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Perfect Late Season Conditions on Mt Shuksan

A late season conditions report from Mt Shuksan's Fisher Chimneys as our team reached the summit of this classic climb of the North Cascades.

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    From Dubious Weather to an Epic Summit of the Matterhorn

    A Blackbird team fought new snow and uncertain weather on the Matterhorn to reach the summit. Read on for details!

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      Blackbird Team Summits the Matterhorn via Hornli Ridge Route

      Blackbird teams reached the top of the Matterhorn with perfect weather and Route conditions on Friday!  

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        Mont Blanc Summit Climb via the Pope Route

        The Gonella Hut, center of the photo, is the starting point for the Pope Route Climb.  Photo: Zeb Blais   Mont Blanc Summit by the Pope Route July 3, 2025 Mont Blanc 4,810m Our team...

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          Blackbird Teams Summit Gran Paradiso

          The last push to the summit of Gran Paradiso in the Italian Alps. Photo: Zeb Blais   Gran Paradiso Summit!  July 1, 2025 Gran Paradiso 4,061m   Blackbird Mountain Guides reached the true summit of 4,061...

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            Summit of Mont Blanc via the Trois Monts Route

            The sun rising behind the Swiss and French Alps.  In the foreground, climbers ascend the north face of Mont Maudit (4,465m / 14,645') on their way to the summit of Mont Blanc via the Trois Monts...

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              Gran Paradiso Climb – Guided Summit with Blackbird Mountain Guides

              Blackbird teams made the summit of Gran Paradiso again this week, summiting with clear skies and firm snow conditions!

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                Blackbird Summits the Highest Peaks in France, Italy

                Views from the top of Italy.  4,061m Gran Paradiso, June 15, 2025.  Photo: Zeb Blais   First Alps Summits of the Season! Mont Blanc 4,810m & Gran Paradiso 4,061m   Blackbird teams summited the highest...

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                  Lassen Peak Backcountry Ski Conditions | May 10, 2025

                  The Northeast Face of Lassen Peak in Lassen National Park with glorious corn skiing on May 10, 2025! Photo: Zeb Blais.  Lassen Peak Backcountry Ski Conditions Lassen Peak Devastated Area  |  2025-05-10   The Devastated...

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                    Chamonix Mont Blanc Backcountry Ski Conditions | April 20, 2025

                    Current ski conditions in Chamonix Mont Blanc, including the Valley Blanche, the Geant Glacier, the Cosmiques Couloir and the Grand Montets.

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                      Chamonix Mont Blanc Ski Conditions | April 8, 2025

                      Glacier des Periades in Rhône Alps of Chamonix, France 4/02/2025.  Photo by Zeb Blais.  Chamonix Mont Blanc Ski Conditions 2025-04-08  The First Week of April  | Conditions in Chamonix April started with some unsettled and...

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                        Frog Lake Backcountry Ski Conditions | March 13, 2025

                        Conditions went from warm and sunny spring skiing to a snowy winter wonderland overnight - while we were out at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts in Truckee!

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                          Lake Tahoe Backcountry Skiing Conditions

                          A lot has happened in the Lake Tahoe backcountry since our last conditions post.  We left you off with the idea that the backcountry was skiing great - plenty of powder on top of a firm rain crust.  Since that post, conditions have done a complete 180, and luckily recovered, resulting in a full 360 - back to powder skiing!
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                            Lake Tahoe Backcountry Skiing Conditions

                            An inversion today in the Mt Rose backcountry.  Our latest Tahoe storm finished cold and left a soft blanket of snow on Mount Rose and most peaks above 7,000'.  ~ Lake Tahoe Backcountry Skiing Conditions...

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                              Matterhorn Summit | Hornli Ridge

                              Blackbird teams led by IFMGA Mountain Guide Zeb Blais reached the summit of the Matterhorn via the Hörnli Ridge this week. Conditions were near perfect given the stormy start to the season and the snow remaining on the route.
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                                Mont Blanc Summit | Trois Monts June 27 2024

                                Topping out on the Maudit Shoulder on Mont Blanc.  Photo: Zeb Blais Mont Blanc Summit via Trois Monts Traverse 2024-06-27  |  Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit, Mont Blanc Blackbird teams reached the summit of Mont Blanc via the...

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                                  Gran Paradiso Summit

                                  Climbers approaching the summit of Gran Paradiso in fat springtime conditions earlier this week. Photo: Zeb Blais ~ With an unsettled weather forecast, we wasted no time getting to Italy to have a crack at climbing Italy's highest...

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                                    North Cascades Backcountry Skiing Conditions Update

                                    Camp on the Coleman Deming Route of Mount Baker.  Photo: Doug Bernard ~ North Cascades Backcountry Skiing Conditions Update 2024-06-11  |  Mt Shuksan & Mt Baker Lead Blackbird Mountain Guide and AMGA Ski Guide, Doug Bernard, just...

