SWS Mountain Guides, California Rock Guides, California Ski Guides

Welcome to SWS Mountain Guides, California Rock Guides & California Ski Guides, all operating as complementary guide companies under our parent corporation Sierra Wilderness Seminars Inc…SWS was founded by Timothy Keating in Mt. Shasta in 1981 and is celebrating 40 years of guiding adventure lovers into the California wilderness.

In 2017 SWS purchased Mountain Adventure Seminars, founded in Bear Valley in 1996, and brought an additional 20 years of outdoor adventures to our guiding family. SWS Mountain Guides, California Ski Guides, and California Rock Guides are led by Timothy Keating, David Cressman, and JB Brown and reflect their love for the outdoors and enthusiasm for introducing, sharing, and educating; others in “the wild places.” We are thrilled to bring Bear Valley and all MAS courses into the SWS family.

SWS Offices are located in Bear Valley, CA., Lone Pine, CA & Mt Shasta City, CA.

Our main office and 25 person Shasta bunkhouse are located in Mt. Shasta City, with additional offices in Lone Pine, CA. at the base of Mt Whitney.  OUR BEAR VALLEY OFFICE at 265 Bear Valley Road just inside the Bear Valley Lodge.

California Rock Guides™

While the name may seem new (established in 2013), we have been around since 1981 and are one of the oldest rock guiding companies in California with rock climbing venues from the Southern- Sierra Nevada to Castle Crag by Mount Shasta. As such, we bring a depth and variety of experience that few can match. Take some time to look around and get to know us and what we do. California Rock Guides™ is grounded on the principle of providing a high-quality rock guide service throughout California.

California Ski Guides™ 

Our sister company’s name, established in 2013, has been around since 1981 and is one of California’s oldest ski guide companies. As such, we bring a depth and variety of experience that few can match. We take pride in intimately knowing the Mountain Ranges of California and have a passion for finding the unrivaled snow. Take some time to look around and get to know us and what we do. California Ski Guides believes in the principle of providing a high-quality ski and split-board guide service for the state of California and beyond.

SWS Mountain Guides™ NOW operates the broadest range of programs in the most venues in California of any guides service: Mt. Shasta, Mt. Whitney, Castle Crags, Alabama Hills, Crystal Crag, Bear Valley, Lover’s Leap, Calaveras Dome, North Palisade, Temple Crag, Mt. Sill, The Incredible Hulk, International Expeditions, and much more!

Winter Adventures include mountaineering, ice climbing, avalanche education, backcountry ski/snowboard mountaineering, and multi-day ski tours.  

Summer Adventures include mountaineering, glacier & crevasse rescue courses, Summer snow & glacier climbing, Mt Shasta ascents, rock climbing, Mt Whitney ascents, Sequoia-Kings Canyon backpacking, Nepal trekking, and more! Find your experience today on one of our websites or call 888.797.6867