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Backcountry Guide Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Eleven Experience

Summer Guide

Crested Butte, CO · On-site

$15.25 - $17.50/hr

At each destination our guided backcountry adventures await guests of all ages and skill levels. Our lodges, chalets, and beach houses combine five-star accommodations with incredible cuisine. To our ...

Eleven Experience

Snow Safety Manager

Crested Butte, CO · On-site

$6.0K/mo

At each destination our guided backcountry adventures await guests of all ages and skill levels. Our lodges, chalets, and beach houses combine five-star accommodations with incredible cuisine. To our ...

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF DENVER

TASC Staff

Elbert, CO · On-site

$2.0K - $2.3K/wk

As a guide on TASC trips , you will assist in leading a 10-day trip (6 - 7 days of backpacking and ... You will build campers' backcountry camping, survival, and personal skills, bond the group of ...

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF DENVER

TASC Staff

Elbert, CO · On-site

$12.25 - $16/hr

As a guide on TASC trips , you will assist in leading a 10-day trip (6 - 7 days of backpacking and ... You will build campers' backcountry camping, survival, and personal skills, bond the group of ...

Auberge Collection

Summer Host

Telluride, CO

$17/hr

Curated by our team of Adventure Guides, with over 60 years of combined Telluride residency, create ... From foraging the verdant mountainside with our executive chef to taking on Colorado's backcountry ...

Auberge Collection

Summer Host

Telluride, CO · On-site

$17/hr

Curated by our team of Adventure Guides, with over 60 years of combined Telluride residency, create ... From foraging the verdant mountainside with our executive chef to taking on Colorado's backcountry ...

Madeline Hotel and Residences

Cook III

Telluride, CO

Curated by our team of Adventure Guides, with over 60 years of combined Telluride residency, create ... From foraging the verdant mountainside with our executive chef to taking on Colorado's backcountry ...

Auberge Collection

Cook III

Telluride, CO

$20 - $23/hr

Curated by our team of Adventure Guides, with over 60 years of combined Telluride residency, create ... From foraging the verdant mountainside with our executive chef to taking on Colorado's backcountry ...

Auberge Collection

Cook III

Telluride, CO · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Curated by our team of Adventure Guides, with over 60 years of combined Telluride residency, create ... From foraging the verdant mountainside with our executive chef to taking on Colorado's backcountry ...

Eleven Experience

Lodge Staff

Crested Butte, CO · On-site

$20/hr

At each destination our guided backcountry adventures await guests of all ages and skill levels. Our lodges, chalets, and beach houses combine five-star accommodations with incredible cuisine. To our ...

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Backcountry Guide information

See Colorado salary details

$7

$18

$30

How much do backcountry guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for backcountry guide in Colorado is $18.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.65 and $22.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Backcountry Guide job?

A Backcountry Guide leads outdoor adventures in remote, rugged areas, ensuring safety while providing an enriching experience. They may guide activities like hiking, skiing, or camping, often teaching survival and navigation skills. Responsibilities include route planning, risk assessment, and emergency response. Strong outdoor skills, first aid certification, and knowledge of local terrain are essential. Many guides work for tour companies, outdoor education programs, or as independent contractors.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Backcountry Guide?

Backcountry Guides are responsible for planning routes, leading groups through remote areas, monitoring participants’ safety, and interpreting local ecology and terrain. Their day often includes tasks such as setting up camps, cooking in outdoor conditions, and performing basic first aid if needed. Guides also play a key role in fostering group cohesion and ensuring adherence to responsible backcountry practices. Most trips require adapting to changing weather and trail conditions, making flexibility and quick problem-solving essential for daily success. You can expect to work closely with both guests and fellow guides to provide a memorable and safe outdoor adventure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Backcountry Guide position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Backcountry Guide, you need expert knowledge of wilderness navigation, survival techniques, and outdoor safety, often backed by certifications such as Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Leave No Trace. Familiarity with GPS devices, topographic maps, and communication tools like satellite phones is essential for safe and effective trip management. Exceptional leadership, interpersonal communication, and decision-making skills help guides manage group dynamics and respond calmly to emergencies. These competencies are vital to ensure the safety, enjoyment, and educational value of each guided backcountry experience.

