American Alpine Institute

11/04/2026

🏔️ WE'RE HIRING: Mountain Guides & Climbing Instructors!

Want to turn your passion for climbing and the mountains into a career? American Alpine Institute (AAI) is looking for experienced mountain guides and climbing instructors to join our team!

From alpine mountaineering and rock climbing to glacier travel, technical rescue, and backcountry skills, AAI instructors help climbers and mountaineers develop the knowledge, technical skills, and sound judgment to pursue bigger mountain objectives.

Why work with AAI?
- Teach and guide in incredible mountain environments.
- Work alongside experienced, professional mountain guides.
- Share your knowledge and help develop the next generation of climbers.
- Be part of an established mountain education program with a long history in the climbing industry.

Have the experience and passion we're looking for? We'd love to hear from you!

Explore the job description and apply here:
🔗 https://www.alpineinstitute.com/careers/instructor-and-guide/

Know an experienced climber, alpinist, or guide who might be a great fit? Tag them below or share this post!

11/04/2026

🏔️ WE’RE HIRING: Mountain Guides & Climbing Instructors!
Want to turn your passion for climbing and the mountains into a career? American Alpine Institute (AAI) is looking for experienced mountain guides and climbing instructorsto join our team!
From alpine mountaineering and rock climbing to glacier travel, technical rescue, and backcountry skills, AAI instructors help climbers and mountaineers develop the knowledge, technical skills, and sound judgment to pursue bigger mountain objectives.

Why work with AAI?
* Teach and guide in incredible mountain environments.
* Work alongside experienced, professional mountain guides.
* Share your knowledge and help develop the next generation of climbers.
* Be part of an established mountain education program with a long history in the climbing industry.
Have the experience and passion we’re looking for? We’d love to hear from you!

Explore the job description and apply at the link 🔗 (in highlights on bio)

Know an experienced climber, alpinist, or guide who might be a great fit? Tag them below or share this post!

11/03/2026

Ready to take your backcountry skiing further?

From your first skin track to technical ski mountaineering objectives, our Ski Mountaineering & Avalanche Leadership (SMALP) series offers a progression to build your skills, confidence, and mountain judgment.

🎿 SMALP 1: Get started with backcountry touring, AIARE Level 1, and Avalanche Rescue.

🏔️ SMALP 2: Develop technical ski alpinism skills, including crampon and ice axe techniques, rope systems, and winter mountaineering.

⛷️ SMALP 3: Take on advanced ski mountaineering, complex terrain, and AIARE Level 2.

Start with the foundation you need or keep progressing toward bigger winter objectives. Three courses, plenty of reasons to get out in the mountains.

Your next winter objective starts here.

11/02/2026

AAI's Director, Jason Martin, was recently interviewed about wilderness risk management on The Sharp End Podcast. He talked about all the mountain risk management lessons he's learned over the last 35-years. Check it out!

Audio Episode Link:
https://soundcloud.com/the.../ep-130-the-differences-between
Video Episode Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XrjkgqHstk

11/01/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY!

Join us 1-6pm.

Be there or be square.

10/30/2026

🎿 Gear Deals, Live Music & Mountain Education!

Join American Alpine Institute on Sunday, November 1, from 1–6 PM for our annual Mountain Festival & Gear Sale in Bellingham!

Whether you're gearing up for winter, looking to score a deal, or just want to connect with the local mountain community, there's something for everyone.

🧗 Gear Sale: Save on climbing and outdoor equipment, clearance apparel, used rental gear, and guide consignment items.

🎨 Makers Market: Shop artwork and goods from local Pacific Northwest artists and independent vendors.

🎸 Live Music: Enjoy an afternoon of music and community.

🚁 Wilderness Rescue Resources: Join us from 2–3 PM to learn what to expect during a backcountry rescue.

❄️ Avalanche Awareness: From 4–5 PM, our mountain experts will share essential knowledge to help you prepare for winter backcountry travel.

Free admission and open to everyone!

Bring your friends, find some great gear, learn something new, and celebrate the mountain community with us!

📍 American Alpine Institute Headquarters
4041 Home Road, Suite A, Bellingham, WA

👉 Get all the details: https://www.alpineinstitute.com/mountain-festival-gear-sale/

10/29/2026

AAI's Gear Sale and Mountain Festival is on Sunday in Bellingham. A 32-year-old free soloed Colorado's First Flatiron in 7 minutes and 51 seconds. And they're considering a man-made lake on the periphery of Las Vegas' Red Rock Canyon.

Read about this and a whole lot more in this week's climbing, skiing, mountain rescue and outdoor news round-up:

–It’s time to start thinking about climbing in the Southwest. Book a trip to Red Rock Canyon or to Joshua Tree National Park.

10/26/2026

DON'T MISS OUT!!!

This Sunday from 1-6pm is our Mountain Fest.

Huge Gear discounts, free seminars, and local makers.

10/23/2026

Rock or Ice? Why choose? 🧗‍♂️🧊

With AAI’s Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership (AMTL) programs, you can build skills in both.

🏔️ AMTL 1 introduces you to glacier travel, mountaineering fundamentals, and technical rock skills.

🧗 AMTL 2 takes things further with traditional lead climbing, ice climbing, and the technical skills to tackle more challenging alpine objectives.

🎓 Learn from amazing instructors with an AMGA-accredited guide service that puts education first. Build your skills, develop your judgment, and gain the experience to become a more independent climber.

And when it’s time to bring it all together? Our student-led Cascade Classic climbs put your skills to the test on real alpine objectives.

Rock, ice, glaciers, and bigger goals. Your alpine education starts here.

🔗 Explore our AMTL programs at alpineinstitute.com

10/21/2026

MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL, MAKER'S MARKET, GEAR SALE, AND FREE EDUCATIONAL CLINICS!

EQUIPMENT SHOP SALE: Up to 40% off new gear and tons of used mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding and climbing equipment!

AVALANCHE COUSE SALE: Buy anything and get $100 off an avalanche course.

MAKER'S MARKET: Local outdoor makers and artists will be selling their wares.

FREE EDUCATIONAL CLINICS:

2pm - Know Before You Go: Wilderness Rescue Resources and What to Expect
4:00pm - Know Before You Go: Avalanche Awareness
CLINIC DESCRIPTIONS:

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: WILDERNESS RESCUE RESOURCES AND WHAT TO EXPECT

What happens when you need a rescue in the wilderness? Who shows up? What do they do? How do they manage a situation? Do you have to pay for a rescue? Will a helicopter come? Who is in charge? How will they find me?

Wilderness rescue, search and rescue and mountain rescue are complicated topics. This is because they don't fit easily into one box. It's different everywhere you go. In this seminar, we will discuss how rescue operations work locally, how they work in other jurisdictions, and how they work internationally. In addition to that, we'll talk about tne complicated politics of search and rescue operations in a wilderness setting.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: AVALANCHE AWARENESS

This program is designed to introduce winter backcountry enthusiasts to avalanche terrain assessment, winter snowpack analysis and rescue technique. It also provides you a venue to talk frankly with our expert guides on how to create a reasonable margin of safety when climbing, skiing, or snowboarding on avalanche prone slopes.

More Info:
https://www.alpineinstitute.com/mountain-festival-gear-sale/ See less