Ski Mt Shasta with Daron Rahlves

Join World Cup Champ & Olympic Ski Racer Daron Rahlves & IFMGA Mountain Guide Zeb Blais for a 2-day ski mountaineering adventure to summit & ski 14,179' Mt Shasta.
Daron Rahlves arcing a pow turn on Mt Shasta in California
Daron Rahlves ripping a turn on Mt Shasta in California
Daron Rahlves climbing a steep pitch with skis in the Alps
Skier making a turn on Mt Shasta in California
Daron Rahlves partnering with Blackbird Mountain Guides to provide unforgettable ski mountaineering experiences in California.
Terrain Man, Eric Seel, skiing a chute in the baldwin cirque in California's Eastern Sierra.  This incredible ski mountaineering route is one of hundreds of classics in the Range of Light (aka the Eastside).
Skier in a tent at Helen Lake on Mt Shasta in California
Skier making a turn on Mt Shasta in California
Daron Rahlves hiking with skis and crampons on Mt Shasta in California
Daron Rahlves climbing a steep pitch with skis in the Alps

Climb and ski 14,179' Mt Shasta with one of the world's most accomplished ski racers - Daron Rahlves.

On this two-day trip we'll camp, climb and ski Mt Shasta via the Hotlum-Wintun or the West Face, depending on conditions and trailhead openings.  Mt Shasta is stacked with incredible options for ski descents and the "Hot-Tun" and West Face options are two of our favorites.

On Day 1, you'll join Daron Rahlves and IFMGA Mountain Guide and Blackbird Owner Zeb Blais for a gear check before we set off for camp.  After setting up tents, we'll share a meal and get to bed early in preparation for the summit. 

Day 2 is our summit day.  We'll begin the day before dawn with a hot breakfast, timing our ascent for optimal snow conditions from the summit.  From the top, we'll have a massive 7,000' ski descent on ski terrain that ranks among the 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America (Avalanche Gulch).

Closing Dinner.  We'll celebrate our trip in style in the town of Mt Shasta.  Food is on Blackbird!   

This will be a challenging, rewarding and completely unique experience with Daron Rahlves and Zeb Blais.  Daron and Zeb are looking forward to sharing this amazing peak with you!

 

The trip has a 3-person minimum per trip and a maximum of 4 skiers/riders.

 

About Daron Rahlves

 

Prerequisites

This two day itinerary requires:

  • Advanced to Expert Skiing Ability.  You should feel comfortable on steep, off-piste terrain in variable snow conditions.  The routes we will be steep and may have less than ideal snow surfaces.  
  • Proficiency with Ski Mountaineering SkillsThese skills include ice axe arrest, cramponing, rest step, ski crampons and skinning efficiency on firm slopes as well as advanced-expert downhill skiing ability.  Please reach out to make sure you have the requisite skills for this program or book our one-day Ski Mountaineering Skills in advance of this program.
  • Excellent Fitness.  We'll ascend over 7,000' of elevation on variable terrain, using skins, ski crampons and boot crampons before skiing back down.  All this will be with a backpack containing food, water, layering and technical equipment for the day.
  • Snow Camping Experience.  Basic experience with snow camping will make this trip much more enjoyable!  

Please reach out to info@blackbirdguides.com or call 530-414-7778 to schedule a skills day before the trip in Tahoe or on Mount Shasta. 


    Daron Rahlves arcing a pow turn on Mt Shasta in California
    Daron Rahlves ripping a turn on Mt Shasta in California
    Daron Rahlves climbing a steep pitch with skis in the Alps
    Skier making a turn on Mt Shasta in California
    Daron Rahlves partnering with Blackbird Mountain Guides to provide unforgettable ski mountaineering experiences in California.
    Terrain Man, Eric Seel, skiing a chute in the baldwin cirque in California's Eastern Sierra.  This incredible ski mountaineering route is one of hundreds of classics in the Range of Light (aka the Eastside).
    Skier in a tent at Helen Lake on Mt Shasta in California
    Skier making a turn on Mt Shasta in California
    Daron Rahlves hiking with skis and crampons on Mt Shasta in California
    Daron Rahlves climbing a steep pitch with skis in the Alps
    • Load image into Gallery viewer, Daron Rahlves ripping a turn on Mt Shasta in California
    • Load image into Gallery viewer, Daron Rahlves climbing a steep pitch with skis in the Alps
    • Load image into Gallery viewer, Skier making a turn on Mt Shasta in California
    • Load image into Gallery viewer, Daron Rahlves partnering with Blackbird Mountain Guides to provide unforgettable ski mountaineering experiences in California.
    • Load image into Gallery viewer, Terrain Man, Eric Seel, skiing a chute in the baldwin cirque in California's Eastern Sierra.  This incredible ski mountaineering route is one of hundreds of classics in the Range of Light (aka the Eastside).
    • Load image into Gallery viewer, Skier in a tent at Helen Lake on Mt Shasta in California
    • Load image into Gallery viewer, Skier making a turn on Mt Shasta in California
    • Load image into Gallery viewer, Daron Rahlves hiking with skis and crampons on Mt Shasta in California
    • Load image into Gallery viewer, Daron Rahlves climbing a steep pitch with skis in the Alps

