• Cascade Mountain Weather-NWAC Very detailed and relevant information for backcountry skiers and winter travelers. Also includes a discussion of avalanche hazard and the forecasted weather's influence on the snowpack. Only available during the winter months. NCMG's first choice for weather information.

• NWS Cascades Mountain Weather - Specific point forecasts for All mountain regions of the North Cascades . A good outlook on the next five days. One of the most visited weather sites for northwest weather.
   
• NWS Cascade mountain weather -Specific zone forecasts for West slopes and passes including freezing levels. A good outlook on the next five days.

• NWS Cascade Mountain Weather - Specific zone forecasts for East slopes and passes including freezing levels . A good outlook on the next five days.

• Northwest Avalanche Forecast Find out current avalanche conditions and zone forecasts for the entire Northwest. This should be your first stop before heading out in the morning to ski the backcountry.
  

• Current Weather and Snow in Mazama and Washington Pass With the help of weather telemetry at various mountainous regions throughout the state (including those mentioned above) its possible to see what the weather has been and is doing. Information provided includes temperatures, wind speed, direction and gusts, precipitation, relative humidity and more. A great way to gather information about the possible weather related effects on the snowpack, and to compare west side to east side conditions.
   
• Washington State Surface weather observations This is a site with surface weather observations all over Washington State. In addition to WA Pass, this accesses telemetry at Rainy Pass, Swamp Creek, Harts Pass and numerous other sites allowing you to check weather effects at sites with different elevations and points further west and north. A very useful forecasting tool.

• Friends of the NW Weather and Avalanche center Snowpack information exchange This site offers users throughout the Northwest a way to share information about snow and avalanche conditions. A great tool to get information if you haven't been out in a while or are if you are heading into a new area.
   
• Weather Front Satellite loop From the University of Washington Atmospheric Science department, this site will allow you to see the big picture to of Satellite images with the dominant frontal systems illustrated. Useful in helping you develop personal forecasting skills. 

• 4 day Precipitation forecast This site shows a graphical forecast map of the West with precipitation types and amounts for the following 4 days.

• West Coast Satellite Loop This site from the National Weather Service shows you a loop of 8 images in sequence so you can see the storm system and where the weather is coming from and going to. Scroll down to see all of the options. Our favorite is the Water Vapor Northwest US 4km loop.

• North Cascades National Park Webcam This digital camera from the Park Service visitor center in Newhalem offers a view up into the Pickett range allowing you to see for yourself what the weather is doing.

North Cascades Mountain Guides is proud partners with several manufacturers of fine outdoor products. Guides offer valuable advice on product development and wholeheartedly endorse the following companies.

• - Patagonia
  NCMG's official apparel sponsor. The long term leader and innovator in the outdoor clothing world. Their designs are among the cleanest and most functional on the market. A company that practices what it preaches, Patagonia donates 1% of annual sales to environmental groups and causes worldwide. They have also been on the forefront of using recycled materials to make fleece and using only organic cotton in their sportswear.

• - Backcountry Access
  BCA makes high performance equipment for accessing the backcountry: avalanche safety equipment, ski touring gear and cutting-edge climbing packs.
  

• - Garmont
  Manufacturers of the best boots you can buy. Everyone of the NCMG ski guides is skiing on the Mega Rides - that should say it all right there! Also a great lineup of approach shoes and alpine climbing boots.

• Dynafit
  The bindings that changed it all. A full line of ski mountaineering products including skis, boots, poles, packs, clothes and of course the amazingly lightweight and durable alpine touring binding, that every NCMG ski guide tours on.

• Karhu
  For over 30 years, Karhu has innovated with skis focused on the wilder side of winter, from Nordic touring through XCD, telemark and alpine touring. Designing equipment for skiers with a more adventurous streak, those willing to explore beyond the beaten path and put in the sweat equity to reap the rewards. Chalk it up to a Nordic heritage, but Karhu lives and breathes for the wilder snow of the backcountry, the quiet hiss of kick and glide through new snow, the Zen clarity of the climb, the thrill of the descent, and the open page of skiing into a vast, snowy wilderness.
  

• Sterling Rope
  NCMG's official provider and first choice of climbing ropes. With a full spectrum of cords from long lasting cragging ropes, to ultralight alpine ropes with the easy handling that Sterling is so famous for. If you find yourself dangling from the end of your guide's rope - rest easy, its a Sterling!

• - Cascade Cobbler
  Cascade Cobbler is a shoe repair center based in the foothills of the North Cascades of Washington in Mazama. They accept climbing and approach shoes from across the country in need of repair. For an awesome quality repair on your shoes and competitive prices check them out! They can offer weekend service - Contact them to see if your shoes can be repaired over the weekend while you're in the Methow.
   
• - Feathered Friends
  Since 1972 Feathered Friends been producing world-class down parkas and sleeping bags They also run an excellent retail shop located in Seattle. There you'll find some of the best climbing, mountaineering and backcountry ski equipment around. If it's rentals you need, they have everything from skis and skins to plastic boots and crampons. Visit them at 119 Yale Avenue North, just across the street from REI. Or give them a call at 206-292-2210. North Cascades Mountain Guides is very pleased to be able to offer its clients a discount with Feathered Friends. Clients will receive a 10% discount on the purchase of regularly priced goods and a 20% discount on rentals. As knowledgeable as they are they don't read minds, so you've got to tell them you're with us to get that good deal.
  

• - Mountain Gear
  Mountain Gear is proud to be a part of the Methow Valley Freeheel Festival! They are a premiere supplier of outdoor gear and equipment for all backcountry pursuits. Order off the website or by mail order at 1-800-829-2009, and when you're in Spokane, stop by and visit the store located just north of downtown at 2002 N. Division.
   
