Mountaineers Club: Winter

Yes! Sun Valley Guides guided programs do not require backcountry experience. You do need to be an intermediate to advanced skier with good fitness.

Yes! Sun Valley Guides does not provide safety gear for its guests. All Mountaineers Club participants should be equipped with an avalanche transceiver (please test batteries prior to arrival), avalanche shovel, and avalanche probe.

Safety is our top priority! All of our guides are licensed by the IOGLB and are highly-trained avalanche professionals and/or AMGA trained or certified. Our guides have an intimate knowledge of the vast mountains surrounding Sun Valley as well as the current snow and avalanche conditions.

AMGA stands for American Mountain Guides Association, an internationally recognized organization that offers rigorous training courses for guides in the alpine, rock, and ski mountaineering industry. Guides endorsed by AMGA are verified to operate at a high level of professionalism and with a deep knowledge of their sport. Learn more about AMGA here.

An IFMGA guide is a mountain guide who has achieved the highest level of certification in the world. The IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations) sets rigorous global standards for guiding in skiing, climbing, and mountaineering. When you’re with an IFMGA guide, you can trust you’re in the hands of one of the most highly trained and experienced professionals in the industry.

Yes, your safety is always our top priority. Our highly trained guides closely monitor avalanche conditions and warnings, adjusting routes or plans as necessary to ensure the safest possible experience. While it’s important to understand that backcountry skiing carries inherent risks, we take every precaution to manage these. We’re committed to making your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Yes. Sun Valley Guides is committed to providing safe and enjoyable adventures in the backcountry. All guests must read and sign a Release of Liability and Waiver of Claims Agreement prior to embarking on any guided trip. Be sure to read and sign the waiver prior to joining us in the mountains.  You can find your waiver in your reservation confirmation.  If you did not make the reservation, please ask whoever did to invite you to sign through their reservation confirmation email they received or email us at info@svguides.com 

We require payment in full to reserve your spot in our Mountaineers Club program.

If you must pay by a check, please mail checks to our mailing address:
Sun Valley Guides
PO Box 6967
Ketchum, ID 83340

Booking is easy! Just contact our Headquarters (Email: info@svguides.com) and we’ll get you dialed. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Need custom dates or want to discuss custom arrangements? – Great! We’re here for you. 

Cancellations made less than 2 weeks prior to first session of Mountaineers Club are 100% non-refundable.  If you miss a field or evening session, you will be eligible to make up for it in a future edition of Mountaineers Club. Please reach out to us if this is the case!

Please keep in mind that our cancellation policies vary by service. See our full cancellation policy for more details.

Gratuity is not included in the session fee. As with other service industries, it is customary to tip your guide(s) if you are satisfied with their service. A gratuity of 10-20% of the total trip fee is standard, reflecting the quality and excellence of your experience. Cash or Venmo is preferred.