Skier hiking on Mt Shasta during a Blackbird Guides Summit & Ski 2 Day trip

Mt Shasta Private Ski Mountaineering

Ski one of the 50 classic ski descents of North America, Avalanche Gulch, with Blackbird Mountain Guides! Our AMGA trained guides will help you build ski mountaineering skills & ski from the summit of Mt Shasta! Ascent and descent options include Avalanche Gulch, West Face, Brewer Creek, Clear Creek.
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

Ski one of the 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America or build your ski mountaineering skills on a private ski trip on Mt Shasta.

  • Push Your Limits - From fast and light pushes to multiday skills seminars, we can build the perfect program to fit the needs of your team.

  • Ski Mountaineering Skills Training - Including crampons, ice axe arrest and glacier rope travel

  • Ascent / Descent options include:
    • Avalanche Gulch
    • West Face
    • Brewer Creek
    • Clear Creek

  • Objective Attempt - Programs can include ski touring, ski mountaineering with a summit and full descent of the mountain, and/or ski mountaineering skills.

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 or Basecamp 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 program:

  • 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.

  • Ski/Split Touring, Avalanche, & Ski Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

Here's what's included with your trip:

  • Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
  • Ropes & Gear - for ski mountaineering
  • 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
Not Included
  • Ski/Splitboard Gear
  • Avalanche Gear
  • Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
  • Guide Gratuities

Ski/Split Touring Gear

  • Alpine Touring Ski or Splitboard Setup - No snowshoes
  • Alpine Touring or Splitboard Boots
  • Climbing Skins
  • Touring Backpack - with pockets for avalanche gear
  • Adjustable Touring Poles
Avalanche Safety Gear
  • Avalanche Beacon
  • Avalanche Shovel
  • Avalanche Probe
Ski/Split Mountaineering Gear
  • Ice Axe
  • Crampons
  • Ski/Split Crampons
  • Climbing Harness
Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Goggles
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Lunch & Snacks

    • Know Before you go

    SKILL LEVELIntermediate Advanced Expert
    ELEVATION7,000’-14,179’
    LocationMt Shasta
    Price $1,095.00
    Private Programs
    Duration: 1-5 Days
    View Full Itinerary
    Private Programs

    Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.

    Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.

    SCHEDULED PROGRAMS

    Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.

    Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.

    PRIVATE PROGRAMS

    Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.

    Contact us
    Full Itinerary

    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 or Basecamp We'll give ourselves enough daylight to get back safely and recap the day.

    Ski one of the 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America or build your ski mountaineering skills on a private ski trip on Mt Shasta.

    • Push Your Limits - From fast and light pushes to multiday skills seminars, we can build the perfect program to fit the needs of your team.

    • Ski Mountaineering Skills Training - Including crampons, ice axe arrest and glacier rope travel

    • Ascent / Descent options include:
      • Avalanche Gulch
      • West Face
      • Brewer Creek
      • Clear Creek

    • Objective Attempt - Programs can include ski touring, ski mountaineering with a summit and full descent of the mountain, and/or ski mountaineering skills.

    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 or Basecamp 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 program:

    • 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.

    • Ski/Split Touring, Avalanche, & Ski Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
    Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

    Here's what's included with your trip:

    • Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
    • Ropes & Gear - for ski mountaineering
    • 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
    Not Included
    • Ski/Splitboard Gear
    • Avalanche Gear
    • Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
    • Guide Gratuities

    Ski/Split Touring Gear

    • Alpine Touring Ski or Splitboard Setup - No snowshoes
    • Alpine Touring or Splitboard Boots
    • Climbing Skins
    • Touring Backpack - with pockets for avalanche gear
    • Adjustable Touring Poles
    Avalanche Safety Gear
    • Avalanche Beacon
    • Avalanche Shovel
    • Avalanche Probe
    Ski/Split Mountaineering Gear
    • Ice Axe
    • Crampons
    • Ski/Split Crampons
    • Climbing Harness
    Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Goggles
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Lunch & Snacks
    • Book Now
    Select Dates:
    Select Date:
    Participants:
    Rental Gear Available +
    Skier making a turn on Mt Shasta in California
    Sunset on Mt Shasta in California
    Skier in a tent at Helen Lake on Mt Shasta in California
    Skier hiking towards the summit of Mt Shasta
    Skier hiking with crampons and skis on backpack on Mt Shasta
    Skier hiking with ice ax on the summit of Mt Shasta
    Two skiers hiking near the summit of Mt Shasta
    Skier arcing a turn on Mt Shasta
    Skier making a turn on Mt Shasta in California
    Skier making a turn on corn snow on Mt Shasta
    Two skiers hiking towards the summit of Mt Shasta
    Skier camping at Helen Lake on Mt Shasta in California

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    Awesome Experience

    Steve, California

    “Taking this course with Zeb was the best decision! He was extremely friendly, relaxed and knowledgeable and answered all our questions with great patience.

    An Exceptional Course

    Ellen, New York

    “I took an AIARE 1 with Blackbird and couldn't recommend it more. The knowledge gained was well-worth every penny, and then some."

    Too Good For Words

    Andrew, Washington

    Just took the "lift-assisted" Avalanche Rescue course, and it was a fantastic opportunity to act out more realistic rescue scenarios. It was a great refresher and learning experience. Our instructor Evan was knowledgeable and a lot of fun. Highly recommended!

    An Incredible Weekend!

    Jenna, California

    Completed AIARE 1 w/ Blackbird. Instructors were very knowledgeable, experienced, patient, attentive, and down-to-earth in relating to clients across a wide spectrum of ability. Highly recommended. Great group of people!

    Got Questions?

    We’re here to help. Our FAQs or Gear Lists might have the information you’re seeking. But If you’re not finding the information you need, we’d be happy to help!

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