What you get in this adventure: An experienced, certified mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area 1, 2, or 3 days of ski mountaineering depending on your chosen itinerary All group gear (tents, stove, 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)

How fit do I need to be?

In order to enjoy these ski mountaineering adventures, you need to be in great physical shape and have excellent endurance seeing as you’ll climb over 7,000 ft before descending this marvelous volcano. You need to be confident in various snow conditions and ready to implement efficient climbing techniques.The ascent to this peak poses a serious challenge, especially on a 1-day trip where you’ll summit the mountain in one single and continuous push. You need to be able to move quickly for thousands of feet and many hours. While attempting the summit is easier over 2 or 3 days, it is still quite strenuous. Don’t forget that you need to be able to carry a heavy pack while summiting this colossal volcanic mountain that lies ahead of you.

What if I’ve never ski mountaineered before?

These ski mountaineering trips to Mt. Shasta are 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.

What equipment do I need to bring?

All of the group gear for the trip will be provided by your guiding service and it includes tents, stove, fuel for stoves, ropes, wag bags, First Aid kit, snow pickets and rock protection. 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 Hard sided water bottle Soft water bottle 1.5L – flexible water bladder Water treatment or filtration Bowl and long handled spoon Snacks and food you can eat on-the-go Toiletries (sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp with fresh batteries Chemical hand warmers

Can I rent equipment?

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 and age requirements

Group sizes: For the Full-Day Ski Mountaineering Trip on Mount Shasta, the max. client-to-guide ratio is 2:1 For the 2- and 3-day Ski Mountaineering Trips on Mount Shasta, the max. client-to-guide ratio is 3:1. Costs per person decrease as the group grows for these private adventures, 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.

Getting there and meeting location

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, you’ll meet your guide at the trailhead. 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.

Covid measures in 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!

Mount Shasta | California

Ski Mountaineering on Mount Shasta

5.00 ()

View of Mt. Shasta on a beautiful bluebird day

A ski mountaineer fixing his crampons while summiting Mt. Shasta

Mt Shasta as seen from Mt Shasta (city), California, USA

From $950 ()

Duration

1-3 days

Season

April through May

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Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

If you’ve ever wondered what conquering a volcanic mountain peak would be like, look no further! Shaped for centuries by numerous layers of hardened lava, Mt. Shasta has become one of the most stunning ice-topped volcanoes whose sublime beauty bedazzles even the most seasoned ski mountaineers. Standing at an elevation of 14,179 ft (4,322 m) and boasting an abundance of accessible routes with open glades and quality snowpack, the second-highest peak in the Cascades is ideal for those in quest of a challenging, yet immensely rewarding ski mountaineering experience. You’ll be accompanied by a professional guide whose main priority is your safety, so you can put your mind at ease and have a blast on this stunning mountain. Find out more about Mount Shasta, one of the best backcountry locations in California, from 57hours in collaboration with local guides.

Adventure highlights

Escape the crowds and find inner peace in this mountainous haven
Feel a sense of pride upon scaling one of twelve California’s 14ers
Soak in the picture-postcard vistas that the snow-capped volcanic peak offers

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Available itineraries

Full-Day Ski Mountaineering Trip on Mount Shasta

Summit Mount Shasta in one single and continuous push with an experienced guide navigating you along the way. After climbing and skiing 7,000 vertical feet (2,134 m) in order to reach the top, get back to the trailhead without camping or taking long breaks. This 12-hour trip is strenuous, but you’ll reap incredible rewards and soak up stunning views. The ascent and descent options include Avalanche Gulch, West Face, Brewer Creek, and Clear Creek.

2-Day Ski Mountaineering Trip on Mount Shasta

Treat yourself to two days of ski mountaineering on one of the most spectacular volcanic mountains the U.S. has to offer. While climbing the peak with your guide, you’ll get to brush up on your ski mountaineering skills and discover some phenomenal panoramic views that no photo can do justice to. There are multiple ascent and descent options such as Avalanche Gulch, West Face, Brewer Creek, and Clear Creek.

Day 1: Get ready for the summit

At 8 am, you’ll meet your guide at the trailhead. Afer a quick gear check, the guide will review the plan for the day and discuss the route. If needed, last minute adjustments will be made. The guide will conduct a trailhead departure and beacon check. At 8:30 am you’ll start ascending and build a camp. At 12 pm, there will be a skills review. Prior experience is helpful, but your guide will provide a review of crampons, ice axe arrest and glacier rope travel. At 5 pm, you’ll review the plan for the following day with your guide, pack what you can to prepare and get to bed early to set yourselves up for an alpine start for the summit attempt.

