Company Description

The American Alpine Institute (AAI) is a Bellingham, WA based guide service founded in 1975. Since its beginning it has grown into one of the larger guiding and mountain skills instruction organizations in the United States.

The Institute offers a broad range of climbing trips and instruction. Instructional offerings include:

Rock
Glacier/Snow
Ice
Expedition training
Avalanche training
Backcountry skiing
Wilderness medicine
High angle rescue
Mountaineering leadership

AAI is one of the few companies permitted to run trips on Denali. In addition to this, the Institute runs trips around the world:

Pacific Northwest: North Cascades, British Columbia
Red Rocks, NV, Joshua Tree, CA
French and Swiss Alps
Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia
Canadian Rockies
Sierra Nevada, Colorado Rockies
Alaska Range, St. Elias Range
Seven Summits

In addition to their prepackaged offerings, AAI is willing to put together custom training and outings. For more information, contact AAI at:

American Alpine Institute
1515 12th Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Tel: (360) 671-1505
Fax: (360) 734-8890
info@aai.cc

Reviews

Viewing: 1-4 of 4

Steve Larson

Great company

Voted 5/5

I've taken AAI's Alpine Ice course, and did an eight-day trip to the Ruth Gorge with them. Both trips were great. The guides were capable and fun to hang with. Plenty of good learning opportunity. They have their act together logistically. They've got tons of rental gear for those who don't have everything. If I ever needed a guide service again I would strongly consider them.

Posted Jan 26, 2007 2:11 am

lisae

A good service

Voted 5/5

I hired a guide through the AAI when I was going to be in Red Rocks for two days and couldn't talk anyone I know into meeting me there and climbing. I was quite happy with their service; the guide was personable and quite willing to go along with my agenda.

If I am in the same situation again, I would use them again.

Posted Jan 27, 2007 1:05 am

Great Service

Hasn't voted

I have taken AAI's High Altitude Expedition in Ecuador. My guide Tim Connelly was top notch. All the logistics of the expedition went quite smoothly, considering how complicated arranging drivers, booking lodging, and hiring local guides seemed. I highly recommend AAI.

Posted Jun 16, 2007 11:36 pm

mattnoland

good experience

Voted 5/5

I hired a guide through AAI in 2004 and climbed Shuksan via the Sulfide Glacier route. From top to bottom these guys were pros. At their shop, on the car ride, and especially on the route I was well taken care of without being made to "feel" like a client. My guide Evan Stevens, let me in on his decision making process, took time to teach me skills, and was excited about climbing the route with me. And these guys guide all over the world. If I were looking for a big route and felt like I wanted a guide I would get in touch with AAI again.

Posted Aug 19, 2007 9:10 am

Viewing: 1-4 of 4