Mount Baker Summit Ski Descent
Mount Baker Summit Ski Trip: A Classic Spring Ski Descent
A guided Mount Baker summit ski or splitboard descent, built around spring snow timing, glacier travel, and route decisions from local guides. Choose a 1, 2, or 3-day format and work with Guided Exposure to target the best available plan for the group, conditions, and weather window. This trip blends backcountry touring, summit-style travel, and a memorable ski or splitboard descent from one of the most iconic mountains in the North Cascades.
Multi-Day Ascent and Ski Descent
Multi-day options allow more time for alpenglow, ski coaching, weather flexibility, and spring corn snow timing. Skiing from a Cascade volcano is all about timing. Soft snow surfaces, freezing levels, visibility, wind, glacier travel, and route choice matter more than simply picking a date. A guided Mount Baker ski descent helps guests choose the best route, pace the ascent, manage glacier hazards, and line up a safer and more efficient descent when conditions align. On summit day, the guides choose the best available plan based on the groups fitness, weather conditions, and route options such as Coleman-Deming Glacier on the northwest side of Baker, the Squak Glacier of the south east side, or the Boulder Glacier on the east side of Mount Baker.
- Prices: Based on a minimum of 2 participants.
- Private Trips: Available for custom dates.
Part of our Mount Baker guide →
This ski focused trip is best suited for individuals with a strong intermediate or higher level of skiing and skinning ability, comfortable skiing or riding with a backpack, and a moderate or above level of fitness. Participants should be prepared to:
- Intermediate to Advanced Skiers/Riders: Suitable for guests with solid blue-black skiing ability.
- Physically Fit Individuals: Guests should be ready for a well paced 1,000' vertical per hour, but sustained 4,000' ascent per day and downhill ability in variable snow on a great introduction to a ski mountaineering objective.
-
Ski or Ride with a Backpack: Be comfortable carrying a backpack while skiing or riding. Maintain Fitness for 1-3 Days: Have the stamina and fitness for 1-3 consecutive days of mountain activity.
-
Multi-day trips: Ascend between 3,000 - 4,700 vertical feet and 4 miles each day. Or a total of 7,200 vertical feet over 12 miles round trip.
Single-Day Summit Ski Ascent
For those with strong fitness and skiing ability, a single-day Mount Baker summit ski descent may be available. Multi-day options are recommended for guests who want more time for pacing, coaching, and weather flexibility.
- 1 Day Trips: Ascend a total of 7,200 vertical feet over 12 miles round trip during a 10-16 hour day.
Day 1: Gear check and approach to camp or ski objective, depending on the trip length.
Day 2: Summit attempt or additional mountain travel based on the itinerary and conditions.
Day 3: Optional summit attempt or descent to the trailhead for 3-day trips.
Book Your Mount Baker Summit Ski Trip Today!
Come ski with the most experienced ski guides on Mount Baker. With hundreds of ski descents on all aspects of Baker, rest assured you'll be in good hands. Mount Baker's iconic spring terrain takes timing, pacing, and a team resolve to nail perfect visibility. Reach out with questions!
This trip is best for string intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers and splitboarders that ski off piste with confidence and style. Strong fitness and endurance to cover at least 3,600' and 4 miles per day with a backpack in variable mountain snow such as corn, crust, firm, or powder.
Guests can choose from 1-, 2-, or 3-day options depending on fitness, experience, schedule, and objectives. Multi-day options allow more time to watch the sunset and alpenglow, ski extra runs, coaching with accomplished ski mountaineers, and weather flexibility to nail that perfect weather window.
Possible route options include the northwest Coleman-Deming Glacier , the south east Squak Glacier, or the east side Boulder Glacier. Guides select the best option based on weather, group ability, seasonal access, mountain conditions and wilderness experience. We generally avoid the crowded tent city on the Easton Glacier.
Yes. Splitboarders are encouraged since there is no difference with modern equipment. Same requirements apply to all participants: They have an efficient touring setup, strong riding ability, and the fitness for sustained uphill travel and one of the premier ski descents in North America.
Mount Baker is the 2nd most glaciated peak in the lower 48 and holds the record for the most snow fall in a winter with 1,140 inches. Epic views over the Puget Sound, huge spring ski descent of 7,200' vertical, diverse alpine terrain from broad open slopes, to ridge lines, craters, and couloirs, and a memorable summit-to-base style ski objective.
Gear list
Gear list
Gear required varies trip to trip. Your guide helps you decide what to bring or leave during the gear check. Need to rent crampons, ice axe, harness, or helmet? Let us know when you book.
Cancellation
It is your responsibility to be familiar with our Payment, Cancellation, and Rescheduling Policies. When you book a trip with Guided Exposure, you are agreeing to our policies outlined here:
