PRICE
$895
SCHEDULE
Intro to Backcountry Ski Touring*
April 26 – April 28, 2024
May 3 – May 5, 2024
May 10 – May 12, 2024 – Sold Out
May 24 – May 26, 2024
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* All dates available unless indicated as sold out.
DETAILS
Grade: Beginner
3 Day Course
Talk to an ADVENTURE expert
425.749.7421
OVERVIEW
Leave the crowds behind and learn how to backcountry ski! During this course, we will introduce the critical equipment and skills that allow us to safely enjoy the vast and exciting world of backcountry skiing. Set within an overnight ski tour, our curriculum covers uphill and downhill travel, with an emphasis on essential equipment such as avalanche safety gear, climbing skins, alpine touring boots and bindings, and the skills needed to use them.
Intro to Backcountry Ski Touring • 3 Day Course
Northwest Alpine Guides’ Intro to Backcountry Skiing is designed for beginner to intermediate inbounds skiers seeking to transition from resort skiing into the backcountry. Our course takes place on the pristine south side of Mount Baker. Alternatively, depending on where we find favorable conditions, we may venture to the north side of Mt Baker in the vicinity of Table Mountain. For a true backcountry touring experience, we stay overnight in mountain tents or a historic fire lookout when available. This course demands strong physical fitness as all participants must skin up to high camp carrying a backpack with overnight gear.
Mount Baker Tour
With dramatic glaciers, record-setting snowpack, and the potential for more than 7,000 vertical feet of riding, Mount Baker offers some of the best skiing in North America! To native residents of the area, Mount Baker is Koma Kulshan, “the White Watcher” who looks out over the Salish Sea. The mountain’s indigenous name – and its skiing fame – stem from its accessible, enormous glaciers. Skiers gravitate to this peak to hone their skills and challenge themselves, whether on the gentle Easton Glacier or the steep Park Headwall. We approach via the Schreiber’s Meadow Trail and establish our camp at 6,000 feet near the base of the Easton Glacier. From our tents, we enjoy easy access to abundant terrain, all with excellent views of the Twin Sisters Range, Mount Rainier and the snowy, serrated skyline of the North Cascades.
Intro to Backcountry Ski School Curriculum
- Introduction to ski touring equipment: climbing skins, boots, bindings
- Introduction to avalanche rescue techniques and equipment, including electronic transceivers, probe, and shovel
- Backcountry skiing movement skills: climbing with skins, setting tracks, kick turns, and more
- Introduction to ski tour planning, navigation, and terrain hazard assessment
Need help choosing a trip?
Read our Four-Legged Stool blog post for tips on finding the right adventure for you.
Related courses: 3 Day Mount Baker Intro to Mountaineering, 5 Day Mount Baker Glacier Mountaineering, 7 Day North Cascades Alpine Climbing, 2 Day Crevasse Rescue, 2 Day Intro to Ice Climbing, 6 Day Mount Baker Expedition Training, Mount Washington Winter Intro, Intro to Alpine Rock Climbing, Smith Rock Intro to Sport Climbing, 3 Day Intro to Backcountry Ski Touring, 5 Day Mount Baker Ski Glacier Mountaineering, 2 Day Mount Baker Ski Descent
Tour Highlights
- Ski tour below the second most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.
- Learn essential technical and movement skills for backcountry skiing.
- Introduction to avalanche safety equipment, rescue techniques, and hazard assessment.
- Access to our convenient BaseCamp and The Guide Hut in Sedro-Woolley, WA.
- Enjoy a Northwest Alpine Guides adventure and learn to backcountry ski.
Day to Day Itinerary
- Day 1 • Practice uphill travel techniques and set up at high camp
- Day 2 • Learn about avalanche safety, navigation, uphill and downhill travel while ski touring
- Day 3 • Ski tour in the morning, pack up camp, and ski down to the trailhead
Qualifications
Beginner to intermediate inbounds skiers, no prior avalanche education is required. Participants should have at least one season of ski experience, and should be able to ski down a blue run. Read our Goals and Fitness page for recommendations on how to best physically prepare for this adventure.