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                                      Lassen Peak Backcountry Ski Conditions Update

                                      Our guides on Lassen Peak have been finding excellent snow on all aspects. Photo: Jason Smith.   Lassen Peak Backcountry Skiing Conditions Update 2024-05-19  |  Lassen Peak / Devastated Area Lassen Peak is holding excellent snow on...

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                                        Tioga Pass Road Open & Conditions Update!

                                        Eastern Sierra Backcountry Skiing Conditions Update 2024-05-21  |  Tioga Pass / Mt Dana  The Eastern Sierra is firing on all cylinders.  The snow quality is excellent, and the access just gained a massive boost with Tioga Pass opening...

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                                          Mt Baker & North Cascades Access & Conditions

                                          Skiers skinning up Mt Baker in Coleman Glacier.  Photo: Brandon Seymore.   Mt Baker / North Cascades Access & Backcountry Skiing Conditions Update 2024-05-21  |  Mt Baker / Cascade River Road / HWY 20 The North Cascades and Mt...

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                                            North Cascades Backcountry Ski Conditions Update

                                            Here's a report from IFMGA Guide Brandon Seymore on our latest ski mountaineering trip to Eldorado Peak

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                                              Mt Shasta Ski & Climbing Conditions Update

                                              This weekend's storm released a huge amount of snow and wind on Mt Shasta.  Surfaces that had been shaping up with a beautiful corn cycle took a turn for the worst and when the clouds lifted on Sunday, layers of wind sculpted snow emerged.  This had a negative effect on ski quality, but ultimately added to the great snowpack this season and will help to extend what is already going to be a fruitful ski mountaineering season on Mt Shasta.
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                                                Eastern Sierra Backcountry Ski Conditions

                                                Bishop & Lee Vining Areas Eastern Sierra Backcountry Ski Conditions. The bottom line is that conditions on both northerly and southerly aspects are skiing well right now.   New cold snow on high norths and corn on all other aspects were glorious this weekend!  Many areas in the range received no snow at all, so the skiing there was largely unchanged, other than getting a deeper freeze this weekend. 
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                                                  New FKT on Mt Shasta 2024 by David Sinclair

                                                  Wow, this is absolutely incredible!  A new Fastest Known Time was just set on Mt Shasta by ultra-athlete David Sinclair.  Sinclair set the record on skis on April 23rd, 2024, blowing the previous FKT up by almost 15 minutes.  Here's what David had to say about the day, as well as pictures and video:
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                                                    Eastern Sierra Backcountry Ski Conditions

                                                    Backcountry Skiing in the Eastern Sierra, April 2024 Conditions update: Mt. Emerson, Mt. Dade, Mt. Gibbs.
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                                                      South Lake Tahoe Backcountry Ski Conditions

                                                      Blackbird Guide Jake Sellinger snooped out some incredible ski conditions on Stevens Peak this weekend.  With just under a foot of settled storm snow, cool temps and cloudy skies preceding the weekend, the snowpack was primed for success.  Our team found excellent skiing in the South Lake Tahoe backcountry around Stevens Peak. 
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                                                        Eastern Sierra Backcountry Ski Conditions

                                                        Road from SnoPark to Pack Station had been cleared of snow when we arrived. We used the road flanks to skin up, but walking would have worked as well. Past the Pack Station, the road had not been maintained and had about 2-3 ft of snow coverage. We established basecamp at 10400ft 
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                                                          Eastern Sierra Backcountry Ski Conditions

                                                          The Mammoth area received a nice top up over the weekend and the backcountry is skiing great!  Our guides were out in the Sherwins area on Monday finding excellent quality, wintery snow. 
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                                                            Lake Tahoe Backcountry Ski Conditions

                                                            Spring came in like a lamb and turned into a lion! For a second there it seemed like the spring regime was taking over and our powder skiing days were numbered!  Friday night's storm brought about 15" to the mountains above 8,000', last night's storm tacked on another 7" and throughout the day today we eeked out another 3".  So, all in all, we received 2 feet in 2 days, not so bad!
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                                                              South Lake Tahoe Backcountry Ski Conditions

                                                              After a week of storming, the Tahoe area is in much better condition!  Over the last 7 days we've received over 4 feet of snow (125cm!) in the Tahoe area.  With a mix of cold dry snow, rain and more cold dry snow on top, it's been a perfect storm to top off the relatively meager snowpack that existed before this series of storms.
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                                                                Donner Summit Conditions

                                                                The Judah Ridgeline, looking uncharacteristically devoid of ski tracks.  Donner Summit Backcountry Ski Conditions 2023-12-23 Blackbird Guide Zeb Blais toured up on Donner Summit up to Mt Judah today.  Getting into the backcountry definitely poses a...

