The South side of Mt Shasta and Shastina May 23, 2025. Still awesome coverage and conditions! Photo: Zeb Blais.
Current Mt. Shasta Conditions - 2025-05-23
Wondering about current Mt. Shasta conditions? Here's your up-to-date report from the Blackbird Mountain Guides team after a week of ski mountaineering and climbing trips on the mountain.
Overall Mt. Shasta Conditions
Conditions on Mt. Shasta are excellent for spring ski mountaineering and alpine climbs. This has been and continues to be the best year of backcountry skiing on Mt Shasta in the last few seasons. Snow coverage is holding strong above 9,000 feet, and recent storms in early May delivered a refresh that’s still skiing well in shaded aspects and high elevations. With warm temperatures and strong sun, timing is everything: summit climbs and ski descents should start early to take advantage of firm conditions and avoid dangerous postholing or wet slides later in the day.
Mt Shasta is still the low hanging fruit for big mountain ski mountaineering in California. Skinning from the Bunny Flay trailhead grants access to all sorts of gems in great shape. While sun cups are starting to make the low elevation snow a little less pleasant on descent, gliding is always better than walking!
Avalanche Gulch Route (via Bunny Flat)
This classic south-side route is currently in great shape. Continuous snow starts above 8,000 feet, and the bootpack is well established. The Helen Lake camp zone is still covered in snow, making for clean tent platforms and easy water-melting. Above Helen Lake, climbers are finding solid travel conditions early in the morning, with crampons and ice axe necessary for the steeper terrain below the Red Banks.
Glissading: The glissade chute below Red Banks is in prime condition during the late morning hours, offering a fast and fun descent—just be sure to descend before the snow softens too much.
West Face Conditions
The West Face route is in excellent condition for ski descents and mountaineering. With early starts, skiers are finding smooth corn snow from the summit plateau down to Hidden Valley. The route is still holding snow well, but as always, sun exposure on this side means conditions deteriorate quickly in the afternoon.
Hidden Valley Access: The approach via the Brewer Creek crossing remains manageable, and the snowpack here is supportive in the morning hours.
Riding the West Face of Mt Shasta on May 23, 2025. Photo: Zeb Blais
Trailheads
✅ Bunny Flat - Open
Still skinnable to and from the trailhead!
✅ Northgate Trailhead - Open
❌ Brewer Creek Trailhead - Still 6 Miles from the Trailhead (5/18/2025)
Unfortunately, the Brewer Creek trailhead, and the access to one of our favorite ski lines, is still a few miles out due to snow. We'll update when the access to Brewer Creek opens up!
❌ Clear Creek Trailhead - 3.3 Miles from the Trailhead (5/18/2025)
❌ Ski Bowl Trailhead - Closed
Casaval Ridge Update
Casaval Ridge has transitioned out of its ideal season. Snow coverage is thinning along exposed ridges, and rockfall risk has increased with the daily freeze-thaw cycle. We’re now recommending Avalanche Gulch or the West Face for safer and more enjoyable ascents during this late-spring window.
Weather Outlook
Looking ahead, high pressure is expected to dominate the forecast for the next week. Clear skies and above-average temps mean early alpine starts are essential. Winds have remained light above tree line but can shift quickly—check the updated forecast before your climb.
Final Thoughts on Mt. Shasta Conditions
Mt Shasta is still the low hanging fruit for big mountain ski mountaineering in California. Skinning from the Bunny Flay trailhead grants access to all sorts of gems in great shape. While sun cups are starting to make the low elevation snow a little less pleasant on descent, gliding is always better than walking!
There are a well over a half dozen ski routes on Mt Shasta that are skiing well right now. From the Old Ski Bowl to the standard (and 50 Classics) Avalanche Gulch, to the Trinity Chutes, to the West Face, to Cascade Gulch and Shastina (Angel's wings is still in and the Lightning Bolt is fat and skiing well).
If you’re planning a climb or ski descent, now is the time to go. Mt. Shasta conditions are prime this week, but the spring melt is accelerating, and conditions will change rapidly in the coming weeks.
Need a guide? Blackbird is running Mt. Shasta climbs and ski mountaineering trips through mid-June. Whether you’re tackling Avalanche Gulch, the West Face, or exploring more technical routes, we can help you make the most of this stellar spring season.
Approaching Hidden Valley to ski the West Face of Mt Shasta on May 22, 2025. Photo: Zeb Blais
Skinning after dawn above Hidden Valley on the West Face of Mt Shasta on May 23, 2025. Photo: Zeb Blais
Climbing high on the West Face of Mt Shasta on May 23, 2025. Photo: Zeb Blais
Skinning above 13k' way up high on Mt Shasta on May 23, 2025. Photo: Zeb Blais
Climbing the rime blobs on our last few feet up to the 14,179' summit of Mt Shasta on May 23, 2025. Photo: Zeb Blais
Celebrating on the summit of Mt Shasta at 14,179' on May 23, 2025. Photo: Zeb Blais
Riding in the clouds around 12k' on Mt Shasta on May 23, 2025. Photo: Zeb Blais
Smooth corn in Hidden Valley on Mt Shasta on May 23, 2025. Photo: Zeb Blais
The imposing West Face of Mt Shasta on May 23, 2025. Photo: Zeb Blais
Why Hire a guide to Ski Mt Shasta?
Climbing and skiing huge mountains like Mt Shasta is hard and often dangerous. Hiring a guide to learn the safety and efficiency techniques of climbing a big mountain like Mount Shasta will help you climb and ski it in style while increasing safety. You'll learn incredibly useful efficiency and safety techniques that you'll take with you into mountains from Shasta to the Eastern Sierra to the North Cascades and the great ranges across the world.
Our experienced AMGA trained and certified guides are the best in the game. The know the terrain on Mt Shasta and will find the best route for you and your team based on the weather, conditions and your skiing and mountaineering experience. You'll pick up hundreds of timeless tips from our guides - from packing strategies, to movement skills and terrain and snowpack assessment. We love working with everyone from experienced backcountry skiers and riders to seasoned ski mountaineers! Join a guided summit and ski descent on Mt Shasta today!
Mt Shasta Private Backcountry Skiing
Mt Shasta + Lassen Summit & Ski
About the Author
Zeb Blais is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and AIARE Avalanche Course Leader based in Truckee California. He loves all the disciplines of mountain guiding - ski, rock and alpine climbing - but skiing is his first love. In the winter he enjoys backcountry skiing, guiding local and international ski trips, and teaching avalanche courses across the west coast, from Bishop, California to Mt Baker, Washington.