Applications for the 2025 season closed on December 1, 2024. We will begin accepting applications for new hire guides for the 2026 climbing season on September 15, 2025.

We actively recruit mountain guides who are dedicated to pursuing excellence in guiding and teaching on the world’s most beautiful and challenging mountains. Alpine Ascents is a world leader in guiding great mountains around the globe for over 30 years. We guide on seven continents and operate climbing programs on Mt. Rainier, in the North Cascades, and in Denali National Park. Alpine Ascents has offices in Seattle, Washington and Talkeetna, Alaska.

Mountain guiding is a highly demanding field which requires great physical and emotional stamina, patience, solid technical skills, strong decision-making abilities, and a passion for imparting knowledge to others. In turn, guides are rewarded with a life in the outdoors, professional growth and development opportunities and very competitive wages. You can read more about the recruitment process in this blog post. Successful mountain guide applicants will possess the following skills and certifications:

Strong understanding and mastery of alpine climbing skills
Ability to assess the needs of the individual and group for risk mitigation and success
Teaching techniques appropriate for adult learners with various climbing abilities
Experience climbing (and preferably guiding) in the areas where Alpine Ascents offers programs
Ability to perform and teach self-arrest and crevasse rescue skills
Minimum of three years alpine climbing and preferably guiding experience. An ideal candidate has successfully summited five glaciated peaks.
Excellent ability to lead, communicate effectively and efficiently, be congenial to co-workers, clients, and the general public when guiding, and teach in a kind and friendly manner under stressful conditions.
Maintain current WFR, CPR, Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor, and avalanche certifications. Lead guides on Mt. Rainier must hold an Avalanche II certification.
Completed either the AMGA Alpine Guide Course, Alpine Snow & Glacier Module, or Alpine Skills Course
Hold a valid U.S. driver’s license

We are actively recruiting female, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ guides.

Most guides begin on our domestic programs in Washington guiding on Mt. Rainier and in the North Cascades. Those who successfully complete 1-2 seasons in Washington are often asked to guide on expeditions such as Mount McKinley | Denali, Aconcagua, or the Mexico Volcanoes. A select few guides will be offered the opportunity to join us as guides in the Himalayas, on Kilimanjaro, and in Antarctica.

Qualified applicants will be invited to attend a 10-day New Guide Training/Assessment in the spring. This training is designed to familiarize guides with the teaching methods and philosophy of Alpine Ascents guiding. Those who successfully complete this training will be scheduled for the summer season and are expected to be available from May through the end of August. Housing is provided for guides between most trips.

Attributes of a Successful New Guide Candidate

What makes our ideal candidate? A comprehensive list of skills, certifications, and recommended ascents can be downloaded here.

NEW FOR 2026: Guide applicants must have completed the AMGA Alpine Guide Course, Alpine Snow & Glacier Module, or the Alpine Skills Course to be considered for employment.

Experienced Guides

Applications for the 2026 season will open on September 15. Guides with 5+ years of professional mountain guiding experience are welcome to send an employment resume, completed climbing resume, and letter of interest to mbrown@alpineascents.com. Guides will be interviewed and hired based on need and availability.

Alaska Guides

Applications for the 2026 Mount McKinley | Denali season will open on September 15. Guides with significant Alaska guiding experience who meet the above criteria and are interested in working in our Alaska program should send an employment resume, completed climbing resume, and letter of interest to mbrown@alpineascents.com. Preference will be given to guides with successful Mount McKinley | Denali guiding experience. Qualified guides will be interviewed and hired based on need and availability.

Gear Staff

Applications for 2025 Summer Gear Staff positions will open on September 15. Applications will be reviewed in the fall and interviews will begin in early December. Please take a look at the full position description and other hiring information on the following tab. To apply, email a resume and cover letter to Gear@alpineascents.com with the subject: Gear Staff Position. Please communicate clearly regarding your availability in your cover letter. Interviews and hiring will take place on a rolling basis until available positions are filled.

Compensation & Benefits

Our mountain guide salaries range from $220 to $375+ per day, determined by experience, skills, and certifications.
Alpine Ascents provides a continuing education stipend for AMGA, Pro Avalanche Courses, and other approved training programs.
Mileage reimbursement of the IRS standard rate of 70 cents per mile when Alpine Ascents transportation is not provided.
$20/day food stipend while instructing mountaineering courses. Please note, we provide on-mountain breakfasts and dinners for summit climbs.
$25/month InReach reimbursement
$30 NW Forest Pass reimbursement
Free guide housing in Eatonville, Washington and Sedro-Woolley, WA.
After one year and $5,000 in W-2 earnings, employees can participate in our Simple IRA Savings Plan, with Alpine Ascents matching contributions up to 3% of annual compensation.
Ability to join annual internal AMGA contract course (Alpine Guide Course or Rock Guide Course) with fellow Alpine Ascents guides. Contract courses tend to be roughly 30% less expensive than a standard course.
An Alpine Ascents branded The North Face guide uniform. Exact uniform pieces vary by year and depend on guide workload.
Discount at Alpine Ascents retail store (30%)
Pro-Deal discounts for outdoor gear
Discounts to local climbing gyms

Grouse Mountain Resort

Mountain Guides

Avalanche Education Program Director