Ski Mountaineering on Mount Shasta

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Mount Shasta, CA, please refer to the Official California State Government and Siskiyou County Public Health.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get in this adventure:

• • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • Two days of ski mountaineering
  • All group gear (tents, stove, ropes, fuel for stoves, ropes, wag bags, First Aid kit, snow pickets and rock protection)

What’s not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  • Transportation
  • Accommodation
  • Food and snacks
  • Camping fees (up to $5 per tent)

In order to enjoy this ski mountaineering adventure, you need to be a solid intermediate to advanced skier comfortable in various snow conditions ready to implement efficient climbing techniques on the way to Mt. Shasta. You’ll be required to use an ice axe and crampons and you also need to be in good shape and have excellent endurance seeing as you’ll climb over 7,000 ft before descending this marvelous volcano. The ascent to this peak poses a serious challenge and don’t forget that you need to be able to ski with a heavy pack while summiting this colossal volcanic mountain that lies ahead of you.

This two day trip to Mt. Shasta is intended for intermediate and advanced ski mountaineers and the participants are expected to have prior experience and knowledge when it comes to using an ice axe and crampons, as well as possess rope skills. This is a fast-paced adventure, but your guide will make sure to provide a quick refresher on these prerequisite skills so that you can experience this volcanic peak the right way.

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

• • Alpine touring skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
  • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
  • Ski crampons and strap
  • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    • Lightweight snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe
  • Lightweight ice axe (can be rented)
  • Crampons (steel or aluminium) (can be rented)
  • Climbing/ski helmet
  • Harness with two locking carabiners, a triple action locking carabiner, and belay device
  • Double length sling

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Goggles
  • Warm hat
  • Light to midweight neck gaiters, buff or your favorite face masks
  • Lightweight, synthetic/wool long sleeve base layer
  • 2 light to midweight insulating top layers
  • Midweight down or synthetic puffy with hood
  • Waterproof, light, hardshell jacket (Gore-Tex recommended)
  • Light gloves and midweight gloves
  • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
  • Breathable, weather resistant softshell ski pants
  • Vented hardshell ski pants
  • Four Seasons sleeping bag rated 0F-20F
  • Insulated inflatable sleeping pad
  • Compression stuff sack (to pack sleeping bag)
  • Backpack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 50L backpack)
  • Freeze fried or “just-add-hot-water” meal for each morning and night in the field
  • Thermos with a warm beverage
  • Soft water bottle 1.5L – flexible water bladder
  • Water treatment or filtration
  • Bowl and long handled spoon
  • Snacks
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, etc.)
  • First Aid/blister kit
  • Chemical hand warmers

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

• • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from your guides or Gear Delivery Service
  • Alpine touring skis, touring boots and poles as well as splitboards can be rented from your guides or Gear Delivery Service.

Ski rental locations are in Truckee and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

Group sizes:

• • For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 3:1.
  • Costs per person decrease as the group grows for this adventure, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family.

Ski mountaineering in Mt. Shasta can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Mt. Shasta, most people fly into Rogue Valley International, only 1.5 hours away from the town of Mount Shasta. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus to get to the town. The closest airport, however, is Redding Municipal Airport, just an hour away. Some bigger airports include Sacramento International Airport and Reno-Tahoe International Airport, about 4 hours away.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. From there, you’ll head to your tour. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ski ability of the group.