My girlfriend and I went to San Juan Mountain Guides for snowshoe rentals. They were very friendly and they gave us good ideas on where to go for trails. We ended up driving a few miles south to Ironton and had a great time! The SJMG crew was great and we'll definitely use them again for our adventures when we go back.
Rented some lanyards here to climb the Ouray Via Ferrata. Great service, real friendly, had a blast!!
I first began using San Juan Mountain Guides a year ago when I wanted to start ice climbing. It was the best possible way to get started. Micah Lewkowitz did a great job of explaining everything from good climbing form to anchor building in ice. A month and a half later I came back to get a backcountry climb in. The objectives were perfectly suited to my goals and abilities. Today Micah guided my nephew and I on an another awesome ice climb. I highly recommend both SJMG and Micah Lewkowitz for your next climbing adventure!!!
My partner and I booked Jim for 3 days. He took us sport climbing the first day, up a 14er the second, and on a nice multi-pitch climbing route the final day. He was incredibly experienced and spent much of the trip providing valuable information on gear, rope setup, staying safe in rugged conditions, etc. He was also immensely knowledgeable about the Ouray area, and told plenty of awesome stories about the old mines in the area as we were driving to and from our adventures. We can't wait to get back for another adventure in the area.
We have used a few guides over the years but in terms of professionalism and maximizing your "ice time", San Juan Mountain Guides was by far the best.
Dave and Jim took out our group (6 adults) in January 2017. The ropes were already in place and they knew we were beginners so they put us in a spot that would be challenging but not impossible. After some helpful instructions, we started climbing right away, no messing around. They gave me tips while up on the wall which ultimately helped improve my technique. I made it to the top several times, which was a great feeling (despite it being a "simple" route).
I will be back to Ouray next year with my family and there is no question that I'll be going back to SJMG to ice climb again.
Unbelievable experience and scenery! My wife and I decided to start ice climbing at age 60 and 69, and were amazed at the climbing we could do thanks to our great guide at San Juan Mountain Guides, Steve Johnson. After 3 days climbing multiple routes in the Ouray Ice Park, Steve took us on 2 days of climbing in the backcountry. You have to see the pictures to believe it. Even though we were beginners when we started, our last day Steve has us climbing a backcountry multi-pitch climb, and we always felt very comfortable and safe due to his capability and expertise. If you want a life changing experience, go to San Juan Mountain Guides and Steve Johnson.
Sam D.
Annapolis, MD
We had a great time with San Juan Mountain Guides and our guide, Jeff. SJMG were very professional and provided all the gear. We got all of our gear prepped the evening before at SJMG office on Main Street, so we were ready for our private intro course the next morning maximizing our time spent climbing. We were taught the fundamentals, climbing techniques and even learned how to build a few different ice anchors with ice screws. Our guide paid close attention to our personal safety while still making sure we had a good time. This was my first time on technical ice and I gained a ton of knowledge in a one day trip. I already know how to build anchors from years of rock climbing, and now after learning ice climbing fundamentals from SJMG, I feel confident to start top roped ice climbing on my own. We are now looking forward to coming back and taking an advance lead ice climbing course with San Juan Mountain Guides!
Loved them! My son and hubby had an excellent time this year!
Had Kurt as our guide for the Ouray Via Ferratta and he was both knowledgeable and a very patient with two clients with lots of questions. We felt comfortable with his safety briefings and the pace he set although energetic did allow for breaks. Be aware, he keeps an eye on you when it comes to following Ferrata rules, but its only because he wants to get you through in one piece. You will be lucky if you get Kurt as your guide as this is a challenging adventure that requires a knowledgeable guide!
Amazing Customer service. So knowledgeable and helpful!!! Experienced climbers needing lanyards for the Via Ferrata. We got amazing information, and gear. So easy. Their guide services have got to be amazing. Definitely will be back.
We just completed the Via Ferratta in telluride with Ryan. He was great! I recommend using San Juan Mountain Guides. I felt very safe and Ryan had a great demeanor.
I was completely impressed with the professionalism and skills of these guides. As someone who generally reads a lot of safety skills then practices with friends, this clinic showed me why a day with a guide is worth the time and money. We had half of the clients drop out for the day which meant that the remaining climbers for the day were quite skilled and experienced. We were asked what we were interested in doing for the day and the guides changed their plans for the day to suit our interests. Having a guide be efficient and competent enough to lead a team on a multi-pitch ice route in the backcountry is pretty impressive during the Ouray ice fest weekend.
Between the excellent instruction, explanations, and little tips on efficiency, I now truly see the value in recruiting guides to advance my safety and technique on difficult objectives at or a bit beyond my skill level in the future. Excellent job!
We had such a great time on the via ferrata thanks to San Juan Mountain Guides! What a cool activity to do in town.
My gf and I went ice climbing with Lance Sullins and could not have had a better time. SJMG is very professional and supplied all the necessary gear for the trip. Lance even went the extra mile after the trip and helped me convert my crampons from dual point to monopoint. Would definitely recommend!
