Backcountry Ski Tours
Get your “Hippie Pow” and “Steep and Deep” here in the Cascades
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding out of bounds and away from the Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass resort crowds is one of the most rewarding of all winter activities close to Seattle. Untracked powder, diverse terrain, majestic views, and group camaraderie makes off piste an activity not to be missed.
If your new to getting out-of-bounds, join us for a Backcountry Skiing Fundamental Course and an Avalanche Level 1 Skills Training Class to round out your education.
Grab your climbing skins, splitboard, AT set-up, and get ready to skin your way into a grand winter adventure in the Cascades! You can design your own trip or check out our “Hippie Pow” or “Steep and Deep” programs and discover the beauty of the mission to “earn your turn” when alpine touring.
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Trip Perks
With some of the most epic snowfalls recorded on the planet, the snow in the Cascades can be as deep as imaginable. And given its proximity to Seattle, the access can’t be beat, a mere hour or two and you’re strapping on your skins.
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Description
Whether you are a graduate of our Backcountry Fundamentals Course or are an experienced backcountry skier or snowboarding, there is enough terrain to satisfy all. These tours are arranged on a custom basis with your desires and skills in mind, and as importantly, where and when the best conditions are to find the best secret stashes of untracked powder flexibility is key.
We will meet at 7:00 am at the prearranged location to perform a gear check and introductions, and then we start our tour. After a review of avalanche rescue, we head out for a full-day tour. With luck, we will find some untracked conditions! You can expect to be in the field until 3 pm so come prepared with food, clothing, and water (hot drinks in a thermos is nice) for the day!
Locations included:
Snoqualmie Pass
- Kendal Trees
- Source Lake
- Snow Lake
- Pineapple Pass
Stevens Pass
- Skyline Ridge
- Valhalla Lake
- Yodelin
- Lichtenberg Mountain
Other locations include Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and Washington Pass
Mountain Madness will work with you to determine the best location and dates, you’ll just need to have all your gear ready. If you are relatively new to the backcountry you can grab a couple of friends and join us in seeking out the “hippie pow,” a term used to describe deep snow on gentle terrain, fun for all and requiring no formal avalanche education training. In the case of more advanced tours, your avalanche safety skills will need to be current and all the necessary equipment such as shovels, probes, and transceiver available. If you need a refresher or are new to touring, you can check out these two courses to make sure you’re ready to go.
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Qualifications
Previous ski touring experience is not required for entry level tours. For more advanced tours we suggest you talk with our office to confirm the qualifications needed.
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Legendary snowfall and ski conditions!
The Pacific Northwest is ranked on average as the snowiest region in the United States. With a coastal maritime climate, the Pacific North West (PNW) boasts an average of about 600 + inches of snow annually. In fact, Mt Baker ski resort holds the world record for the most snowfall in a single season, wherein 1998 – 99 received 1,140 inches, that’s 95ft! There is no such thing as snow stress in the PNW where it is common to have storms that bring feet at a time rather than inches. Fat skis have the perfect home here so pull out your “water skis” and come ski some of the deepest snow on earth!
Like all mountain ranges, the weather in the Cascades is un-predictable and can roll in at any time limiting the productivity of your trip. Mountain Madness has no control over this weather and therefore last minute decisions are sometimes made to save the trip from being completely cancelled.
Have a Question? Contact Us!
Price
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Backcountry Ski Tours
from $275 – 1-4 Days
- 1:1 - $580 per person
- 2:1 - $450 per person
- 3:1 - $375 per person
- 4:1 - $325 per person
- 5:1 - $300 per person
- 6:1 - $275 per person
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Price Includes
- Group climbing equipment
- Guide services
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Price Does Not Include
- Airfare
- Transportation
- Meals on the mountain
- Hotel accommodations
- Restaurant meals
- Gratuities for guides
- All personal equipment
- Travel insurance with trip cancellation, medical and evacuation policy
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Payment Schedule
- $250 deposit at time of registration, which includes a $200 non-refundable registration fee
- Balance due 90 days prior to departure
- The balance can be paid by check, wire transfer, ACH or credit card with a 3% convenience fee
Dates
Ski Tours are Arranged on a Custom Basis — Contact Us
Policies
Trip Cancellation Policy - Domestic
- MMI strongly recommends trip cancellation/interruption and evacuation insurance for all trips. Our insurance partner, Ripcord, offers comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, as well as rescue/evacuation policies and can assist in answering any questions. In addition, Participant is expected to have sufficient medical insurance as prescribed by their country of origin. Participant understands that MMI does not include any type of insurance with the cost of the trip.
- If you decide to cancel your trip or change your itinerary, MMI must be notified in writing. Your trip will be cancelled from the date written notice is received. If proper written cancellation notice is not received, amounts paid and reservations made will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable fees may apply for certain trips in order to secure permits and other services. MMI must strictly adhere to cancellation policies outside MMI’s control.
- Due to the personalized service we offer on our trips, MMI reserves the right to waive any fees. We will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations, waiving certain fees when feasible.
- Circumstances outside the control of MMI and its partners, may require amended cancellation/refund policies. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to COVID-19, natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism and so forth.
Domestic Trips/Courses:
- Full refund, less the non-refundable registration fee, will be provided 91 days or more before the departure date
- No refunds will be provided 90 days or less before the departure date
Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel cancellation insurance to protect you from the unexpected. You aren’t likely to think of it now, but people do get ill, break a bone, have a family emergency or get assigned to a last-minute business trip. If you are in remote areas, please note that emergency rescue & evacuation can be very expensive.
We also strongly urge you to consider rescue and evacuation insurance if your own policy does not provide the coverage needed. Services available may include, but are not limited to, helicopter evacuation, medical care, etc.
