BOULDER ROCK CLIMBING GUIDES

EXPLORE THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS WITH a professional BOULDER ROCK CLIMBING GUIDE

Alpine to the Max is the only independently certified climbing guide in the Boulder area dedicated to providing incredible custom experiences throughout the Front Range. Whether you’re an avid climber looking to take your skills to the next level or a beginner interested in getting started with this incredible sport, we’ll help you accomplish your goals with a unique day of climbing planned just for you.

Photo of Colorado rock climbing guide Max Lurie leading a climb in Boulder, Colorado

ALPINE TO THE MAX IS A PROFESSIONALLY CERTIFIED, TOP-RATED CLIMBING GUIDE

Our mission is to provide personalized rock climbing instruction with the knowledge and safety to help you experience the mountains like never before.

Founded by AMGA-certified rock and alpine guide Max Lurie, Alpine to the Max offers guided rock climbing adventures in the top venues in and around Boulder County.

Even if you're just looking for a day of fun, you’ll end up coming away with so much more including climbing skills and memories to last you a lifetime.

HOW ALPINE TO THE MAX OFFERS THE BEST ROCK CLIMBING EXPERIENCE FOR YOU

When you explore the mountains with Alpine to the Max, you’ll reach incredible heights in a safe environment with a custom day of rock climbing. We welcome all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels to come join us in the many excellent venues Colorado has to offer.

No two climbs with Alpine to the Max are ever the same. Every outing is completely custom-tailored to your goals and objectives.

For those just getting started, Max can guide you on a scenic climb up the Boulder Flatirons or in nearby Clear Creek Canyon. More experienced climbers can receive a hands-on educational experience guided towards accomplishing an objective or goal during a day in Eldorado Canyon or nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.

WHY IS ALPINE TO THE MAX DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BOULDER ROCK CLIMBING GUIDES?

Alpine to the Max is the only rock climbing guide in the Boulder area dedicated to experience and education.

This means when you climb with Max, you’ll get a personalized climbing experience in a popular Boulder venue, along with detailed instruction from an AMGA-certified guide that will make you a better climber.

EXPERT INSTRUCTION FOR SEVERAL CLIMBING DISCIPLINES

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Alpine to the Max is an independent AMGA certified guide with more than a decade of experience in a wide variety of terrain. We offer a variety of year-round climbs that will help you experience some of the world’s greatest mountain ranges from vantage points reserved for only the most adventurous climbers.

Rock climbing

Take advantage of the best nature Boulder has to offer with an instructional day of rock climbing fun. Join us for guided roping, traditional and sport climbing, and multi-pitch climbing.

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Alpine Climbing

Experience the Rocky Mountains like very few do with an alpine climb, considered by many in the community to be the ultimate mountain climbing achievement. You'll learn the mountaineering skills required to test your limits.

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Ice Climbing

Want to keep climbing and building your skill set during the winter months? Learn how to ice climb with Alpine to the Max and continue sharpening your skills all year around.

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Browse Our Most Popular Rock Climbing Courses

Our independently guided rock climbing courses offer something for everyone regardless of past experience or current skill level. With over 100 five-star reviews, you can't go wrong.

DISCOVER WHAT OUR CLIMBERS SAY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH ALPINE TO THE MAX

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Alpine to the Max has quickly become one of top-rated Boulder rock climbing guides, with 100+ five-star reviews on Google. Read on for a sample of what our climbing community is saying about their experience rock climbing with Max.

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“I climbed with Max last summer on a couple of couloirs in Rocky Mountain National Park. I’m a complete newbie to technical snow and Max was everything that I was hoping for in a guide. Knowledgeable, patient and passionate about educating his clients. It was a fantastic experience and I cannot wait to go back out with him.”

William Rosenberg
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“Max is easily one of the best guides I have ever taken a course with. Max's knowledge paired with his experience and skill set is unparalleled. I learned so much and I am so grateful to have taken a course with him! Max provided the education and knowledge I needed to continue recreating safely in the mountains.”

Nichola Krieg
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“Max was an amazing guide and instructor for our 2-day AIARE 1 course. Funny, affable, deeply knowledgeable, with an excellent approach to instruction and learning. We saw several other AIARE courses out there in the same locations, and in comparison, we were VERY glad we were spending our weekend learning from Max!

Dylan Cate
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Max is awesome! My climbing partner and I booked a day with Max to learn how to ice climb. Between making the meetup spot an easy to find location, to providing in-depth instruction throughout the day, I can't recommend Max enough. Max's instruction was clear, safe, and easy to follow. He's personable and easy to learn from.

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What an awesome experience. My friend and I spent four days with Max going through a variety of topics and we couldn't have been happier with the instruction. Max is SO well versed in a multitude of areas. And he's an awesome person to be around and it makes the guiding experience that much better. I would 100% do another session with Max!

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We strongly recommend Max as a guide and instructor. Having climbed with Max several times over the past decade, we always come away with a great experience and a smile. His enthusiasm and knowledge, plus a wry sense of humor, make for instructive and fun days of climbing. We hope to get out to CO to climb someday with Max again.

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It was awesome. We covered a ton of material in such a short window and I was able to apply everything I learned. I had pretty minimal experience at the start but he delivered everything in a super easy to understand manner that made it a ton of fun and extremely informative. I’ll definitely be coming back for future sessions.

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Max was incredibly helpful for our intro to trad course. He not only teaches the information, but makes sure to go over alternative techniques and general climbing philosophy. We were able to customize the class that day to go over things that interested us rather than a set curriculum, which I really enjoyed. I couldn’t recommend Max enough.