My 10 year old son and I did the Ouray Via Ferrata with Pat L as our guide and we had an awesome experience. Pat was very professional and safety-oriented, had a lot of knowledge to share and we got a lot out of it. I highly recommend the Via Ferrata and having a great guide was key.
Excellent all around experience. We signed up for an ice climbing clinic for the whole day, well worth the extra cash as they allowed rental of gear that was included, MUCH better for beginners. All of the instructors were great and very personable, low stress. We did feel the organization/planning was slightly off. The lady was not happy that she wasn't told she was going to have to hike in, though I really enjoyed it. Additionally, it was not 100% clear if equipment was included or not, CALL TO CONFIRM just so you know.
All around amazing experience, do recommend.
AWESOME TIME! This was part of my daughter's senior trip and it was great. From check-in and getting all the equipment to Check-out and dropping equipment off, the experience was excellent. Lance and Nate were very informative the 2 days of climbing. Helpful hints, knots tying, climbing techniques, everything was top-notch. Planned only for the 2 days, wish we could have stayed for the intermediate course but didnot plan for it. NEXT TIME!
I took the Intro to backcountry skiing course with Dave, and it was exactly what I had hoped--very informative, with some great skiing mixed in. He took one other person and me up from the top of Red Mountain Pass to some great gladed tree skiing, and another run that was more open. More importantly he shared information on avalanche avoidance, safety, route finding, gear, and much more. The whole day was a mix of skinning, skiing, and lots of discussion to increase our comfort in the backcountry. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in getting a better understanding of how to enjoy and stay safe while skiing.
Here is what these guys did to me: I called them two weeks in advance to ask if they would be comfortable taking me on the hardest ice climbs in the area. There was no pressure and I wanted them to be free to say no. I didn't need instruction or hand-holding; I'm a good ice climber with lots of experience and AMGA instructor training. I just wanted a trustworthy climbing partner to experience the area efficiently. They said no problem and even recommended Talisman as the target (it was in good shape). Perfect. Two weeks later, I am on site meeting with the guide they assigned for an initial briefing the afternoon before the climb. All seemed fine until that evening when he sends me an email saying he was canceling because he feared for his life! I know, right, WTF. He didn't even offer some alternative climbs. Well, long story short, apparently he had not climbed this route before, and had gotten scared. at the prospect. His comfort zone was clearly climbing in the park with beg/int climbers. Now I am not going to hold that against him, we've all been there, but I do blame SJMG owner Nate Dryer who did not assign a guide that WAS comfortable with the climb. They had two weeks notice and THEY suggested the route. I had made my plans based on this happening, and I might add that they added plenty of "adventure" fees for the harder climb, so it was not going to be cheap. Nate's response to the guide abandoning me was "I support my guides instincts". Again, WTF. This is about a company that has contracted to provide a particular service, and now in the 11th hour is saying literally "go away, we can do nothing for you". Moral to the story: don't count on these guys for bigger climbs. They are only good for beg/int clinics in the ice park.
A for profit company that uses a public park (Ouray Ice Park) to its benefit. They hog all the routes and do not adhere to the 2 hour rule of changing routes so everyone has a turn. Went to Ouray and couldn't even get on the bunny hill in the park as San Juan HAD EVERY SINGLE ROUTE camped on for their paying customers. Absolutely no love for these parasites.
Excellent experience with awesome guides! Alma, Katie, Mason and the rest were extraordinarily positive and encouraging to everyone in our group. We had people with no experience, some experience, very young (7) and not-so-young (72) and EVERYONE was was impressed with the level of professionalism, guidance and fun. Can't recommend San Juan Guides enough!
Katie was an incredible guide as we attempted to do Via Ferrata. Sadly, one of our group members has a pretty paralyzing fear of heights and wasn t able to conquer it, but Katie was so accepting and understanding and took us back down the mountain. Instead of simply saying goodbye (since our payment was non-refundable), she offered to take us rock climbing in Ouray instead, which we gladly took her up on. We had a blast. She is super safe and knowledgeable and we felt very comfortable with her. Most importantly to us, Katie knew we were doing our hike in memory of one of our friends who passed away a year ago, and she had a local Ouray glass blower make us a keepsake in his memory. We were blown away with her kindness. For her to do something like that for people she had never met was incredibly touching. Thank you Katie, I feel like we ve known you for years after just spending one afternoon with you. Would highly recommend Katie and San Juan Mountain Guides!
They are the San Juan experts -- and take that expertise around the world. I've been climbing and skiing with SJMG for several years now, both locally in the Ouray/Telluride/Silverton areas and in the Alaska range. They always put together great programs and have incredibly professional and personable guides. I've worked with many of their guides but have spent the most time with Andres Marin, one of their lead guides. Just this month Andres and I linked up Bridal Veil Falls and Ames Ice Hose in a single, long day. Either one of those climbs is a true San Juans classic, so having a guide with the ability and psyche to tackle both in the same day is a true win.
SJMG isn't just for folks looking for huge adventures in the mountains. They are very experienced at working with skiers and climbers of all skill levels. I can attest to that from experience: they helped me build up from a beginner level and have helped a number of my friends.
