Experience Year-Round Mountain Adventures with Vail’s Original Mountaineering School
Apex Mountain School is Vail’s trusted, family-owned guide service, delivering over 25 years of premier outdoor education and unforgettable adventures. Our professionally trained guides offer customized experiences for every season, including:
- Avalanche Education: AIARE-certified avalanche courses designed for all experience levels, from Level 1 and Companion Rescue to Level 2, providing essential skills for backcountry safety
- Winter Guided Trips: Backcountry skiing, splitboarding, and ice climbing, tailored to help you explore Vail’s untouched powder and frozen waterfalls
- Summer Guided Trips: Rock climbing, alpine climbing, mountain biking, and peak ascents for exciting summer adventures
- Private Clinics: Personalized training in mountaineering, climbing, and rescue skills, adapted to your needs and goals
Our guides hold top certifications from organizations like AMGA, AIARE, PMBIA, PSIA, and WMS, ensuring a safe and enriching experience. This winter, elevate your skills with our popular avalanche courses or join a guided backcountry skiing adventure.
Discover why locals and visitors alike choose Apex for their mountain adventures. Book your next Colorado experience today!
Summer Guided Trips
Vail Biking
Mountain biking Vail is an amazing way to get exercise and connect with nature.
The mountain biking trails around Vail are second to none – the Rocky Mountains finest.
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The mountain biking trails around Vail are second to none – the Rocky Mountains finest.
Rock Climbing
Vail offers world-renowned rock climbing experiences.
Whether you're a beginner or seasoned climber, you'll find stunning routes in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
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Whether you're a beginner or seasoned climber, you'll find stunning routes in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
Nature Hikes
Experience the beauty of Vail’s wilderness on guided nature hikes. Discover diverse wildlife, vibrant wildflowers, and breathtaking mountain views.
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Rappelling
Challenge yourself with a thrilling outdoor rappelling experience. Descend stunning rock faces with expert guidance in the scenic Vail area.
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ELBERT SUMMIT HIKE
Conquer Colorado’s highest peak with our guided hike to the summit of Mt. Elbert. Enjoy spectacular views and a sense of accomplishment when reaching for the top of a fourteener.
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Multi-Pitch
Take your climbing skills to new heights with multi-pitch rock climbing. Climb higher and farther with professional guidance on Colorado’s famous vertical routes.
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APEX MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
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Avalanche Education
AIARE LEVEL 1 BACKCOUNTRY COURSE
Be prepared when traveling in the backcountry with an AIARE Level 1 Backcountry course.
Learn how to make informed decisions in order to mitigate risk in adverse conditions.
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Learn how to make informed decisions in order to mitigate risk in adverse conditions.
AIARE LEVEL 2 BACKCOUNTRY
Take your backcountry skiing to the next level this winter with an AIARE Level 2 course.
Deepen your avalanche safety expertise with our AIARE Level 2 course, designed for backcountry users who want to advance their understanding of snowpack and risk management.
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Deepen your avalanche safety expertise with our AIARE Level 2 course, designed for backcountry users who want to advance their understanding of snowpack and risk management.
AIARE PRIVATE COURSES
Enjoy a more personalized avalanche education experience with our AIARE Private Courses.
Get personalized avalanche education tailored to your group’s needs. Our private AIARE Level 1 course ensures focused instruction and flexibility in scheduling.
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Get personalized avalanche education tailored to your group’s needs. Our private AIARE Level 1 course ensures focused instruction and flexibility in scheduling.
AIARE PRIVATE COURSES
Experience a custom learning environment in our private AIARE Level 2 course, designed for people looking for in-depth avalanche training with personalized attention.
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AVALANCHE RESCUE
Learn and practice the skills needed to respond to an avalanche accident.
If there’s an avalanche, an efficient and intentional response is crucial.
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If there’s an avalanche, an efficient and intentional response is crucial.
AIARE LEVEL 1 ZOOM COURSE
If you have put off taking your Apex AIARE Level 1 course because you couldn’t or don’t want to take a Friday off from work, we have the solution.
This Zoom course offers an alternative for your classroom day!
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This Zoom course offers an alternative for your classroom day!
AIARE LEVEL 1 AND RESCUE COMBO
Travel safely through avalanche terrain and be prepared for an unexpected turn of events with this AIARE Avalanche Level 1 and Rescue Combo course.
