Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering 3 Day
Join us for three days of ski mountaineering in one of the most magical ranges in the US: California’s Eastern Sierra. Renowned for incredible corn and powder skiing, the Range of Light is a ski mountaineer’s paradise. We’ll help you pick an objective that has the best snow and the level of adventure you’re looking for!
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear
We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:
- Push Your Limits - Take your backcountry skiing to the next level on the steep couloirs and endless lines in the Range of Light!
- Ski Mountaineering Skills Training - Including crampons, ice axe arrest and glacier rope travel
- Objective Attempt - These will be long days, gaining between 3,000-4,000’ of elevation over various snow surfaces and steep slopes.
- Ski Descent - Once we reach our high point, we’ll descend the route and ski the variations holding the best snow, racking up 3,000-4,000' of vertical!
This program requires at least 2 participants to run.
Here's the schedule for your trip:
- Day 1 - Arrival + Objective Attempt
8:00 am meetup with your guide in town. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the trip. We'll make any final adjustments before we caravan to the trailhead. The rest of the day will be spent ski touring before returning to vehicles. - Day 2 - Ski Mountaineering Skills Training + Objective Attempt
8:00 am meetup with your guide at the trailhead. We'll discuss our plan for the day before gearing up and heading out.
During the ski mountaineering skills training we'll cover:- Ski Mountaineering Gear
- Ice Axe Techniques including Self Arrest and
- Team Arrest (for Glacier Travel)
- Crampon Techniques
- Mountaineering efficiency including the Rest Step
- Descending techniques for mountaineering
- Basics of rope team travel
The rest of the day will be spent ski touring before returning to vehicles.
- Day 3 - Objective Attempt
6:00am quick breakfast followed by an early alpine start. Your guides will set the start time based on warming for the day and the weather forecast. Prepare for a long day, where we gaining 3,000-4,000’ of elevation over various snow surfaces and steep slopes. Once we reach our high point, we’ll descend the route and ski the zones holding the best snow! If needed, we’ll break down camp, pack up our bags, and descend to the trailhead.
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your trip:
- Expert Resort Riding Skills - Including steep and consequential off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions.
- Basic Ski Mountaineering Skills - Including ice axe, crampon, and basic rope skills are encouraged, but not required. Build those skills during the program or attend our Ski Mountaineering Skills course prior to attending and spend more time climbing and skiing. We also have a Ski Mountaineering Pass!
- Strong Fitness - Able to spend a long, active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-1.5 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 8-10 miles, climbing 2,500 - 3,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with strong fitness typically have a strenuous workout 3-4 days a week.
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Inyo National Forest Permit
- Group Ski Mountaineering Gear - Ropes & Climbing Gear
- Group Safety Gear - Snow Science, First Aid Kits
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Ski & Splitboard Gear
- Avalanche Gear - Beacon, Shovel, Probe
- Ski Mountaineering Gear - Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
- Transportation
- Meals
- Guide Gratuities
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering Single Day Gear List
- Avalanche, & Ski Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
- Ski Touring Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Mammoth Mountaineering
Know Before you go
Price/Person
$1,095.00
Private Programs
Duration: 3 Days
View Full Itinerary
PRIVATE PROGRAMS
- Custom Scheduling: Choose your dates and plan around your availability.
- Tailored Experiences: Itineraries and objectives are adjusted to suit your goals, experience, and fitness.
- Cost-Effective for Most Large Groups: Private programs are typically more cost-effective for groups of 3 or more.
- Flexibility Comes at a Price: For groups of 1-2, private programs are generally more expensive.
- AIARE Courses: AIARE course pricing is based on a group of 6. Running these as a private program with fewer than 6 participants will increase the per-person cost.
SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
- Fixed Dates & Costs: Scheduled programs have set dates, itineraries, objectives, and pricing.
- Great for Solo or Small Groups: Ideal for individuals or small groups looking to share costs with others.