4 to 1 Skier to Guide Ratio
We lead the Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course at a 4-to-1 skier-to-guide ratio to ensure that you receive personal attention and hands-on instruction throughout the tour.
Northwest Alpine Guides holds a Special Use Permit and is an authorized outfitter guide within Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Mt. Baker Ranger District
“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).”
ITINERARY
Intro to Backcountry Skiing
Plan to arrive the day before the climb begins.
Day 1 • Move to high camp on Mount Baker • Ski Tour
Video Resource: What to Expect the Morning of the Climb
Meet at our BaseCamp in Sedro-Woolley, WA.
Northwest Alpine Guides will provide you with a detailed PreClimb departure book upon registration including personal gear list, meeting location and driving directions.
Our alpine guides will meet you for team introductions, gear check, and group gear distribution. The drive to the Schrieber’s Meadow Trailhead on the south side of Mount Baker at 3,400 feet takes approximately one hour. The tour to high camp takes 4 to 5 hours using climbing skins. The team will set camp between 5,600 and 6,200 feet depending on mountain conditions.
Your guides will begin teaching the curriculum as we tour to high camp, including uphill travel techniques, navigation, and avalanche safety. Each team member will be assessed throughout the ski school. You will need to demonstrate adequate fitness and proficiency in skiing skills, as your safety is our priority.
After setting up camp, your guides will introduce you to avalanche beacons and their use. We return to camp, enjoy dinner, make a tour plan for the following day, and go to bed early.
Vertical Gain Skiing: 2,800 feet
Skiing Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodations: Tented Camp
Meals Included: Dinner (D)
Day 2 • Tour the Baker Backcountry
Today, we ski tour on slopes below the lower Easton Glacier and in the Park Butte Zone on the south side of Mount Baker. We will choose our ascent and descent routes to maximize learning opportunities, fun and safety. This is a true backcountry experience.
During the tour, your guides will build upon on the skills introduced in the previous day’s ski school, discussing touring skills such as setting an efficient skin track and route finding; as well as avalanche safety skills such as terrain assessment and identifying springtime avalanche hazards. We descend back to high camp, where we debrief the day’s tour, plan for the following day and eat dinner.
Vertical Gain Skiing: 2,000 – 3,000 feet
Skiing Time: 7+ hours
Accommodations: Tented Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner (B, D)
Day 3 • Ski tour • Descend to Trailhead
Today, we conclude our program. Time and conditions permitting, we embark on a short ski tour with the objective of exploring new terrain, enjoying a few turns and solidifying skills we have covered on the course so far. We then return to camp, pack up, and descend to the trailhead.
We usually arrive back at our cars by mid-afternoon and conclude our adventure in Sedro-Woolley.
Vertical Gain Skiing: 500 – 1,000 feet
Skiing Time: 7+ hours
Meals Included: Breakfast (B)
Plan to depart the day after the program ends.
Itinerary Notes
Northwest Alpine Guides makes every effort to uphold the scheduled itinerary, although our guides are given discretion to adapt the itinerary for reasons beyond our control or due to the needs of the group. Meal schedule: (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
DETAILS
Where to Meet
At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the climb, we meet at BaseCamp in Sedro-Woolley, WA for equipment check and orientation before heading to the trailhead. We will email you detailed PreClimb information including a gear list and full departure details upon receiving your registration.
Deposit and Payments
- A non-refundable deposit of $300 per person secures your reservation.
- The balance is due 120 days prior to start date.
- The balance can be paid by credit card with a surcharge of 3.0%, or Zelle payment network.
- If your balance payment is not received 120 days before the start of your program, your reservation will be canceled, and all program fees forfeited.
Price Includes
- Guided tour and instruction
- Scheduled meals on the mountain (breakfast, dinner, hot drinks)
- Professional mountain guide
- Group equipment (including tents, ropes, stoves, etc.)
- Wilderness Permits
Price Does Not Include
- Transportation
- Trailhead parking fees (Northwest Forest Pass)
- Lunch and snack food
- Personal gear
- Hotels or lodging
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Medical and evacuation coverage
- Staff gratuities
Guides
Our instructors are highly skilled professional guides who have been selected based on their technical proficiency, proven safety records, careful judgment, patience, and supportive teaching styles. They are dedicated to a climbing lifestyle, and collectively have climbed throughout the earth’s major mountain ranges. Our guides are friendly, very willing to share their own experiences, and can help you develop a plan to achieve your own climbing ambitions. All our guides carry current certification in wilderness first aid.
