Aspen Expeditions

Specialties

Aspen is well-​known as an international destination for skiers and snowboarders, and a big part of that charm — we firmly believe — lies with the legendary backcountry opportunities that often begin just beyond the boundaries of the four established resorts here.

Backcountry skiing and riding is what we love to do in the winter. Since 1977, we’ve been delivering custom adventures and educational opportunities for clients of all ability levels with our AMGA trained ski and mountain guides.

We specialize in private ski guiding throughout the winter including lift-​accessed ski descents from all 4 ski resorts. Frequent avalanche-​education courses and backcountry ski camps also feature strongly into our program, which is designed to offer many points of entry for newcomers and veterans to further their own journeys as safe backcountry travelers.

History

Established in 1977.

Aspen Expeditions Worldwide is a mountain guide service, backcountry center and custom adventure travel service based in the heart of the magnificent Rocky Mountains in Aspen, Colorado. AEW has been guiding and teaching rock, ice, ski & alpine mountaineering skills since 1977 under a USFS* permit. In addition, AEW leads adventures to international destinations such as the Himalaya (Nepal, Bhutan) Tanzania (Kilimanjaro), South America and the European Alps. Founded by IFMGA Guide Dick Jackson, Aspen Expeditions takes pride in the service and products it delivers. Our high reputation from past and current guests and our commitment to our highly qualified staff of mountain guides’ (American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) trained and/​or certified) are Aspen Expeditions Worldwide’s credentials.

Meet the Business Owner

Dick J.

Business Owner

Professional mountain guide Dick Jackson has owned and operated Aspen Expeditions Worldwide since 1976. Internationally certified by IFMGA/​AMGA in all disciplines of rock and ice climbing, ski mountaineering and alpine mountaineering, Dick guides climbs and ski trips in Colorado and around the world, including the Himalaya, Alaska, the Alps and Africa.

Dick’s first ascents include the Voie Jackson in Chamonix, France, in 1976, and he was on the first American ascent of Himulchuli, Nepal, in 1984. Dick is also an outdoor and landscape photographer, a USHGA-​certified tandem paragliding pilot and instructor, and a founder of Aspen Paragliding.

When not guiding or photographing professionally, Dick enjoys spending time with his wife, Paulina Vander Noordaa, and daughter, Tashi Jackson. Dick served as a board member and president of the American Mountain Guides Association from 2001-’05 during which time he worked tirelessly to convince the International Federation of Mountain Guides to r