• - Kestrel Weather Instruments
  These pocket sized weather meters are invaluable for taking field weather observations. Functions include wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, heat main, barometric pressure elevation and more. Some models graph data over time for recording trends in weather patterns. A must for guides and other user who routinely dig data pits or record weather observations.
   
   
• -Pro Mountain Sports
  Featuring lightweight hiking and mountaineering equipment. Located in Seattle and operated by Methow part-timer, Jim Nelson.

• -Nunatak
  Nunatak is dedicated to custom design and manufacture of quality back country sleeping bags and garments utilizing 800+ goose down and sophisticated fabrics. Check out their line of ultra lightweight down products.
   
   
• - Winthrop Mountain Sports
  An excellent full service retail shop located right here in the valley. They carry a great selection of skis, climbing gear, packs, clothing, bikes and more. They also have a wide variety of rental gear available. Equipment Rental Form Call them at 509-996-2886.
     

• - Central Reservations
  An easy way to book accommodations in the valley. Tell them the dates you plan to be here, your price range and they can offer several options for lodging.
   
• - Mazama Country Inn
  The Mazama Country Inn offers unique lodgings. The rooms are warm and comfortable, with lots of wood yet airy and light. MCI also has a great in house restaurant, and can provide sack lunches for days in the mountains. NCMG clients receive 15%discount on lodging here. Call them at 509-996-2681.
  

•   -North Cascades Lodge
  A family, climber owned and operated facility in Mazama with a 6-bedroom environmentally friendly lodge and 2-bedroom cabin. Facility is on 22 acres backed by the Methow River, walking distance to Goat Wall & Fun Rock. Meals are made with mostly organic, locally grown or locally bought goods, hot tub, disc golf course, slack line and more. Contact us at 509-996-2334 or info@northcascadeslodge.com NCMG clients receive a 15% discount on your reservation.

•   The Chewuch Inn
  The Chewuch Inn offers 11 well appointed rooms & 6 cozy cabins all with walking distance from the "Old West" town of Winthrop. Enjoy down bedding with high quality linens, fireplace rooms or cabins and our delicious full breakfast buffet. NCMG customers receive a 15% discount on your reservation.

•   - Methow Valley Homepage
  Lots of information about local activities, weather, bulletin boards and a webcam for a birdseye view of what's going on in the valley.

•   - The Rock 'N River Guest House
  For an unforgettable stay in Mazama, check out The Rock 'N River Guest House.

• - Freestone Inn and Cabins A beautiful rustic lodge with 5 star restaurant right here in Mazama. NCMG clients receive a 15% discount on lodging here. Call them at 509-996-3906.

• Methow Blogs a complete list of all of the blogs originating in the Methow Valley. A good place to put your finger on the pulse of the valley.

• Alpinism and Ski
  Alpinism & Ski for adventures in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, mountain and ski guiding, from easy half day trekking excursions to week long guided climbing and ascents trips, mountaineering instruction and avalanche courses, ski and snowboard touring with boutique arrangements for a hosted stay.

• - American Mountain Guides Association
  The American Mountain Guide Association is a non-profit organization that seeks to represent the interests of American mountain guides by providing support, education, and standards. At NCMG all of our guides are professional members of the AMGA.
   
• 
  40 Degrees provides adventure travel, guide services and tour arrangements in Patagonia, Argentina and Chile. They specialize in expeditions, tours and adventure travel for environmentally conscious travelers that include hiking, trekking, backpacking, climbing, birdwatching, sightseeing, outdoor and wildlife photography and horseback riding.

• -North Cascade Heli
  The other ski guide service in the Methow Valley. NCH offers the ultimate backcountry ski experience with everything from the one lift "Super tour", where you will ski back to the Methow valley, to the "Custom tour" (heli access touring), to full days of alpine skiing in the wild North Cascades. NCMG partners with NCH for our level 2 avalanche course. Every skier should experience this at least once.
   

• - Access Fund
  Thanks to the hard work of these folks we have access to many of the most popular and famous climbing areas in the nation. If you climb,you should be a member of the Access fund. The unsung heroes of the climbing world.
   
   

• - American Institute of Avalanche Research & Education
  There is no nationally recognized curriculum for avalanche education in the USA. There are many avalanche courses and programs available but in large part, course providers operate according to their own personal beliefs and ideas. There are few means for the public to assess the quality of an avalanche course or instructor. AIARE was formed to address this situation. NCMG utilizes AIARE curriculum for all of its avalanche training courses.
   
• - Off-Piste
  The Backcountry Adventure Journal. Dedicated to all forms of backcountry snow travel, this site includes news, instructional articles, lots of great photos, product reviews, and more. This is a site you will want to bookmark.

• - Outdoor Recreation Insurance
  ORI (“Outdoor Recreation Insurance”) is affordable personal accident coverage for snow, mountain and paddle enthusiasts.  Through a special group arrangement, AMGA guides and their clients have access to ORI, which provides benefits for ambulance and medical expenses.  This coverage is not available to the general public.  Benefits are paid directly to the injured person and can be used as a supplement to health insurance (to pay deductibles, co-insurance, etc.) or, if you have no health insurance, as 'primary' coverage for specified accidents.  Clients may choose annual or daily coverage.  See our registration materials for enrollment instructions under our account.  It takes only a few minutes to sign up.
   
   

• -Wilderness Medicine Training Center
  The Wilderness Medicine Training Center is dedicated to providing the best possible instruction in the field of wilderness medicine. Based out of Mazama, WMTC offers several courses for certification including WIderness First responder, and Wilderness Advanced First Aid. Many NCMG guides hold WMTC certification.