Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering
Join us for a full day of ski mountaineering in one of the most magical ranges in the United States: California’s Eastern Sierra. Renowned for incredible corn and powder skiing, the Range of Light is a ski mountaineer’s paradise. Not sure what you want to ski? We’ll work with you to 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 - This will be a long day, gaining between 3,000-7,000’ 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 thousands of vertical feet!
Here's the schedule for your day:
- 6:00am Trailhead Meetup - 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. Your guide will conduct a Trailhead Departure/Beacon Check.
- 6:30am Tour into Objective - We'll ski as many laps as time will allow on the best snow available.
- 5:30pm Return to the Trailhead We'll give ourselves enough daylight to get back safely and recap the day.
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.
- Intermediate Touring Experience - Including efficient gear management and skinning, transition technique, with 20+ days of backcountry experience.
- 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
- 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.
- Ski/Split Touring, Avalanche, & Ski Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- 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 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
$550.00
Private Programs
Duration: 1 Day
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
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 - This will be a long day, gaining between 3,000-7,000’ 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 thousands of vertical feet!
Here's the schedule for your day:
- 6:00am Trailhead Meetup - 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. Your guide will conduct a Trailhead Departure/Beacon Check.
- 6:30am Tour into Objective - We'll ski as many laps as time will allow on the best snow available.
- 5:30pm Return to the Trailhead We'll give ourselves enough daylight to get back safely and recap the day.
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.
- Intermediate Touring Experience - Including efficient gear management and skinning, transition technique, with 20+ days of backcountry experience.
- 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
- 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.
- Ski/Split Touring, Avalanche, & Ski Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- 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 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
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering
Skier bootpacking Bloody Couloir in the Eastern Sierra on a guided mountaineering trip with Blackbird Guides
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering
Eastern Sierra Ski Mountaineering
Epic Reviews From Adventurers
1 review
- Rated 5 out of 5 starsFive Star Ski Mountaineering Experience!
Five Star Ski Mountaineering Experience!
Daniel F.
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