Outdoor Educator and Guide Training
Technical Leadership Courses from the Nation's Longest-Accredited AMGA Guide Service
Not solely for professional guides, guiding skills are essential for club climbers and youth program volunteers, and are useful for anyone who climbs with a less experienced partner. The programs listed here are designed to lead into the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) certification program, the only route to full, internationally recognized certification. These programs represent the industry standard of technical training both for aspiring guides and for practitioners of adventure-based and experiential education. American Alpine Institute is a licensed vocational school in the state of Washington.
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Outdoor Educator and Guide Training
Technical Leadership Courses from the Nation's Longest-Accredited AMGA Guide Service
Not solely for professional guides, guiding skills are essential for club climbers and youth program volunteers, and are useful for anyone who climbs with a less experienced partner. The programs listed here are carefully designed to lead into the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) certification program, the only route to full, internationally recognized certification through the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA / IVBV / UIAGM).
These programs represent the industry standard of technical training both for aspiring guides and for practitioners of adventure-based and experiential education.
American Alpine Institute is a licensed vocational school in the state of Washington, certified as a private career school by the Washington State Workforce Board.
The Mountaineering Instructor Professional Training Program
AAI's flagship program for outdoor professionals, the Mountaineering Instructor Professional Training Program (MIPTP) comprises the core of the AAI alpine curriculum, the Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership series (AMTL), plus avalanche education, wilderness medical training, rescue, environmental protection and professionalism, and introductory courses in the AMGA certification track.
The MIPTP has been accepted by the Veterans Administration for federal VA educational benefits. To learn more, please contact our School Certifying Officials, Sara Jung or Jason Martin, at (360) 671-1505.
A climber learning rock technique on a top-rope. Jason MartinThe 3-day SPI Course is designed to enable capable recreational rock climbers to become effective rock climbing instructors. The 2-day SPI Exam tests students' performance of industry standard practices.
- Location:Washington, California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado
- Season:Year-round
- Length:Course: 3 days. Exam: 2 days. Refresher: 1 day.
- Cost:Course: from $695, Exam: $495, Refresher: $225
Luke Holcomb, a student in an AAI vocational program for aspiring mountain guides, on the summit of German Helmet, Ptarmigan Traverse, in Washington's North Cascades. Photo by Tyler Anderson.AAI's Vocational Training for the Outdoor Professional (VTOP) courses are vocational in nature and are designed to fill in education gaps students might have as climbers, mountaineers, ski patrollers, mountain rescue technicians, outdoor educators, office administrators, instructors, guides, etc. Each course can be taken as a stand-alone program to satisfy job requirements. Many outdoor professions require certifications and continuing education trainings to remain current while employed.
- Location:Washington
- Season:Year-round
- Length:Varies
- Cost:$300-$3150
Mountaineering guides must have the ability to take care of people in extreme environments. Alasdair TurnerThis comprehensive training program prepares anyone with a love of the mountains to launch a career in mountain guiding. Experienced climbers can place out of introductory level courses. This program is eligible for federal VA Educational Benefits.
- Location:Washington - Cascades
- Season:Year-round
- Length:Varies
- Cost:Complete course of study varies, $12,000-$30,000 depending on previous experience.
Trail-signs often attempt to keep backcountry users on the established trail. Jason MartinThe Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course provides students an opportunity to develop a high level of understanding of the seven principles of Leave No Trace. Those who successfully complete the course will have the skills to provide Leave No Trace educational programming to their own student participants. This is an essential course for outdoor educators, guides and rangers.
- Location:WA, CA, and NV
- Season:Year-round
- Length:2 days
- Cost:$350 - Group Discounts Available
Climbers use an established cairn to stay on trail and minimize impact during their descent. Grayson Ridge.The Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor Course (formally known as the Master Educator course) provides participants with extensive training in Leave No Trace skills and ethics, through practical application in a field-based setting. A more comprehensive version of the Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course (formally known as the Trainer course), the Level 2 Instructor Course is designed for people who are actively teaching backcountry skills or providing recreation information to the public.
- Location:Washington, California & Nevada
- Season:Year-Round
- Length:5 or 6-Days Depending on Program
- Cost:$895
An indoor climber bouldering.The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Climbing Wall Instructor Certification is for professionals who teach climbing on indoor gyms and artificial climbing walls. This two-and-a-half-day course and exam aims to provide the participants with the technical skills to run an effective program at a climbing facility.
- Location:Las Vegas, Nevada and by Private Appointment
- Season:Year-Round
- Length:2.5 Days
- Cost:$350
A student practices teaching a lesson on the contents of a guide's pack.This course was designed for those who wish to work as guides, outdoor educators or administrators of outdoor programs. This program -- which is partially classroom and partially field-based -- provides outdoor educators with the skills to find and keep employment, market themselves, use mountain technology to plan and execute expeditions, and to develop long term career plans. This is an essential program for those who want to make a living in the outdoors...!
- Location:Bellingham, WA
- Season:Year-Round
- Length:5 Days
- Cost:$785
A fleet of guide service ropes at the American Alpine Institute.The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Competent Person course is a Petzl compliant program run by AAI for professionals that work in environments that require ropes, fall protection, harnesses and other equipment. A PPE Competent Person provides industry best practices for the management of equipment work-at-height, SAR, high-angle rescue, climbing schools, and rock climbing gyms.
- Location:Bellingham, WA
- Season:Year-Round
- Length:3 Days
- Cost:$995
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