Tipping
Our guides are dedicated mountain professionals who work hard to ensure your success and wellbeing on the mountain. If you have a positive experience, gratuities are an excellent way to show your appreciation. An average tip is 10 – 20% percent of the cost of the program, usually $100 – $200. Your guide team will pool all tips.
Summit Attempt
Northwest Alpine Guides cannot guarantee that you will reach the summit. Weather, route conditions, your own abilities, or the abilities of other climbers may create circumstances that make an ascent unsafe. You or your entire party may have to turn around without reaching the summit. Failure to reach the summit due to a team member’s own lack of fitness or to any of the events associated with mountaineering (such as weather, route, avalanche hazard, team dynamics, etc.), are not NWAG responsibility and will not result in refund or reschedule.
Age Guidelines
Participants age 16 & 17: May participate in fixed-date group itineraries if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Participants age 15: May only participate in private climbs and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
We do not accept participants under 15 years old due to insurance and liability reasons.
Minimum Participants
Please note that a minimum of two participants is required to guarantee each departure at the advertised price.
Climber to Guide Ratio
We aspire to lead summit attempts on Mount Baker at a 3 to 1 climber to guide ratio. On occasion we lead climbs at a 4 to 1 climber to guide ratio due to operational needs.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend that all participants consider travel and trip cancellation insurance after making a deposit. Travel insurance offers the best protection in the event of a sudden, unexpected illness, an injury prior to or while traveling, or a possible family emergency.
If you choose not to purchase insurance, you assume full responsibility for any expenses incurred in the event of a medical emergency and/or evacuation, as well as for trip cancellation, interruption, lost luggage, etc. Northwest Alpine Guides does not insure you against these risks. We ask that you consult your travel insurance carrier directly with questions.
For more info about current coverage plans and quotes please visit.
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance
Travel, evacuation and rescue coverage designed for adventure travelers.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™
- Waiver for pre-existing conditions (must be purchased within 14 days of trip deposit)
- Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage (must be purchased within 14 days of trip deposit)
Global Rescue
We recommend Signature Travel Insurance. For travel insurance or Global Rescue membership.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Global Rescue
For Non-US Residents & Citizens – World Nomads
For Canadians and for other non-US residents (enter your country of origin), World Nomads can provide travel and disaster insurance options for mountaineers.
Date Changes
Date changes may be requested at any time up to 60 days prior to your departure date for a $100.00 fee per person. Date changes are subject to availability and apply only to the current climbing season. No date changes allowed less than 60 days before departure.
Cancellations
Since departures require a minimum number of participants, Northwest Alpine Guides must adhere to a stringent refund policy. The policy is intended to protect participants who have otherwise committed time and resources to the departure. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
MEALS
During the Intro to Backcountry Ski Tour, Northwest Alpine Guides will provide group meals consisting of two (2) breakfasts and two (2) dinners. You will need to provide your own lunch and snack food on the mountain. Video Resource: Mountain Snack and Lunch Ideas
Mountain Lunches
We recommend that you bring a variety of snack food to eat while moving. On each day, we will encourage you to eat at regular, short maintenance breaks, roughly once every hour. These snacks can be critical for maintaining a steady supply of energy while moving up and down the mountain. We will not stop for a big lunch break.
Some examples of snack foods include dried meats (salami), jerky (turkey, beef, fish), tuna fish, cheese, crackers, bagels, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, candy bars, gummy candy, cookies, energy bars and trail mix.
We cannot overstate how critical it is for you to bring foods that you enjoy eating. Eating properly is the key to maintaining strength in the mountains. We recommend a selection of sweet, sour and salty food.
When preparing lunches, please do not bring food items that require cooking or extensive preparation.
