My intent
My name is Enrico Maioni, a mountain guide from Cortina d’Ampezzo, the place where I was born and which I still deeply love. The Dolomites, with their cliffs, trails, and changing seasons, have been my school of life. Since childhood, I have come to know them step by step, discovering something new every day among their peaks and valleys.
Today, I guide those who wish to explore these mountains, sharing the knowledge gained over a lifetime devoted to mountaineering, along with my love for these places. I speak Italian, English, and a little Spanish.
After many years spent in the mountains, I still keep in good shape and approach this profession — which I consider the most beautiful in the world — with genuine enthusiasm. I no longer seek the extreme performances of the past — I gladly leave those to the younger generation — but I offer my clients what I believe matters most: experience, competence, and the ability to guide people safely, with calm and enjoyment.
If you are looking for a guide to tackle the most difficult or highly technical climbs, I might not be the right person for you.
But if you wish to experience the mountains in an authentic, mindful, and passionate way, I will be happy to accompany you.
Why become a mountain guide?
Like most children from Cortina, I began exploring this extraordinary natural environment at an early age — first on Sunday hikes with my parents, and later with friends. The surrounding mountains held a great fascination for me, and the desire to reach their summits soon became apparent.
My connection with these mountains goes back even further. My great-grandfather, Tobia Manardi, was also a mountain guide in Cortina d’Ampezzo, at a time when alpinism and mountain tourism were still in their early days. I still treasure his mountain guide booklet, a valuable reminder of that pioneering era in the history of the Dolomites and of my family’s long-standing connection with these mountains. You can read more about the history of the mountain guide booklet here.
It was for this reason that, when I was fourteen, I started climbing with my friends. I kept it quiet from my parent at first; they considered it a dangerous activity without expert supervision.
Luckily, I managed to survive the dangers of being inexperienced and reckless. At the age of 20, I was invited to join the Gruppo Scoiattoli (the Squirrel Group), Italy’s most famous climbing group.
From that moment onwards, I began to expand my climbing portfolio, mainly in the Dolomites, but also in other ranges (climbing various ice and mixed routes in the Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa areas, and making an ascent of Denali – via West Rib – in Alaska).
The allure of the great mountains, however, was not enough to lure me away from my great passion, rock climbing. Having climbed many of the classic routes in the Dolomites, for a short period I dedicated myself to making solo ascents (including the Costantini-Apollonio route on the South Pillar of Tofana di Rozes in 1982).
In the early 80s, sport climbing made its debut in the Dolomites. Intrigued by this new form of climbing, I began traveling abroad to engage in sport climbing and discovered an entirely new world of rock climbing.
I found a climbing style that resonated perfectly with me, and my enthusiasm for it remains strong to this day. This passion has propelled me to achieve a commendable climbing grade, with my best effort being a redpoint of 5.13d. However, as the years pass, dedicating time to intense training becomes more challenging, and I no longer pursue climbs of this difficulty.
In the meantime, I attended training courses, which enabled me to qualify as a Mountain Guide in due time. In 1984, I became a member of Guide Alpine Cortina, the local guides’ organization, of which I am proud to be a part. I continue to contribute to this organization, working with dedication.
As for special work experiences, I like to remember my activity as a Mountain Guide and Climbing Instructor in Japan, a country I have visited about a dozen times and for which I continue to feel a special attraction. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to guide clients and climb in many of the country’s mountains and climbing areas, enjoying experiences that I still remember with great pleasure.
Some of the mountains and climbing areas I have visited in Japan.
Fuji-San – Tateyama – Senjō-Dake – Daisen – Ogawayama – Mt. Mizugaki (Via Verjus Hurlent) – Kofu – Makuiwa – Hoken – Kiso-Komagatake – Mt. Rokko – Hieizan – Hirotaki Slab – Mimuro Yama – Hyakujoiwa – Fodouiwa – Gozaisho Dake – Hyononsen – Oghinosen – Misengawa – Yake-Dake – Gochakuiwa – Yama Jinja – Seppiko San – Yoshida – Mukabaki – Shishiiwa – Hokke no Iwaba.
What started as a passion has evolved over the years into a profession. Today, I guide individuals who share the desire to explore these mountains, offering both challenging and easy ascents in both summer and winter. My goal is to convey to my clients the love I have for this area.
If you have had the opportunity to climb the mountains with me, I would be grateful if you could take a moment to write a review. Many of my guests have found it helpful to read reviews from past clients before planning their visits.
Competence & Expertise
After many years of work as a mountain guide, I believe my greatest asset is the experience gained in the field. I have learned that in the mountains, strength and physical performance are not what matter most — what truly counts is the ability to read the environment, understand people, and make thoughtful decisions.
Today, I share with my clients everything I have learned over a lifetime spent among the Dolomites and mountains around the world: technical skill, calmness, and the sensitivity needed to make every outing a safe and rewarding experience.
Below is a small “self-portrait” of my main areas of expertise:
Over the years, I have also taken part in several competitions, including the IFMGA International Climbing Championship, an event that highlights the technical skills and preparation of mountain guides from all over the world.
In two editions, I managed to achieve good results:
Below are two old videos showing me during those competitions, which I keep with affection as a reminder of a time filled with enthusiasm and camaraderie among fellow guides.