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Programs

Washington, Nevada, Utah, and California, British Columbia Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
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Physical
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Learn to Lead – Trad Rock Climbing Leadership

Our Learn to Lead – Introduction to Traditional Rock Leadership Course gives you the skills and confidence to lead your own single-pitch trad climbs. You’ll practice gear placement, anchor building,…

Year Round
4 days
Sierra Nevada, California Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
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4
5
Physical
1
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California Fourteeners Climbs

We’ve put together a list of the fifteen peaks in California that break the fourteen thousand foot barrier. Climbing routes on these peaks are varied and cater to a wide…

Year-round
1+ Days
Washington, California & Nevada Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
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4
5
Physical
1
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Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor Course

Every time we step into the backcountry we have an impact. We walk on terrain that may be changed by our method of travel. We build fires and go to…

Year-Round
5 or 6-Days Depending on Program
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
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4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Alpinism 2 – Intermediate Mountaineering

Designed as the natural progression from AAI’s Alpinism 1 – Intro to Mountaineering, this program is ideal for those with a few days of rock climbing under their belt and…

May - September
6 days
Glacier Peak Above Clouds
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Treks, Tours, & Backpacking
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Ptarmigan Traverse

In 1938 a group of mountaineers from the Ptarmigan Climbing Club hatched a plan. Bill Cox, Calder Bressler, Ray W. Clough, and Tom Myers decided to make a high traverse from…

July - August
7 days
Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Introduction to Swiftwater Canyoning

Swiftwater canyoneering (also referred to as canyoning) is the art and craft of descending technical canyons through a combination of rappelling, sliding, jumping, swimming and hiking. There is a lot…

June - October
6-Days (May be combined with Intermediate Course for a 12-Day Program)
AAI climbers in the Ruth Gorge
Alaska Range, Alaska Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Expeditions
Technical
1
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4
5
Physical
1
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5

Alaska Range Mountaineering

AAI Guide Hali Scroggins high on Radio Control Tower in the Alaska Range. Kevin McGarity. This action packed ten-day program, provides a complete training in the foundational skills of alpine…

April - June
11 days
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Youth Climbing Programs
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Leaders of Tomorrow – Summit Camp

The American Alpine Institute’s Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) program is the only comprehensive youth climbing and mountaineering program of its kind in North America. Designed for motivated teens and young…

July
6 or 13-Days
Traversing Entreves
Chamonix, France Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Guided Alpine Climbing in the French Alps/Chamonix

The French Alps in the area near Chamonix encompass the highest concentration of quality alpine routes in the world. There are classics here at every technical level, and at each…

April - September
Varies based on Objective
A group of rescuers set up an advanced rope system for a technical rope rescue on Mt. Baker during an American Alpine Institute rope rescue course
Mt. Baker, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
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5
Physical
1
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5

Advanced Mountain Rescue

Complex team and self-rescue operations are made even more complex by a remote environment, but in mountain rescue, a remote environment is just the beginning. The complexities of rescue activity…

April - December
5 days
Resident llama at Refugio Laguna Tuni
Cordillera Real, Bolivia Special Offer
Type
Expeditions
Technical
1
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3
4
5
Physical
1
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5

Bolivia – Huayna Potosi Skills Expedition

The Huayna Potosi Skills Expedition is a 10-day climbing program that includes skills instruction and review that is presented at both introductory and more advanced levels. The introductory level includes…

June - September
17 days or 10 days without acclimatization trek
A skier descends in the Mt. Baker backcountry during an American Alpine Institute ski program
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
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5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Backcountry Skiing – Intro

…professional ski guides, you’ll learn the essentials of uphill travel with touring gear, efficient skinning techniques, and smart terrain management. This hands-on day will give you the confidence to explore…

December - March
1 Day

Program Activities

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Alpine Climbing & Mountaineering

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This is mountain climbing in its most classic form – over rock, snow, alpine ice, and glaciers, in pursuit of major summits.
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Rock Climbing

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Once mere skill-practice for mountaineers, rock climbing is now a highly developed sport, with numerous sub-disciplines such as trad, sport, and aid.
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Ice Climbing

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One of the most fundamental skills of mountaineering, ice climbing comprises skills for tackling both waterfall ice and alpine ice/glacier ice.
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High Altitude Climbing & Seven Summits

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Climbing the highest mountains in the world is a special discipline of mountaineering, with unique challenges and rewards.
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Backcountry Skiing & Boarding

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Guided skiing in world-famous backcountry, and skills instruction for skiers, split-boarders, and ski mountaineers
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Avalanche Training

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Avalanche safety training is a must for anyone who ventures into the backcountry in winter, and we offer the gold standard in avalanche education.
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Hiking And Backpacking

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Living and moving in the mountains is a reward in itself, and provides the fundamental skills that underlie all mountaineering.
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Wilderness Skills

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Those who venture into the wilderness must draw from a deep skill base, including navigation, outdoor cooking, water purification, and countless others.
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Outdoor Educator & Guide Training

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Technical and non-technical leadership courses from the AMGA's longest-accredited guide service
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Technical Rescue & Medical

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Industry standard technical rescue and wilderness medicine instruction

Program Types

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Instructional Courses

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Intensive mountain skills instruction and summit climbs
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Group Summit Climbs

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Introductory summit climbs with some skills instruction
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Expeditions

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Longer trips in remote locations to ascend major peaks, including the Seven Summits
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Private & Custom Trips

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Custom adventures for individuals or groups – with the best-trained guides in the industry
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Treks, Tours, & Backpacking

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Full-service, non-technical adventures for all outdoor enthusiasts
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Government, Military, & Veterans

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Training for government personnel and vocational programs for veterans using VA benefits
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Youth Climbing Programs

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Our youth programs inspire young adventurers to explore the outdoors, build confidence, and develop climbing and leadership skills in a fun and supportive environment.
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Mountain Center

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Short classroom and outdoor courses, films, lectures, and other low-cost programming for the local outdoor community

Articles

Blog Posts

American Alpine Institute Guides Choice – 2018

American Alpine Institute
July 24, 2018

American Alpine Institute Guides Choice – 2021

American Alpine Institute
October 4, 2021

Core shots in Climbing Ropes

American Alpine Institute
January 12, 2026