Mt. Rainier Ski Mountaineering Seminar

This seminar has the one of the best ski mountaineering training curriculums in North America. Come join us for an unforgettable ski and mountain experience. It is not an exaggeration to say that Mt. Rainier has some of the world's finest alpine ski mountaineering terrain. You will be skiing and training on a wide variety of fantastic terrain including glaciers, chutes, and long descents. Besides the incredible skiing you will be learning advanced skills. The guides are top ski mountaineering instructors and will cover the latest ski touring and ski mountaineering techniques that will allow you to gain maximum enjoyment traveling in this spectacular environment.

This includes ski mountaineering anchors, steep skiing techniques, and roped and belayed skiing. Winter navigation, route selection, snow pack evaluation and avalanche hazard assessment are also emphasized in this program. The Ski Mountaineering Seminar is designed for people with solid intermediate alpine (downhill) or telemark skiing skills. If you are new to the sport or have concerns about your skiing ability you will want to join our ski mountaineering training program at Crystal Mountain.

Why Choose This Program?

This program is designed specifically for the intermediate or better alpine (downhill) skier or ski mountaineer who wants to ski incredible glaciated mountain terrain. This is also the opportunity to gain valuable experience in winter conditions in the alpine environment. This is an excellent training program for persons wishing to prepare for a future ski descent from the summit of Mt. Rainier or ski-assisted expeditions such as Denali and Mt. Logan.

Our Guides

The leader of this program will be chosen from among our AMGA certified ski guides. You can count on the very best of ski instruction from our internationally renowned staff of guides.

We employ a light and efficient philosophy for climbing on this program. We help you go through your personal climbing gear to make sure you are not carrying anything unnecessary up the mountain in order to maximize enjoyment of your ski descents.

Fitness and Skiing Ability

The Ski Mountaineering Seminar is designed for people with strong intermediate alpine (downhill), telemark or splitboard skills. The goal is to ski effortless powder but sometimes you have to ski through less than perfect snow to get there.

Ski mountaineering on Mt. Rainier is a serious endeavor and one that demands good physical fitness. It is the most imposing glaciated peak in the lower 48 States and has long been a premier training ground for climbs such as Denali, Aconcagua and the Himalayas. To learn more about training for this trip, please read our Training Suggestions on the Rainier FAQ page. If you are new to the sport or have concerns about your skiing ability, you will want to join our ski mountaineering training program at Crystal Mountain.

Prerequisites

All participants must have excellent physical fitness and strong intermediate or better skiing ability in varied snow conditions.