Aj Appezzato - Founder

"When he was a kid, getting AJ in the house during a snowstorm was an impossible task. His father, or I, would have to drag him home after he’d snuck off to the local sledding hill, snowboard strapped to his backpack."

- Mom Appezzato

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The mountains called to me as a kid and I've answered every opportunity I could.

Having transitioned away from professional freestyle snowboarding, I turned my sights to the backcountry. I dedicated years to learning from mentors, and studying the craft of backcountry guiding and avalanche education. In those years I honed skills to provide a quality experience to my clients year round.

I am currently an American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) Apprentice Alpine Guide. While holding an American Avalanche Association (AAA) Professional Level 2 certification and, American Institute for Avalanche Education (AIARE) Course Instructor accreditation. I put these skills to use for happy clients in the San Juan, Aspen, and Front Range Mountains of Colorado. Come Explore!

It is my hope to share the joy I have found in the mountains with my clients, while providing unforgettable experiences on every trip. Let me help you plan your next unforgettable adventure.

Accreditations

  • Course Leader - Avalache Awareness

  • Course Leader - Companion Rescue

  • Course Instructor - Rec 1 and Rec 2

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  • Professional L2 Certified

  • Professional L1 Certified

  • AAA Professional Member

  • Wilderness First Responder

  • Adult/Child, AED + Airway Management

  • Epinephrine Manual/Auto-Injection

 

Employers

Industry Partners

The Mountains Are Calling Guide LLC - The MAC - is a brand, not a guide service. It does not, and is not, operating as in independent guide service. TheMAC, represented by Anthony Appezzato, operates as an employee of San Juan Expeditions, Aspen Expeditions, and Colorado Adventure Guides, and as such operates under special use permits in the San Juan National Forest, Silverton BLM, Moab BLM, Uncompahgre National Forest, Mt. Rainier National Park, Whiteriver National Forest, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest areas registered to San Juan Expeditions, Aspen Expeditions, and Colorado Adventure Guides. These guide services are responsible for all special use permits and public land relations through local land management agencies within their respective operational areas. San Juan Expeditions, Aspen Expeditions, and Colorado Adventure Guides, provides services and employment regardless of ethnic or cultural heritage, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or physical handicap.