    Dates

    Available Dates

    May 18-19, 2023
    May 25-26, 2023

    Prices

    Prices are as follows:

     

    Mt Shasta Skiing Price List
    Ski Touring & Ski Mountaineering Private
    Private RatesPer Person / Per Day
    1:1$495
    2:1$375
    3:1$335

    Itinerary

    Itinerary

    Equipment

    Shasta Ski Mountaineering Gear Guide

    Gear Guide / Packing List


     

    Backcountry Touring Gear

    Alpine Touring Skis or Splitboard - Light to Midweight Setup with “Tech Bindings”

    Alpine Touring Boots or Splitboard Compatible Boots; Scarpa F1

    Ski Poles - Lightweight, Adjustable Poles with Baskets; BD Expedition 3 Poles

    Climbing Skins - Mohair Mix is Best; Black Diamond GlideLite Mohair Mix,

    Ski Crampons - Specific to your Skis/Board; 

    Ski Strap - Voile Ski Strap or Similar
     

    Avalanche Gear

    Avalanche Beacon - Digital Avalanche Transceiver; Black Diamond Guide Recon BT

    Avalanche Shovel - Collapsible, Aluminum Shovel; Backcountry Access BT2 Shovel

    Avalanche Probe - Quickdraw Style Probe; Backcountry Access Stealth 300
     

    Technical Gear

    Climbing/Ski Helmet - Dual Rated Helmet; Petzl Sirocco or Black Diamond Vision

    Headlamp - LED headlamp with fresh batteries; Petzl Actik Core

    Climbing Harness -  Light Alpine Harness; Petzl Altitude, Mammut Zephyr Altitude

    Two Locking Carabiners - Petzl Attache, etc

    Triple Action Locking Carabiner - Edelrid HMS Strike Triple FG Locking Carabiner

    Double Length Sling - Sewn Runner; Black Diamond 10mm Dynex Runner

    Belay Device - Tube Style Belay Device; BD ATC Guide, Petzl Reverso

    Crampons, Steel - Steel Crampons Compatible with Your Boots; Petzl Vasak

    OR Crampons, Aluminum - Aluminum Crampons, Compatible with Your Boots

    Please ask your guide which is appropriate for your objective

    Lightweight Ice Axe - An ultralight Axe for Steep Terrain; Petzl Ride, BD Raven Ultra
     

    Head and Neck Layers

    Sun Hat - A Baseball Hat; Blackbird Mountain Guides Logo Hat

    Sunglasses - Dark Lens Glasses with Side Coverage; Julbo Shield

    Goggles - Ski Goggles with a Storm Lens; Julbo Aerospace Reactive

    Warm Hat - Lightweight Warm Hat that Fits Under Your Helmet; 

    Neck Gaiter - Light to Midweight Neck Gaiters; Buff or your favorite Face Masks 

    ***These Are Required as Covid-19 Face Coverings

     

    Upper Body and Hand Layers

    Long Sleeve Base Layer - Lightweight, Synthetic/Wool; Patagonia SunHoody

    2 Insulating Top Layers - Light to Midweight Insulation Layers; Patagonia R1 & NanoAir

    Puffy - Midweight Down or Synthetic with Hood; Patagonia Fitzroy or similar

    Hardshell Jacket, Hooded - Waterproof, Light, Gore-Tex, NOT insulated; Arc’Teryx Alpha FL

    Light Gloves - Light to Mid Weight for Warm Temps; Flylow John Henry Gloves, BD Tour

