Alpine & Mountaineering Courses – Sierra Nevada

Explore the high country with Valhalla Mountain Guides, your gateway to the Eastern Sierra's most legendary alpine terrain. Whether you're new to mountaineering or looking to sharpen your alpine climbing skills, our courses offer an immersive, hands-on experience in one of the most breathtaking mountain ranges in North America.

Why Train in the Sierra Nevada?

From snow-covered couloirs to high granite ridgelines, the Eastern Sierra Nevada is home to California’s highest and wildest peaks—including Mt. Whitney, Mt. Emerson, Bear Creek Spire, and more. With dramatic terrain, reliable spring snowpack, and year-round access from Mammoth Lakes, it’s the ultimate alpine training ground.

Our Courses

• Intro to Mountaineering — Perfect for beginners. Learn snow travel, ice axe use, self-arrest, crampon techniques, and mountain safety in real alpine conditions.

• Alpine Climbing Course — Take your skills to the next level with hands-on instruction in multi-pitch climbing, alpine route finding, anchor systems, and risk management.

• Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue — Heading to the Cascades, Rainier, or Denali? Learn essential glacier travel techniques, rope team movement, and crevasse rescue systems.

• Guided Summit Climbs & Custom Objectives — From The Palisades Traverse, Bear Creek Spire, to the classic Crystal Crag, join the best mountain guides in the industry on summit attempts of Eastern Sierra classics—or let us build a private objective just for you.

What’s Included

✔ Professional, AMGA trained mountain guides (All of our guides are working within the AMGA Scope of practice.)
✔ All group and personal gear you need minus clothing and boots.
✔ Permits, planning, and wilderness logistics
✔ Small group sizes for better learning and safer climbing
✔ Instruction tailored to your goals and experience level