Covid measures in Washington

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 traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Snoqualmie, WA, please refer to the official Washington State website. 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 A full day of backcountry ski touring What’s not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Trip insurance Food and snacks Transportation Lift tickets

How fit do I need to be?

In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. While there is terrain for all skill levels around Snoqualmie, you will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blur or black level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner friendly, meaning anyone with challenging blue or black level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.

What equipment do I need to bring?

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring: