The Alpine Guide Certification is designed for people who guide glaciated and non-glaciated peaks, approaches and climbs, with no limitation with respect to season and elevation. It includes rock climbs, peak ascents, waterfall ice climbs, and expeditionary climbing. The alpine program progression will help you fine-tune your skills in alpine snow, mixed, waterfall ice, and glaciated terrain.
To enter the program you must first successfully complete the Rock Guide Course or the Alpine Skills Course, depending on if you are pursuing IFMGA certification or Alpine Guide certification only, and meet all the prerequisites for the Alpine Guide Course. As well, you must have a solid experience base and knowledge of technical mountain travel.
To get your Alpine Guide Certification, you must complete:
Although this is a demanding program, it opens up tremendous opportunities for you as a professional guide.
The Alpine Skills Course (ASC) can be the first step in the AMGA’s Alpine Guide training and certification process. It is a 5-day course, designed for aspiring guides and instructors who have an alpine climbing background and interest in developing their guiding skills in this setting. The ASC places strong emphasis on maximizing client rewards while effectively managing risks. The ASC can be used as a prerequisite to taking the Alpine Guide Course and as a prerequisite to taking the Ski Guide Course, starting in 2016.
The ASC addresses guiding techniques commonly used on simple glacier routes that may include rock scrambles up to Class 4 with short steps of easy 5th class. The terrain might also require technical descents, management and movement of multiple clients, small team rescue and other related skills and knowledge.
There will be considerable structured practice in the ASC. Techniques will be presented and/or demonstrated, you will practice on the ground, and then practice in venues that are representative of the terrain. Because of the short nature of the course it may not be practical to access certain terrain.
Prerequisites:
The Alpine Guide Course (AGC) is designed to take a competent alpine climber and develop the fundamental skills they need to guide in a non-glaciated alpine environment. It provides training for aspiring guides and experienced guides who work in a wide range of alpine environments including alpine rock, mixed terrain, alpine ice, and waterfall ice. The AGC emphasizes a hands-on approach to the mechanics of guiding on alpine terrain.
Prerequisites:
Format:
The AGC includes indoor and outdoor classroom time, practice sessions, and climbing on a variety of rock, snow, and mixed routes. Recreational climbing skills and judgment are screened as part of the daily activities. The course is designed to introduce some of the recommended methods common to alpine guiding through sessions and practical application.
The Ice Instructor Course (IIC) is a fundamental component of the alpine guide education and certification process and is designed for skilled rock and ice climbers. This course addresses the skills and techniques used while instructing and guiding in single- and multi-pitch ice terrain. This course can also be taken as continuing education by AMGA guides who have already passed through the Alpine discipline.
Prerequisites:
Format:
The IIC includes indoors and outdoors classroom time, practice sessions, and climbing on a variety of water ice climbs. Recreational climbing skills and judgment are screened as part of the daily activities. The course focuses on practical experience where the students are guiding the terrain. Climbing routes are from one to five pitches. Students are expected to place solid gear and have a good working knowledge of multi-pitch ice guiding. The routes will be up to WI 4+ in difficulty. The course introduces some of the recommended methods common to water ice guiding through sessions and practical application.
The Ice Instructor Exam is designed to assess and certify ice climbing guides at the AMGA and IFMGA ice guiding standards for individuals who do not guide on glacier ice.
During the 6 day exam you will be guiding your peers and examiners on routes up to 3 pitches in length that fall within the Scope of Practice for Certified Ice Instructors. Routes will be chosen based on their unique challenges and will be up to WI 4+ with minimal approach and descent challenges.
While on the IIE you will be guiding 2-3 pitch routes focusing on the client experience and maximizing movement and teaching opportunities. Minimal focus will be on moving quickly and managing 3rd and 4th class terrain where short-roping is required.
Candidates will be assessed on their movement at the WI 4+ climbing standard, ice specific rescue skills (these will be taught and practiced during the exam), and guided days assessment with evaluation in the following areas: Risk Management, Client Care, Technical Systems, Application, Terrain Assessment, Movement Skills, Mountain Sense, Professionalism, and Instructional Technique.
Prerequisites:
The 9-day Advanced Alpine Guide Course (AAGC) helps accomplished climbers develop the skills and techniques they use while instructing and guiding in a glaciated alpine setting. It covers the tools used when guiding and instructing multiple clients on longer routes up to Grade V—management of 3rd and 4th class terrain, technical descents, simultaneous multi-client belaying, technical descents, management and movement of multiple clients, and small team rescue skills. It emphasizes effective risk management while maximizing client rewards.
The AAGC includes instruction, coaching, debriefing, and assessment. The assessment phase in known as the Aspirant Exam. The focus of the course is on principle-based learning, giving you the strategies for problem solving through coaching and practical application in simulated guide/client scenarios. Guiding and instructional skills will be assessed during the Aspirant Exam portion(s) of the course. A final assessment will be based on your overall performance.
The Aspirant Exam is intended to help determine whether or not your personal skills meet the minimum standards appropriate for guiding. In addition, it serves as preparation for the final certification exam. The standard for the Aspirant Exam is at a level appropriate for guiding clients professionally with only indirect supervision. Finally, your essential skills and abilities as an Aspirant Guide must be comparable to those of a full guide.
The goals of the 9-day Alpine Guide Exam (AGE) are to assess and certify alpine climbing guides at the AMGA and IFMGA international standards and to further the general education of students.
You are expected to carry out guiding assignments given by the examiners during the exam. You serve as guides to the examiners and to the other participants on routes chosen for their complex guiding challenges. You are responsible for route planning, client orientation, risk management, and normal guiding practices while acting as the guide. Route assignments and client profiles are usually given the night before. You are responsible for obtaining information about the assigned route as well as alternative routes if the original objective proves infeasible.
The exam is conducted on routes in alpine terrain and may include glaciated and non-glaciated peaks, approaches, and climbs, with no limitation. It includes rock climbs, peak ascents, and waterfall climbs. A strong emphasis is placed on expertise in short roping clients.
Screening of movement skills in rock, alpine, snow, ice, and mixed terrain; Crevasse Rescue Drill; Guided days assessment, which includes evaluation in the following nine areas: risk management, client care, technical systems, application, terrain assessment, movement skills, mountain sense, professionalism and instructional technique.
Program Type | Code | Location | State | Dates | Tuition | Status | Apply |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Alpine Guide Course/AE | A11 AAGC 24 | Cascades | Washington | 6/6/24 - 6/14/24 | $4525.00 | Open | Apply |
Advanced Alpine Guide Course/AE | A24 AAGC 24 | Cascades | Washington | 9/4/24 - 9/12/24 | $4525.00 | Open | Apply |
Advanced Alpine Guide Course/AE | A23 AAGC 24 | Cascades | Washington | 8/21/24 - 8/29/24 | $4525.00 | Open | Apply |
Advanced Alpine Guide Course/AE | A21 AAGC 24 | Cascades | Washington | 7/30/24 - 8/7/24 | $4525.00 | Open | Apply |
Advanced Alpine Guide Course/AE | A18 AAGC 24 | Cascades | Washington | 7/8/24 - 7/16/24 | $4525.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Guide Course | A1 AGC 24 | Boulder/Estes | Colorado | 4/17/24 - 4/25/24 | $3475.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Alpine Guide Course | A2 AGC 24 | Boulder/Estes | Colorado | 5/1/24 - 5/9/24 | $3475.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Alpine Guide Course | A13 AGC 24 | Jackson | Wyoming | 6/11/24 - 6/19/24 | $3475.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Guide Course | A27 *Veterans AGC 24 | Cascades | Washington | 8/21/24 - 8/29/24 | $3475.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Guide Course | A29 *ASCENT AGC 24 | Estes / Boulder | Colorado | 5/15/24 - 5/23/24 | $3475.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Alpine Guide Course | A9 AGC 24 | Sierra | California | 6/4/24 - 6/12/24 | $3475.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Guide Exam | A25 AGE 24 | Cascades | Washington | 9/15/24 - 9/23/24 | $4525.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Guide Exam | A16 AGE 24 | Cascades | Washington | 6/18/24 - 6/26/24 | $4525.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Guide Exam | A22 AGE 24 | Cascades | Washington | 8/10/24 - 8/18/24 | $4525.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Guide Exam | A20 AGE 24 | Cascades | Washington | 7/19/24 - 7/27/24 | $4525.00 | Open | Apply |
