Alpine & Mountaineering Courses

With Valhalla Mountain Guides | Based in Mammoth Lakes, California

Alpine & Mountaineering Courses – Eastern Sierra

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.

πŸ”οΈ Why Train in the Eastern Sierra?

From snow-covered couloirs to high granite ridgelines, the Eastern Sierra Nevada is home to California’s highest and wildest peaksβ€”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 β€” Perfect for beginners. Learn snow travel, ice axe use, self-arrest, crampon techniques, and mountain safety in real alpine conditions.

  • Alpine Climbing Course β€” 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 β€” Heading to the Cascades, Rainier, or Denali? Learn essential glacier travel techniques, rope team movement, and crevasse rescue systems.

  • Guided Summit Climbs & Custom Objectives β€” 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 classicsβ€”or let us build a private objective just for you.

πŸ’Ό What’s Included

βœ” Professional, AMGA CERTIFIED mountain guides (This is much different than the classic β€œAMGA trained mountain guides" you will see on other services websites.)
βœ” All group and personal gear you need minus clothing and boots.
βœ” Permits, planning, and wilderness logistics
βœ” Small group sizes for better learning and safer climbing
βœ” Instruction tailored to your goals and experience level

Eastern Sierra
3 days
December - April

University Peak, Eastern Sierra
3 days
May - October

Crystal Crag & Bear Creek Spire
5 days
May - October

Mammoth Lakes & Bishop, CA
3 days
May - October

Worldwide
Year Round

πŸ§— Why Valhalla Mountain Guides?

  • Based in Mammoth Lakes, CA β€” We're locals with deep roots in the Sierra.

  • AMGA-Certified Guides β€” We are one of the only guide services in the country that hires fully certified mountain guides. You can rest assured your guide will be fully certified by the AMGA in the discipline they are operating in.

  • Flexible Courses & Custom Options β€” Private or group instruction, custom dates, and all ability levels welcome.

  • Mountain Mentorship β€” We're not just here to guide youβ€”we're here to help you grow as a climber and prepare to get out into the mountains safely on your own.

πŸ“ Location: Mammoth Lakes, California

All courses operate in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, including the Inyo National Forest, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and John Muir Wilderness, easily accessed from Mammoth Lakes.