Colorado Mountain School Owner and CEO, Russell Hunter, teaches his young son how ski.Russell Hunter grew up in Massachusetts. After playing college football, he took a job as an accountant. He soon realized how much he enjoyed the outdoors, quit his job, and made a mad dash to the guiding world. Russell started his guiding career with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

Russell has taken both the AMGA Rock Instructor and Alpine Guide courses. He is highly trained in avalanche safety as he has taken the AIARE Level 3 course and regularly teaches Level 1 courses. He is a full-time, year-round guide for us and teaches everything from summer rock climbing to winter mountaineering. Russell has guided throughout North America, from way up in Alaska all the way down in Mexico.

When he isn’t guiding clients, he is doing any number of things: he substitute teaches on the side, loves to dance, sing, ride his bike, read, and of course… climb and ski…A true renaissance man. Russell is one of the nicest people you’ll meet in the outdoors (or anywhere else). If you’re lucky enough to have him cook for you, you won’t be disappointed.

Testimonials

“Going the Extra Mile”

Not only did Russel and Ian do their utmost to ensure my safety, help me achieve my goals, and provide detailed climbing instruction, but they were both extremely personable and willing to go the extra mile to make my time here both a rewarding and fun experience.

- Wes

“We Had an Amazing Two Days with Russell”

Just wanted to follow up to say we had an amazing two days with Russell – we really bonded with him and he did an awesome job working with three of us on a fairly long and epic day on Kor’s Flake. We had a great stay at CMS as well. On this trip, my Dad and I brought my climbing partner along for his first foray with CMS – he wants to come back to do lead and avalanche classes!

- Nik

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