THE AMGA's COMPLETE ONLINE

COURSE LIBRARY

These resources were made possible through our partnership with The North Face – working together to support outdoor professionals that make exploration possible

Welcome to the AMGA's Complete Online Course Library

This library contains the AMGA's online course offerings. Specific courses may be required as pre-course work for in-person AMGA courses. Please see the enrollment information for details, expectations, and access codes for registering for any of the following. These online courses are included in tuition for many AMGA courses.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns. Please read our disclaimer here.

AMGA MGP Course Offerings

AMGA History & Code of Conduct

with Angela Hawse

This course covers the AMGA's rich history, an overview of the Mountain Guide, Climbing Instructor, and Accreditation programs as well as a brief overview of the IFMGA and UIAA. In addition, this course covers the AMGA's Code of Ethics & Conduct.

Client Care

with Silas Rossi

This course is meant to help guides create exceptional client experiences in the mountains.

Rock Rescue

with Karen Bockel

This course is designed to give guides an in-depth overview of rescue skills for the multi-pitch rock environment. This course will also cover how to connect the parts to then perform the AMGA 50min rock rescue drill.

Professionalism

with Vince Anderson

This course will cover principles and concepts of professionalism as it pertains to mountain guiding, as well as considerations and common standards for professional guiding conduct.

Mountain Navigation

with Silas Rossi

This course is designed to improve a guide’s ability to navigate well in the mountains. By blending the best of old school techniques and modern tools you will gain a better understanding and effectiveness in both the planning and field portions of any outing.

Risk Management

with Rob Hess

This course is designed to be an introduction for guides embarking on an apprentice level AMGA course in any discipline by introducing both the macro and micro views of the subject.

Planning & Documentation for Guides

with Silas Rossi & Steve Banks

This course is designed to provide an introduction and overview of how planning and documentation plays into our work as mountain guides.

Downhill Techniques For Ski & Splitboard Guiding

with Jeff Ward

This course focuses on downhill ski guiding techniques for managing clients in various backcountry terrain.

AM/PM Meetings For Ski & Splitboard Guides

with Steve Banks

This course will Introduce common topics and elements of a Ski or Splitboard Guide’s operational guide meetings and introduce the concept of using a run list.

InfoEx Tutorial

with Angela Hawse

This course is designed to introduce guides to the process of using the InfoEx system for use as a tool for planning, reporting conditions, and guide meetings.

AMGA SPI Course Offerings

SPI Program Overview

with Mick Pearson

This course is a supplement to the pre-course material provided to students upon registration of a single pitch instructor course.

SPI Equipment

with Steve Banks

This course covers basic equipment considerations for Single Pitch Instructors. We dive into the instructor's pack and the Tools of the Trade. This course complements an in-person SPI Course.

INSTRUCTORS

VINCE ANDERSON

IFMGA GUIDE, SKYWARD MOUNTAINEERING

Vince is a member of the AMGA Instructor Team, is a IFMGA Mountain Guide and is just another happy mountaineer. He’s traversed the globe in search of big fun on jagged land forms and now lives in the high desert haven of Colorado’s West end. Vince makes his living taking people on trips and assisting others in their pursuit of living the dream. He runs Skyward Mountaineering along with cohort, Steve House. He collects records and has three kids which occupy most of his free time.

STEVE BANKS

IFMGA GUIDE, AMGA Instructor Team

Steve is an IFMGA/American Mountain Guide and AMGA Instructor Team member based in Crested Butte, CO. Steve began guiding in 1999 and has led adventures in the European Alps, Iceland, Japan, South America, Alaska and across the US. When not instructing for the AMGA he can be found guiding rock and alpine climbing and skiing around the globe.

KAREN BOCKEL

IFMGA GUIDE, CHICKS CLIMBING & SKIING

Karen is an IFMGA mountain guide and AMGA Instructor Team member. Formerly a physicist, she traded the lab for the mountains, in order to pursue her passion for climbing and skiing. She works year-round as a mountain guide, splitting her time between Colorado, Wyoming, and Chamonix. As one of the co-owners of Chicks, LLC, she is especially invested in empowering and educating women in mountain sports.

ANGELA HAWSE

IFMGA GUIDE, AMGA Board President

Angela is an IFMGA mountain guide and AMGA Instructor Team member. She is the current president of the AMGA Board of Directors with a history that dates back to her first AMGA course in 1993. She guides private clientele and instructs in all three disciplines and has a masters degree in International Mountain Conservation and she lives in Ridgway Colorado with her dog Grommet.

ROB HESS

IFMGA GUIDE, JACKSON HOLE MOUNTAIN GUIDES

Rob is an AMGA Instructor Team member and IFMGA/American Mountain Guide. He is owner and chief guide for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. Rob splits his time between Jackson, Wy and Salt Lake City, UT where he lives with his wife Lizzie Schulte. Rob has worked for the AMGA for the past 18 years and in addition to functioning as an
instructor and examiner he is a past Technical Director and President of the Board of Trustees.

MICK PEARSON

AMGA ROCK & ALPINE GUIDE, KAF ADVENTURES

Mick is an AMGA Rock and Alpine guide, SPI Provider, and an AMGA Instructor Team member. Mick has dedicated his life to outdoor education and providing opportunities for personal growth through adventure pursuits. Mick is the founder of Kaf Adventures in Seattle, WA. and can be found in the Cascades exploring with his clients.

DALE REMSBERG

IFMGA GUIDE, AMGA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Dale is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and AMGA Instructor Team member. He loves exploring his guest's long term goals and putting a plan in place to train and ultimately succeed. He is based in Lafayette, CO and on days off he enjoys time with his dog and exploring solo missions in the Flatirons. Whatever the endeavor he will have smile on his face and a quiet determination that generally leads to a summit.

SILAS ROSSI

IFMGA GUIDE, ALPINE LOGIC

Silas is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and AMGA Instructor Team member. He is passionate about providing high-quality adventure and instruction to personal clientele and aspiring guides alike. He is the founder of Alpine Logic, LLC and is based in the Gunks of NY where he lives with his wife Cheryl and their dog Enzo.

TED TEEGARDEN

AMGA ROCK INSTRUCTOR, SPI PROVIDER

Ted splits his time as the Accreditation & eLearning Manager for the AMGA and Instructor for Mooney Mountain Guides. His passion is to share the mountains, steep ice and sunny cliffs with his guests. He guides both rock and ice climbing and teaches AMGA Single Pitch Instructor programs. Ted lives in NH with his wife, daughter, and two Icelandic Sheepdogs.

JEFF WARD

IFMGA GUIDE, NORTH CASCADES MOUNTAIN GUIDES

Jeff Ward, IFMGA licensed American Mountain Guide, has been an instructor and examiner for the AMGA for 15 years and a full-time guide for 25. He is a co-owner of North Cascades Mountain Guides and spends his winters running snowmobile-accessed ski touring at Washington Pass and Stevens Pass in Washington State, as well as guiding heli-skiing for North Cascades Heli.