mas logog

Rock Climbing

Mountaineering

Avalanche Education

Telemark Ski School

Snowcat Ski/Board

Backcountry Ski/Board

Snowshoeing

 

Private Guiding

Groups

 

Telemark Festival

Ebbetts Pass Century

Boulder Bash

 

Nordic Loft - NEW

Links

 

Newsletter Sign Up
     

 

 Home About MAS Registration Calendar Contact  

Home > About MAS

about

owners
Aaron & Kimi Johnson
Owners & Guides
Welcome to MAS
[top]
Mountain Adventure Seminars (MAS) is a year-round mountaineering school and guide service based in Bear Valley, California. MAS is owned and operated by Aaron & Kimi Johnson and is a reflection of their love for the outdoors and enthusiasm for playing, sharing and educating in "wild places".  MAS has been operating since 1996 and is currently one of the top outdoor schools and guide services in the nation.

MAS operates a wide range of programs in Northern California. Rock climbing is the emphasis during the summer. Winter storms signal the beginning of our telemark ski school, avalanche education, and backcountry ski/snowboard and snowshoe adventures.  When the days start to get a longer we begin mountaineering programs which last from early spring to mid-summer at which time the rock climbing programs are already in full swing.  Its a busy lifestyle with many changes, but somebody has got to do it.  We hope to see you out there.

 

MAS Mission Statement
[top]
  • To provide exceptional mountaineering instruction and finely crafted adventures which offer an opportunity for retreat and renewal.
  • To create a community where relationships are based on integrity, cooperation and trust; where work is sustainable, meaningful and rewarding and personal growth is encouraged through learning and communication.
  • To nurture an appreciation for wild places and develop a sense of stewardship for our surroundings.
  • To lead by example.

 

MAS Professionalism
[top]

MAS is committed to providing the highest level customer satisfaction.  Through training, certification, reviews and strict hiring guidelines, MAS is able to offer a level of professionalism which surpasses the industry standard. MAS prides itself in consistently exceeding expectations and is proud to have a high rate of returning customers.

MAS encourages all of their guides to pursue training and certification by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA).  The AMGA sets the professional standards for climbing guides in the U.S., a standard recognized internationally. MAS supports the AMGA in raising the professional standards of guiding in this country. Currently MAS is pursuing AMGA Accreditation.

 

All MAS guides and instructors are Wilderness First Responder WFR) certified by the Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI).  This intensive course is 80 hours of "real-life" scenarios, lectures and tests.  WFR is that baseline medical certification for MAS.
wmi

 

avalanche
 MAS avalanche programs use the material and standards set by AIARE (American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education). AIARE has become the industry leader in avalanche education and is recognized internationally.

 

All MAS telemark instructors are certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). The PSIA is the leader in developing skills-based, student centered ski instruction and is recognized internationally.  In addition MAS requires all telemark ski school staff to attend and participate in regular trainings at the ski resort and in backcountry.

psia

[top]