- Affordable for 1-2 People: Scheduled programs are typically less expensive for groups of 1-2.
- Less Flexibility: Dates fill quickly, and group programs require adapting to the skill level and pace of all participants
- Group Atmosphere: Meet others with similar interests and make some new backcountry buddies!
Note: Any scheduled program can also be run as a private program with customized dates and rates.
Both options offer exceptional guiding and experiences. Choose what works best for you!
Full Itinerary
This is a three day trip. We will be returning to our vehicles & accommodations after each day of skiing.
6:00 am Meet your guide at the trailhead and review the plan for the day. The guide will discuss the avalanche problem for the day, the proposed route up and options for the ascent and descent. The guide will conduct a Trailhead Departure Check/Beacon Check.
6:30 am Tour into our objective for the day and ski as many laps as time will allow on the best snow available.
5:30 pm Return to the trailhead with enough daylight to have a margin to get back safely.
We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:
- Push Your Limits - Take your backcountry skiing to the next level on the steep couloirs and endless lines in the Range of Light!
- Ski Mountaineering Skills Training - Including crampons, ice axe arrest and glacier rope travel
- Objective Attempt - These will be long days, gaining between 3,000-4,000’ of elevation over various snow surfaces and steep slopes.
- Ski Descent - Once we reach our high point, we’ll descend the route and ski the variations holding the best snow, racking up 3,000-4,000' of vertical!
This program requires at least 2 participants to run.
Here's the schedule for your trip:
- Day 1 - Arrival + Objective Attempt
8:00 am meetup with your guide in town. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the trip. We'll make any final adjustments before we caravan to the trailhead. The rest of the day will be spent ski touring before returning to vehicles. - Day 2 - Ski Mountaineering Skills Training + Objective Attempt
8:00 am meetup with your guide at the trailhead. We'll discuss our plan for the day before gearing up and heading out.
During the ski mountaineering skills training we'll cover:- Ski Mountaineering Gear
- Ice Axe Techniques including Self Arrest and
- Team Arrest (for Glacier Travel)
- Crampon Techniques
- Mountaineering efficiency including the Rest Step
- Descending techniques for mountaineering
- Basics of rope team travel
The rest of the day will be spent ski touring before returning to vehicles.
- Day 3 - Objective Attempt
6:00am quick breakfast followed by an early alpine start. Your guides will set the start time based on warming for the day and the weather forecast. Prepare for a long day, where we gaining 3,000-4,000’ of elevation over various snow surfaces and steep slopes. Once we reach our high point, we’ll descend the route and ski the zones holding the best snow! If needed, we’ll break down camp, pack up our bags, and descend to the trailhead.
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your trip:
- Expert Resort Riding Skills - Including steep and consequential off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions.
- Basic Ski Mountaineering Skills - Including ice axe, crampon, and basic rope skills are encouraged, but not required. Build those skills during the program or attend our Ski Mountaineering Skills course prior to attending and spend more time climbing and skiing. We also have a Ski Mountaineering Pass!
- Strong Fitness - Able to spend a long, active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-1.5 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 8-10 miles, climbing 2,500 - 3,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with strong fitness typically have a strenuous workout 3-4 days a week.
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Inyo National Forest Permit
- Group Ski Mountaineering Gear - Ropes & Climbing Gear
- Group Safety Gear - Snow Science, First Aid Kits
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Ski & Splitboard Gear
- Avalanche Gear - Beacon, Shovel, Probe
- Ski Mountaineering Gear - Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
- Transportation
- Meals
- Guide Gratuities
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering Single Day Gear List
- Avalanche, & Ski Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
- Ski Touring Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Mammoth Mountaineering
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering 3 Day
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering 3 Day
Backcountry skier touring in the Eastern Sierra
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering 3 Day
Skier bootpacking Bloody Couloir in the Eastern Sierra on a guided mountaineering trip with Blackbird Guides
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering 3 Day
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering 3 Day
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