Blackbird Mountain Guides

What Blackbird Mountain Guides does

Blackbird Mountain Guides, LLC is a US-based, bootstrapped mountain guiding company founded in 2020 by IFMGA-certified guide Zeb Blais and headquartered in Truckee, California, with regional operations in Bellingham, Washington and Mt Shasta, California. The company delivers three core service lines: guided backcountry skiing and splitboard tours (day trips through multi-day hut-to-hut expeditions), avalanche and wilderness medicine education built around the AIARE curriculum, and alpine and rock climbing instruction on peaks such as Mt Shasta, Mt Baker, Mt Rainier, and international summits. Operations span California, Washington, and Oregon domestically, with international trips in Canada, Europe, South America, and Japan, conducted under special use permits from multiple US National Forests and National Parks.

The business is organized as a direct-to-consumer operation. Customers book through a Shopify-integrated website or via phone and email, paying per-participant fees ranging from approximately $215 for an introductory day course to $4,395 for international week-long expeditions; AIARE certification courses price at $625-$925, and a seasonal Avy Pass subscription runs $1,045-$1,075. Revenue is overwhelmingly transactional, with a small subscription component. Guide quality is the primary moat: Blackbird's guides hold IFMGA, AMGA, and AIARE credentials, the highest standards in the industry, and the company has secured co-marketing relationships with The North Face and Mammut as well as regulated land-access partnerships with federal agencies and the Truckee Donner Land Trust.

On February 17, 2026, a guided backcountry group on a Castle Peak trip near Lake Tahoe was struck by an avalanche, killing nine people including three Blackbird guides (Andrew Alissandratos, Niki Choo, and Mike Henry) — the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. The company suspended field operations through at least February 22, 2026 and is the subject of a Nevada County Sheriff's Office criminal negligence investigation and a separate Cal/OSHA workplace safety investigation. The incident is a material event for the business's operating model, guide capacity, and brand, and the resolution of these investigations is likely to determine the company's near-term trajectory.

Name

Blackbird Mountain Guides

Legal name

Blackbird Mountain Guides, LLC

Website

https://blackbirdguides.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Blackbird Mountain Guides, LLC is a US-based, bootstrapped mountain guiding company founded in 2020 that delivers AIARE-certified avalanche education, guided backcountry skiing, and alpine/rock climbing instruction across California, Washington, Oregon, and international destinations, serving individual adventure consumers through a direct-to-consumer Shopify booking platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mountain Guiding and Outdoor Adventure Education

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Guided backcountry skiing
• Avalanche education courses
• Alpine climbing instruction
• Mountaineering guiding services
• Wilderness first responder training

Headquarters

HQ city

Truckee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Adventure Trips and Guided Tours: Guided backcountry skiing, alpine climbing, and rock climbing expeditions. Pricing ranges from $215 to $625 per person per night for guided tours. Three-day hut trips charged at approximately $1,165 per person.
2. Educational Courses: AIARE avalanche courses, wilderness first responder courses, mountaineering skills courses. Pricing from $245 to $1,895 depending on course duration and complexity.
3. Season Pass Programs: Avy Pass programs offering season-long avalanche education series: $1,045-$1,075 for Washington and Tahoe regions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Blackbird Mountain Guides delivers professionally guided backcountry skiing, splitboarding, alpine climbing, and rock climbing adventures, paired with AIARE-certified avalanche education (Level 1, Level 1+Rescue, Level 2, Rescue, and Avy Pass season programs) and wilderness medicine courses. Offerings span California, Washington, Oregon, and international destinations including Canada, Europe, South America, and Japan, with pricing from $215 per person per day for tours to $4,395 for international expeditions.

Product overview

Blackbird Mountain Guides operates as a multi-location outdoor adventure company offering three core service lines: (1) expert-guided backcountry skiing and splitboard tours ranging from day trips to multi-day hut-to-hut expeditions across the US West Coast, Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia; (2) avalanche education courses through the AIARE curriculum including Level 1, Level 2, Rescue, and season-long Avy Pass programs; and (3) mountaineering and climbing instruction covering alpine climbing, rock climbing, wilderness medicine, and technical skills courses. The company operates year-round programming in California (Tahoe, Eastern Sierra, Mt Shasta, Lassen Peak), Washington (Mt Baker, Mt Rainier, Snoqualmie Pass, North Cascades), Oregon, and internationally in Canada, Europe, South America, and Japan. The product portfolio is structured around progressive skill development—from introductory courses through advanced expeditions—with pricing ranging from $245 for single-day courses to $4,395 for international week-long adventures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Backcountry Skiing Adventures Expertly guided backcountry skiing tours across Tahoe, Mt Shasta, Mt Baker, Snoqualmie Pass, Eastern Sierra, North Cascades, and international destinations including Japan, Iceland, Norway, and Chile; ranges from private day trips to multi-day hut-to-hut expeditions.
• AIARE 1 Avalanche Course Two-day AIARE Level 1 avalanche education course combining online coursework with two field days; covers snowpack assessment, terrain evaluation, and decision-making for backcountry travel; priced $625 in Oregon and $645 in Tahoe and Washington.
• AIARE 1 + Rescue Avalanche Course Three-day intensive course combining AIARE Level 1 curriculum with avalanche rescue skills including beacon searches, probing techniques, and companion rescue practice; available in Tahoe, Mammoth, Washington, and Oregon.
• AIARE 2 Avalanche Course Advanced 2.5-day AIARE course covering weather analysis, snowpack evaluation, route planning, human factors, and avalanche terrain assessment; prerequisites include AIARE 1 and rescue certification.
• AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course One-day course focused on avalanche rescue skills including beacon search, strategic probing, and efficient companion rescue; also offered as lift-accessed format at Donner Ski Ranch.
• Avy Pass Season Program Season-long avalanche education series including 4-5 days of progressive courses; Avy Pass Tahoe at $1,075 and Avy Pass Washington at $1,045.
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course 5-day intensive course plus pre-course work covering wilderness medicine, patient assessment, trauma management, and medical emergencies in remote settings; industry-standard certification for outdoor professionals.
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Course Two-day course covering essential wilderness medicine skills including patient assessment, wound care, and emergency response in backcountry settings.
• Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding One-day beginner course teaching skinning techniques, uphill travel, equipment use, and basic safety awareness for backcountry skiing and splitboarding; offered in Tahoe, Mammoth, Washington, and Oregon.
• Hut Trips (Backcountry Lodge Expeditions) Multi-day backcountry skiing expeditions staying at remote huts including Frog Lake huts, Hilda Hut in British Columbia, Snowfall Lodge, Icefall Lodge, Sentry Lodge, Sunrise Lodge, and Valkyr Lodge; includes guided touring, meals, and lodging; three-day hut trips from $1,165 per person.
• Alpine Climbing Courses & Adventures Expert-guided alpine climbing expeditions including Mt Shasta, Mt Baker, Mt Rainier, Mt Shuksan, and international destinations; courses range from intro to advanced multi-day expeditions.
• Rock Climbing Courses

