Among the many differences between Americans and Europeans is their attitude toward guides. Generally speaking, Europeans are much more likely to hire a ski guide or mountain guide, while those on the western side of the Atlantic prefer to do it themselves.
The reasons are twofold. First, the American character is one of independence, of exploration and pressing onward into unknown territory — see: Lewis and Clark, et. al. — while the continental Europeans were the ones who chose to stay home. And even if on a mass cultural level Americans have degenerated into lazy, celebrity-obsessed sloths, there’s still enough of an individualistic streak, a strong enough echo of the pioneer legacy, that they’re simply going to strike out on their own.
Second, Europeans have a tradition of guiding, while Americans don’t. In alpine countries in particular, guides are respected for their skills, their knowledge, their devotion to their calling. With familiarity comes comfort and acceptance — when you’ve heard about the legendary guides of Chamonix your whole life and one day find yourself in that famous valley and don’t want to fall in a crevasse, you’re much more likely hire someone to show you around, whereas the thought of an American rolling into Snowbird and hiring a ski guide is almost laughable.
Both approaches have their merits. The very foundation of adventure is going into the unknown, and almost by definition hiring a guide makes it measurably less adventurous. You might get lost and you might not get to the goods, but striking out on your own usually leads to more profound individual tests and greater personal satisfaction after a mission accomplished.
Hiring a guide, on the other hand, increased the odds of finding better snow, the more aesthetic route, the safer line. In this busy, busy modern life, guides will help you spend your valuable time chasing the best possible experience, rather than thrashing around in the bush trying to find the trail. And many guides are happy to teach technique, too, so while you’re being led up the mountain, for example, you’ll be learning better ropecraft or how to pack your kit.
There are three broad reasons to hire a guide: for them to show you the way, to get you to the best stuff (snow, waves, singletrack, food), and to act as cultural ambassador. Certainly, in most situations all three play a role, but typically one will rise above the others. Indeed, there are many places in the world where the best investment you can make is to hire a local to show you around — for access, for understanding of resident culture, and for protection. So, which is it for you?
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{ 69 comments… read them below or add one }
If I were going to a particular area and backpacking routes are hard to research or have too many ones in the area with good reviews I would probably hire a guide to take me on their favorite and get lots of info on the area, etc.
Sort of depends. First time in a new place, I give a guide a try. Especially with any difficult routes, better safe than sorry for a first run.
If I’m or my group is unfamiliar with a backpacking route that is not local, I call in an expert to be the group leader.
Goggles
i wanna win!
When there’s more cash than comfort, I hire a guide.
If I’m a first timer in a new area or trying out a new sport for the first time, I’m all for hiring a guide.
Always love to hear from the experts.
when in a very remote area, particularly abroad
Free swag!
Mainly, to learn something…those guides know more than just their knots.
If in an area that is very remote or if trying to push oneself on a more difficult terrain.
To find the best of something
It would be great if all guides were experts, but unfortunately that isn’t always the case.
Why would I hire a guide? I already know everything!
swag me!
i really just want the goggles.
In some ways a guide’s value is to make sure that nothing (bad) happens.
“We went, we climbed, we skied, we had fun, we got home in time. Everything was fine.” That’s the typical post-trip guided trip story. When a guide does his/her job well, it seems like there’s nothing to it. Clients tend not to see the thousand small observations and decisions made each day that make the day happen without incident as the value of having a guide.
That said, there’s nothing more liberating, no greater sense of self-sufficiency, nothing more exhilarating than going to the mountains with a partner. Do everyone a favor though and don’t hit the ’911′ button on your SPOT if you have a blister.
Just need the general idea of the route
I picked “Never,” because it was the closest answer I could find that fits me. The only times I have hired a guide was if there was either A. No other way to legally see whatever it is I want to see, or B. I don’t have the tools/experience to safely get there.
I’m often disappointed when I DO hire a guide, because guides always seem to be concerned with one thing and one thing only- my safety. For example- if I am hiring you to bring me down a river where I am uncomfortable paddling the Class IV’s on my own, I don’t need to follow you down the Class II’s and III’s. Don’t make me have to come back next year, sans babysitter.
And don’t get me wrong, I understand that they’re either genuinely concerned for my safety, or worried about how an accident can affect their business. I get that. But if I’ve laid out my expectations beforehand, and you’ve still decided to take me as a client, you should be respecting the agreement. Honestly, as someone who likes to write about my adventures, I am usually hoping something might go wrong! Don’t stifle my creativity! Haha
–Mark
Guides are key for some areas because they’re the only ones with permits and access. It’s unfortunate that some view guides as some sort of commentary on their skill in the outdoors … as opposed to professionals who can lead you into the same adventure and get you back from it. In all honesty, getting lost and running into trouble in the outdoors is not something the best adventurers seek out. Few people like losing toes to frostbite or having a run-in with a mind-numbing instance of HACE.
Craig makes a good point regarding the ego driven US skepticism of guided trips. Of the few guides I’ve worked with and worked for, I’ve often been intensely impressed by the passion for sharing skills/knowledge/joy/safety that a gifted guide has–a teacher in purest form. And I love good teachers.
It all depends on the mountain, experience and how familar you are with the area. I know for myself I did something like Mt. Washington in NH without a guide and it turned out great. However I have done Mt. Rainier and wouldn’t consider doing it without a guide even after having done it.
You could have a follow up question – why not hire a guide. I would vote being cheap.