Lastly, SJMG are very active in giving back to the their community, both the local Ouray community and the broader climbing community. They do a ton of work to support the Ouray Ice Park and safe backcountry climbing and sking in the San Juans, among other efforts.
Whatever your goals are in the mountain, San Juan Mountain Guides is a great place to work with. Don't forget to have fun!
We recently engaged San Juan Mountain Guides to put together a 14-day trip for our Boy Scout troop after our planned trip to Philmont was canceled (due to fires). SJMG planned an awesome high-adventure trip that included rock climbing, canyoning, eight days of backpacking in the Weminuche Wilderness of Colorado and a day trip to Telluride's Via Ferrata. Our guides (Mason & Patrick) were well versed in the backcountry and were a pleasure to work with. SJMG's management (Nate, Mark and Mike) really went out of their way to ensure a great experience. For me, my son and the others on the excursion, this was the trip of a lifetime!
Had an amazing time ice climbing. Started out in the ice park and the ventured into the back country on the second day. Our guide Jason D was patient, knowledgeable, and a great leader. All of the climbs felt very safe and controlled.
I was climbing unguided at south park Feb 2. I lead a route but forgot to claim the anchor at the top. A guide from San Juan mountain guide drop the rope on me knowing I was climbing, despite me and ppl below telling him not to. I was almost to the top and ask him to wait and he can still have the anchor when I get up. "It's park rules, Sorry I have to drop the rope now" is what he said when he lowered his rope straight onto my lead strand.
I understand that it's my mistake not claiming the anchor, but knowingly dropping a rope on a leader is rude and unacceptable.
This was the highlight of our trip! We stumbled across the Via Ferrata and San Juan Mtn guides. Pat L was our amazing guide. We felt safe, not pressured, and we learned about the sport and the area in general. Gear was clean, and in great shape. Truly an enjoyable experience. We highly recommend San Juan Mtn Guides and especially Pat L if you plan to do the Via Ferrata while in Ouray.
My husband and I took a 2 day intro to ice climbing course with Chad and Caleb. My husband is experienced in adventure sports but I am a total noob! The guides made this so fun and really worked with our skill differences. We were able to climb together but totally challenge ourselves based on our comfort level. The guides worked around a couple weather related challenges and we didnt miss out on a moment of fun! They provided us with all the climbing gear we needed and even had some loaner pants and sunglasses for us when we experienced some failure of our personal gear. I recommend bringing what the suggest on the list they email you because they have thought of every comfort item. Overall this was a fantastic experience and every step of the way I enjoyed dealing with the company and guides.
The team here is great! Great prices for the level of instruction and experience they offer. They were very accommodating and professional! If you are thinking of getting into some Colorado outdoor sports give these guys a shout.
Via Ferrata was a great experience. Derek our guide was very patient with our 9 year old while also challenging him. The course was great - not for the faint of heart. You need to be in good shape and somewhat familiar with climbing. Well worth having a guide.
Had an absolute blast learning to rock climb with Katie! She was very helpful and patient! I highly recommend San Jan mountain guides if you are interested in learning how to rock climb!
Attended two ice climbing seminars during the Ouray Ice Festival. The quality of the instruction and professionalism of the guides was first rate.
We had a family tour on the Ouray Via Ferrata with Aaron from San Juan Mtn Guides, and it was such a great time! The Via was so much fun, the setting is just breathtakingly beautiful, and Aaron was very knowledgeable and patient. Highly recommended!
A friend and I just took a guided trip on the new Ouray Via Ferrata. I had ran into one of the owners of the shop the week before; he gave a great verbal orientation to the overall aspects of the Via Ferrata. Our guide, Derrick, has worked with the San Juan Mountain Guide shop for a couple of years; guiding both summer rock and winter ice and skiing trips. Derrick was outstanding. He gave a great orientation about the specific aspects of negotiating the course. He also would take the time to emphasize any peculiarities to negotiate certain parts of the course.
My daughter is interested in trying the Via Ferrata course. I would definitely send her in the direction of San Juan Mountain Guides for her initial experience.
I am not a rock climber; but Derrick was always present and assisting for anything that may of been in question.
The Via Ferrata course is OUTSTANDING!! There was not 1 instance of thinking my safety was ever in jeopardy.
San Juan Mountain Guides in Ouray rents the equipment that is required to negotiate the course. You can either rent the equipment and self guide. Or, hire one of the San Juan Mountain Guides mountain experts to take you on your journey.
From what I understand, they had a huge part in making the Ouray Via Ferrata happen. Thank you! They guide and will also rent gear. We rented gear ($35 per set) and did it ourselves. They are the only ones in the area (including Telluride) that will rent gear. Thank you! We enjoyed it so much we ordered gear from Black Diamond and did it two more times. We plan to contribute to the non-profit that supports the Ouray Via Ferrata since it was such a great experience.
Extremely friendly staff and very helpful. I've rented gear through them (which is was the best rental experience I've had with any company) and also rented a guided trip for my family. I would absolutely recommend them for any climbing-related needs.
The staff is fantastic. This is the second time I've used them to learn some amazing skills. Definitely check them out!
mtnguide.net
