American Alpine Institute - Mountain Instructor Professional Training Program

This 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.

The Mountaineering Instructor program was designed specifically to meet the needs of those who would like to work in the mountains as an instructor or a guide. This series of courses provides a climber with a backbone of skills and certifications that they will need in order to become a strong candidate for a position as a mountaineering instructor. Those who receive this certification will have a strong resume of entry-level mountain guide training: a respectable list of climbs that they have completed, level II avalanche training, an American Mountain Guides Association certification, two rescue certifications, a Leave No Trace certification, and an American Alpine Institute Mountaineering Instructor certification.

While the guiding industry is a competitive industry, the mountaineering instructor professional training program will give prospective guides a significant advantage. Many of those who have completed this program are working as guides today.