In Europe, guiding is a legitimate profession, in part because they are considered a necessary part of the mountain culture. I, for one, would love to see the same spirit here. If for no other reason than to shed some validity on a line of work that many of my friends have embraced. So for that reason alone, hire a guide. And tip her well.
I hire a guide “When my life may depend upon it.”
Goggles
There is a different cultural approach to risk that might also have something to do with this. In general, Europe has had a forward looking approach to risk, and their laws and institutions create prescriptive actions taken in advance in order to prevent potential harm. Think about how they handle GMOs, mad-cow disease, etc. Historically, the U.S. has tended to have a retrospective approach to risk. The historical U.S. legal system let you go out and do whatever you want–but if you do something wrong, or someone does something wrong to you, you can sue to recover, and in theory that risk of getting sued or of getting hurt with no way to sue for recovery should influence everyone in a way that avoids potential harm. Neither is perfect (nor a perfect example, esp. since the increase in regulations in the U.S. since the 70s), but these are two theoretical ways to approach risk.
If you think of these approaches as culturally ingrained, someone taking a prospective approach to risk is going to hire a guide so as to minimize potential future harm. Retrospective, not so much.
I chose never as well, more for money reasons. I do see the value, especially in backcountry skiing and boarding. A good guide will give you a lot of knowledge by the time your finished the trip. Avalanche and routefinding skills take a lot of time to master, and for a lot of us, getting out as much as a guide isn’t possible, but we can take a big step forward when we see their thought process in person.
hi
A guide is useful in an area you are unfamiliar with, to give a lay of the land, to lead you to the spots you would otherwise not discover. However, there is something to be said for the spirit of adventure and the thrill of finding your own way.
someday i will have money to hire a guide but until then its never
Guide me to some goggles please.
Guides are always awesome when your going into something almost completely new to you. I’m from southern California so when i went to Alaska a guide was much appreciated.
if it’s the only way to get the goods, definitely hiring a guide!
you got to do what u got to do
I would love some goggles, and for the guide thing, is hiring a teacher a good thing? It’s what the wise do.
how ’bout them goggles?!
When I’m backcountry skiing in Canada, I like to take a week and follow Scotty Davis and the lines he creates cuz he is the most awesomest best ever guide on the planet.
If we have the luxury of time, we go on our own; if time is short, but we have the money, hire a guide. And it depends on where, the activity, and our skill level. My partner was once a mountain guide, but we would pay for backcountry ski guides in a new spot, or go with a guided trip in farflung places or unfamiliar wilderness rivers, And don’t forget to give a decent tip.
I’d hire a guide if it’s unsafe without one, but other then that it’s part of the adventure to find your own way.
Having someone with experience on the mountain is always a plus!
I always hire a guide for fly fishing for the best trout streams/conditions.
Life is precious and short – hiring a guide saves time…
Correction: Lewis and Clark had a guide… 15 year old Sacagawea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacagawea
To show you where the peyote is.
I generally love the adventure of discovery and probably would not be inclined to use a guide if I can help it.
Helps to find the best routes and also a cultural experience if you are in other countries – otherwise could be left to wander on your own and miss something amazing
If I am at a mountain for long enough, I prefer exploring myself. A guide is always useful for showing you the best spots and the secret stashes!
Ive never even thought of hiring a guide, but if i was to mtb in moab or green river utah i almost certainly would.
Guide is a good idea!
Love my I/O’s!!!
Why not hire a guide if your unfamiliar with the route and it’s advanced.
<3
Never hire a guide in the mountains, only on the river.
I have never hired a guide but have gone out on a snowcat a few times and the guides were awesome
I know my hiking routes, never needed a guide.
Hire guides whenever in a new area.
Def. to find the route, I’d rather find the good stuff on my own.
I have been a guide. Currently a professional firefighter, but think about giving it all up to return to the mountains almost everyday. Showing people the outdoors is a life well spent. A guide’s everyday routine may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone else…
I’m preppring for the season and need those goggles!
If I were in an unfamiliar area, why wouldn’t I reap the rewards of another persons experience and secret spots, otherwise I wouldn’t, if I were even mildly familiar with the area.
Come on goggles!
The whole point of getting outdoors is to explore, get out and find something on your own. It’s as much about the searching and the journey as it is the destination.
Best. Goggles. Ever.
If I’m going backcountry, or far enough out of bounds, it’s definitely a good idea to have somebody with that knowledge, etc., etc. It can literally save your life! Now how much is that worth?
Oh, by the way, I honestly don’t even have a pair of goggles, never have yet. These would be great, without a doubt, come with 2 interchangeable lenses from what I understand, frame color matches everything, blah, blah, blah, would definitely be stoked if I won these, 4 real! Later, peace! : )
Un bel 10, ad un mitico occhiale!! bravo Smith!!
I think there’s validity in a guide as a learning experience – for newer people with the right mind set and a good attitude, following a guide and being a keen observer can make one a better skier or whatever. It doesn’t mean you immediately ascend to their rank, but certainly it can open someone’s eyes to new skills. The side benefit in dangerous places is protecting your neck at the same time.
Guide guide guide. Some of them have sick stories to tell. Some of them have lived in the mountains all their lives, and they’re perspective is a valuable one. They can have just as big an impact as adversity overcome on your own. Lastly, the safety factor shouldn’t be overlooked. I feel like there have been many famous cases of people making avoidable mistakes because they hadn’t asked locals, and bringing themselves and their rescuers in danger. Not cool.