    Midweight Gloves - Mid to Heavy Weight for Cold Conditions; BD Legend

    Sports Bra - Wool/Synthetic


    Lower Body and Foot Layers

    Socks - Midweight Wool/Synthetic; Darn Tough Via Ferrata

    Underwear - Wool/Synthetic

    Long Underwear - Wool/Synthetic “Long Johns”;  Patagonia Capilene Air

    Softshell Ski Pants - Breathable, Weather Resistant Pants; OR Trailbreaker II

    Vented Hardshell Ski Pants - (Conditions dependent) Waterproof Pants for Extreme Weather

     

    Camping & Backpacking Gear

    Sleeping Bag - Down or Synthetic Rated to 0F-20F; Feathered Friends Egret UL 20

    Sleeping Pad - Insulated Inflatable Air Mattress; Therm-a-Rest NeoAir X-Therm, X-Lite

    Compression Stuff Sack -  To Pack Sleeping Bag; Ultralight Compression Stuffsack 10L

    Backpack - Lightweight, Simple 50 Liter Pack; Patagonia Alpinist 50, BD Speed 50 - MUST FIT ALL OF YOUR GEAR AND FOOD
     

    Food and Water

    Dinner - Your Favorite Freeze Dried or “Just-Add-Hot-Water” Meal for Each Night in the Field.

    Breakfast - Your Favorite Freeze Dried or “Just-Add-Hot-Water” Meal for Each Morning in the Field

    Hot Drinks - For After Dinner and During Breakfast; Instant Coffee, Decaffeinated Tea, Hot Cocoa, Tang, Whatever You Prefer

    Half Liter Nalgene Bottle - A Hard Sided Water Bottled that Can Act as your Mug For Hot Drinks and WAter Bottle Dutring the Climb; Nalgene 16oz Wide Mouth Bottle

    Soft Water Bottle 1.5L - Flexible Water Bladder; Hydrapak Flux 1.5L

    ***Please bring at least one hard sided water bottle.

    Water Treatment or Filtration - Katadyn BeFree Filter Connects to Hydrapak Flux Bottles 

    Bowl - Reuse your Freeze Dried Dinner Bag as Your Bowl, or Bring Another;

    Spoon - 9” Long Handled Spoon (For Eating Food in a Bag); GSI Essential Spoon Long

    Snacks - Snacks and Lunch food  for each day of the trip
     

    Other Essentials

    ☐ Sun Screen (SPF 30 minimum)

    ☐ Lip Balm (with SPF)

    ☐ Hand Sanitizer

    ☐ Toilet Paper


     

    Optional

    First Aid/blister Kit

    Chemical Hand Warmers

    Hydration System - Flexible Water Bladder with Hose; Hydrapak, Camelback, Platypus


     

    Group Gear

    Blackbird Mountain Guides will supply all of the group gear for the trip, including:

    ✔ Slingfin Tents (Designed and Headquartered in Berkeley, CA)

    ✔ Stoves

    ✔ Fuel for Stoves

    ✔ Ropes

    ✔ Snow Pickets (if required)

    ✔ Rock Protection (if required)

    ✔ Guide’s First Aid Kits

    ✔ Wag Bags (Solid Human Waste Disposal Bags)

    Know Before You Go

    Location

    Mount Shasta, CA

    Elevation

    7,000-14,179

    Technical Difficulty ⚫⚫⚫⚪⚪

    This climb involves steep snow climbing with an ice axe and crampons.  On exposed terrain your guide may choose to rope the team together using a short roping technique.

    Physical Difficulty ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚪

    Mount Shasta offers incredible big mountain climbing and skiing.  Most routes are fairly strenuous, both physically and with technique.  The climb boasts 7,000 feet of elevation gain.  This program requires efficiency with crampons, skinning, transitioning and excellent endurance.

    Prerequisites

    This two day itinerary requires proficiency with Ski Mountaineering Skills including: ice axe arrest, cramponing, rest step, ski crampons and skinning efficiency on firm slopes as well as advanced-expert downhill skiing ability.  Please reach out to make sure you have the requisite skills for this program or book our one day Ski Mountaineering Skills in advance of this program.

    Trip Length

    2 days.

    Policies

    We highly recommend Trip Insurance. Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy.

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    $1,800.00
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    $1,800.00
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