What are popular job titles related to Backcountry Guide jobs in Colorado? For Backcountry Guide jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Backcountry Guide jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Backcountry Guide jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Backcountry Guide jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Backcountry Guide job openings:
Backcountry Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Backcountry Guide job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 76% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,769 per year, or $18.2 per hour.

Summer Guide

Eleven Experience

Crested Butte, CO • On-site

$15.25 - $17.50/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

About Us
Eleven is like no other place. We're an adventure travel company with a diverse portfolio of intimate, extraordinary adventure lodges in remote locations around the world. We strive to give every one of our guests the best day of their life everyday, whether heli-skiing near the Arctic Circle in Iceland or casting for bonefish on a remote island in the Bahamas. At each destination our guided backcountry adventures await guests of all ages and skill levels. Our lodges, chalets, and beach houses combine five-star accommodations with incredible cuisine. To our guests we are trusted, down to Earth, smart, innovative, discrete and fun. To our international team, we are a community with genuine camaraderie, and we value creativity, work ethic, kindness, and strong communication. Our success is dependent on our employees' well being, and we continue to evolve more programs and benefits to support work life balance, and remain open to ideas, feedback, and new sustainable approaches. We take pride in promoting employees from within who prove to be committed, valuable, and have a genuine desire to grow.
Position Purpose
Guide for Irwin Guides and Eleven during spring and summer months, working an array of trips. Provide consistent high-quality guiding and hospitality to guests while managing all associated risks.
Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks
  • Eleven Trip Logistics
    • Read the nightly logistics, DTA, Operations App and get in contact with the appropriate parties (Irwin Guides office and Experience Managers) to ensure preparedness for all trips.
      • Client information can be found on the Property Planning Docs as well as the weekly staff folders, Operations App and included in the nightly logistics emails sent from the Experience Managers and on the Daily Trip Assignment email sent by the Irwin Guides Office.
    • Spend extra time working with the Experience Managers on shuttles, gear needs, and culinary needs (as needed) for any given trip.
  • Irwin Guides Trip Logistics
    • Log in to the Eleven Operations App & The Guide Network and read all client and trip details whenever assigned a trip in the Eleven Operations App & The Guide Network.
      • The Irwin Guides office will leave contact information for the guests as well as a few notes. These notes include details about the guests' ability level with the activity and their goal or style of what they are looking to get out of their trip.
    • Contact each day guest 1-3 days prior to their arrival date to introduce yourself and talk to them in more detail about what to expect for the day. This may include collecting more information from the guest as well as vehicle needs, gear needs, and familiarity with the activity.
    • Utilize local terrain knowledge to decide where all trips will take place, considering all Irwin Guides permits and available terrain.
      • Permit information can be found in the Guide Resources google drive or by contacting the Irwin Guides office.
    • Load and prep all gear as well as derig and clean gear properly.
  • Eleven Experience Guide Responsibilities - Eleven Experience Guests
    • Participate in planning calls with the Experience Team and Irwin Guides staff when available.
    • Lead an experience briefing with each guest on their arrival day.
    • Maintain their itinerary and continuously work on logistics with the Experience Managers, keeping in mind their original itinerary.
    • Assist with adding extra staffing to trips if needed.
    • Work around weather, trail, and seasonal conditions as needed.
    • Coordinate all shuttle, vehicle, and lunch needs.
    • Coordinate all weekly and daily logistics with guests, Experience Managers, and Irwin Guides office staff.
  • Guide Administration
    • Clock in and out daily through UKG utilizing the office computer, iPads, or by downloading the UKG app on your phone.
      • Guides are responsible for clocking in and out each day and adding the proper pay adjustments. Email hr@grassycreek.nl if assistance is needed.
    • Maintain familiarity with The Guide Network, the scheduling platform used by the Irwin Guides office uses. Each guide has login information and their own calendars.
      • Ensure availability is updated in Adventure Office throughout the season by utilizing AO statuses.
        • Available - Trips may be added directly to your calendar.
        • On Call - You will receive a call or text for confirmation before adding trips to your calendar.
        • Unavailable - Trips will not be added to your calendar.
      • Connect with the Irwin Guides office team or other guides if assistance or additional training is needed on utilizing The Guide Network.
    • Ensure another qualified guide is available to cover any trips you were scheduled for but can no longer work.
      • The Irwin Guides office is available to assistance, but it is the guide's responsibility to find and ensure coverage.
    • Complete all Post Trip Reports within 24 hours of the trip.
      • This link can be found on the DTA email sent out each evening and in the Eleven Operations App.
      • Trip Reports are guest specific and should provide a brief synopsis of the trip.
    • Accurately and timely complete incident report forms or accident investigation paperwork as needed.
      • Near miss forms, accident report forms, and worker's compensation incident report forms can be linked by utilizing the QR links throughout the 330 building and in vehicles and in the Guide Resources Google Drive folder.
  • Other Responsibilities and Duties
    • Attend all guide training sessions including pre-season and throughout the season.
    • Maintain a guest facing appearance at all times, including clean clothing, clean personal gear, and always maintaining optimal personal hygiene.
    • Provided uniforms should be worn at all times when on property or guiding.
      • Guides are responsible for keeping uniforms well maintained and clean throughout the season.
    • Ensure all company gear is signed out utilizing the established check out system explained during pre-season trainings.
    • Ensure all gear is derigged and properly put away after every trip.
    • Ensure all company vehicles are signed out utilizing the established check out system explained during pre-season trainings.
      • Inspect all vehicles and report any damage or misuse before usage.
      • Return all company vehicles clean, fully gassed, and parked correctly after every trip.
    • Assist with preparing and cleaning guest facilities, helping other departments, and other tasks as necessary including gear repairs, retail help, vehicle and/or guest shuttles, and gear tracking assistance.

