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Stay safer in the backcountry this winter with AIARE Avalanche Courses

Mt Baker & Mt Shuksan

Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan are renowned for their stunning beauty and world-class backcountry skiing and climbing terrain. With vast glaciers, deep snow, and challenging terrain, these mountains offer an unforgettable experience for outdoor adventurers. The proximity to Seattle and Vancouver makes them easily accessible for weekend trips. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, these mountains have something to offer for everyone looking to push their limits in the mountains.

Mt Baker skiing and Climbing conditions, weather & Webcams

Mt Shuksan skiing and Climbing conditions, weather & Webcams

Approaching the Roman Wall on Mt Baker

Ski mountaineers high on Mt Baker

Approaching the Fisher Chimneys on Mt Shuksan

Climbing the North Face of Mt Shuksan

Ski Mountaineering on Mt Baker

Intermediate Advanced Expert

Mt Baker Summit & Ski - Private

Climb and ski one of Washington's biggest mountains while pushing your boundaries and gaining ski mountaineering skills.

riding powder with a ski guide on the Thunder Glacier of Mt Baker

Intermediate Advanced

Mt Baker Summit & Ski Descent

Climb and ski one of Washington's biggest mountains while pushing your boundaries and gaining ski mountaineering skills.

Skinning up Mt Herman in the Mt Baker Heather Meadows Backcountry

Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Backcountry Skiing Mt Baker - Private

From Heather Meadows to Table Mountain, Mazama Dome and Barometer Peak, if there's great snow in the zone, we'll find great runs for you to ride!

Backcountry Skiing Washington - Private

Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Backcountry Skiing Washington - Private

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

rappelling into the Cosmiques Couloir in Chamonix, French Alps

Intermediate Advanced

Rope Skills for Skiers & Riders in Washington

Develop the fundamental rope skills necessary to access bigger ski mountaineering lines and terrain

Skier hiking near the summit of Mt Shasta

Ski Mountaineering Skills Course

Take your backcountry skiing to the next level with the fundamental ski mountaineering skills that will unlock bigger lines and terrain.

Mt Baker Ski Mountaineering Camp 5 Day

Intermediate-Advanced

Mt Baker Ski Mountaineering Camp 5 Day

Climb and ski one of Washington's biggest mountains while pushing your boundaries and gaining ski mountaineering skills.

Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding in Washington

Snoqualmie Pass
or Mt Baker

Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding in Washington

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

Backcountry skiing in Bagley Lakes Area in the Mt Baker backcountry.

Intro to Backcountry in Washington - Private

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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