Day 1: Lunch & snacks for ski from trailhead to high camp
Three or four 15-minute lunch & snack breaks (about 150-200 calories each break)
Day 2: Lunch & snacks for the day out touring
Ski tour includes a 30-minute lunch break, two 15-minute snack breaks (about 150-200 calories each break)
Day 3: Lunch & remaining snacks for the tour and descent to trailhead
Group Meals
Northwest Alpine Guides may provide and prepare one or more of the following items for group breakfasts and dinners:
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Toasted Bagels with Cream Cheese, Pop Tarts, Granola Bars
Dinner: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Cheese, Noodles, Spaghetti, Tortellini, Rice, Beans, Fresh Vegetables, Tasty Bite Indian Meals, Freeze-Dried Meals
Hot Drinks: Coffee, Caffeinated Tea, Herbal Tea
Meal Concerns
We can accommodate most common food allergies. We do not serve fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, milk or eggs. For vegetarian diets, we are easily able to leave out the meat before serving group meals. For those with other dietary concerns, we recommend bringing food to supplement the pre-planned meals we provide. The Guide Hut offers a wide variety of freeze-dried meals for purchase, including vegan and gluten free options.
TRAVEL
Getting There
At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the climb, we meet at BaseCamp in Sedro-Woolley, WA for equipment check and orientation before heading to the trailhead. Upon receiving your registration, Northwest Alpine Guides will email you complete PreClimb information, including a gear list specific to your itinerary and other departure details. The Guide Hut offers a selection of mountaineering equipment and clothing for purchase and rent.
The small town of Sedro-Woolley, “The Gateway to the North Cascades,” is approximately 70 miles and a 1.5-hour drive from Seattle or Bellevue. Limited services are available in Sedro-Woolley. More extensive food, shopping and lodging options may be found nearby in the cities of Mount Vernon and Burlington.
Northwest Alpine Guides | BaseCamp | The Guide Hut
11132 Sterling Road
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
Welcome to BaseCamp and The Guide Hut
What to Expect the Morning of the Climb
Northwest Alpine Guides is excited to announce the opening of BaseCamp, our new meeting location and seasonal guide office in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, the Gateway to the North Cascades!
The Guide Hut serves as our rental shop and retail store for guests of Northwest Alpine Guides. Find a variety of retail items, logo wear, and climbing equipment. Visit our online gear shop for available merchandise and rental gear options.
At BaseCamp:
- Guests may pick up pre-reserved rentals, try on rental boots, and shop for last-minute items.
- Gear Check: There is ample time to pick up items during the gear check the morning of the climb.
BaseCamp exclusively serves Northwest Alpine Guides customers. It is not open to the public and operates only during scheduled hours.
Flight Travel
Most climbers will fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) the evening before the program and rent a car for the hour and forty-five minute drive to Sedro Woolley, Washington. Please note that Seattle traffic is worsening and driving times from Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport may be significantly longer.
Our Northwest programs begin at the date, time and meeting location listed in the itinerary in your PreClimb Information. Meeting locations may vary depending on program destination. Climbers flying to Washington State must arrive the day before their program begins in order the meet the group for an early morning gear check and orientation. Return times on the final day of the program are difficult to predict. We strongly recommend that climbers book a hotel night following the final day of their itinerary and schedule departure flights on the following day. If departing on the last day of the program, we recommend booking a flight later than 10 pm.
Transportation
Transportation between the meeting location and the trailhead is not included in the price of the trip. Guides are not responsible for providing transportation to team members. We serve both local and out-of-town climbers in our Northwest programs, and many of our guests prefer to use their own vehicles. Team members are free to organize rideshares with other team members. With your permission, our office staff can share your name and contact information with other team members so that you can organize ridesharing. The NWAG office does not coordinate ridesharing or carpooling and we are unable to share customer or guide contact information due to privacy concerns. If you are trying to coordinate a ride, feel free to send an email to info@northwestalpineguides.com and we can forward it to your fellow climbers.
Trailhead Parking
You will need to obtain a NW Forest Pass or equivalent parking permit to leave your car at the trailhead lot. Single-use passes are $5.00 per day. They can be purchased in advance or the day of the gear check. A National Parks pass may suffice.
