Northwest Alpine Guides is currently hiring guides for our upcoming spring and summer climbing season. We pride ourselves on hiring the most highly qualified guides in the industry – guides who possess the experience, training, judgement and interpersonal skills to provide our guests with the adventures they deserve. If you would like to apply, please verify that you meet the following requirements, then send your documentation to info@northwestalpineguides.com
Please note that Northwest Alpine Guides does not offer internships or unpaid apprenticeships. Those interested in gaining experience in the guiding industry can consider our Guide Hut staff position.
Entry-Level Guide Applicants
An Entry-Level Guide has minimal prior guiding experience, but a robust personal climbing (particularly glacier travel) and outdoor leadership background. Entry-Level Guides typically spend the entirety of their first season on Mt Baker or similar standard routes working in an assistant guide capacity with experienced lead guides. As they move through their apprenticeship, additional opportunities to lead beginner programs become available according to experience and aptitude. With few exceptions, Entry-Level Guides are expected to commit a full season of work (May/June – September), usually on a full-time schedule (50+ field days per season).
Entry-Level Guide requirements include:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Legally able to work in the United States
- 0 to 2 years of prior guiding experience
- Submit:
- Outdoor Employment Resume
- Climbing Resume
- Seasonal Work Availability
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification by start date.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification by start date.
While not required, the following carry additional weight in the hiring process:
- Leave No Trace Trainer
- Avalanche Level 1 or higher certification
- AMGA Certifications & Coursework
- The following AMGA courses meet most of our terrain guidelines: 10-day Rock Guide Course (RGC), 5-day Alpine Skills Course (ASC), 9-day Alpine Guide Course (AGC)
Experienced Guide Applicants
An Experienced Guide has significant experience in a professional guiding capacity. Experienced Guides can lead programs from standard Washington volcano routes to advanced terrain in the North Cascades. While Experienced Guides are scheduled to guide various advanced routes according to experience and demand, they are still expected to be available for standard routes and courses.
Experience Guide requirements include:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Legally able to work in the United States
- 3 or more years of prior guiding experience
- IFMGA & AMGA Certified Alpine Guides
- OR: Completion of significant AMGA Course work
- OR: Significant equivalent guiding experience
- Avalanche Pro 1 or higher
Guide Hut / Gear Staff Applicants
Gear Staff are responsible for the preparation, issuance, maintenance, and inventory of retail, rental, and group equipment and food provided for Northwest Alpine Guides climbs and courses. This role is ideal for someone interested in getting exposure to the world of mountain guiding, who does not have the requisite experience for field time as a guide. Gear Staff do not work in the field as guides but gain exposure to the industry and a community of enthusiastic outdoor professionals.
Gear Staff requirements include:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Legally able to work in the United States
- Strong customer service skills
- Solid baseline knowledge of basic outdoor gear
- Strong organizational skills; accuracy is critical to this position
- Ability to work independently and efficiently
- Available for a full season of work (May/June – September)
- Precise start and end dates vary season-to-season
- Available for a variable schedule including mornings, afternoons, weekends according to need
- Typically 20 – 35 hours per week
Mountain Gurus / Northwest Alpine Guides provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