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                                                                  Mt Rose Backcountry Ski Conditions

                                                                  Blackbird Guides Jan + John toured the Mount Rose area today, Tuesday, December 12, 2023.  Ski quality was reported as very good, with creamy new snow around a foot deep above 8,500'.  Avalanche Conditions were CONSIDERABLE as forecast.
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                                                                    North Tahoe Backcountry Ski Conditions

                                                                    It's still early season in the North Lake Tahoe Backcountry, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few good turns to be made!  Blackbird Mountain Guides John Littleton and Jan Czyzewski went to Andesite Peak in the North Lake Tahoe Backcountry to check current conditions there.  While the snowpack is certainly thin still, there were some nice turns to be had!  Here are some photos and video from the excursion.
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                                                                      Mt Rose Backcountry Ski Conditions

                                                                      Despite a fall season that has been a little drier than most backcountry skiers and riders would like, there are decent turns to be had in the Tahoe backcountry right now.  The high terrain in Mount Rose backcountry is holding supportable snow with coverage that makes for some good turns!
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                                                                        Summit Success on Mont Blanc

                                                                        Blackbird teams led by IFMGA Mountain Guide Zeb Blais scored 100% success on Mont Blanc this month.  All members from each team made it to the top and back down safely.  Read on for routes and pictures!
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                                                                          Solo Summit of the Matterhorn via Hornli Ridge

                                                                          A jagged tusk of gneiss towering at an elevation of 14,692' (4,478m), the Matterhorn might be the most recognizable mountain in the world. From Zermatt, the small Swiss town below, it looks impossibly steep.  Surprising as it might seem, the Matterhorn is relatively easy in terms of technical difficulty.  But let's be real, it's no cakewalk. Read on for the lowdown!
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                                                                            Summit of Mont Blanc via The Goûter Route

                                                                            My first trip to Mont Blanc this season was via the Gouter Route and began in a rainstorm.  Not exactly how anyone wants to begin a trip, but with hut reservations at the Tete Rousse and Gouter Huts and an improving forecast, we made moves up the mountain.  
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                                                                              Mt Shasta Ski & Climbing Conditions 2023-06-19

                                                                              Summit season is in full swing up on Mt. Shasta. Conditions around the mountain are highly variable by aspect & changing quickly.  It pays to know some of the link ups to connect the best snow to avoid volcanic scree scrambling. Record snowfall came with high winds on the upper mountain adding some challenges to skiing & climbing.
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                                                                                Mt Shasta Ski & Climbing Conditions - 2023-06-13

                                                                                With a little high-clearance off-roading, we were able to clear a few more snow patches to get within 2.3 miles of the Clear Creek Summer Trailhead.  The conditions past the trailhead were a mixed bag - read on for more!
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                                                                                  Mt Shasta Ski & Climbing Conditions - 2023-06-05

                                                                                  The bottom line is that the ski season on Mt Shasta still has some life left and the climbing conditions are quite good! This weekend, Blackbird teams skied and climbed the West Face and Avalanche Gulch.  
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                                                                                    Lassen Peak Ski Conditions 2023-06-02

                                                                                    Lassen from just below tree line in the Devastated Area.  Photo: Zeb Blais.  On Friday we skied the North Side of Lassen Peak from the Devastated Area.  The trip began with a bang, or rather...

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                                                                                      Mt Baker Squak Glacier Single Push Ski Descent 2023-06-02

                                                                                      We returned to Mt Baker just after the Easton Glacier to tackle the Squak Glacier.  Read our trip report for current ski conditions and photos on Mt Baker.
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                                                                                        Mt Baker Easton Glacier Ski Conditions 2023-06-01

                                                                                         

                                                                                        Guide Ian Peterson recently did back-to-back single day summit and ski descents with Blackbird Guests on Mt Baker.  Conditions were surprisingly good given the recent hot conditions. Here's what he had to say about ski conditions on Mt Baker this week.

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                                                                                          Mt Shasta Ski Conditions - 2023-05-20

                                                                                          Ski conditions are currently 4,000' of AWESOME on the West face!  Despite warm temps throughout the day and night, clear skies have enabled solid freezing down to Hidden Valley. Read on for more details!
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                                                                                            Mt Shasta Ski Conditions - 2023-05-03

                                                                                            Mt Shasta conditions are incredible and are changing fast.  With new storms blowing in, there was a foot of new snow at the Red Banks on 5/3, there was more the last couple days and there's more on the way. Check out our blog for current conditions and photos from Mt Shasta in the last few days.
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                                                                                              Nov 8, 2022 - Current Ski Conditions North Lake Tahoe

