Skiing:

Ahhhh !” What more can I say about something that pre-dates the wheel? I have always tried by saying, "anything with skis on the feet is fun!” Skiing is my true passion in the mountains and I would love to share turns and tours with you. Come experience the sheer joy that only powder skiing in awe-inspiring terrain can bring. Alpine Guides International can customize ski trips for all types of terrain and help you learn the tools for traveling safely in the winter mountain environment while seeking beautiful fall lines.

"One can never be bored by powder skiing because it is a special gift of the relationship between earth and sky. It only comes in sufficient amounts in particular places, at certain times on this earth; it lasts only a limited amount of time before sun and wind changes it. People devote their whole lives to it for the pleasure of being so purely played by gravity and snow." ~Dolores LaChapelle

Ski Mountaineering in Chamonix and La Grave, France January - April Come enjoy a ski adventure of a lifetime in France with AGI. Experience the passion of “ski savage” in the heart of the Alps. See for yourself what the entire buzz has been for the last couple centuries. I run trips based out of the Chamonix valley or the village of La Grave wherever conditions are best. Close proximity to Italy and Switzerland gives us many outrageous options for the most classic and accessible routes in the world. I offer lift serviced off piste and/or ski touring day adventures for groups up to 4 people. Experience the amazing lift services of these valleys with AGI from January till April for amazing vertical relief (7,000’-12,000’) and stunning alpine scenery! Multi-day ski mountaineering routes such as the Haute Route and the Berner Oberland Route are available to book mid March through April. See rates page for more info.

Ski Mountaineering in the St. Elias Range, Alaska Early May Airplane camping out on an ice-field larger than some New England states with endless ski lines to be had sums this venture up nicely. The nunataks of the Bagely Icefields set the stage for tours and turns from a comfortable base camp setting. The climbs and descents are in the range of 1,000 – 3,000 feet. This is a remote wilderness adventure with possible first ascent and descent opportunities. Mellow long ski tours are a potential as well as full on rappelling onto faces and skiing committing lines. This trip is relatively low in altitude (10,000’) so acclimatization is not needed allowing for short itineraries. This is truly a ski trip of a lifetime unlike no other for advanced to expert skiers. See rates page for more info.

Backcountry Skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho January - April This trip is run in conjunction with my good friends at Sun Valley Trekking. We will utilize one or more of their backcountry huts located in the Sawtooth, Smokey, and Pioneer Ranges of South central Idaho. From these comfortable yurts and wall tents we will explore many pristine old growth forest, glacial cirques, couloirs and amazing views. All huts are outfitted with wood burning stoves, cook stoves, lanterns, bed pads and cedar saunas for our after skiing delights. This trip can be customized to maximize turns or long tours. This venue has everything to offer intermediate to expert skiers from hut based day tours or hut-to-hut tours. Come explore a skier’s paradise in the wild and remote mountains of Idaho. It’s like backcountry skiing used to be! See rates page for more info.

Backcountry Skiing in New England December – May Come discover the hidden gems that the Green Mountains of Vermont can offer in and around Smugglers Notch and Mt Mansfield. This is my home terrain when I am not on an expedition and I would love to share some beautiful lines with you. We can also explore the legendary ravines on Mt. Washington for classic steep skiing New England style. The Whites have amazing ski potential at all levels from ski mountaineering to ski touring. These venues allow for skill development in route planning, skinning, track setting and steep skiing techniques. We can combine alpine gulley climbing with a ski descent to gain exposure to using rope techniques. Come learn the essentials of backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering here in New England that can be applied to any ski destination around the globe. See rates page for more info.

photo credit: Jesse Schloff