part mountain leadership program "the country's most respected and thorough rock and mountaineering course." Part one (12 days) introduces glacier skills and alpine rock climbing at a moderate difficulty level. After training on the Easton Glacier, we normally summit Mount Baker, make ascents in the Washington Pass area, and conclude with a student-led ascent of a major North Cascades summit.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - September
- Length:12 days
- Cost:$2495
Climbers near the summit of Forbidden Peak, on the West Ridge route. Bryan FeinsteinPart 2 of AAI’s four-part mountain leadership series introduces rock and alpine ice leadership skills. We then put those skills to the test on student-led ascents of the challenging peaks around Boston Basin, such as Forbidden Peak and Sharkfin Tower, and on an alpine ice climb on the massive glaciers of Mount Baker.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - September
- Length:12 days
- Cost:$2695
Snowpatch Spire in the Bugaboos of British Columbia. Andy BournePart 3 of AAI’s alpine leadership curriculum introduces advanced alpine skills and expedition planning. Students co-lead a significant expedition to Washington’s remote Picket Range or to British Columbia’s Bugaboo Provincial Park.
- Location:North Cascades, WA or Bugaboos, BC
- Season:May - September
- Length:12 days
- Cost:$3025
A climber moving up on Mt. Munday, Coast Range, BC. Michael PowersThe final part of AAI’s alpine leadership series calls on all the skills acquired in the first three parts as we mount an expedition to attempt significant objectives in one of three remote locations: the Coast Range of British Columbia for an ascent of 13,186-ft. Mt. Waddington, Little Switzerland in the Alaska Range for several alpine ascents, or a ski mountaineering program in the most remote corners of the Cascade range in the winter.
- Location:Cascade Range, WA, Coast Range, BC, or Alaska Range
- Season:June - July
- Length:12 days
- Cost:$4450
Students practicing multi-pitch techniques at Crystal Crag, near Mammoth. Michael PowersLike our well-known Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership - Part 1, this course introduces snow, ice, and alpine rock climbing skills at a moderate difficulty level. Participants learn fundamentals of snow climbing in the non-glaciated setting of the Eastern Sierra, then focus on alpine rock and ice while tackling major routes such as the Swiss Arete on Mt. Sill (14,153) and the U-Notch Couloir on North Palisade (14,242').
- Location:Eastern Sierra, CA
- Season:June - September
- Length:12 Days
- Cost:Cost - $2690 2:1
A climber approaches the East Face of Longs in early morning alpenglow. Zach Lovell.Colorado’s Front Range offers some of the best skiing and winter climbing on the continent. From long mixed climbs to introductory ski tours, the winter enthusiast will have a lifetime of objectives to chose from in this uniquely accessible venue- just 70 miles from Denver International Airport.
- Location:Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Season:January – March
- Length:5-day Winter Mountaineering / 3-day Ice/Mixed Alpine
- Cost:Starting at: $985 for Winter Mountaineering / $675 for Ice/Mixed Alpine Climbing
Heading back to camp in the Eastern Sierra. Dylan TaylorHeld on Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48, this program is designed to transition experienced backpackers and mountaineers to alpine travel and climbing in Winter conditions.
- Location:Sierra Nevada, California
- Season:December - March
- Length:5 days
- Cost:from $1325
Students in a winter mountaineering course in the San Juans make a short foray from camp to conduct an avalanche hazard assessment.Our complete Winter Mountaineering Course is divided into 3 parts, water ice climbing, winter mountaineering, and backcountry skiing. Participants can take one or all parts over one or several seasons.
- Location:Ouray and the San Juans, Colorado
- Season:December - March
- Length:5- 9 days
- Cost:5 day $985 w/ 3 participants; $1120 2:1; $1750 1:1
Nearing the summit of the Moose's Tooth. Tad McCrea. An adventurous introduction to big mountain expeditions, you'll learn the climbing skills and techniques used in modern alpine mountaineering and earn the opportunity to climb several beautiful peaks in the heart of the Alaska Range. Prepare for Denali or other major climbs around the world.
- Location:Alaska Range, Alaska
- Season:April - June
- Length:10 days
- Cost:Starting at $4925
A backpacker's high camp near White Rock Lake on the Ptarmigan Traverse backpacking route. Myron AllenAn introductory weekend backpacking trip designed for people with little or no overnight camping in the wilderness. Set in the North Cascades of Washington, the course covers equipment selection, navigation, meal planning and cooking, campsite selection, and an introduction to ice-axe use for early season backpacking trips.
- Location:North Cascades, Washington
- Season:May - September
- Length:2-day weekend
- Cost:$375
Setting up camp on a Mt. Baker Women's Climb. Erin Hardy- Mt. Baker Women's Climb, Camp2
- Mt. Baker Women's Climb, Camp
- Eldorado Canyon, Icarus
- Mt. Baker Women's Climb, BP
- Climbers on Fandango, First Flatiron
- Glacier Travel, Patagonia
- Mt. Baker Women's Climb, River Crossing
- Mt. Baker Women's Climb, Scenic
- Rucu Pichincha Summit
- Leavenworth Climbing
- Mt. Baker Women's Climb, BP2
- Backpacking
- Mt. Baker Women's Climb, Ascending2
- Crevasse, Himalayas
- Mt. Baker Women's Climb, Cooking
- Guide Training on Mt. Baker
- Mt. Baker Women's Climb, Silly
- Skiing2
- Rock Climbing, Squamish
Women interested in climbing with other women are invited to take their rock climbing or mountaineering skills to the next level on a women-only AAI course. Learn to lead climb or summit a snow-capped peak in a supportive, all-women environment. Our women's programs include rock climbing clinics, mountaineering courses, and custom trips.
- Location:Washington, British Columbia, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and California
- Season:Year-round
- Length:Varies
- Cost:Varies