                                                                                              Wanna know what conditions are like in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe right now?  Our blog fills in the details with video, pictures and description to give you an idea of what conditions are like.
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                                                                                                Summit of Mt Shuksan via Fisher Chimneys / SE Ridge, Current Climbing Conditions

                                                                                                Blackbird teams reached the summit of Mt Shuksan after climbing the Fisher Chimneys and Southeast Ridge. Led by guides Zeb Blais and Brandon Seymore, the climb went smoothly with fit climbers, excellent weather and a perfect route. Read on for great pictures and a summary of current conditions!
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                                                                                                Mount Shasta: Current Climbing and Skiing Conditions 2022-05-15

                                                                                                Skiing Mt. Shasta via Hidden Valley and the West Face proves to be a very secluded and highly rewarding adventure! Despite less than ideal skiing conditions, this is an adventure that can't be overlooked! Snow is melting out quick. If you want to ski Mt. Shasta this season, now is the time!
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                                                                                                Mount Shasta: Current Climbing and Skiing Conditions 2022-05-06

                                                                                                NEW UPDATE May 13, 2022. The corn skiing is in prime condition on Mount Shasta right now, but it might not last long! Our blog details current conditions on Mount Shasta and shows how easy approaches can turn into nightmare descents in just one day!  Check out our most recent Mount Shasta conditions report!
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                                                                                                Mount Shasta: Current Climbing and skiing Conditions 2022-04-26

                                                                                                Huge snowfall, high winds and extreme cold have been the most defining characteristics recently on California’s Fifth tallest mountain. What has all this stormy weather meant for current skiing and climbing conditions on Mount Shasta? Find out in our Mount Shasta Current Conditions report!

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                                                                                                Mount Shasta: Conditions Report

                                                                                                More snow in the last 2 weeks than the previous 3 months, winter is back on Mount Shasta!  Our trip report details the current conditions for ski mountaineering and climbing on Mount Shasta. Read on for details on what Mount Shasta looks like right now for skiing and climbing!
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                                                                                                Conditions Report : Sugar Bowl to Palisades Traverse - March 25, 2022

                                                                                                The Sugar Bowl to Palisades traverse is THE classic Truckee and North Lake Tahoe ski traverse. When conditions get funky, you have to get creative! Our team re-imagined the route and got in a low snow traverse with more turns than the standard route! Read on for the low snow version of the Sugarbowl to Palisades Traverse!
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                                                                                                  Conditions Report: Frog Lake Huts Backcountry Skiing 2022-03-05

                                                                                                  We spent a few days at the Frog Lake Backcountry Skiing Huts smack dab in the middle of a snow storm!  The new snow skied...
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                                                                                                  Conditions Report: Ebbetts Pass 2021-12-04

                                                                                                  Objective: Hiram Peak North and Northeast Face via Highland Lakes Road When: December 4, 2021 Vertical: 1200 feet of skiable snow Snow Surfaces: Facets, Breakable Crust, Melt Freeze. It’s rare to get to Mt Hiram with such ease in December - apparently there is something good about the low snow conditions right now!
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                                                                                                    Where's the Best Skiing in North America Right Now??

                                                                                                    As the self appointed Director of Snow Quality Assessment for Blackbird Mountain Guides, I ventured north to Canada in search of poutine, Caesars, and pow. What I found? All of the aforementioned Canadian specialties! Most importantly, I found what is very likely the best skiing in North America right now is north of the border...
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                                                                                                      Conditions Report: Red Lake Peak 2021-11-15

                                                                                                      Lesson for the day: early season missions are hard on gear and tough on the body. Lots of dirt walking to reach snow, variable conditions and shallow snowpack are all a big part of the game this time of year. Splitboarding on Red Lake Peak was a humbling reminder that the mountains can always provide the challenge you seek.  The question is… how far are you willing to walk on dirt for your next challenge?
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                                                                                                      Conditions Report: Elephant's Back 2021-11-09

                                                                                                      Date: 2021-11-09 Location: Elephants Back East Bowl Objective: Assess snow and ski a line! When we arrived mid-day, it was raining lightly and we found 8 inches of new, wet, heavy snow spackling the ridge to our destination, Elephants Back. Despite an unfortunately high snowline, we were happy to see some fresh paint!
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                                                                                                      October Powder Skiing: Best October Turns Ever?

                                                                                                      The Storm Tahoe just got completely plastered with snow. Typical of many Tahoe storms, this one began warm and wet and got increasingly colder and deeper by the time the storm clouds significantly cleared yesterday.  The...

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                                                                                                        Trip Report: Backpacking Virginia Pass

                                                                                                        If you're looking for an awesome backpacking loop in the Eastern Sierra near the Bridgeport area, look no further! This lollipop loop has spectacular views, well made trails, incredible camping spots and a moderate to low amount of elevation gain. This post details the route, some quick conditions and a few shots of what it looked like before Monday's storm.
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