Ice Instructor Course | I11 IIC 23 | Ouray | Colorado | 12/18/23 - 12/22/23 | $3175.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Ice Instructor Course | I1 IIC 24 | Ouray | Colorado | 1/8/24 - 1/12/24 | $3175.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Ice Instructor Course | I2 IIC 24 | Ouray | Colorado | 1/29/24 - 2/2/24 | $3175.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Ice Instructor Course | I3 IIC 24 | Ouray | Colorado | 2/5/24 - 2/9/24 | $3175.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Ice Instructor Course | I5 IIC 24 | Littleton | New Hampshire | 2/12/24 - 2/16/24 | $3175.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Ice Instructor Course | I6 IIC 24 | Canmore | Alberta | 2/19/24 - 2/23/24 | $3175.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Ice Instructor Course | I8 *TMG IIC 24 | Cody | Wyoming | 2/1/24 - 2/5/24 | $0.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Alpine Skills Course | A3 ASC 24-SKI | Mt Erie/Mt Baker | Washington | 5/13/24 - 5/17/24 | $2375.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Alpine Skills Course | A4 ASC 24- SKI | Estes/Boulder | Colorado | 5/13/24 - 5/17/24 | $2375.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Alpine Skills Course | A5 ASC 24-SKI | Mt Erie/Mt Baker | Washington | 5/20/24 - 5/24/24 | $2375.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Alpine Skills Course | A6 ASC 24-SKI | Estes/Boulder | Colorado | 5/20/24 - 5/24/24 | $2375.00 | Applications Under Review* | |
Alpine Skills Course | A7 ASC 24 | Bend | Oregon | 6/3/24 - 6/7/24 | $2375.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Skills Course | A8 ASC 24 | Estes/Boulder | Colorado | 6/3/24 - 6/7/24 | $2375.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Skills Course | A12 ASC 24 | Mt Erie/Mt Baker | Washington | 6/10/24 - 6/14/24 | $2375.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Skills Course | A14 ASC 24 | Estes/Boulder | Colorado | 6/17/24 - 6/21/24 | $2375.00 | Open | Apply |
Alpine Skills Course | A15 ASC 24 | Mt Erie/Mt Baker | Washington | 6/17/24 - 6/21/24 | $2375.00 | Open | Apply |
Ice Instructor Exam | I4 IIE 24 | Littleton | New Hampshire | 2/5/24 - 2/10/24 | $3475.00 | Applications Under Review* |
Program tuition does not cover lodging, food, or other travel costs.
Application deadline is December 1, 2024
Application deadline: December 1, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted. Depending on weather, conditions, and needs this program may utilize any of the following venues: Mt. Baker, North Cascades National Park, or Mt. Erie.
Geoff Schellens doing some route finding on the N Ridge of Cutthroat Peak, photo Josh Beckner
Application deadline: December 1, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted. Depending on weather, conditions, and needs this program may utilize any of the following venues: Mt. Baker, North Cascades National Park, or Mt. Erie.
Geoff Schellens doing some route finding on the N Ridge of Cutthroat Peak, photo Josh Beckner
Application deadline: December 1, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted. Depending on weather, conditions, and needs this program may utilize any of the following venues: Mt. Baker, North Cascades National Park, Washington Pass, or Mt. Erie.
Geoff Schellens doing some route finding on the N Ridge of Cutthroat Peak, photo Josh Beckner
Application deadline: December 1, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted. Depending on weather, conditions, and needs this program may utilize any of the following venues: Mt. Baker, North Cascades National Park, or Mt. Erie.
Geoff Schellens doing some route finding on the N Ridge of Cutthroat Peak, photo Josh Beckner
This program will split time between Estes Park and Boulder, CO.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Instructor Team*: Joe Thompson, Matt Hartman, Buster Jesik
*Staffing is subject to change throughout the year based on AMGA programming needs and instructor availability
Zack McGill_Lucas finishes the final stretch of a traverse pitch on Hallet Peak in RMNP.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Instructor Team*: Dale Remsberg, Eric Larson, Buster Jesik
*Staffing is subject to change throughout the year based on AMGA programming needs and instructor availability
Zack McGill_Lucas finishes the final stretch of a traverse pitch on Hallet Peak in RMNP.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Photo: High Camp looking at valley by Nick
This program is only open to VETERANS of the US Military who wish to use their GI Bill funds to pay for the course. This course is run through the American Alpine Institute (an AMGA accredited business), who are accredited and approved to accept GI Bill funding.
In order to participate on this Alpine Guide Course, you must:
1) Be a veteran of the US Military
2) Apply to the program, pay the non-refundable $65.00 application fee, and submit all of the required application materials (resume, WFR/CPR, and AMGA approved avalanche training certs) to show that you meet the prerequisites for the AGC
3) Email Jesse Littleton ([email protected]) proof of veteran status
4) Once your materials have been reviewed, you will be eligible to become enrolled in the course if space is available (like all AMGA programs, entrance is competitive and we may receive more applications than we have spaces available - meeting the prerequisites is not a guarantee of enrollment, please review the process for application review here).