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. We are not the experts and therefore ask that you please consult our travel insurance partner directly with any specific questions.
To protect against losses due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, Mountain Madness strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance as soon as possible after making a deposit. Mountain Madness has partnered with Redpoint Resolutions as our preferred travel insurance provider. Redpoint’s Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ is designed for adventurers.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ or call +1 – 415-481‑0600. Pricing varies based on age, trip cost, trip length, and level of coverage.
Critical benefits of Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance include:
- A completely integrated program with a single point of contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims
- Evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice
- Comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, baggage loss or delay, emergency accident and emergency sickness medical expense, emergency dental, accidental death and dismemberment, and more
- Optional security evacuation coverage in case of an unplanned natural disaster or other security events
- Waiver for pre-existing conditions (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
- Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
Equipment for Backcountry Ski Tours
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Climbing Gear
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Skis
with alpine touring or telemark bindings
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Split snowboard
backcountry touring specific snowboard
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Collapsible Ski Poles
adjustable ski poles with powder (big) baskets
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Climbing skins
with Glop Stopper skin wax
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Avalanche Beacon
beacon needs to be on 457 frequency
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Avalance Probe
no ski pole probes!
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Shovel
small collapsible style
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Snow study kit (optional)
optional except the Level 2 course
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Snow saw (optional)
optional but recommended
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Head and Face
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Fleece or wool hat
It must cover the ears
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Ski goggles
To fit over glacier glasses in high wind. Rose or amber lenses
Examples:
Smith, Oakley
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Sunglasses
Essential eye protection whether in the tropics or by the water. Look for 100% UVA/UVB protection. Consider bringing a spare pair
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Shade hat or baseball cap
A visor hat with a good brim is essential for protection from the sun
Examples:
Mountain Madness trucker hat
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Hands
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Liner gloves
Two pairs thin fleece or synthetic
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Mid-weight gloves
1-2 pairs
Examples:
Black Diamond Punisher Glove
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Heavyweight shell glove
Gore-tex or equivalent (trips before July)
Examples:
Black Diamond Enforcer Glove
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Feet
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Liner socks (optional)
1-pair lightweight and thin
Examples:
polypropylene or wool
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Syntheric or wool socks
check boot fir to make sure they work together
Examples:
Smartwool ,Patagonia
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Alpine touring ski or snowboard boots
lightweight
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Upper Body
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Synthetic t-shirts
Two synthetic or merino wool t-shirts. No cotton!
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Long-sleeved Base Layer
Two lightweight to mediumweight, pull-over is best
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Second heavyweight base layer
or lightweight fleece if necessary. Base layer preferred
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene, wool, polypro
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Sports bras
Two, synthetic, no cotton!
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Softshell Jacket w/ hood
This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while kicking around camps at lower altitude. This jacket should be full-zip
Examples:
Outdoor Research Ferrosi
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Hardshell jacket w/ hood
A good jacket made of Gore-Tex (recommended) or waterproof nylon, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers
Examples:
Outdoor Research Foray, Patagonia Triolet
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Down or synthetic jacket w/hood
This is your most important piece of warm gear and will mean the difference between an enjoyable climb or a miserable one. A warm, full zip jacket with hood is ideal.
Examples:
Helly Hansen Vanir, Feathered Friends Volant, Marmot Guide’s Down Hoody, Outdoor Research Virtuoso Hoody
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Sun hoody
This piece with a high SPF rating and lightweight fabric offers protection from high altitude sun
Examples:
Outdoor Research
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Lower Body
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Long base layer
Two pairs light or mediumweight
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Softshell pants
Softshell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable. Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights higher on the mountain or summit day
Examples:
Outdoor Research Voodoo, Mountain Hardwear Touren, Patagonia Guide
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Hardshell pants
waterproof and breathable with side zips (minimum of ¾ zips recommended) Gore-Tex or equivalent
Examples:
Outdoor Research Furio, Arcteryx Beta AR
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Miscellaneous
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Personal first aid kit (NW)
moleskin/blister kit, Band-aids, athletic tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, ect
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Lip balm
Must have SPF rating of 20 or more. Bring two just in case!
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Sunscreen
Bring plenty of sun block with SPF of 40 or more. It's easy to underestimate the amount necessary for your trip!
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Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizing liquid drops
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Headlamp
Bring extra batteries!
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Water bottles
two 1 liter wide-mouth water bottles
Examples:
Nalgene
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Hydration bladder (optional)
hydration bladder or water bag with drinking tube (must also have 1 Nalgene Bottle or equivalent)
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Water purification
Steri Pen, Potable Aqua, Polar Pure crystal iodine. Purifies drinking water while on the trip.
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Pocket knife or multitool
Simple Swiss Army type with scissors. Make sure you transport in checked bag, not carry-on!
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Toiletry kit (NW)
toilet paper stored in double zip lock bags
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Nylon stuff sacks
for food and gear storage, large ziplocs are useful
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Large plastic bags
Sleeping bag and clothes will be double-bagged while on the trek for protection from rain. Heavy duty garbage bags or trash compactor bags work great and can store dirty or wet clothes as well
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Bandana (optional)
lightweight
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Snacks (general)
Bring your favorite snacks and power/energy bars or if there is something else you particularly like to eat while hiking and climbing
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Camera (optional)
or any sort of device that takes pictures
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Book Trip
Backcountry Ski Tours
from $275
1-4 Days
- 1:1 - $580 per person
- 2:1 - $450 per person
- 3:1 - $375 per person
- 4:1 - $325 per person
- 5:1 - $300 per person
- 6:1 - $275 per person
ROUTES
Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and Washington Pass
Difficulty
All levels welcome. Please consult with our office to find the tour for you.
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