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Association)coreOthersIFMGA logo displayed as a trusted certification partner on the Blackbird Mountain Guides website, indicating guides hold IFMGA/AMGA certifications meeting international mountain guiding standards.
• The North FaceflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerThe North Face logo displayed as a partner on the website, indicating a marketing/partnership relationship with the outdoor apparel brand.
• MammutflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMammut logo displayed as a partner on the website, indicating a marketing/partnership relationship with the Swiss mountaineering equipment brand.
• US National Forests and National ParkscoreOthersBlackbird Mountain Guides operates under special use permits from US National Forests (Humboldt Toiyabe, Inyo, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie, Shasta-Trinity, Tahoe) and National Parks (Mount Rainier, North Cascades, Lassen Volcanic), enabling access to public lands for guiding operations.
• Truckee Donner Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Truckee Donner Land Trust for access to Frog Lake Backcountry Huts near Castle Peak, where the fatal February 2026 avalanche occurred.
• Sugar Bowl ResortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnections with Sugar Bowl Academy through shared community members; victims and families associated with the ski-focused school participated in Blackbird programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Wild Alpine: Wild Alpine is an IFMGA-certified guide service offering backcountry skiing, avalanche education, and mountaineering in the Pacific Northwest and internationally. Directly comparable in cert levels, service mix, and direct-to-consumer booking model.
• International Mountain Guides (IMG): IMG is a Washington-state based mountain guiding company offering climbs of Mt Rainier, Mt Baker, and international expeditions. Directly competes in the same Pacific Northwest guiding market with similar product lines (ski touring, alpine climbs, crevasse rescue).
• RMI Expeditions: RMI Expeditions is a premier American mountain guiding company operating guided climbs of Rainier, Denali, and international peaks, as well as backcountry skiing programs. Directly comparable as another multi-state US guiding operation offering AMGA/IFMGA-credentialed services in similar terrain.
• Alpine Ascents International: Alpine Ascents is a Seattle-based IFMGA-affiliated mountain guiding company offering backcountry skiing, alpine climbs, and expedition services globally. Closely comparable in services, certifications held, and the high-end guided adventure customer segment.
• Jackson Hole Mountain Guides: JHMG offers guided backcountry skiing, AIARE avalanche courses, and alpine climbing in the Tetons. Comparable in product mix (backcountry skiing and avalanche education) and target market of expert and aspiring backcountry enthusiasts.
• Exum Mountain Guides: Exum Mountain Guides is a long-standing mountain guide service offering mountaineering, backcountry skiing, and technical climbing instruction in the Tetons and Yellowstone. Comparable as a multi-season guide service offering progressive courses and expeditions.
• American Alpine Institute (AAI): AAI is a long-established AMGA-accredited mountain guiding school operating in Washington and internationally, offering backcountry skiing, avalanche education, and climbing courses. Competes directly in both AIARE avalanche courses and guided mountaineering.
• Colorado Mountain School: Colorado Mountain School is an AMGA-accredited guide service offering backcountry skiing, AIARE avalanche education, and climbing instruction. Comparable in providing progressive AIARE curriculum and multi-discipline outdoor education programming.

Others

• Mammut: Mammut is an outdoor equipment brand partner and Swiss mountaineering supplier (rope, avalanche safety gear, apparel). Related as a commercial partner displaying the partnership logo and indirectly tied to the mountain guiding ecosystem, but not a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• The Mountaineers: The Mountaineers is a long-established Pacific Northwest outdoor education nonprofit offering avalanche courses, climbing instruction, and backcountry skiing programs. Comparable in education offerings and Pacific Northwest footprint but operates as a broad outdoor club rather than a focused premium guide service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BlackbirdGuides
• Facebookfacebook.com/blackbirdguides
• Instagraminstagram.com/blackbirdguides
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blackbird-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 Blackbird Mountain Guides