At Sawtooth Mountain Guides, your experience is what matters most. We pride ourselves on providing a mountain adventure that exceeds your wildest expectations. Don't take our word for it, read what others have to say!
I’ve taken a couple different avalanche courses in the past and this was the best. SMG tailored the course to our group ability level and we all learned practical skills / protocols that we can apply to our actual backcountry skiing. Super fun and chill instructors as well.
Thanks!
I just completed the Level 1 AIARE course this weekend. The guides that instructed the course included Sara Lundy, Matt Scrivner and Drew Daly. All three were extremely knowledgeable, courteous and professional. I will be recommending SMG's courses to all of my friends and colleagues interested in exploring the back country further. Definitely going to be signing up for Level 2 next year and the rescue course.
Great instruction from Sara, Matt, Drew & Tarah! Taking this class opens your eyes to the dangers of backcountry travel but also teaches you how to make smart decisions and how to get yourself out of danger if an avalanche does occur! Overall excellent course! These guys are the experts and do the best job!
A few friends and I took the AIARE Avy I overnight hut course, based out of the Williams Peak hut. Overall it was a stellar experience. Sara, Drew, and Skylar (our guides and cook) cultivated a great environment for learning and fun through the field learning and their approach to teaching. We came away with a very memorable experience and the necessary knowledge and confidence to explore avalanche terrain safely. I highly recommend this course for those interested in recreating in the backcountry.
Great vibes from Erik and Matt! You will learn far more than you seek! Course is exceptional and it will prepare you for heading out into the backcountry during the winter.
My 21 year old daughter and I rock climbed the Super Slabs in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains in August 2018. Our guide Matt S. from Sawtooth Mountain Guides was phenomenal. He was very knowledgeable of the technical aspects of rock climbing as well as with Idaho and the Sawtooth Mountain region. Our adventure started out at the Red Fish Lake Lodge in the morning where we got fitted for helmets, shoes, and harness. Matt had a truck full of equipment and supplied everything we required for the climb. Once we packed all our gear up we boarded a boat that took us across Red Fish Lake. We then had a hike to the base of the Super Slabs, the hike was about 2 miles with a gradual uphill the whole way. At the base we had short lesson, changed into our gear, and began the climb. Our multi-pitch climb was broken into about 5 stops to pull the ropes and tie on to next assent. The total climbing duration was about 4 hours and was a workout. This was our first time rock climbing outside on an actual mountain, but we had done some indoor rock wall climbing prior to this trip. Matt challenged us and pushed us to do more than we thought we were capable of, taking us on a more difficult route. After a short snack and pictures at the top of the mountain, we climbed down a very step trail back to the base with helmets on. Then hike back to lake eating some wild huckleberries along the way and 10-minute boat ride back to Lodge. This was a full day event and we made reservations about a month in advance of our trip. During reservation, we were provided with meeting instructions, times, and what to bring. We needed to have backpacks, water, and food, Good hiking shoes and proper attire. Long pants are a must as the granite rock is abrasive. Also, I brought two water bottles which was not enough, luckily there was a nice ice-cold mountain spring at the base of the Super Slabs that I could refill up with. I would highly recommend Sawtooth Mountain Guides.
The staff was awesome coordinating our trip. This was a birthday gift to my wife. Stacy, their office person was so easy to work with. Drew, our guide was awesome.
We have used different guides from other states and Sawtooth Mountain Guides is one of the best!
Took a AIARE Avalanche Level 1 & Level 2 from the Sawtooth Mountain Guides - Great instructors, welcoming classroom setting, incredible views, and motivating to purse more education in the avalanche world. Learned a ton of information in a fun but very professional manner. These Guys rock! Highly recommend taking courses from them if you are in need!
In past years we have done day adventures with SMG (a day of climbing on the Super Slabs and a day hike to Goat Lake). This time we wanted to do something a little more adventurous, so planned a 3 day family backpack to hike into Imogene Lake and then do a summit of Mount Cramer. Every detail of the trip was perfect. Sara Lundy (one of the co-owners) was our guide. She was incredible -- personable, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, not to mention a great outdoors cook (we couldn't believe how many tasty treats she had for our meals!). We opted for a porter to take the bulk of our gear to camp on the first day. As such, our camp was waiting for us upon arrival -- tents set up by a small "no-name" lake right next to Imogene that was so beautiful. We swam, explored, ate and just enjoyed the beauty of the surroundings. The hike up Mt. Cramer on Day 2 was challenging but spectacular. It is a bushwhack the whole way -- first through alpine forest and then a rock scramble above treeline. Sara forged our path with expert precision -- we did not have to backtrack once. Of course, the weather cooperated, which makes all the difference. We were very happy with the whole experience and highly recommend SMG.
Best in all the West. The SMG rock-n-raft combo is awesome. In the morning, Eric taught us several climbing techniques at the boulder near Red Fish Lake Lodge. He is patient, a great teacher, has a sense of humor, and is encouraging without being condescending. In the afternoon, we rafted with a company in Stanley. Previously, we've met SMG guides on Borah. They are the type of people who make an arduous hike an enjoyable experience. SMG has wonderful employees.
