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Stay safer in the backcountry this winter with AIARE Avalanche Courses

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

Comprehensive resource pages for our favorite mountain areas. Bookmark these for your next adventure

Bookmark these for your next adventure

Mountain Weather Resource Pages

These pages provide essential information for planning mountain adventures including weather forecasting, telemetry, avalanche forecasts, webcams and more!
Bookmark these pages

Weather Conditions

Avalanche Info

Webcams

More!

California

Tahoe

Donner Summit, Truckee, Mt Rose, South Lake

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

Eastern Sierra

Mammoth, Bishop, Big Pine

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

Mt Shasta

California

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

Lassen Peak

California

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

Washington

Mt Baker

Washington

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

Snoqualmie Pass

Washington

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

Mt Shuksan

Washington

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

Mt Rainier

Washington

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

Forbidden Peak

Boston Basin, Washington

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

International

Chamonix Mont Blanc

France

Conditions, Avalanche Info, Weather, Webcams

Gran Paradiso

Italy

Weather, Conditions, Avalanche Info, Webcams

The Matterhorn

Switzerland

Weather, Conditions, Webcams

Students during an AIARE 1 Avalanche course in Lake Tahoe, digging snow pits to inspect the snowpack and layering.

Touring Experience

AIARE 1 Avalanche Course - Tahoe

Our AIARE 1 Avalanche Course features two full days in the field and an online course built by Blackbird Mountain Guides.

Skiers skinning through the backcountry in the Eastern Sierra

Touring Experience

AIARE 1 Avalanche Course - Mammoth

Our AIARE 1 Avalanche Course features two full days in the field and an online course built by Blackbird Mountain Guides.

AIARE 1 participants above Source Lake in Snoqualmie Pass

Mt Baker & Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

Touring Experience

AIARE 1 Avalanche Course - Washington

Our AIARE 1 Avalanche Course features two full days in the field and an online course built by Blackbird Mountain Guides.

Skiers skinning up during their AIARE 1 + Rescue course as they learn to safety plan and execute a tour.

Mt Hood, Oregon

Touring Experience

AIARE 1 Avalanche Course - Oregon

Our AIARE 1 Avalanche Course features two full days in the field and an online course built by Blackbird Mountain Guides.

Students practicing rescue drills during an AIARE 1 +Rescue Avalanche course in Tahoe. A beacon is buried to simulate a burial victim.

North Lake Tahoe

Touring Experience

AIARE 1 + Rescue Avalanche Course - Tahoe

Maximize your time and gain all of the fundamental avalanche awareness and rescue skills in our innovative three days course.

Students from an AIARE 1 Avalanche course perform snowpack tests in the Truckee, Lake Tahoe area during their avalanche level 1 course.

Touring Experience

AIARE 1 + Rescue Avalanche Course - Mammoth

Maximize your time and gain all of the fundamental avalanche awareness and rescue skills in our innovative three days course.

Participants in an AIARE 1 Avalanche course digging snow pits to inspect the snowpack and learn about layering processes.

Mt Baker or Snoqualmie Pass, WA

Touring Experience

AIARE 1 + Rescue Avalanche Course - Washington

Maximize your time and gain all of the fundamental avalanche awareness and rescue skills in our innovative three days course.

Participants in an AIARE 1 Avalanche course digging snow pits to inspect the snowpack and learn about layering processes.

Mt Hood, Oregon

Touring Experience

AIARE 1 + Rescue Avalanche Course - Oregon

Maximize your time and gain all of the fundamental avalanche awareness and rescue skills in our innovative three days course.

Lift Accessed Avalanche Rescue Course Participants performing a mock avalanche rescue at donner ski ranch

North Lake Tahoe, California

Touring Experience

Lift-Accessed AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course - Tahoe

Our innovative lift-accessed course gives you more practice in more realistic avalanche terrain, making you a better backcountry partner.

Avalanche Rescue Course in Mammoth

Mammoth Lakes, California

Touring Experience

AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course in Mammoth

Our innovative course gives you more practice in more realistic avalanche terrain, making you a better backcountry partner.

Avalanche Rescue Course in Washington

Mt Baker or Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

Touring Experience

AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course - Washington

Our innovative course gives you more practice in more realistic avalanche terrain, making you a better backcountry partner.

Rescuers performing an avalanche rescue during the Blackbird Lift Accessed AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course at Donner Ski Ranch

Mt Hood, Oregon

Touring Experience

AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course - Oregon

Our innovative course gives you more practice in more realistic avalanche terrain, making you a better backcountry partner.

