Three-Day Komo Kushan / Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering Course in the North Cascades
This Mount Baker ski mountaineering and glacier climbing course is designed for individuals seeking to build essential skills in snow, ice, and glacier travel on one of Washington’s most iconic glaciated peaks. Students learn current industry standard mountaineering techniques for safe ascent and descent, preparing them for successful climbs and ski descents on glaciated mountains in the North Cascades and beyond. The goal of this course is to develop confident, self-reliant ski mountaineers ready to explore Mount Baker and other major alpine objectives independently. This program offers an excellent foundation for skiers looking to gain independence in the alpine environment and develop ski touring skills for glaciated terrain.
Set in the dramatic alpine terrain of Komo Kushan / Mount Baker, this three-day course provides unmatched hands-on instruction in a real glacier environment. Active glaciers, variable snow conditions, and sweeping views of the North Cascades create an ideal learning setting for glacier travel, crevasse rescue, and ski mountaineering skills. The course typically concludes with a Komo Kushan / Mount Baker summit attempt, giving participants the opportunity to apply newly developed skills on a classic Pacific Northwest alpine climb.
Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering & Glacier Climbing Course Overview
Course Level & Prerequisites
This is an intermediate to advanced-level Komo Kushan / Mount Baker ski mountaineering course designed for experienced skiers and riders looking to expand their skills in glaciated alpine terrain. Level 1 avalanche training, intermediate ski ability, and previous ski touring experience are strongly recommended. The course is open to alpine touring skiers, telemark skiers, and splitboarders.
Participants should be prepared for the physical and technical demands of ski mountaineering on Mount Baker’s glaciers and steep snow terrain.
Physical & Technical Requirements
This course involves challenging terrain and demanding conditions commonly found on Komo Kushan / Mount Baker and other North Cascades peaks, including:
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Skiing with a day pack and overnight pack up to 45 lbs
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Travel in intermediate to advanced alpine terrain, including slopes up to black diamond difficulty
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Glacier travel and steep snow climbing
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Long days in potentially adverse mountain weather
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Strong fitness and confidence skiing variable snow and terrain
Skiers and riders should be in excellent physical condition and capable of moving efficiently in complex alpine environments.
Komo Kushan / Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering Course Curriculum
Instruction focuses on the practical skills needed for safe and efficient travel on Mount Baker’s active glaciers, with an emphasis on real-world application.
Terrain Management
-
Hazard assessment, efficiency, and movement speed
-
Uphill track setting and terrain management
-
Downhill terrain evaluation and decision-making
Snow & Glacier Travel Skills
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Snow climbing techniques and ice axe positioning
-
Self-arrest techniques
-
Crampon use for snow and ice climbing
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Roped glacier travel and route finding through crevassed terrain
Technical Mountaineering Systems
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Snow and ice anchor selection, construction, and equalization
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Prusiking and team crevasse rescue
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Rappelling and rope management
Mountain Awareness & Navigation
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Glacier formation, glaciology, and crevasse pattern prediction
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Navigation using maps, altimeters, and compasses
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Mountain weather, alpine ecology, hazard assessment
-
Leave No Trace ethics in alpine environments
Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering & Glacier Climbing Course Overview
Course Level & Prerequisites
This is an intermediate to advanced-level Komo Kushan / Mount Baker ski mountaineering course designed for experienced skiers and riders looking to expand their skills in glaciated alpine terrain. Level 1 avalanche training, intermediate ski ability, and previous ski touring experience are strongly recommended. The course is open to alpine touring skiers, telemark skiers, and splitboarders.
Participants should be prepared for the physical and technical demands of ski mountaineering on Mount Baker’s glaciers and steep snow terrain.
Physical & Technical Requirements
This course involves challenging terrain and demanding conditions commonly found on Komo Kushan / Mount Baker and other North Cascades peaks, including:
-
Skiing with a day pack and overnight pack up to 45 lbs
-
Travel in intermediate to advanced alpine terrain, including slopes up to black diamond difficulty
-
Glacier travel and steep snow climbing
-
Long days in potentially adverse mountain weather
-
Strong fitness and confidence skiing variable snow and terrain
Skiers and riders should be in excellent physical condition and capable of moving efficiently in complex alpine environments.
Komo Kushan / Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering Course Curriculum
Instruction focuses on the practical skills needed for safe and efficient travel on Mount Baker’s active glaciers, with an emphasis on real-world application.
Terrain Management
-
Hazard assessment, efficiency, and movement speed
-
Uphill track setting and terrain management
-
Downhill terrain evaluation and decision-making
Snow & Glacier Travel Skills
-
Snow climbing techniques and ice axe positioning
-
Self-arrest techniques
-
Crampon use for snow and ice climbing
-
Roped glacier travel and route finding through crevassed terrain
Technical Mountaineering Systems
-
Snow and ice anchor selection, construction, and equalization
-
Prusiking and team crevasse rescue
-
Rappelling and rope management
Mountain Awareness & Navigation
-
Glacier formation, glaciology, and crevasse pattern prediction
-
Navigation using maps, altimeters, and compasses
-
Mountain weather, alpine ecology, hazard assessment
-
Leave No Trace ethics in alpine environments
Gear List
Base Camp Equipment list
- Shovel
- Probe
- Transceiver (3-antenna)
- Ski touring skis or splitboard
- Skins
- Personal repair kit specific to your equipment
- Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
- Ski poles
- Headlamp
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Personal first aid supplies
- Toque
- Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
- Puffy jacket
- Warm layers for upper and lower body adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
- Thick gloves
- Spare gloves
- Lightweight harness (if possible otherwise climbing harness will work)
- 3 locking carabiners
- 1 triple action captive eye locking carabiner
- 3 non-locking carabiners
- 240cm sewn sling (or 5m of webbing)
- 5m x 6mm accessory cord
- Personal prussik
- Micro-traxion (optional)
- Tibloc (optional)
- Ice screw (between 12-22cm)
- 40L backpack
- Ice Axe
- Ski crampons
- Lightweight crampons
- Puffy pants (recommended for around camp)
- Warm layers for upper and lower body
- Socks x 2-3
- Spare underwear
- Sleeping Bag (at least -18 degrees)
- Inflatable sleeping pad
- Foam sleeping pad
- Inflatable sleeping pad
- Down/synthetic booties for wearing around camp
- Fork/spoon
- Large bowl
- Drinking mug with lid
- Toiletries
- 4-season tent (rentals available)
- Cloth grocery bags (or stuff sacks) to anchor tent in snow
- Guy lines for tent
Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering & Glacier Climbing Course
Price
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$1,245USD – 3 Days
- Dates May 15-17, 2026
Price Includes
- Guide services
- Group Climbing Equipment
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Price Does Not Include
- Meals on the mountain
- Personal ski and touring gear
- Beacon, probe, shovel
- Gratuities for guides
- Mt Baker / Komo Kulshan Weather
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