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I had very limited climbing experience coming into this guided rock climbing experience. Max takes me out and we literally jump right into my introduction to climbing. Max literally inspired me to get out of my comfort zone immediately and go beyond what I thought I was capable of. Thank you Max for an awesome experience in the mountains.

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Max is an outstanding guide! I couldn’t have asked for a better day of climbing and learning. I joined Max in hopes of setting a solid foundation of skills and knowledge in my own climbing endeavors to come, and I was beyond satisfied with the day he had prepared for us. An incredible instructor and ideal climbing partner!

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Max is adept, knowledgeable, and great to work with all around! He breaks down skills and explains them thoroughly, taking the time to make sure you understand a concept before moving on to something more complex. If you want to up your technical climbing skills and have a darn good time doing it then Max is your guy!

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Max was extremely knowledge and encouraging while we were learning and practicing building anchors and hauling for crevasse rescue. He also had a great sense of humor and kept the mood light while we were suffering through brutally cold temperatures during the practice. 10/10 would recommend!

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My partner and I hired Max for a day of self rescue skills and we had an absolute blast. Max is super knowledgeable and was more than patient answering all of our questions. We never felt rushed and had time to go through different scenarios and skills. I really enjoyed learning from a professional and would recommend to anyone!

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Max was a terrific mountain guide. We did a split-board tour of the Hidden Valley area of Rock Mtn National Park and I couldn’t have had asked for a better guide. He answered all of my questions and expressed great knowledge in snow science as well as mountain geology and avalanche safety. Highly recommend!

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I spent a day learning trad/multipitch climbing with Max in a "classroom setting". The dollars I spent on that session have been more valuable than any climbing trip or equipment. The techniques he taught me have stuck with me throughout my climbing career and set me up for success in the mountains.

About Your Rock Climbing Guide

MEET MAX LURIE: YOUR EXPERT ROCK CLIMBING GUIDE

Alpine to the Max owner Max Lurie is an American Mountain Guides Association-certified rock climbing guide, experienced mountaineer, and accomplished alpinist. Raised along the rugged coastline of Maine, Max learned to rock climb in Acadia National Park and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

For nearly twenty years, Max has been traveling around the world adventuring in the greatest mountain ranges while teaching his fellow climbers to do the same.

He founded Alpine to the Max to provide truly personalized mountain instruction to climbers throughout Colorado. While Max primarily works along the Front Range of Colorado, he also does custom trips and solo expeditions.

To learn more about Max and what a day of rock climbing in Boulder looks like, click the button below for a quick two-minute video.

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Photo of AMGA certified rock climbing guide Max Lurie

TOP-TIER ROCK CLIMBING VENUES IN BOULDER

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Boulder is world-renowned as a bucket list spot for rock climbing enthusiasts. Alpine to Max offers expert-level instruction in all of Colorado’s top venues, including guided routes based on your skills and climbing goals.

Boulder Flatirons

Located in Chautauqua Park, the Flatirons of Boulder are an iconic landmark synonymous with Colorado. These mountains, visible from along the Front Range, are a must for any climber visiting the area. Your trip won’t be complete without a trek to the First or Third flatirons.

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Eldorado Canyon

One of the most iconic rock climbing spots in the United States, Eldorado Canyon offers dense sandstone for multi-pitch traditional climbing. With cliffs up to 700 feet tall, there are so many incredible routes that you’ll never have to try the same one twice.

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Clear Creek Canyon

From your first lead climb to steep sport routes, Clear Creek Canyon has it all. With over 1,000 routes, incredible crags, and well-protected sport climbs, this canyon is a climber favorite for repeat visits.

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Rocky Mountain National Park

This destination lives up to its reputation as a beloved spot for beginner and expert climbers alike. Rocky Mountain National Park offers hundreds of granite faces and various peaks for a climbing route like no other.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ROCK CLIMBING IN BOULDER

Before you set out for a day of climbing, it’s important that you come prepared to make the most out of your experience. Below, you’ll find the most common questions that we get before a climb. And, if you have any other questions that haven’t been covered, Max will happily answer them during your complimentary intro call.

What type of outing is right for me?
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Every single day of instruction/guiding we do at Alpine to the Max is completely customized to help you achieve your goals. We will talk on the phone and ask you some questions to get an idea of what your goals are. From there we can make some suggestions about how to get there together.
How do I pick a guide or guide service?
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This is actually a scary topic because there is no oversight or regulation in the mountain guiding industry. This means that anyone with a rope can call themselves a guide. Furthermore, guide services will often use language like “Professional Mountain Guides” while hiring young and/or inexperienced guides while paying them a fraction of what you pay for their services. Always ask if your guide is certified by the American Mountain Guides Association. This will ensure that your guide/instructor has been peer reviewed and has passed their examinations. By hiring an independent certified guide, such as Alpine to the Max, you are ensuring the quality of instruction or experience that you will receive.
How do I prepare for my outing?
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This depends on the objective and can vary drastically from a day of rock climbing to a winter overnight or expedition. However, we will always set you up for success. This means that mentorship starts at the time of booking to help prepare you for your outing. Alpine to the Max is a resource of knowledge that you will have access to.
Where does Alpine to the Max guide/instruct?
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I live in Boulder Colorado and have access to all the local climbing venues: Eldorado Canyon State Park, Boulder Canyon, Flatirons, Clear Creek Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Park. I regularly travel and can guide most places in the US or internationally. However, pricing may vary because access to permits through local guide services who have a monopoly plays a role.