Qualifications
  • Wilderness First Responder, OEC, or EMT
  • Prior outdoor leadership experience and guiding skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with a helpful and friendly attitude.
  • Understanding of risk management, discretion, and good judgment.
  • Strong communication skills and dynamic decision-making skills.
  • Must complete the Irwin Guides summer training program.
  • Must complete check offs for trip leading conducted by senior guides if applicable.
  • Specific qualifications per guide specialty:
    • Rock Guides:
      • In-house top rope check off.
      • Multi pitch check off or equivalent certification.
    • Raft, Inflatable Kayak and Duckie Guides:
      • River guide license.
      • In-house gunnison river check off including paddle guide and oar rig.
    • Mountain Bike Guides:
      • In-house trail familiarization check off.
      • In-house ability check off.
      • In-house advanced ride check off.
    • Stand Up Paddle Boarding Guides.
      • In-house check off for river SUP trips.
      • Swift water certification for river SUP trips.
      • Yoga SUP certification for Yoga SUP trips.
    • Hiking and Backpacking Guides:
      • Local terrain familiarization.
    • Specific Guided Trips:
      • Guides Ridge:
        • In-house training and check off.
        • Equivalent alpine certifications.
      • Crestones Guides:
        • Local terrain familiarization.
        • Equivalent alpine certifications.

Preferences
  • American Mountain Guide Association Courses.
  • Diverse summer guiding skills in multiple disciplines: rock, bike, river, fishing, etc.
  • Swift water certification for raft, inflatable kayak and duckie guides.
  • Trip leader status to lead raft, inflatable kayak and duckie trips.

Special Position Requirements
  • Local knowledge of area.
  • Comfortable traveling and managing guests in remote terrain.
  • Comfortable traveling and managing guests in spring and summer alpine terrain.
  • Comfortable driving guests in company or personal vehicles, sometimes on rough 4WD roads.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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