The Smile Mountain

Guides Approach

At Smile, we do things differently.

Smile was founded on a single mission: to inspire growth and exploration in the mountains. To do this we created a guide service where guests would be treated like partners, where team sizes would remain small and tight-knit, and where trust and caring for the team meant that support was felt both in and out of the mountains.

At Smile we are continually innovating and updating, from how we teach a program to how we train to make mountain travel safer and more efficient. This shows in providing the highest quality instruction for every course, trip, and seminar we offer. All our lead guides are AMGA-certified, and all of our staff members are highly experienced and carefully vetted.

The way you do anything is the way you do everything

The Best Guides in the Mountains.

All our lead guides are AMGA Certified guides — which means they’ve spent years honing their skills on the world’s mountains.

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.

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