Alpine to the Max

About Us

4.9 (60 reviews)
Alpine to the Max is the only Colorado-based climbing guide dedicated to experiential education. Even if you're just looking for fun, you will come away with so much more. Our mission is to share and inspire mountaincraft through experiential education. Climbing has a long tradition of knowledge being passed down through mentorship. Finding someone knowledgeable with whom you have a strong personal connection with is key. Our goal is to form a relationship with you that benefits your climbing career for a lifetime.

Est. 2020 Boulder, Colorado

Contact Us

(207) 505-0347

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Reviews

4.9 (60 reviews)

Trip: AIARE Level One

Guide: Max L.

Was a ton of fun and feel so much more comfortable making decisions in avalanche terrain. Max was a great instructor and hope to take another course with him soon!

By Zachary S. on January 09, 2025


Trip: AIARE Level One

Guide: Max L.

Max is absolutely awesome teacher- felt like I went to snow school. He is THE guy for Aire courses .

By Andrew S. on January 06, 2025


Trip: AIARE Level One

Guide: Max L.

This course left me feeling empowered to make informed decisions in the backcountry. Max is a great instructor that facilitates open discussions and learning. I would recommend this course to anyone looking to backcountry ski!

By Katelyn S. on January 06, 2025


Trip: AIARE Level One

Guide: Max L.

I recently took an AIARE 1 course with Max as the instructor, and it was an exceptional experience. The course was well-structured with three days: two spent touring and one in the classroom. While some AIARE courses skip the classroom portion, I found it incredibly helpful in providing context and laying a strong foundation for understanding backcountry safety. As a climber first and a skier second, I appreciated how Max went out of his way to make the material accessible and relevant to my background, even though AIARE 1 is typically more skier-focused. During the touring days, Max offered invaluable insights into recognizing potential dangers and helped us develop the skills needed to make informed decisions in the backcountry. I highly recommend taking an AIARE course with Max. His expertise, clear teaching style, and ability to adapt to different backgrounds make him an outstanding instructor.

By John O. on December 31, 2024


Trip: Custom Climbing with Japhy Dhungana

Guide: Japhy D.

Japhy is a consummate mountain professional, providing me and other aging locals the chance to climb the classics we’ve somehow missed in younger years. His guiding of the complete line, Grand Giraffe, gifted me an ultimate experience ; a vertical journey through geologic and ascent history, aesthetic insights and engaging belay conversations throughout the full day.

By Scott A. on November 21, 2024


Trip: Half Day Fun

Guide: Max L.

I am a new, inexperienced climber who is paradoxically terrified of heights and only had two hours to spare on my work trip. Max somehow took all these parameters in stride and figured out the best way to make my climb stress-free! Thanks lots, Max!

By Shawna B. on October 29, 2024


Trip: Half Day Fun

Guide: James K.

Super fun day! I appreciate the information, guidance, and conversation James provided during my trip, and I'm eager to do it again!

By Kristina H. on October 07, 2024


Trip: Intro to Rock Climbing

Guide: Max L.

I really wanted to love this experience but it was horrible - from start to finish. I asked for the climbing location in advance and upon arriving, Max told us we had to follow him somewhere else with no cell reception. When we got there, Max did not have us do any stretching, did not ask us any questions about injuries or even engage in authentic conversation. Even though we told him me and my friend told him we were absolute beginners, he had us start on an intermediate climb. He did not teach us any skills. He did not make us feel safe. He pressured me into climbing at a level that I was not trained for. I slipped and scraped up my arms and legs. He told us safety is #3 (not #1). He threw rocks at cute chipmunks even when we asked him not to. When my friend was climbing, he was ignoring her and chatting with other people. At one point she got scared and another teacher had to help her. He had a passive aggressive attitude the entire time. He also did not appear to be a serious climber himself, maybe many years ago, but it was clear to us he is out of shape and only doing this for the money. I caution any beginners to stay away from Max. He is unsafe.

By Jennifer R. on September 14, 2024


Trip: Intro to Rock Climbing

Guide: Max L.

Max is a very experienced guide who made our outing great.

By Weston H. on September 01, 2024


Trip: Half Day Fun

Guide: Max L.

Went on a half day of sport climbing and instruction with Max…always fun to hang out with, very safe, and a fantastic teacher! I highly recommend this for beginning climbers!!

By Aram N. on August 28, 2024