Mt Baker Summit & Ski Descent
We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:
- Push Your Limits - Take your backcountry skiing to the next level on this glaciated North Cascades volcano!
- Ascent & Descent Route Options
- Coleman-Deming Glacier
- Easton Glacier
- Squawk Glacier
- Ski Mountaineering Skills Training - Including crampons, ice axe arrest and glacier rope travel
- Summit Attempt - This will be a long day, gaining over 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 over 6,000' of vertical!
This program requires at least 2 participants to run.
Looking for a Private or One Day Summit & Ski? Go to Mt Baker Summit & Ski - Private.
Here's the schedule for the 3 DAY PROGRAM:
- Day 1 - Arrival & Tour to Camp - 8:00 am meetup with your guide at the trailhead. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the day. Your guide will discuss the route up to camp and we'll make any final adjustments. The rest of the day will be spent touring to camp and learning about camp craft.
- Day 2 - Ski Mountaineering Skills Training - We'll get an early start on the day, having breakfast with hot coffee or tea, and prepare food for the day before gearing up and heading out. In this course 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
In the evening, we'll prepare an early dinner and head to bed
- Day 3 -Summit Attempt 3:00-5:00am 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 over 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! We’ll break down camp, pack up our bags, and descend to the trailhead.
Here's the schedule for the 2 DAY PROGRAM:
- Day 1 - Tour to Camp & Ski Mountaineering Skills Review - 8:00am meetup with your guide at the trailhead. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the day then tour to and set up camp. 12:00pm ski mountaineering skills review. 5:00pm Dinner and bed.
- Day 2 -Summit Attempt 3:00-5:00am early alpine start with a quick breakfast. 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 over 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! 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 course:
- 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 on Day 2
- 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
- Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Permit
- Ropes & Gear - for ski mountaineering training
- SlingFin Tent
- Stove & Fuel
- Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Meals
- Transportation
- Ski & Splitboard Gear
- Avalanche Gear
- Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
- Guide Gratuities
Washington Ski Mountaineering Gear List
- Avalanche Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
- Ski/Split Touring Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from:
Know Before you go
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!
Day 1
8:00am Meet your guide at the trailhead. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the day. The guide will discuss the route up to camp and we'll make any last minute adjustments needed. The guide will conduct a Trailhead Departure Check/Beacon Check.
8:30am Ascend to camp and build camp.
Day 2
Snow School!
In this program 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.
Early dinner and bed. We’ll review the plan for the following day, pack what we can to prepare and get to bed early to set ourselves up for an alpine start for the summit attempt.
Day 3
Alpine Start. Your guides will set the time based on warming for the day and the weather forecast. Summit Attempt. This will be a long day, gaining over 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! Pack up camp and return to trailhead. We’ll break down camp, pack up our bags and descend to the trailhead. We’ll aim to be down by early afternoon.
We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:
- Push Your Limits - Take your backcountry skiing to the next level on this glaciated North Cascades volcano!
- Ascent & Descent Route Options
- Coleman-Deming Glacier
- Easton Glacier
- Squawk Glacier
- Ski Mountaineering Skills Training - Including crampons, ice axe arrest and glacier rope travel
- Summit Attempt - This will be a long day, gaining over 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 over 6,000' of vertical!
This program requires at least 2 participants to run.
Looking for a Private or One Day Summit & Ski? Go to Mt Baker Summit & Ski - Private.
Here's the schedule for the 3 DAY PROGRAM:
- Day 1 - Arrival & Tour to Camp - 8:00 am meetup with your guide at the trailhead. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the day. Your guide will discuss the route up to camp and we'll make any final adjustments. The rest of the day will be spent touring to camp and learning about camp craft.
- Day 2 - Ski Mountaineering Skills Training - We'll get an early start on the day, having breakfast with hot coffee or tea, and prepare food for the day before gearing up and heading out. In this course 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
In the evening, we'll prepare an early dinner and head to bed
- Day 3 -Summit Attempt 3:00-5:00am 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 over 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! We’ll break down camp, pack up our bags, and descend to the trailhead.
Here's the schedule for the 2 DAY PROGRAM:
- Day 1 - Tour to Camp & Ski Mountaineering Skills Review - 8:00am meetup with your guide at the trailhead. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the day then tour to and set up camp. 12:00pm ski mountaineering skills review. 5:00pm Dinner and bed.
- Day 2 -Summit Attempt 3:00-5:00am early alpine start with a quick breakfast. 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 over 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! 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 course:
- 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 on Day 2
- 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
- Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Permit
- Ropes & Gear - for ski mountaineering training
- SlingFin Tent
- Stove & Fuel
- Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Meals
- Transportation
- Ski & Splitboard Gear
- Avalanche Gear
- Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
- Guide Gratuities
Washington Ski Mountaineering Gear List
- Avalanche Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
- Ski/Split Touring Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from:
Epic Reviews From Adventurers
- Rated 5 out of 5 starsCan't recommend enough.
I have taken four courses with Zeb Blais / Blackbird Mountain Guides:
-AIARE Avy Level 1
-Crevasse Rescue Course
-4-day ski-mountaineering course in the Palisades
-4-day trad climbing / mountaineering in the north cascade including the north ridge of Forbidden Peak.
On each occasion, the amount of tangible experiences, pragmatic knowledge and honed skill sets gained has been so comprehensive that I have felt inspired to push for newer and higher objectives.
Moreover, these outings have been more than just a place to learn and level up but are epic and unforgettable treks into the backcountry that you don't forget.
...I keep thinking that at some point I'll be able to do all this stuff myself, but when your always looking to up your game and climb higher peaks, these guys know how to push it. Can't recommend enough.
Coby V. - Rated 5 out of 5 starsAwesome day!
Awesome day tour with our guide, Will. Super knowledgeable, knew the area well and a cool guy. Highly recommend.
John G. - Rated 5 out of 5 stars100% would recommend!
100% would recommend!! I hired Blackbird for a 3 day ski of Mount Baker. Jason was very professional and friendly and made the experience stress free. He is very concerned with safety and the delivering an overall high quality guest experience. Well done! I will definitely use them again, and would recommend to my family and friends. They may be a new company in the mountain guiding world, but Blackbird is as good as any other guide service I've used- which includes the big names.
Russel G.
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