Washington's North Cascades Range, in particular, the Mt. Baker area, offers plenty of varied and beautiful backcountry skiing. This area is frequently blessed with ample snow (in 1998-99, the Mt. Baker Ski Area reported 1,140 inches - 95 feet - of snowfall!), and continues to provide both pristine skiing as well as a perfect classroom setting.
Boot-packing up the Shuksan Arm, outside of the Mt. Baker Ski Area. Coley Gentzel
We offer several backcountry skiing programs:
- 3-Day Intro to Backcountry Skiing for Intermediate/Advanced In-Bounds Skiers
- 5-Day Intro to Back Country Skiing for Beginning Skiers
- 6-Day AIARE Avalanche Level I Certification and Backcountry Skiing Combination (for intermediate/advanced skiers)
- Guided Ski Touring (any length)
- Ski Mountaineering - Ascents and Clinic
*See below for descriptions of courses.
3-Day Intro to Backcountry Skiing for Intermediate/Advanced In-Bounds Skiers
- February 11-13, 2008
- February 16-18, 2008
- March 15-17, 2008
"One run in the backcountry is worth ten in the front country." This is so commonly said that it has become a cliché . . . and, yet, it’s true. Come and join us on our three-day clinic designed to give you the basics for venturing beyond the constraints of the ski area and into the backcountry, where the real freedom of skiing begins.
ITINERARY:
Day 1 - We begin at Heather Meadows Lodge at the Mount Baker ski area. We start with introducing avalanche beacons, shovels and probes by practicing their proper storage, function and use. We will also learn about basic backcountry equipment such as skins, bindings, etc. With this knowledge we begin our first tour moving slowly as to introduce many of the big concepts such as terrain selection and evaluation, track setting, route finding, proper use of ski touring equipment and safety.
Day 2 -We will meet in the ski lodge and introduce navigational equipment covering the skills required for a tour plan. We then head to the backcountry where we will cover more terrain and have the opportunity for down hill track setting and safe efficient group movement. We will introduce navigational skills and continue to review and fine-tune all of the skills up to this point.
Day 3 - On this final day students have the opportunity to create their own tour plan and practice making decisions. This is the student’s chance to embody all of the skills that they learned while receiving hands on coaching and feedback.
Saturday Backcountry Touring Clinics: We also offer this course for skiers who have only Saturdays available. It takes place over three Saturdays during the months of February, March, and April.
The course dates are: February 23, March 22, and April26.
Leaving the Mt. Baker Ski Area for some peaceful backcountry touring.
6-Day AIARE Avalanche Level I Certification and Backcountry Skiing Combination
- February 8-13, 2008 (coincides with the February 8-10 Avalanche Level 1 course)
- March 7-12, 2008 (coincides with the March 7-9 Avalanche Level 1 course)
Anybody that is planning on venturing into the backcountry without a professional guide or instructor needs to have an understanding of snow stability. This course simply merges our Avalanche Level 1 course with our 3-Day Intro to Backcountry Skiing course.
ITINERARY:
Day 1, 2 and 3 - Avalanche Level 1 course.
Day 4: We begin by reviewing avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes by practicing their storage, function, and use. We will then examine a variety of options for basic backcountry equipment such as skins and bindings. With this knowledge, we begin our first tour moving slowly as to introduce many of the big concepts such as terrain selection and evaluation, track setting, route finding, proper use of ski touring equipment, and safety.
Day 5 - We will meet in the ski lodge and introduce navigational equipment covering the skills required for a tour plan. We then head to the backcountry where we will cover more terrain and have the opportunity for down hill track setting and safe efficient group movement. We will introduce navigational skills and continue to review and fine-tune all of the skills up to this point.
Day 6 - On this final day students have the opportunity to create their own tour plan and practice making decisions. This is the student’s chance to embody all of the skills that they learned while receiving hands on coaching and feedback.
Beautiful Mt. Baker. Shawn Olson
5-Day Intro to Backcountry Skiing for Beginner Skiers
This course is designed for those that have no to very little skiing experience and want to learn how to ski in order to go directly into the backcountry.
ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Beginning lessons at the Mt. Baker Ski area starting from White Salmon Lodge.
Day 2 - Beginning lessons at the Mt Baker Ski area
Day 3 - We begin at the Heather Meadows Lodge at the Mt. Baker ski area. We start with introducing avalanche beacons, shovels and probes by practicing their proper storage, function and use. We will also learn about basic backcountry equipment such as skins, bindings, etc. With this knowledge we begin our first tour moving slowly as to introduce many of the big concepts such as terrain selection and evaluation, track setting, route finding, proper use of ski touring equipment and safety.
Day 4 - We will meet in the ski lodge and introduce navigational equipment covering the skills required for a tour plan. We then head to the backcountry where we will cover more terrain and have the opportunity for down hill track setting and safe efficient group movement. We will introduce navigational skills and continue to review and fine-tune all of the skills up to this point.
Day 5 - : On this final day students have the opportunity to create their own tour plan and practice making decisions. This is the student’s chance to embody all of the skills that they learned while receiving hands on coaching and feedback.
Guided Ski Touring (any length)
If you're interested in hiring a guide for a guided ski tour of your choice, we offer the following locations:
- Mt. Baker Ski Area Backcountry
- Flanks of Mt. Baker
- Flanks of Mt. Shuksan
- Sahale Arm
- Boston Basin
- Ptarmigan Traverse
- Forbidden Tour
Please call our administrative office at 360-671-1505 to discuss these options.
Ski Mountaineering - Ascents and Clinic
Please see our Ski Mountaineering webpage for information on this program.
Skiers enjoy a mellow tour in the Mt. Baker backcountry, with Mt. Shuksan in the distance. Andy Bourne
Equipment and Gear Rentals
Avalanche Gear
AAI rents avalanche gear, including beacons, probes, and shovels. Pricing for two days is as follows:
Avalanche Kit (beacon, probe, shovel): $35
Beacon only: $25
Probe only: $14
Shovel only: $12
We also have packs and ski poles for rent, see AAI rental pricing sheet.
We don't have skis or snowboards for rent, so if you need to rent these items you can call the Glacier Ski Shop at 360-599-1943.
Course Goals
In each of our courses, we seek to help you develop a good working knowledge of :
- Touring gear
- Transceivers
- Skiing technique
- Terrain analysis for uphill and downhill track laying
- Use of map and compass
- Tour planning
- We will also help further refine personal backcountry skiing skills
All course leaders have extensive experience with ski instruction, rescue, and backcountry site analysis in the Cascades and other ranges. They are all AIARE Avalanche Level 1 and 2 certified, and many are avalanche instructors.
A Splitboarder reaps the rewards of her uphill effort. Andy Bourne
Client Comments
"The guide did a truly amazing job. His friendly and amiable demeanor, and knowledge of the terrain, snowpack, and safety equipment made our backcountry excursion one for the memory books. I would highly recommend AAI to anyone who is looking for an awesome backcountry skiing or snowboarding experience." - Brian Walsh, Greenwich, CT
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