What Jackson Hole Mountain Guides does

Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, rebranded in 2025 as The Mountain Guides, is a privately held AMGA-accredited mountain guide service founded in 1968 and headquartered in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The company delivers guided outdoor adventure experiences — including rock climbing, backcountry skiing and snowboarding, mountaineering expeditions, AIARE-certified avalanche education, wilderness medicine, and women's programs — across six states (Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Nevada) and select international peaks. It operates as the authorized National Park Service concessioner of Grand Teton National Park, holds a 10-year Rocky Mountain National Park climbing concession awarded in 2016, and is a nondiscriminatory permittee across multiple US Forest Service districts. The service is delivered by a roster of 70+ AMGA-certified guides including IFMGA internationally licensed guides, several of whom have summited 8,000m peaks without supplemental oxygen.

The underlying technology stack is minimal: the company uses standard reservation management systems, email, phone, and a content-driven website with regional landing pages — differentiation is built on human expertise, regulatory access, and brand reputation rather than a proprietary platform. The business model is professional-services / unit-economics-based, with per-trip fees that vary by program, group size, and duration (examples: $275-$600 per person per day for single-day climbing; $4,800-$9,000 total for all-inclusive 3-4 day courses; $525 per person for women's weekends). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via website inquiry, phone, and email, supplemented by nonprofit partner referrals (Big City Mountaineers, Veterans' Expeditions, 1% for the Tetons) and co-marketing with equipment brands such as Black Diamond, Scarpa, and DPS Skis.

Customer segments span individual adventure seekers (first-timers through experienced climbers), backcountry enthusiasts, women and non-binary climbers, families and groups, and nonprofit partners serving youth, veterans, and health-cause beneficiaries. Pricing for private expeditions and corporate groups is custom-quoted. The company is privately held by a partner group including President Phil Powers, General Manager Dan Heilig, and Dale Remsberg (who purchased Rob Hess's shares in February 2025). No venture or private equity capital is reported in the source material.

Name

Jackson Hole Mountain Guides

Legal name

The Mountain Guides

Website

https://themountainguides.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Jackson Hole Mountain Guides (rebranded in 2025 as The Mountain Guides) is an AMGA-accredited private guide service founded in 1968, offering guided climbing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, and avalanche education across six US states to individual adventure seekers, families, and nonprofit partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure Guiding Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

akta.pro primary industry

Winter & Mountain Guides (Ski, Snowshoe, Avalanche, Ice Climbing) (THAAALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rock Climbing, Mountaineering & Via Ferrata Guides (THAAADAC), Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing) (THAAAJAD), Climbing & Via Ferrata Guiding / Instruction (THAAALAH), Technical Outdoor Guiding Services (Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering) (THAAALAA), Hiking, Trekking & Mountain Guiding (THAJABAA)

Keywords

• Guided mountain climbing
• Backcountry ski guiding
• Avalanche safety training
• Mountaineering expeditions
• Outdoor adventure services

Headquarters

HQ city

Jackson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Guided Climbing Services: Guided rock climbing programs ranging from single-day crag visits to multi-day expeditions including Grand Teton summit climbs, Wind River Range backcountry rock, and desert tower pursuits in Moab and Red Rock Canyon. Revenue generated through per-trip fees based on group size and duration.
2. Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding: Private backcountry ski and splitboard tours, multi-day ski mountaineering camps, and intro-level clinics. Revenue derived from guiding fees for backcountry skiing experiences in Teton Pass, Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Wasatch Range, and Flathead Valley.
3. Avalanche Education (AIARE): AIARE avalanche education courses available at all four primary locations (Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah) providing certification courses for independent backcountry travel.
4. Women's Programs and Specialty Clinics: Specialized women's climbing weekends, wilderness medicine courses, and custom programs for various skill levels and demographics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, operating as The Mountain Guides, is an AMGA-accredited guide service that delivers professionally guided rock climbing, backcountry skiing and snowboarding, mountaineering expeditions, and AIARE avalanche education across six U.S. states. Trips range from single-day crag visits and intro-level backcountry clinics to multi-day summit expeditions on peaks such as the Grand Teton, plus international high-altitude objectives.

