The Smile Mountain

Guides Approach

At Smile, we do things differently.

Smile Mountain Guides is a local guide service and climbing school, nationally renowned, and based in the heart of the Colorado mountains.

Smile is founded on a single mission: to inspire growth and exploration in the mountains. We’ve built a guide service where guests are treated like partners. With small, close-knit teams and a strong focus on trust and support, Smile creates powerful shared experiences that forge lasting mountain bonds.

Feel the difference and share an adventure with our team.

The way you do anything is the way you do everything

The Best Guides in the Mountains.

Experience and Education — We’ve spent years honing our skills on the world’s mountains from speed records to first ascents. Experience is earned.

Our team is composed of educators. Socratic Method anybody? They strive to blend being in the mountains with educational experiences that make us all better.

We do what’s right.

Our guides are stewards of the land. They’re educators both of natural and cultural history but also in best practices, making their environment better than how they found it. At Smile, we take that responsibility seriously. We don’t sacrifice at any level.

We are committed to providing all our guides and staff with industry-leading wages and access to the best professional development funds in the industry.

We are all part of the same team, and we strive to work together to leave the mountains better than we found them.

Guide Support.

Our lead guides collaborate and refine teaching skills and guiding techniques continuously with all of our guide team.

Younger guides are supported with mentoring days with certified guides and in-house training.

To further support our team, Smile pays 50% of tuition costs for all mountain guide programs to our full-time team members. We pay this directly, with no guide reimbursements. In 2024, we have a donor matching our tuition. This means each full-time guide is receiving full-cost coverage for their continuing education.

CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING.

All of our guides undergo training through the AMGA and receive annual CPD. A majority of our guides hold AMGA Guide Certifications. This commitment to professionalism through certifications ensures that our clients are working with the best in the industry regarding security and industry best practices.

Guest’s Experiences

  • “I Came away feel like I learned a lot'

    I took an intro to trad climbing course with Smile Mountains Guides and had Jeff as my guide. I came away feeling like I learned a lot of good skills about gear placement, decision making, and planning - and had a really great time too! 10/10 recommend!

    -Michael B

  • “these guides are some of the best and most enthusiastic educators"

    Smile Mountain Guides provides incredible climbing experiences in incredible places and the guides themselves are such kind, awesome, folks who truly love to share their passion with others.I had an amazing two day adventure with them starting with mucho multi pitch in Eldorado Canyon and culminating on the knife edge summit of the Petit Grepon high up in Rocky Mountain National Park. Beyond providing amazing experiences in the mountains these guides are some of the best and most enthusiastic educators I have met.

    -Collin M

  • “SMG is amazing and provides a world class experience"

    Smile Mountain Guides are amazing and provide a world class experience. They were very thorough in their communications. Meg's climbing expertise is fantastic and she delivered. If you are considering using a guide service, you will be very pleased with Smile Mountain Guides.

    -Matt K

  • “stoked, fun, and super safe"

    I had an incredible time climbing the Petit Grepon with Heidi. She is always stoked, fun, super safe, and moves efficiently in the mountains. My day up high with her on an exposed and beautiful summit is one I won’t forget. She also worked with me on my own climbing goals during the day and I gained skills and confidence for more committing multi pitch trad climbs. I can’t wait for our next adventure together. Jeff was also dialed in on communicating logistical details. Overall, I had an excellent experience, and would highly recommend Smile Mountain Guides.

    -Leslie B

  • "Somehow he created a tremendous personal experience for everyone"

    Jeff created a memorable day for our family climbing adventure. He selected the perfect location -- a beautiful spot where there was something for everyone. No one felt overwhelmed or under-challenged. Somehow he created a tremendous personal experience for everyone. They have the best gear, the best knowledge of the many varied Colorado climbing opportunities, the most skilled guides, and maybe most importantly, the ability to understand your group and tailor an experience that matches your abilities and desires. The highest recommendation.

    -Marc M