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AVALANCHE REFRESHER
During an AIARE course there is a great deal of information presented.
Often when we return to the backcountry it is difficult to remember everything we have learned and practiced in the last course. Refresh your avalanche knowledge with a focused review of key skills and concepts.
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Often when we return to the backcountry it is difficult to remember everything we have learned and practiced in the last course. Refresh your avalanche knowledge with a focused review of key skills and concepts.
INTRO TO BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL
Learn the basics of backcountry travel and safety in this introductory course.
Gain the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and enjoy the backcountry safely and confidently.
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Gain the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and enjoy the backcountry safely and confidently.
Meet our guides
Our guides are dedicated to giving the safest, most fulfilling experience to our clients. With the most AMGA certifications we have the most qualified guides in the area.
Winter Guided Trips
Mountaineering
Embark on a mountaineering adventure with courses ranging from 101 to advanced skills training. Learn essential techniques to safely explore alpine environments.
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Backcountry Skiing
The Colorado Backcountry is world renown. The backcountry skiing in and around Vail is hands down the best in the state.
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Ice Climbing
In winter, cascading waterfalls and trickling alpine flows freeze and form fantastically beautiful and surreal ice climbs.
These short lived sculptures offer phenomenal climbing opportunities hence a chance to experience a truly unique and unforgettable adventure.
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These short lived sculptures offer phenomenal climbing opportunities hence a chance to experience a truly unique and unforgettable adventure.
Ski Mountaineering
Ski mountaineering is a challenging and exhilarating activity that combines skiing and mountaineering techniques.
Master the skills of ski mountaineering, combining skiing and climbing in high alpine terrain. Ideal for adventurous skiers seeking new challenges.
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Master the skills of ski mountaineering, combining skiing and climbing in high alpine terrain. Ideal for adventurous skiers seeking new challenges.
Mixed Climbing
Blend ice and rock climbing in this exhilarating sport.
Climbers use specialized equipment, including ice axes and crampons, to ascend routes that feature both rock and frozen terrain.
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Climbers use specialized equipment, including ice axes and crampons, to ascend routes that feature both rock and frozen terrain.
Snowshoeing
Explore the winter wonderland of Colorado on snowshoes. Our guided snowshoeing tours take you through serene landscapes blanketed in fresh snow.
It is an accessible and enjoyable way to explore the outdoors in winter.
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It is an accessible and enjoyable way to explore the outdoors in winter.
Trip Insurance
Safeguard your guided trips and mountain courses with comprehensive trip insurance, offering peace of mind and protection throughout your adventurous explorations.
Private Clinics
Mountaineering 101
Learn the fundamentals of mountaineering in this beginner-friendly course. Perfect for adventurers ready to explore high alpine environments safely.
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Mountaineering 102
Take your skills to the next level with Mountaineering 102, where you’ll deepen your techniques for more challenging winter climbs.
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Mountaineering 103
Master technical climbing skills in Mountaineering 103, designed for experienced adventurers ready for serious alpine challenges.
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Ski Mountaineering
Blend skiing and mountaineering in this advanced course. Tackle steep ascents and exhilarating descents with expert guidance in high-altitude terrain.
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Level 1 Private
Enjoy a customized AIARE Level 1 course designed to fit your schedule and group needs. Perfect for personalized avalanche training.
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Level 2 Private
Take a private AIARE Level 2 course for advanced avalanche education tailored to your group. Flexible and focused on your specific goals.
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Reviews
Katie Connolly
2024-10-21
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My 12 year old son and I had an amazing time rock climbing with Scott. My son has been climbing before but I have never climbed before, and the fact that we both had an awesome experience speaks volumes about Scott's skills as a guide. What's more, my son is on the autism spectrum, and Scott was great about meeting my son where he is (which is all any parent can ask for). Scott picked us up and dropped us off, which was great because I didn't know uber and lyft really aren't a thing in the Vail valley. There is a charge for the transportation, but it is consistent with other transpo services in the area, and the bonus is that you go directly to the climbing spot from your hotel because Scott brings all the gear in the van when he picks you up!
