Adventures like Rock climbing, alpine climbing, mountain
biking, and peak ascents.
Avalanche Course, AIARE Level II Avalanche Course, and AIARE
Avalanche Rescue Courses a truly enjoyable experience.
development, whether individually or in private groups.
with skilled guides leading alpine adventures
tailored to every level.
Apex Mountain School
THE HOME OF ROCK, ICE, SNOW AND DIRT
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 education courses designed for all experience levels, from AIARE Level 1 and Companion Rescue to AIARE Level 2 Colorado, 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, Rappelling, 14ers and Mountain Biking outings tailored to help you explore everything the Vail Valley has to offer.
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, WMS and more, ensuring a safe and enriching experience. This winter, elevate your skills with our popular avalanche education courses or join a guided backcountry skiing adventure.
Why Choose Apex Mountain School?
Testimonials
Summer Guided Trips
Your Ultimate Guide Service to Unforgettable Summer Adventures.
Discover the thrill of summer with “Summer Guided,” your gateway to exhilarating outdoor adventures. Whether you’re navigating the rugged trails of Vail on a mountain bike, conquering towering rock faces through rock climbing, descending into the depths with rappelling, or embracing the serenity of nature on a scenic hike, our expertly guided experiences are designed to ignite your sense of adventure.
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.
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.
Rappelling
Challenge yourself with a thrilling outdoor rappelling experience. Descend stunning rock faces with expert guidance in the scenic Vail area.
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.
Nature Hikes
Experience the beauty of Vail’s wilderness on guided nature hikes. Discover diverse wildlife, vibrant wildflowers, and breathtaking mountain views.
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.
Avalanche Education
Prepare for the backcountry with essential avalanche safety skills, guided by skilled instructors.
Understanding avalanche safety is crucial for any backcountry adventurer. Our avalanche education colorado programs are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate hazardous terrain with confidence. From recognizing avalanche-prone areas to performing rescues, you’ll gain practical experience through our hands-on courses.
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.
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.
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.
AIARE PRIVATE
LEVEL 1
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.
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.
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!
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.
AIARE LEVEL 2 BACKCOUNTRY
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
LEVEL 2
Experience a custom learning environment in our private AIARE Level 2 course, designed for people looking for in-depth avalanche training with personalized attention.
Winter Guided Trips
Discover the beauty and challenge of winter in Colorado with skilled guides leading alpine adventures tailored to every level.
Explore the breathtaking winter landscapes with our expert-guided trips, tailored to adventurers of all levels.
Whether you’re seeking the thrill of ice climbing, the serenity of snow-covered trails, or the challenge of mountaineering, our winter guided trips offer unforgettable experiences in some of the most pristine environments.
Join us for a journey that combines safety, skill, and the beauty of winter wilderness.
Ice Climbing
In winter, cascading waterfalls and trickling alpine flows freeze and form fantastically beautiful and surreal ice climbs.
Backcountry Skiing
The Colorado Backcountry is world renown. The backcountry skiing in and around Vail is hands down the best in the state.
MOUNTAINEERING
Explore the rugged beauty and challenge of Colorado’s iconic peaks through our expertly guided mountaineering experiences.
Vail SNOWSHOEING
Immerse yourself in the winter beauty of Vail with a guided snowshoeing adventure through serene alpine landscapes. Perfect for all experience levels, this is a peaceful yet invigorating way to explore the winter wilderness.
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.
SKI MOUNTAINEERING
Experience the ultimate combination of skiing and mountaineering, navigating through winter terrain while climbing to impressive summits. Ski Mountaineering offers the perfect adventure for thrill-seekers and seasoned skiers.
Private Clinics
Private Training Groups
Whether you’re new to the outdoors or refining advanced skills, our custom-tailored instruction covers everything from climbing and mountaineering to avalanche education and technical backcountry travel. With one-on-one attention and flexible scheduling, each session is built around your goals and pace.
Join us for a personalized experience that blends expert guidance, hands-on learning, and the freedom to grow in some of the most inspiring environments.
Mountaineering 101
Learn the fundamentals of mountaineering in this beginner-friendly course. Perfect for adventurers ready to explore high alpine environments safely.
Mountaineering 102
Take your skills to the next level with Mountaineering 102, where you’ll deepen your techniques for more challenging winter climbs.
Mountaineering 103
Master technical climbing skills in Mountaineering 103, designed for experienced adventurers ready for serious alpine challenges.
Ski Mountaineering
Blend skiing and mountaineering in this advanced course. Tackle steep ascents and exhilarating descents with expert guidance in high-altitude terrain.
Level 1 Private
Enjoy a customized AIARE Level 1 course designed to fit your schedule and group needs. Perfect for personalized avalanche training.
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.
Apex Mountain School
Gift Cards
Wrap up excitement : give the gift of adrenaline!
Contact Us
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Reach out with any questions
Address
40800 US Highway 6, Unit 7, Avon, CO 81620