5) If accepted into the program, you will be sent a document describing how to complete the enrollment process and use your VA benefits to pay for the program. You cannot be officially enrolled until you have completed the VA Benefits Survey and Enrollment Agreement through the American Alpine Institute.
If you have any questions about this course, the application review/enrollment process, how to use your VA benefits, or anything else related to this program, please contact Jesse Littleton ([email protected]).
Over the last few years, the American Mountain Guides Association has reflected on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our association, recognizing areas of growth and creating an action plan. One of our key focuses is creating accessibility to our courses through various initiatives like the women’s Single Pitch Instructor Course and women’s Rock Guide Course.
This program is designed for anyone who does not fall into a dominant group at the AMGA. Historically women, people of color, LGBTQ2IA+, and people with various underrepresented identities who have faced barriers to entering careers as guides and instructors.
At this time, this is not a tuition-assisted program, but this could change.
Application deadline September 10, 2023
Program tuition does not cover lodging, food, or other travel costs.
Application deadline is December 1, 2024
Application deadline: March 3, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted. Depending on weather, conditions, and needs this program may utilize any of the following venues: Mt. Baker, North Cascades National Park, Washington Pass, or Mt. Erie.
Geoff Schellens doing some route finding on the N Ridge of Cutthroat Peak, photo Josh Beckner
Application deadline: December 1, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted. Depending on weather, conditions, and needs this program may utilize any of the following venues: Mt. Baker, North Cascades National Park, or Mt. Erie.
Geoff Schellens doing some route finding on the N Ridge of Cutthroat Peak, photo Josh Beckner
Application deadline: December 1, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted. Depending on weather, conditions, and needs this program may utilize any of the following venues: Mt. Baker, North Cascades National Park, or Mt. Erie.
Geoff Schellens doing some route finding on the N Ridge of Cutthroat Peak, photo Josh Beckner
Application deadline: December 1, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted. Depending on weather, conditions, and needs this program may utilize any of the following venues: Mt. Baker, North Cascades National Park, or Mt. Erie.
Geoff Schellens doing some route finding on the N Ridge of Cutthroat Peak, photo Josh Beckner
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Instructor Team*: Patrick Ormond, Micah Lewkowitz, Vince Anderson, Eric Larson
*Staffing is subject to change throughout the year based on AMGA programming needs and instructor availability
Ouray Ice Park. Photo @mikepondclimbs
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Instructor Team*: Patrick Ormond, Mike Soucy; Dale Remsberg, Keith Garvey
*Staffing is subject to change throughout the year based on AMGA programming needs and instructor availability
Ouray Ice Park. Photo @mikepondclimbs
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Ouray Ice Park. Photo @mikepondclimbs
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Instructor Team*: Matt Farmer, Joe Thompson, Keith Garvey
*Staffing is subject to change throughout the year based on AMGA programming needs and instructor availability
Ouray Ice Park. Photo @mikepondclimbs
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Instructor Team*: Silas Rossi, Paul Rachele, Mike Abbey
*Staffing is subject to change throughout the year based on AMGA programming needs and instructor availability
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Application Deadline: September 10, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other expenses unless otherwise noted.
Application Deadline: September 10, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other expenses unless otherwise noted.
Application Deadline: September 10, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other expenses unless otherwise noted.
Application Deadline: September 10, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other expenses unless otherwise noted.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2023.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other expenses unless otherwise noted.
Application Deadline: September 10, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other expenses unless otherwise noted.
Application Deadline: September 10, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other expenses unless otherwise noted.
Application Deadline: September 10, 2023
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other expenses unless otherwise noted.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other expenses unless otherwise noted.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, or other course expenses unless otherwise noted.
Application and Notification Deadlines
Program Dates | Application Deadline | Notification Deadline |
---|---|---|
Programs with start dates of November 25 - December 31, 2023 (S1 SGC 24 & I11 IIC 23) | August 25, 2023 | September 1, 2023 |
Programs with start dates of January 1 - May 31, 2024 | September 10, 2023 | October 12, 2023 |
Programs with start dates of June 1 - August 31, 2024 | December 1, 2023 | December 15, 2023 |
Programs with start dates of September 1 - November 15, 2024 | March 3, 2024 | March 28, 2024 |