One important thing I learned is to do your research separately from your hotel's concierge. I was disappointed, to say the least, that the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek couldn't or wouldn't help me find a good climbing guide. I'm happy to report that Apex's website was easy to use and find the information I was looking for, and they were so incredibly responsive. As soon as I reached out, Scott was in constant contact with me about what our options were and all the information he needed to make a great, safe day.
And on that last point, I'd like to emphasize how safe I felt with Scott. I'm a total scaredy-cat and never thought I would climb an actual rock in the actual outside. I did because of Scott's support and teaching. Scott had excellent tips for me to gain control of the anxiety I was feeling about the heights. And I don't trust my kid with just anybody, and I was never worried about getting home with my kid intact with Scott at the helm. Highly, highly recommend, especially if you're going out with kids or have little to no climbing experience. I'm now a climbing convert thanks to Apex and Scott.
Randy Barbano
2024-09-12
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. (Re: Jack Guay was our Apex guide up Mt. Elbert on 9/9/24).
Jack Guay was the best choice you could make! Personable, professional, knowledgeable, strong, experienced and the list can go on. Jack loves the outdoors and he is contagious in that regard. Our hike up Elbert was a success, because Jack made it so. Jack even carried many of my wife’s items to lighten her pack,
Thank you!
Adam Caputo
2024-06-13
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I came to Vail for a work conference and was looking for some fun. Apex has it all, I did some mountain bike riding, climbing, and an all day multi-pitch climb. I cannot say enough good things about Apex, and specifically, Scott. He was an excellent teacher and taught me a lot about every aspect of the climb. He made me feel safe and secure. One aspect of the trip is you spend a lot of time with your guide. Scott is one of the coolest guys I've met, super easy to talk to and get along with. I enjoyed every aspect of each outing and will recommend anyone, from a beginner just wanting to experience something new, to an advanced climber, Scott will teach you something new. I hope I can come out in the winter to experience some ice climbing. Thanks for such a great trip Apex, I'll be coming back soon.
Chris Schaefer
2024-04-07
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Scott took my girlfriend and I out for our first tour in Colorado. I’m an experienced back country traveler and my girlfriend had never been out before. Scott managed the dynamics of our different experience levels very well and made the day very enjoyable. If you’re going to head into the backcountry with a guide, Scott’s experience and enthusiasm is guaranteed to be an asset for your group.
Samantha Globerman
2024-03-29
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't speak highly enough of the instructors/guides at Apex Mountain School. Andy was truly one of the best teachers I have ever met- patient, understanding, and an extremely effective communicator. He explained everything so well, and added interesting or funny stories along the way. I learned an immense amount through this AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue course, but I also had a ton of fun and met some amazing people. Highly recommend!!
Dennis Collins
2024-03-13
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I took AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue with Apex and had a blast. The instructors were amazing and we had an awesome, fun time, while also learning non stop. The atmosphere was relaxed but serious. I would definitely recommend Apex and hope to join them on future adventures and courses.
Dave Stultz
2024-03-05
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Top notch guiding and educators for back country and avalanche training. I just finished my second course with APEX and it was just as good as the first.
Matt Nuzzo
2024-02-27
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic instruction. Was very appreciative of the Zoom option and being able to fit in the classroom section of my AIARE 1 course after work (as opposed to having to drive to Vail from Denver). Jill was a very knowledgeable and patient teacher, knowing when to give the answers and when to let the class think and try to figure things out on our own. Would highly recommend.
Taggart Howard
2024-02-23
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I just completed the AIARE Level 1 Backcountry Avalanche Course. It was great! I took the Zoom class with Jill. It nice to have Zoom as an option for us working folks. And, the two days in the field were really informative. Jill has years of experience, and shared her tips with the team. I feel like I built a great foundation for backcountry splitboarding. Route planning, mapping, safety concerns, strategy, beacon training, etc. Apex seems to be a top notch organization. I am happy that I chose them for my AIARE Level 1.
Stella Sy
2024-02-06
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Scott, Chris and Jack are the most amazing guides! They are knowledgeable, patient and really made our ice climbing experience extra memorable. We had such an epic adventure ice climbing then glissading. Our group would highly recommend Apex Mountain School.
APEX MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
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Get In Touch Anytime!
admin@apexmountainschool.com
Phone
970 401 2736
Office Location
40800 US Highway 6, Unit 7 Avon, CO 81620
