A portrait of Steven Van Sickle, he has a black pug dog tucked into his jacket prepared for a ski descent.

Steven Van Sickle

Guide

Steven Van Sickle moved to Ouray from New Mexico 16 years ago, and has been a professional mountain guide for 11 years. Being based in the San Juan Mountains allows for the opportunity to ski and climb year-round while traveling the world for work and play. Steven received his IFMGA guiding license in 2022 and has been passionate about exploring and sharing experiences in the European Alps since then. He has climbed and skied on over 20 expeditions to Alaska, as well as extensive climbing and skiing throughout the lower 48, Canada, France, Switzerland, China, India, and Mexico. When not pursuing mountain aspirations, Steven is equally passionate about playing guitar, with a particular affinity for heavy metal, and spending time with his wife Alex, Pug Geezer, and Catahoula Bailey.

In addition to being a longtime guide at Skyward Mountaineering, Steven operates his own guide service Zero Gravity Alpinism.

Steven Van Sickle begins a steep ski descent in mountainous terrain. He is wearing a red jacket with a yellow hood pulled over his head.

Climbing and Skiing Highlights

  • Numerous ascents of El Capitan, including Lurking Fear, The Shield, The Nose, Mescalito, N.A. Wall, Tangerine Trip, Zodiac, as well as numerous other grade V and VI big walls in Yosemite and solo ascents in Zion.

  • Traditional rock climbs up to 5.12

  • Multiple ascents of technical alpine routes up to WI6 and M6 including first ascents in the Alps, India, China, Alaska, New Mexico, and Colorado.

  • Multiple guided ascents of classic routes such as the Hörnli Ridge on the Matterhorn, Peak 11,300, 4 complete ski traverses of the classic Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, numerous guided descents of classic steep ski lines such as La Noir, Cosmiques Couloir, Glacier Rond, and Point Périades.

  • Extensive ski and alpine guiding throughout the San Juans including classic climbs like Bridalveil falls, Ames Ice Hose, Bird Brain Boulevard, and ski descents such as the Snake Couloir on Mount Sneffels, the Elevator Shaft on the Sultan, and the Gnar Couloir in Velocity Basin.

  • 20+ expeditions to the Alaska Range with 10 summits of Denali