Day 2: Summit day

Upon waking up, your journey to the summit begins with an alpine start. Your guide will set the time based on the weather forecast. After that, it’s time for the summit attempt. This will be a long day, with over 4,000 ft (1,220 m) of elevation gain over various snow surfaces and steep slopes. Once you reach your high point, you’ll descend the route and ski on various locations with the best snow!
When you get back to the camp, you’ll pack up your bags and descend to the trailhead. The goal is to be down by early afternoon.

3-Day Ski Mountaineering Trip on Mount Shasta

Get ready for an unforgettable 3-day/2-night ski mountaineering adventure and scale the magnificent Mount Shasta. Sharpen your ice axe, crampons, and skills and revel in the striking vistas anywhere you look. With an experienced guide by your side, you’re guaranteed to learn something new and become a more proficient ski mountaineer! The ascent and descent options include Avalanche Gulch, West Face, Brewer Creek, and Clear Creek.

Day 1: Get ready for the summit

Meet your guide at the trailhead at 8 am. The guide will carry out a quick gear check, review the plan for the day and discuss the route up to camp. If needed, last minute adjustments will be made. The guide will also conduct a trailhead departure check and beacon check.
At 8:30 am you’ll start ascending and build a camp. At 12 pm, your guide will conduct a skills review. While prior experience is helpful, your guide will provide a review of crampons, ice axe arrest and glacier rope travel, which will be a great opportunity to develop your ski mountaineering skills even further. At 5 pm, you’ll review the plan for the following day with your guide, pack what you can, and get to bed early to set yourselves up for an alpine start for the summit attempt.

Day 2: Summit day

Your journey to the summit begins with an alpine start. Your guide will set the time based on the weather forecast and you’ll begin the summit attempt. This will be a long day, with over 4,000 ft (1,220 m) of elevation gain over various snow surfaces and steep slopes. Once you reach your high point, you’ll descend the route and ski on various locations with the best snow! Set up a camp and prepare for the last day of your adventure.

Day 3: Descend to trailhead

On the last day of your adventure, you’ll pack up your bags and start descending to the trailhead. The goal is to be down by early afternoon. Enjoy the unforgettable views in the process and have tons of fun while descending down this imposing stratovolcano.

Ski Mountaineering on Mount Shasta

Adventure Brochure

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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guide

5.00

Blackbird Mountain Guides

Blackbird Mountain Guides is here to help you push farther, faster, and smarter. Their ultimate goal is to help you develop awareness, efficiency, and a good decision-making philosophy in the mountains. Whether they’re guiding a "type-1-fun" adventure, helping you develop skills to meet your next mountain objective, or playing in their time off, the Blackbird Mountain Guides team strives to move in good style.

5.00 (1 reviews)

Amazing guide service

Corey R. (source: TripAdvisor)

Blackbird Mountain Guides is an amazing guide service! They tailor trips based on your individual preferences and abilities and are eager to help you develop new skill sets. The guides have extensive subject matter expertise and are extremely professional. I have done numerous climbs with Zeb specifically, including a recent trip a few weeks back – it was (as always) thoroughly enjoyable. There is a reason I keep coming back and climbing with Zeb – you always know you are in the best possible hands. Based on my past experiences, I am currently planning two more trips next year with Blackbird Mountain Guides. A top-notch company.

Things to know

What you get in this adventure:
- - An experienced, certified mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 1, 2, or 3 days of ski mountaineering depending on your chosen itinerary
  - All group gear (tents, stove, 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 these ski mountaineering adventures, you need to be in great physical shape and have excellent endurance seeing as you’ll climb over 7,000 ft before descending this marvelous volcano. You need to be confident in various snow conditions and ready to implement efficient climbing techniques.The ascent to this peak poses a serious challenge, especially on a 1-day trip where you’ll summit the mountain in one single and continuous push. You need to be able to move quickly for thousands of feet and many hours. While attempting the summit is easier over 2 or 3 days, it is still quite strenuous. Don’t forget that you need to be able to carry a heavy pack while summiting this colossal volcanic mountain that lies ahead of you.
These ski mountaineering trips to Mt. Shasta are 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.
All of the group gear for the trip will be provided by your guiding service and it includes tents, stove, fuel for stoves, ropes, wag bags, First Aid kit, snow pickets and rock protection.

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
  - Hard sided water bottle
  - Soft water bottle 1.5L – flexible water bladder
  - Water treatment or filtration
  - Bowl and long handled spoon
  - Snacks and food you can eat on-the-go
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Headlamp with fresh batteries
  - 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 the Full-Day Ski Mountaineering Trip on Mount Shasta, the max. client-to-guide ratio is 2:1
  - For the 2- and 3-day Ski Mountaineering Trips on Mount Shasta, the max. client-to-guide ratio is 3:1.
  - Costs per person decrease as the group grows for these private adventures, 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, you’ll meet your guide at the trailhead. 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.
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!
Day Trips Cancellations
Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.
57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.