Mount Baker Ski Descent

3 Day - Mt. Baker Ski Descent

A Classic Pacific Northwest Objective — Equal Parts Adventure, Challenge, and Reward. Set your sights on one of North America’s most iconic ski mountaineering peaks. The 3-Day Mount Baker Ski Descent with Sierra Nevada Backcountry Guides is more than a climb — it’s a full alpine immersion in glacier travel, rope-team movement, crevasse rescue, and one of the longest, most rewarding ski descents in the Cascades.

Standing at 10,781 feet, Mount Baker offers the perfect blend of technical challenge, big-mountain adventure, and pure skiing joy — typically along the legendary Coleman–Deming route. You’ll travel with AMGA-trained guides in small teams focused on learning, safety, and skill development.

Ideal for strong backcountry skiers and splitboarders, this trip bridges the gap between advanced touring and true ski mountaineering. You’ll leave Baker inspired, capable, and confident — ready for your next big mountain objective.

Price: $750.00

Dates: TBD

Day 1 — Approach & Establish High Camp

  • Morning meetup at trailhead or ranger station for a full gear and safety check.

  • Drive up Glacier Creek / Heliotrope Ridge Road as far as snow conditions allow.

  • Begin the ski tour and approach to high camp near the Coleman Glacier / Heliotrope Ridge area (approx. 5,500–6,000 ft).

  • Set up camp and review camp systems, cooking, and snow melting.

  • Afternoon training session:

    • Glacier travel fundamentals

    • Rope-team setup and spacing

    • Crampon and ice axe technique refresher

    • Campcraft and overnight systems in cold, alpine conditions

  • Expect a full day of travel, with pack shuttling and some route-finding required.

  • Goals

    • Build efficient uphill and downhill travel skills for a multi-day ski mountaineering objective.

    • Learn transitions between skinning, booting, and crampon travel.

    • Increase comfort moving and camping in high alpine terrain.

    • Understand timing and decision-making for a safe summit and ski descent.

    Outcomes

    • Move efficiently on skins and steep terrain with solid pacing and kick turns.

    • Use crampons and an ice axe confidently during snow climbing sections.

    • Manage layering, hydration, and nutrition effectively at altitude.

    • Leave with improved confidence in multi-day ski mountaineering environments.

  • Day 1: Approach and Base Camp Setup

    • Team & Guide Introductions

    • Gear check in town

    • Ski tour to base camp

    • Set up base camp

    • Short ski tour from camp

    • Skills & snow school

    • Dinner & Plan for the next day.

    Day 2: Summit/High Point Attempt

    • Early alpine start from base camp.

    • Expect 5-7 hour ascent to the summit

    • Descend back to base camp.

    • Rest, hydrate & eat dinner at camp.

    Day 3: Descend back to Trailhead

    • Complete remaining ski descent from base camp to Trailhead.

    • Return to vehicle and conclude trip.

    • Optional food & drinks in town for trip conclusion

    1. Backcountry Touring Experience:

      • Participants should have prior experience with backcountry skiing & splitboarding.

      • Proficiency with skinning, uphill travel, transitions and clean movement in variable terrain.

      • Ability to ride confidently in variable snow conditions on ungroomed terrain.

    2. Physical Fitness:

      • A high level of fitness is required to endure sustained physical effort, including multiple days of uphill travel, carrying a heavy packs in challenging terrain.

      • Participants should be capable of 6–8 hours of continuous activity per day with elevation gains of 3,000–5,000 feet.

    3. Comfort in Cold and Remote Environments:

      • Willingness to spend consecutive nights in the backcountry potentially in harsh weather conditions, with the bare alpine necessities of life.

    4. Solid Teamwork & Communication Skills:

      • A collaborative mindset, adaptability, and a willingness to work as part of a group are essential for a successful expedition experience.

  • Included:

    • Friendly AMGA trained ski & splitboard guides.

    • Applicable recreation and/or forest service permits.

    • Group rescue gear, first aid, rescue sled, GPS/Satellite phone.

    • Waste Disposal Bags in compliance with “Leave No Trace” principles.

    • 4 season tents

    • Ropes

    • Stoves

    • Fuel

    • Pots & pans

    • Water storage & treatment

    Not Included:

    • Ski/splitboard touring equipment.

    • Avalanche equipment, ice axe, crampons, harness, carabiners.

    • Food/Snacks/Meals

    • Transportation

    • Guide Gratuities

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3 Day Baker Ski Descent Itinerary

Day 2 — Summit Push & Ski Descent

  • Pre-dawn alpine start for summit attempt.

  • Ascend via the Coleman–Deming Route across glaciated terrain, roped travel as needed.

  • Navigate crevasse zones and ascend the Roman Wall to reach the summit (10,781 ft).

  • Take in sweeping views of the North Cascades, then transition to skis/splitboards for the descent.

  • Ski descent options may include:

    • Coleman–Deming classic line

    • Roman Wall

    • Alternate variations depending on snowpack and conditions

  • Descend thousands of vertical feet of glaciated terrain back to camp.

  • Return to high camp by early afternoon; rest, recover, and enjoy a well-earned meal.

  • This is the longest and most demanding day of the trip.

Day 3 — Ski Out & Exit

  • Break camp and pack up early.

  • Ski or tour down through the lower glacier and ridgeline terrain back toward the trailhead.

  • Depending on snowline, descend fully on skis or hike the final section on foot.

  • Final debrief and reflection with guides before departure.

  • Drive back to town mid-afternoon.