Akio Joy grew up near Lake Tahoe, California, where his passion for the outdoors started with skiing at a young age. He learned how to climb one summer and eventually became a climbing guide when he moved to Montana for university. Now, he guides rock, ice, alpine and ski full time in the mountains of Montana and Wyoming and loves sharing his passion with others.
Akio Joy

Our instructors are the core of your experience with the American Avalanche Institute. They bring the science and knowledge of avalanche safety to life in real-world settings. If you’re interested in learning more from one of our amazing instructors, check out our full course catalog today.