Skier touring toward Pyramid Peak in South Lake Tahoe

North Lake Tahoe, California

AIARE 1, Rescue, Extensive Touring

AIARE 2 Avalanche Course in Tahoe

Dive deeper into weather, snow, route planning, human dynamics, and avalanche terrain with the Blackbird AIARE 2

Students during an AIARE 2 Avalanche course, examining snow pits to identify snow pack layers.

AIARE 1, Rescue, Extensive Touring

AIARE 2 Avalanche Course in Washington

Dive deeper into weather, snow, route planning, human dynamics, and avalanche terrain with the Blackbird AIARE 2

Skier touring during an AIARE 2 avalanche course with Blackbird Guides in North Lake Tahoe

Mammoth Lakes, California

AIARE 1, Rescue, Extensive Touring

AIARE 2 Avalanche Course in Mammoth

Dive deeper into weather, snow, route planning, human dynamics, and avalanche terrain with the Blackbird AIARE 2

AIARE 2 Avalanche Course in Oregon

AIARE 1, Rescue, Extensive Touring

AIARE 2 Avalanche Course in Oregon

Dive deeper into weather, snow, route planning, human dynamics, and avalanche terrain with the Blackbird AIARE 2

Blackbird instructor demonstrating snow pit shear test during an AIARE 1 Avalanche course

Touring Experience

AIARE Avalanche Courses in California - Private

A private AIARE course just for your and your friends & backcountry partners.

Students learning to perform snow pit shear test during an AIARE 1 Avalanche course.

Touring Experience

AIARE Avalanche Courses in Washington - Private

A private AIARE course just for your and your friends & backcountry partners.

A skier rips a turn on deep day in the Tahoe backcountry.

Lake Tahoe, California

Beginner - Intermediate

Avy Pass - Tahoe

A series of courses throughout the season to develop skills to understand risks and make smart decisions in the backcountry.

Avy Pass - Washington

Mt Baker or Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

Beginner - Intermediate

Avy Pass - Washington

A series of courses throughout the season to develop skills to understand risks and make smart decisions in the backcountry.

Students from an AIARE 1 Avalanche course perform snowpack tests in the Truckee, Lake Tahoe area during their avalanche level 1 course.

Tahoe or Snoqualmie Pass

Hiking Experience

AIARE 1 Avalanche Course - For Climbers / Snowshoers

Our AIARE 1 Avalanche Course features two full days in the field and an online course built by Blackbird Mountain Guides.

Backcountry Skiing Tahoe - Private

Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Backcountry Skiing Tahoe - Private

We'll select an objective based on your experience and then explore the best backcountry zones Tahoe with our expert guides

Intro to Backcountry in California - Private

Intro to Backcountry in California - Private

A fun, fast way to learn all of the skills and techniques you need to start exploring in the backcountry.

Frog Lake Huts - Private Guiding

Intermediate Advanced

Frog Lake Huts - Private Guiding

Book our guides to make your Frog Lake Huts Trip a huge success!

Mt Shasta Climber reaching the top of Avalanche Gulch

Intermediate Advanced

Mt Shasta Summit Climb

Climb one of California’s biggest mountains while pushing your boundaries and gaining mountaineering skills.

High on Mont Blanc with a guide on the Trois Monts Route

Mont Blanc Summit Climb

The Trois Monts route is an excellent option for climbing Mont Blanc. It avoids the hazards of the Grand Couloir and puts the team in an amazing position on the highest peak in Western Europe!

Three climbers on Coleman Glacier, Mt Baker

Intermediate Advanced

Mt Baker Summit Climb

A mountaineering expedition to summit one of the most glaciated peaks in the lower 48.

The Hornli Ridge of the Matterhorn above the town of Zermatt

Matterhorn Hornli Ridge Climb

Fast paced climbing with continuous exposure are the hallmarks of the Hornli Ridge on the Matterhorn.

Lake with Mt Shuksan in the background during the summer

Mt Shuksan Fisher Chimneys

Complex glacier travel, moderate and exposed rock climbing and often a bit of easy ice climbing later in the season.

Climbers on the Boston Glacier Traverse in the North Cascades during a Blackbird Guides Mountaineering Basics course

Intro to Mountaineering Course in Tahoe

Make the leap from hiker to climber with this introduction to mountaineering course!

Climbers on the Sahale Summit Ridge in the North Cascades, Washington

Snoqualmie Pass
Mt Baker

Intro to Mountaineering Course in Washington

Make the leap from hiker to climber with this introduction to mountaineering skills!

