Mt. Baker Ski Mountaineering Seminar

Five Days | $1199-$1699
This is a five day long ski mountaineering and glacier travel based ski seminar.  This program is designed to prepare participants to be effective teammates on glaciated ski expeditions. Ski based glacier travel, rescue skills and expedition craft are the focus.

 

Check out the seasons programs listing for dates or get in touch about scheduling a program.

This program is more about learning how not to fall into a crevasse than what to do if you fall in.  By learning how to understand and navigate large glaciers we will find some giant holes to practice rescue in and by the same token learn how to avoid them.  This is meant to be the real deal, you will learn to avoid crevasses as well as find some giant ones, build anchors and get comfortable getting into and out of crevasses in a skiing context. 

Summer ’25 Dates

May 18-22

May 26-30

Topics

In addition our summit attempt we will have several skills based seminar sessions, with the goal being to prepare you for your own ski based glaciated descents.  Topics will include:

  • Snow based expedition, camp and cooking craft
  • Ski focused glacier travel, safety and rescue
  • Spring/wet snow related avalanche safety
  • Ski mountaineering tools including crampons, ice axe use, snow anchors, rappelling, ect.

 

General Itinerary

Day 0
Evening Zoom Meeting
Two weeks out we will have a zoom meeting to go over last minute questions as well as address questions about food and packing strategies.

Day 0
PM Gear Check and Dinner

We will meet in Bellingham the night prior to entering the field and check our gear and get dinner as a team.  Plan on being in Bellingham by 5pm and spending the night in town.

Day 1

 

Approach to Camp 

We will meet in Glacier WA to head up to the TH at 8am.  We will take our time on the approach, this day is all about getting up to camp feeling good.  We want to get to camp with time to build camp and disscuss snow camp craft.

Day 2
Skills Day

Topics to be determined by the interests of team and may be switched with the summit day given weather conditions. 

Day 3
Skills Day
Topics to be determined by the interests of team.

Day 4
Summit Attempt

Generally an alpine start.  Expect up to 8-10 hours depending on conditions.

Day 5
Ski Out to TH

We will take our time getting out, as skiing down with the heavy bags can be the most challenging part of the program.  While it is possible to grab a late flight out most people enjoy getting a hotel by the airport to shower and dry out gear before flying out.

Whats included

  • Instruction from an IFMGA guide 
  • Group technical gear: ropes, pickets
  • Group camp gear: stoves, fuel, tents

Whats not included

  • Transportation and lodging off mountain
  • Food 
  • Personal gear
  • Forest service parking pass

 

 

Who can apply?

For the success of our summit attempt and to make sure that we can get the most out of our seminar sessions a baseline level of experience traveling on skis or split-board will be necessary.  Most people who apply have already skied with me in the past.  If you are interested in this program please get in contact using the tab at the top or shoot me an email and we can arrange a phone call.

Whats Next

After joining you will receive a detailed itinerary, recommended gear list as well as suggestions for training.

Also please take a look at the cancelation policy:

  • A non refundable deposit is required at the time of registration.
  • The full cost is due two months prior to the start of the program.
  • Refunds less the registration deposit will be given up until one month prior to the start of the program.
  • Within one month of the program start you will receive a %50 refund.

 

 

 

Know Your Guide

When you hire a guide through a guide service, the most important part of the trip is an unknown.  This program is based around making sure you know what you’re paying for.  As an IFMGA guide with over ten years experience you will be teaching the cutting edge techniques and best practices that are really being used in the mountains by the pros.  There are less than 170 American’s who have an IFMGA license.