Overview
Learn essential ski mountaineering skills
This trip is suitable for advanced skiers with backcountry experience and good fitness. The ascent involves moderate snow and ice travel with crampons and ice axes, roped team movement, and steady elevation gain over multiple days. The descent requires confident skiing in variable snow conditions on glacier terrain.
Beautiful Route
The Coleman-Deming route ascends Mount Baker's northwest side via the Coleman Glacier, offering dramatic views of the Puget Sound lowlands and North Cascades peaks. The ski descent delivers over 7,000 vertical feet through wide-open glacier fields and varied terrain, combining classic mountaineering with big-mountain skiing.
Season and Conditions
April–June - Best ski conditions are typically spring when consolidated snow provides excellent descents. Early season offers more continuous snow coverage.
Flexible itinerary & safety-first decisions
Guides may adjust camp location, route, and turnaround times based on weather, conditions, and team pacing to maximize safety and success.
details
Everything you need to know before you go
If you need to rent crampons, ice axe, harness, or helmet, you can let us know when you book!
Included
Lightweight dinners and breakfasts
Tents
Rope
cooking equipment
Expert Guides
permits
NOT Included
transportation
personal clothing/boots
snacks/lunches
Technical rentals - available upon request
Preparation
Fitness
techincal
Altitude
Itinerary
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1
Approach & Camp
Meet your guide at the Glacier Visitor Information Center for introductions and a complete gear check. We'll drive to the trailhead and hike through old-growth forest, across streams, and up through alpine meadows to treeline, where we'll set up high camp at the Hogs Back. The afternoon includes skills sessions covering crampon and ice axe technique, rope team travel, and glacier safety. After dinner, enjoy alpenglow on the mountain before resting up for the big day ahead.
DAY 2
Summit Day and Ski Descent
Our summit push begins before dawn with hot drinks and breakfast. We'll climb steadily upward with spectacular views of Baker's north face and Colfax Peak, navigating around crevasses on the Coleman Glacier. Your guides will provide coaching and pacing to give everyone their best shot at the summit. After celebrating on top and taking in the 360-degree views, we'll transition to skis for the descent—thousands of feet of glacier skiing back to camp through varied terrain and snow conditions. We schedule the summit for day 2 to allow maximum time for both the ascent and the long ski descent, rather than rushing on day 3.
DAY 3
Descent and Celebration
Start the morning with sunrise, hot coffee, and breakfast while sharing stories from yesterday's climb and ski. After breaking camp, we'll hike out through the forest back to the trailhead, taking in final views of Baker along the way. The descent typically takes 2-3 hours, arriving back at the Glacier Visitor Information Center by early afternoon. Many teams choose to grab lunch together to celebrate the adventure. If flying out the same day, book flights after 7pm to allow plenty of travel time to the airport.
FAQ's
FAQ's
Gear List
Gear List
Gear required to bring up on the mountain given the conditions may vary trip to trip. Your guide will help you decide what gear to bring or leave behind during the gear-check. If you need to rent crampons, ice axe, harness, or helmet, you can let us know when you book!
