Logistics

7:30 a.m. Course Location

We will meet at 7:30AM the morning of Day 1 at or near the course venue.  Your guide will be in touch a week prior with specific meeting time and location details.

Please be aware that the course venue may be forced to change due to weather, conditions, or road closures.

Transportation

Transportation is not provided. If you are renting a car, please be aware that most car rental agencies do not permit you to use chains with their vehicles. However, you can try to rent a car from Turo and select “all-wheel drive, ski rack, and snow tires / chains,” to find a vehicle that is already winter-ready. If you are in this situation, we recommend checking Turo well in advance to try and secure an appropriate vehicle to drive to your course.

Parking

Participants are responsible for any parking fees at trailheads. Many ski areas now charge a parking fee per vehicle if you do not have a season pass. We recommend checking the venue for your course to confirm any parking fees that may apply.

Snoqualmie Pass requires paid parking by vehicle, with exceptions made for passholders and 3+ person carpools. You can find the full parking guide here.

Winter Travel Advisory

Mountain road and mountain pass conditions can change dramatically over the course of a day. Please check the WSDOT website for conditions reports. Participants are responsible to ensure their vehicle meets WSDOT travel standards which could include required snow tires, chains, and/or AWD or 4WD. We strongly encourage participants to carpool when possible.

Mount Rainier Courses
Between November 1 and May 1, all vehicles in Mount Rainier National Park are required to carry tire chains. This requirement applies to all vehicle types in all weather and road conditions.  Weather in the park is notoriously quick to change, and sudden storms can appear with little or no warning.

Tire chains are available for rent at:

Whittaker Mountaineering
30027 State Route 706 E
Ashford, WA 98304
(360) 569-2142
whittakermountaineering.com

You can read more about the Mount Rainier National Park Tire Chain Requirement here.

Mount Baker Courses
Between November 1 and May 1, all vehicles on Hwy 542 up to Heather Meadows  are required to carry tire chains. This requirement applies to all vehicle types in all weather and road conditions.  Weather on Hwy 542 is notoriously quick to change, and sudden storms can appear with little or no warning. Please check the WSDOT website for current condition reports.

Snoqualmie Pass Courses 
For courses at Snoqualmie Pass, chains/all weather tires are encouraged but not typically required unless mandated by the Washington Department of Transportation.  Please be sure to check the WSDOT Twitter feed for the latest information.

Blewett Pass Courses
For courses at Blewett Pass, chains/all weather tires are encouraged but not typically required unless mandated by the Washington Department of Transportation.  Please be sure to check the WSDOT Twitter feed for the latest information.

Please be aware that the course venue may be forced to change due to weather, conditions, or road closures.

Rainier

Mt. Rainier, is the highest volcano and largest glaciated mountain in the contiguous U.S. This alpine giant is famous for its superior climbing as well as its pristine wilderness. The vast glaciers and alpine ridges of Mount Rainier offer endless stunning backcountry touring options.  With the parking at Paradise a lofty 5,400′ above sea level, we are transported right into Rainier’s legendary deep snowpack.

• The Paradise area at Mount Rainier is known for its snowfall which attracts skiers and snowboarders from across the country to its slopes.
• We are one of the few guiding services that is able to operate in Mount Rainier National Park and our guides are deeply familiar with the terrain and the best snow stashes.
• Mount Rainier is one of the most popular ski mountaineering areas in the Cascades – and for good reason. There is abundant snow and huge variety of backcountry and skiing opportunities for those that travel past the parking lot.

Mount Baker

Mt. Baker, the highest point of the North Cascades, is a heavily glaciated dormant volcano. The twelve active glaciers of Mt. Baker cover an area exceeding 20 square miles. Mt. Baker is unique in its great mass of snow and ice and easy accessibility. This combination creates a perfect training ground for backcountry skiing and riding.

• Setting the world record for recorded snowfall in a single season (1,140′ in 1999), Mt. Baker remains one of the snowiest spots in the Pacific Northwest and the world, attracting skiers and snowboarders from far and wide.
• The Heather Meadows area offers a plethora of prime ski tours for skiers/riders of all ability levels. From wide bowls, to tight trees, with no shortage of spiny lines, the Baker backcountry is the stuff of legend.
• On a clear day, backcountry travelers can bask in panoramic views of Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker.

Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Pass, is located less than an hour from Seattle and offers a convenient escape from the city.   A combination of high snowfall, easy accessibility, and desirable slopes and epic couloirs make Snoqualmie Pass one of the best zones in Washington and exceedingly popular with backcountry travelers of all experience levels.

• The roadside ski tours around Snoqualmie Pass and beyond are unusually steep and access excellent terrain. Plus, there are a lot of them! Some have called Snoqualmie Pass one of the densest ski touring areas in the country by pure volume of runs.

Blewett Pass

Blewett Pass (4,101′) is a hidden gem of backcountry ski terrain, especially for those newer to backcountry travel. Expect fewer crowds, drier snow, and more sunny days than options further west.

• Easy approaches on Blewett Passes nordic trails allow access to nicely gladed terrain in the more open east side forests.
• The north slopes of Diamond Head, Windy Peak, and Tronson Ridge provide the perfect setting for making decisions about which slopes to ride in the backcountry.

Rainier

The closest town to our Rainier courses is Ashford, Washington. A few options are below, but many others exist. There are many excellent Ashford rentals on AirBNB as well.

Whittaker’s Bunkhouse
Phone: (360) 569-2439
Website 

Nisqually Lodge
Phone: (360) 569-8804
Website

Alexander’s Lodge
Phone: (360) 569-2300
Website

Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Pass is about 55 miles east of Seattle. There are many rental options on AirBNB in the general vicinity as well as the hotel listed below. Otherwise, it is a very reasonable drive from Seattle which has many lodging options at all price points.

Summit Inn
Phone: (425) 434-6300
Website

Baker

The closest town to our Baker courses is Glacier, Washington (~ 22 miles).  It’s a very small town and there are not traditional hotels.  However, there are excellent and affordable rentals on AirBNB. Bellingham, Washington is farther away (~60 miles) but is a much larger town and has more lodging options and restaurants. We recommend finding a hotel on your preferred travel booking site at a price point that works for you.

Crystal Mountain

The closest large down to Crystal Mountain is Enumclaw (42.4 miles away) which has numerous hotel and AirBNB options. Greenwater (23.7 miles away) is much smaller, but does have several excellent housing options such as the Alta Crystal Resort.  If you’d like to stay at the course venue, Crystal Mountain Hotels offers three slope side lodging properties at Crystal Mountain: The Alpine Inn, The Village Inn and the Quicksilver Lodge. There is also RV camping available in the parking lot.