Mt Shasta Summit Climbs often involve snow camping at Helen Lake

Intermediate Advanced

Mt Shasta Summit Climb & Skills Seminar 5 Day

Learn mountaineering skills needed for any big mountain climb, from Denali to Mt Everest, on California's most massive volcano!

Climber on the North Face of Mt Shuksan above a lake

Mt Shuksan North Face

Exciting exposure and panoramic views of Mt Baker set the stage for this adventurous big mountain climb.

Crevasses in front of Mt Baker in Washington during a Blackbird Guides 4 day mountaineering skills seminar

Intermediate Advanced

Mt Baker Summit & Skills Seminar 4 Day

Massive relief, expansive glaciers, and moderate to steep slopes make for an excellent training ground and incredible climbing.

A climber being guided during an alpine climb of Mount Baker’s North Ridge

Mt Baker North Ridge Summit Climb

Massive relief, expansive glaciers, pitched ice climbing and incredible exposure make this climb simply exhilarating.

Tent on a ridge overlooking Mt Baker during Blackbird Guides True North - Baker & Shuksan Alpinism Week

True North - Mt Baker & Mt Shuksan Alpinism

The True North Alpine Climbing week pairs the best climbing route on Mt Baker with one of Mt Shuksan's classic routes.

Intro to Alpine Rock Climbing - Crystal Crag

Beginner Intermediate

Intro to Alpine Rock Climbing - Crystal Crag

Crystal Crag is the perfect intro to Alpine Climbing for climbers with sport and trad experience.

Hikers on the Boston Glacier Traverse in the North Cascades, Washington

Intermediate Advanced

Forbidden Peak North Ridge

The North Ridge of Forbidden Peak is wild alpine climb in Boston Basin.

Near the summit of Forbidden Peak in the North Cascades

Intermediate Advanced

Forbidden Peak West Ridge

The West Ridge of Forbidden Peak is an outstanding alpine route and one of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America

Forbidden Peak North Ridge Camp in the North Cascades, Washington

The Torment Forbidden Traverse

Navigate glaciers and knife-edge rock ridges with over a mile of traversing before summiting Forbidden Peak via the West Ridge.

A Climber rescuing a climber during a crevasse rescue course on Mt Baker

Crevasse Rescue Course in Washington

Expand your rope skills and develop the advanced ski mountaineering skills needed to push into bigger terrain and rescue a partner.

A student practicing during a crevasse rescue course in Tahoe

Crevasse Rescue Course in Tahoe

Expand your rope skills and develop the advanced ski mountaineering skills needed to push into bigger terrain and rescue a partner.

Temple Crag Climbing

Intermediate Advanced

Temple Crag Climbing

Climb the famed Celestial Aretes that make up one of our favorite rock-climbing areas in the Eastern Sierra- Temple Crag!

Exposure while rock climbing bear creek spire above little lakes valley in the eastern sierra of california

Intermediate Advanced

Bear Creek Spire Climbing

Bear Creek Spire is a gem of the High Sierra, with steep faces of white granite that the Sierra is renowned for

Mont Blanc Guides working on a Gran Paradiso Acclimitization climb

Gran Paradiso Summit Climb

Climb the highest peak in Italy with us! 4,061m Gran Paradiso is an excellent glaciated alpine climb for intermediate to advanced climbers.

Sunset on Cordillera Blanca in Peru

Advanced Expert

Peru Cordillera Blanca Alpine Climbing

Build the perfect itinerary to suit your desires and abilities in the Cordillera Blanca.

Climber on Pumice Ridge, Mt Baker

Intermediate
Advanced
Expert

Mt Baker Summit Climb - Private

Build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred trip length!

North Cascades Alpine Climbing - Private

Intermediate Advanced Expert

North Cascades Alpine Climbing - Private

We'll an objective based on your experience and then explore the best climbing zones around Washington with our expert guides

Mt Shasta mountaineering trips often require crampons and ice axe skills

Intermediate
Advanced
Expert

Mt Shasta Summit Climb - Private

Build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred trip length!

Climber in Mount Emerson Gully in California

Intermediate Advanced Expert

Eastern Sierra Climbing - Private

Build a custom itinerary for your group in the Range of Light based on your objectives, skills, and preferred trip length!

Fisher Chimneys climbing route on Mt Shuksan in Washington

Intermediate Advanced Expert

Alpine Skills Course - Private

Build the skills you need to accomplish your mountain objectives, from Mt Baker to Mt Everest, or anything in between.

