Learning how to tour in the backcountry with touring skis or a splitboard can be a daunting endeavor. NCMG’s experienced guides will help you learn foundational skills, including skinning techniques, avalanche rescue, layering and packing considerations, and terrain selection. We help take the frustration out of learning to tour and keep things fun! Instead of heading out into unfamiliar backcountry terrain on your own, with no previous experience, our guides will take you to terrain they know and ski all the time and instruct you on the nuances of touring. This is our backyard, and nobody knows it better than NCMG guides, who live here year round and have unparalleled knowledge of the terrain, weather, and snowpack - and best of all, where to find fresh powder!
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We meet early at the North Cascade Heli base of operations located on the Wilson Ranch at 31 Early Winters Drive, Mazama, WA 98833 (this is temporary until our new facility, under construction, is completed in May 2020). Your guide will discuss the day’s itinerary, weather and snow conditions, recommended clothing and equipment, avalanche safety protocols, and then we head for the trailhead.
After the North Cascades Highway closes in late fall, much of our ski terrain must be accessed by snowmobile. Our Washington Pass backcountry skiing trips include the use of our snowmobiles (but you may use your own). NCMG guides will instruct you on how to safely operate and ride a snowmobile, even if it’s your first time riding a snowmobile. We have several snowmobiles and carry gear on a cargo sled. This also allows us to bring extra clothes, emergency equipment and other supplies that we can leave at the machines. We ride as a group up the highway via snowmobile, enjoying beautiful views along the way, to the base of the day’s objective. From there, we start the ascent using climbing skins attached to alpine touring skis or splitboards. At the end of the day, the snowmobiles are waiting for the ride back down to your vehicle.
The North Cascades Highway corridor has dozens upon dozens of touring options and runs, and we accommodate a wide variety of skier abilities. We have guided many first-time backcountry skiers and can customize a tour to focus on avalanche safety, advanced touring techniques, or just getting the best turns possible. These tours are offered almost every day of the winter with advance registration and may be arranged on a custom basis.
For those with backcountry skiing experience, we have terrain to accommodate all skier abilities from the enthusiastic intermediate to the expert ripper. Because our guides are out there most days of the winter, they are tuned in to finding the best snow and the terrain. Between the snowmobile ride, the awesome touring terrain and plenty of untracked powder, along with the experience and knowledge of a NCMG guide, a day (or more) of backcountry skiing with NCMG at Washington Pass promises to be an enjoyable and memorable adventure.
Strong intermediate to expert skiing and snowboarding ability is required. The backcountry environment is much more variable than on-piste, resort skiing with highly variable snow conditions including deep powder. Fitness level is important. You must be able to ascend uphill carrying a backpack and have the energy and strength to ski downhill – and repeat this more than once.
EQUIPMENT LIST – BACKCOUNTRY SKIING DAY TRIPS
TRIPS COVERED BY THIS LIST:
A NOTE ABOUT EQUIPMENT LISTS: Nothing can ruin a trip faster than having the wrong gear for the conditions at hand. All our programs are subject to rapid and severe changes in the weather. Select garments that are warm, lightweight and durable. Generally speaking, the best arrangement is to think in terms of layers – a system that dries quickly, allow flexibility and resists wind, water and abrasion. All of us have different tolerances for heat or cold; for example, you might choose warmer gloves than specified here if you tend to get cold hands. If you have doubts about a specific garment’s appropriateness, please talk to your guide in advance about conditions you are most likely to experience. This list is built for a trip with an unsettled weather forecast. With a good weather forecast some of these items may be left behind to save weight. All trips require that you bring adequate food and water, please see our “food” equipment list for details.
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CLOTHING Head, Hands & Feet
Upper Body Layers
Lower Body Layers
ACCESORIES
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ACCESSORIES continued…
SKI / RIDE
AVALANCHE SAFETY (these may be rented from NCMG)
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