San Juan Mountain Guides

Ouray, United States

5

Closed now

7 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 970-325-4925
Website:
mtnguide.net
Address:
725 Main St, Ouray, CO, 81427
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes

Today

Today 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Ouray) 8:37 PM Saturday, June 7, 2025

Business hours

Monday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

San Juan Mountain Guides (SJMG) is the premier AMGA Accredited Program provider of Ouray Ice Climbing, Private Ice Guiding, Ouray Rock Climbing, San Juan Backcountry Skiing and Avalanche Courses, Alpine Climbing, and Wilderness Backpacking in Colorado. Founded in 1986, SJMG is the only guide service based in both Durango and Ouray, Colorado, and is well known as «The Local Experts» for climbing and skiing in Ouray, Durango, Telluride and the San Juan Mountains. We offer personalized, professional guide services with IFMGA/​AMGA Certified Guides and Instructors.

— San Juan Mountain Guides is the Official Concessionaire of the Ouray Ice Park —

History

Established in 1987.

SJMG is the only guide service based in both Durango and Ouray, Colorado, and is well known as «The Local Experts» for climbing and skiing in Ouray, Durango, Telluride and the San Juan Mountains.

Meet the Business Owner

Nate D.

Business Owner

Nate is the Owner/​Director of San Juan Mountain Guides. He has climbed and guided extensively in North America and abroad. He began guiding in the St. Elias Mountains and has also guided on Mt. Rainier and Denali. He has a BA in Psychology and a BA in Organizational Communications, is a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and is AIARE Level 3 Avalanche Certified. Nate is also an AMGA Certified Rock & Alpine Guide, the highest level of certification available for guides working in that terrain. Nate also serves on the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Board of Directors.

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7 reviews of San Juan Mountain Guides

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Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
I am a long time climber and found myself without a partner on a planned trip to Ouray to ice climb. Fortunately, I connected with San Juan Mountain guides who set me up with Micah, who was phenomenal. Not only competent and safe, Micah was a great instructor who really tuned up my technique and rope skills, making for very efficient changeovers on the multi-​pitch ice routes in the Ouray/​Silverton area where we climbed. We swapped leads and I got a lot more out of my two days with Micah than if I had climbed with someone else. Annie from San Juan Mtn guides also was a good communicator who touched base with me more than once to ensure that my days went smoothly. Finally, it was a bonus that Micah had me demo some updated ice climbing boots from the San Juan office at no additional charge. I recommend Micah and San Juan Mountain Guides without reservation.
Place rating: 5
Mesa, AZ
I’ve used these guys 4 times to guide some incredible ice climbs in the Ouray/​Silverton area. I can’t say enough about the overall excellence of this crew! If you’re looking for extremely high quality guides, this is the place.
Place rating: 5
Fresno, CA
Awesome. I very seldom climb as a guided client, but my friend talked me into an Ouray trip at the last minute and had already booked a day with San Juan. We spent a day out with Geoff, and it was an awesome introduction to the park. Very professional and efficient, and the instruction was top notch. I have climbed ice before, but I learned a lot of techniques to improve my climbing. I strongly recommend San Juan Mountain Guides if you are looking for a guide in Ouray.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
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!
Place rating: 5
Longmont, CO
I highly recommend these guys. From making the reservation, to their efficient follow up and check-​in, everything leading up to the day was perfect.
Our guide Dawn was unbelievably good. She quickly assessed our climbing abilities and provided the guidance, encouragement and instruction we needed to climb for 3.5 hours on increasingly more challenging routes. We always felt safe, yet challenged to push ourselves.
This was an important part of a road trip I was taking with my daughter before she heads off to college and this needed to be a great memory. it was that an more.
Thank you Dawn and SJMG for a great day. We’ll be back in the winter to ice climb.
Place rating: 5
Dallas, TX
Excellent day hike in Durango with Andrew, professional, friendly and knowledgeable. We are middle aged beginning hikers and he was very helpful and made the day perfect for us. We would recommend this company for any level of hiking, or climbing needs.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
I booked an ice climbing guide the first week the Ouray Ice Park was open this year and had a fantastic experience. SJMG made the process really simple and casual and I felt well prepared with the information and tools given us.
Our guide had over 15 years of experience climbing ice and was also a professional backcountry climbing and skiing guide, and was super cool, informative and fun. She taught us everything about the tools and technique required to build a strong foundation in ice climbing practice.
I learned so much, had an amazing experience, and might have even gotten hooked. I’d recommend SJMG to anyone looking to have a genuinely rad time, learn a ton, and get off the beaten path. Definitely not for tourists or sideliners. I hope to be back soon for some backcountry expeditions!