Alps Climbing Private

Alps Climbing Private

The Alps are the origin of alpinism and are the perfect place to build alpine climbing skills and tackle breathtaking climbs with our IFMGA Mountain Guides. Our private Alps Climbs are for small teams of climbers with similar skills sets and goals.

Blackbird Mountain Guides on Urus Este in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru

Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Custom Alpine Climbing in Washington

This is a private alpine climbing program for you and your team. We tailor the program for your team to help you accomplish your specific goals.

Backcountry Navigation Course in Tahoe

Backcountry Navigation Course in Tahoe

If you are an aspiring mountaineer, backcountry skier or just love to recreate outdoors, knowing how to use a map and compass is an essential skill.

Palisades Traverse | Thunderbolt to Sill

Palisades Traverse | Thunderbolt to Sill

Climbers high on the Emmons Glacier route on Mount Rainier

Intermediate Advanced

Mt Rainier Summit & Skills Expedition 5 Day

5 days of big mountain skills & a summit attempt of 14,411' Mt Rainier.

Classic Zermatt 4000ers: Castor, Pollux & Breithorn Traverse

Intermediate - Expert

Classic Zermatt 4000ers: Castor, Pollux & Breithorn Traverse

4,000m Swiss peaks with wild exposure, glacier climbing and rock climbing - a true alpine adventure and Matterhorn prep.

Rock climbing on Donner Summit with a Lake Tahoe climbing guide

Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Full or Half Day

Rock Climbing in Tahoe - Private

Guided Rock Climbing Tahoe - The perfect day of guided climbing on Donner Summit or Big Chief for just you and your team.

Climber in Mount Emerson Gully in California

Intermediate Advanced Expert

Eastern Sierra Climbing - Private

Build a custom itinerary for your group in the Range of Light based on your objectives, skills, and preferred trip length!

Rock Climber at Lover's Leap South of Lake Tahoe

Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Lover's Leap Rock Climbing

The perfect day rock climbing on Sierra granite - we'll tackle fun single-pitch or multi-pitch rock climbing or can focus on improving trad and multi-pitch climbing skills.

Rock climbing guides in Index Washington

Intermediate Advanced

Rock Climbing at Index - Private

The perfect day climbing, from fun single pitch or multi-pitch rock climbing or geared toward learning and improving skills.

climbing granite with a rock climbing guide on Donner Summit

Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Rock Climbing at Mt Erie - Private

The perfect day climbing, from fun single pitch or multi-pitch rock climbing or geared toward learning and improving skills.

Temple Crag Climbing

Intermediate Advanced

Temple Crag Climbing

Climb the famed Celestial Aretes that make up one of our favorite rock-climbing areas in the Eastern Sierra- Temple Crag!

Exposure while rock climbing bear creek spire above little lakes valley in the eastern sierra of california

Intermediate Advanced

Bear Creek Spire Climbing

Bear Creek Spire is a gem of the High Sierra, with steep faces of white granite that the Sierra is renowned for

North Cascades Alpine Climbing - Private

Intermediate Advanced Expert

North Cascades Alpine Climbing - Private

We'll an objective based on your experience and then explore the best climbing zones around Washington with our expert guides

Near the summit of Forbidden Peak in the North Cascades

Intermediate Advanced

Forbidden Peak West Ridge

The West Ridge of Forbidden Peak is an outstanding alpine route and one of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America

Intro to Alpine Rock Climbing - Crystal Crag

Beginner Intermediate

Intro to Alpine Rock Climbing - Crystal Crag

Crystal Crag is the perfect intro to Alpine Climbing for climbers with sport and trad experience.

Rock Guide in Tahoe working on a group rock climbing program at Donner Summit in Tahoe

Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Group Rock Climbing in Tahoe

Group and Family Rock climbing on Donner Summit. This program is a fun single pitch rock climbing session or skills development course for your group.

Custom Rock Climbing in California

Intermediate Advanced

Custom Rock Climbing in California

This is a private rock climbing program for you and your team. We tailor the program for your team to help you accomplish your specific goals.

Custom Rock Climbing in Washington

Intermediate Advanced

Custom Rock Climbing in Washington

This is a private rock climbing program for you and your team. We tailor the program for your team to help you accomplish your specific goals.

Guided Rock Climbing in Tahoe on a Multi Pitch Route

Beginner / Intermediate

Rock Climbing Courses in Tahoe

Learn the skills you'll need to climb the famous granite rock of Donner Summit and beyond!

Palisades Traverse | Thunderbolt to Sill

Palisades Traverse | Thunderbolt to Sill