Driving Directions
From Seattle
Follow I-5 North to Burlington, Skagit County
Take exit 231 from I-5 N, Merge onto N Burlington Blvd, 3 min (0.6 mi)
Turn left onto State Rte 20 E, Head East towards Sedro-Woolley
Follow State Rte 20 E to Sterling Rd, 7 min (3.0 mi)
Turn right onto Sterling Rd, 2 min (0.8 mi)
Turn right into BaseCamp / Northwest Alpine Guides
From Bellingham
Follow I-5 South to Burlington, Skagit County
Take exit 232 from I-5 S, Head East on Cook Rd towards Sedro-Woolley, 4 min (2.7 mi)
Turn right onto Collins Rd, 2 min (1.0 mi)
Turn left onto State Rte 20 E, 1 min (0.3 mi)
Turn right onto Sterling Rd, 2 min (0.8 mi)
Turn right into BaseCamp / Northwest Alpine Guides
Hotels
Lodging in Burlington, Washington. If you wish to stay close to the meeting location the night before your climb, we recommend the following options:
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Burlington
9384 Old Hwy 99 North
Burlington, WA 98233
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Burlington
1670 S Burlington Blvd
Burlington, WA 98233
GEAR LIST
These items are required for our Intro to Backcountry Skiing course.
Discover premium retail and rental equipment at The Guide Hut’s online store. Order today, and your gear will be ready for pickup at BaseCamp on the morning of your climb. Don’t miss our Guide Picks blog for brand-specific gear recommendations. Gear up with us for your next adventure!
Head and Face
- Warm Hat: Wool or synthetic. Must cover the ears.
- Buff or Balaclava
- Sun Hat or Baseball Cap
- Glacier Glasses: Essential eye protection at altitude. Wrap around style or side shields. A category 4 lens is required.
- Ski Goggles: For protection from wind. (Optional)
- Sunscreen: SPF 30+
- Lip Balm: SPF 30+
- Climbing LED Headlamp: Bring one extra set of batteries.
Upper Body
- Baselayer Tops: One synthetic long-sleeve shirts. Hoods for sun protection are strongly recommended. A second base layer is optional to bring if you prefer a change of clothes.
- Softshell Jacket: This is a breathable but wind-and-weather resistant jacket. Hoods are highly recommended. Alternatively, you could bring a mid- layer top such as a synthetic fleece or top to use in place of your softshell jacket.
- Hardshell Jacket: A fully waterproof shell. GORE-TEX© or equivalent. Hoods are required.
- Insulated Jacket: Medium weight down. 700+ fill or higher required.
- Check out our video resource on Down Jackets for more.
Note: Proper hardshell rain gear is required on all trips.
Note: Women may want to bring an extra sports bra in case one becomes wet.
Handwear
- Lightweight Softshell Gloves: One pair. Leather palms offer durability and grip.
- Heavyweight Gloves: Insulated glove or mitten with GORE-TEX© waterproof outer or DWR treatment.
Lower Body
- Baselayer Bottom: One pair. Synthetic, no cotton.
- Softshell Pants: One pair. Synthetic, stretchy, non-insulated. (Optional)
- Hardshell Pants: One pair of GORE-TEX© ski pants. Full-length side zips are recommended for ventilation while climbing, and to allow you to take off your hardshell pants without removing your shoes.
Footwear
- Alpine Touring Ski Boots: Alpine touring (AT) ski boots with walk and ski modes for uphill and downhill travel. Must be compatible with your bindings and crampons.
- Mediumweight Socks: Two pairs of wool or synthetic socks.
- Heavyweight Socks: One pair of wool or synthetic socks for sleeping in and for cold days or summit days.
Sleeping
- Sleeping Bag: A warm bag rated 0ᵒ to 20ᵒ Fahrenheit depending on season.
- Sleeping Pad: A full-length closed-cell foam and/or inflatable pad. Foam AND inflatable pads are recommended for camping on snow during early-season climbs.
- Check out our video resource on Sleep Systems for more.
Packing and Backpack
- Backpack: One 65- to 75-liter pack for personal and group gear. Should have an effective waist belt, fit properly and provide good support while carrying 45+ pounds.
- Liner Bags: 2 large plastic contractor bags.
- Check out our video resource on Packing a Mountaineering Backpack for more.
