Ski or Splitboard from the Summit of Mt. Baker – A True Pacific Northwest Classic
If you have solid backcountry touring experience and strong skiing or splitboarding skills, this is the ultimate upgrade to your mountain adventures. Our Mt. Baker Ski and Splitboard Mountaineering Course combines the thrill of a summit climb with the unforgettable experience of riding 6,000–7,000 vertical feet (1,800–2,100 meters) back to camp. Instead of the long, punishing descent on foot that most climbers endure, you’ll link turns through stunning alpine terrain, slash your way through fresh snow, and see why once you ride down a big mountain, you’ll never want to walk it again.
This three-day Mt. Baker ski mountaineering course is designed for riders ready to take on bigger alpine objectives. Over the course of the program, you’ll learn and practice essential skills: ice axe use, ski and splitboard crampon techniques, roped glacier travel, route finding, terrain selection, decision-making, and hazard assessment. For those with previous glacier experience, we’ll also dive deeper into advanced touring skills, skinning strategies, and self-rescue techniques.
Our climb and descent follow the iconic Coleman-Deming Route. It is one of Mt. Baker’s most scenic and popular lines. This route offers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, the San Juan Islands, and Washington’s inland waterways stretching to the horizon.
By the final day, you’ll summit Mt. Baker at 10,778 ft (3,285 m). Then you will experience the ultimate reward with an incredible ski or splitboard descent that takes you all the way back to camp before you finish your journey to the trailhead.
Curriculum