Product overview

Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, now rebranded as The Mountain Guides, operates as an AMGA-accredited guide service offering a portfolio of adventure products centered on guided outdoor experiences. The core offerings include Guided Climbing Programs (spanning Grand Teton expeditions, single-day rock climbs, and multi-pitch trad routes), Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding Tours, and AIARE Avalanche Education Courses. Additional products include Mountaineering Expeditions to major peaks, Wilderness Medicine Programs, and Women's Programs including the Women's Network climbing series. Geographic expansion has introduced regional products such as City of Rocks All-Inclusive Climbing Courses and Single-Day Climbing in Idaho. The company functions as a service-based guiding company rather than a software platform, with products delivered by AMGA-certified guides across six states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Guided Climbing Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 55+ years of continuous operation since 1968
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DPS SkisminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Ski manufacturer partnership announced via blog post in November 2020 for backcountry skiing programs.
• Big City MountaineerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Nonprofit partner for the Summit for Someone program, which transforms lives of under-served urban youth through wilderness mentoring expeditions. JHMG provides guided climbing experiences for program participants.
• Stoked RoastersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Coffee partnership creating the exclusive Corbet High Camp Blend coffee served at the high-altitude climbing camp. Co-branded product supporting guide operations.
• Black Diamond EquipmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment sponsor with logo displayed on company website. Black Diamond provides climbing and skiing equipment for guide operations and retail partnerships.
• ScarpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment sponsor with logo displayed on company website. Scarpa provides footwear for guide operations.
• Leave No TracecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported organization displayed on company website. Leave No Trace principles are integral to guiding practices and environmental stewardship education provided to clients.
• 1% for the TetonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partnership for environmental conservation and community giving. Part of broader sustainability and environmental advocacy initiatives.
• Veterans' ExpeditionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partnership providing wilderness experiences for military veterans. JHMG contributes guiding services for veteran-focused outdoor programs.
• American Lung AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit health partnership supporting lung health through outdoor activity programs.
• Momentum Indoor ClimbingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndoor climbing gym partnership for educational events and cragging trips to City of Rocks. Collaboration for climbing community outreach.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RMI Expeditions: Long-established AMGA-accredited guide service running Denali, Rainier, and international mountaineering expeditions. Comparable on guided mountaineering expeditions, AMGA-certified guides, and premium expedition pricing model.
• Mountain Trip: AMGA-accredited guide service specializing in Denali and international mountaineering expeditions. Comparable on high-altitude expedition delivery, AMGA-certified guides, and premium multi-week trip pricing.
• Alpine Ascents International: AMGA-accredited guide service offering Rainier climbs, Everest expeditions, and backcountry skiing courses. Comparable on high-altitude guided mountaineering, AMGA-certified guide base, and multi-week expedition pricing.
• Colorado Mountain School: AMGA-accredited guide service operating in Rocky Mountain National Park and Eldorado Canyon. Directly comparable on multi-region Colorado guiding, AIARE avalanche education, and AMGA-certified guide staffing model.
• Mountain Madness: Seattle-based AMGA-accredited guide service offering climbing, mountaineering, and ski guiding on Rainier and internationally. Comparable business model: certified guides, expedition-style programming, and premium guided experiences.
• Exum Mountain Guides: Direct Teton-based competitor also offering Grand Teton climbing and backcountry skiing from Jackson Hole. Closest like-for-like peer given overlapping geographies, NPS concession access, AMGA-certified guides, and multi-decade operating history.
• International Mountain Guides: AMGA/IFMGA-accredited guide service offering climbing and mountaineering in the Cascades and on international peaks. Directly comparable on IFMGA-credentialed guide roster, mountaineering expeditions, and premium pricing structure.
• American Alpine Institute: AMGA-accredited guide service offering rock, alpine, and ski mountaineering programs in Washington and internationally. Comparable on AMGA-accredited guiding model, multi-discipline certified guide roster, and expedition programming.

Regional players

• Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures: Jackson Hole-based adventure operator offering wildlife, scenic, and float tours. Comparable as a regional outdoor adventure tourism operator serving the same Jackson Hole visitor base, though its offering is non-technical nature tourism.

Emerging players

• Chicks Climbing and Skiing: Women-focused outdoor guiding company offering women's climbing and skiing programs. Comparable on women's-only guiding format, certified female guides, and specialty clinic programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jhmtnguides
• Facebookfacebook.com/mtnguides
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jackson-hole-mountain-guides

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jackson Hole Mountain Guides