Note: An adequately sized backpack is required. You are responsible to carry all of your personal gear and food, as well as a portion of group gear (tents, ropes, stoves, fuel, etc.). We do not recommend an additional pack for summit day. Backpacks smaller than 65 liters are not acceptable.
Ski & Climbing Gear
- Skis: Lightweight alpine touring (AT) recommended. 90-110 mm underfoot depending on snow conditions.
- Bindings: Lightweight alpine touring (AT) bindings with uphill and downhill modes. Ski brakes and/or leashes recommended. Must be compatible with your boots.
- Climbing Skins: For ascending on skis. Must be properly sized for your skis.
- Ski Poles: Lightweight and adjustable with snow baskets.
- Avalanche Transceiver: With harness system. Modern 3-antenna model required. (Recommended models: Mammut Barryvox or Barryvox S; or BCA Tracker 3, Tracker S or Tracker 4.)
- Avalanche Transceiver Batteries: One set of fresh batteries in your transceiver.
- Avalanche Probe: Lightweight aluminum or carbon fiber. At least 6 feet / 2 meters long.
- Avalanche Shovel: Lightweight metal with collapsible handle. Must meet UIAA standards for avalanche rescue shovels. Plastic shovels are not acceptable.
- Helmet: Lightweight. If bringing a climbing helmet, you must verify that it is certified for skiing.
Hydration
- Water Bottles: (2) 1-liter, wide-mouth plastic bottles. NALGENE©
Note: CamelBaks and other bladder-style hydration systems may be used in addition to two water bottles, but are not sufficient. Bladders may pop and hydration hoses freeze in the cold.
Personal Health and First Aid
- Small personal first-aid kit with medications and blister kit
- Plastic bowl, insulated mug, and spoon
- Toilet paper
- Blue bag or wag bag
- Earplugs
- Camera
- Pee Funnel (for Women), optional
- Hand Sanitizer
- Personal Items
Note: Pack basic medical supplies in a compact package. We recommend basic painkillers, Moleskin, first-aid or athletic tape, Band-Aids, and anti-septic wipes or gel.
Note: All solid waste must be carried out of the backcountry. One waste kit per 1-3 days is typically sufficient.
FITNESS
Physical fitness is the foundation of every mountain adventure. A strong cardiovascular system, endurance, core strength, flexibility and balance let us safely enjoy the spectacular terrain and close camaraderie we find in the planet’s highest places.
Backcountry skiing is a strenuous activity that imposes unique demands on our bodies. Skinning uphill requires aerobic fitness, while descending demands powerful, lower-body, ski muscles. Since we encounter a wide range of snow conditions in the backcountry, all participants must be strong resort skiers. To train for the ascents, we recommend hiking with a weighted pack. Running, swimming, cycling and other sports will help you prepare for your trip, but they are usually not sufficient. Even strong runners may struggle to carry a heavy pack over steep, uneven terrain for hours at a time. Do not underestimate the importance of mountain-specific training.
For your safety and the safety of your team, you must be able to maintain the pace set by our guides while maintaining reserves of strength. Moving more slowly can be dangerous. As the skiing day lengthens, we become fatigued and dehydrated. We lose precious daylight hours and we expose ourselves to quickly shifting mountain conditions and weather.
Training Resources:
Please read our Goals & Fitness guide for strategies to help you train for your climb.
Many climbers, particularly those who are new to the sport, will benefit from a workout plan designed to prepare you for the rigors of mountaineering. We recommend the following training resources:
Frequently Asked Questions
What about safety?
No matter if you have never climbed before, our instructors are prepared to help you learn mountaineering from the ground up. In addition to professional instruction in climbing skills, most importantly, you will learn skills that will keep you safe in the mountains. With an adventure sport like mountaineering, safety is paramount.
All our instructors have advanced avalanche training, wilderness medical training, and will instruct you how to be self-reliant in the mountains. Mountain climbing can be unpredictable – weather conditions can change in a moment and one wrong step can lead to an injury. Northwest Alpine Guides will instruct you how to climb safely and successfully.
Peaks of the North Cascades
Click to read more about the Peaks of the North Cascades in Washington State.
General FAQ’s
Click to read general Frequently Asked Questions
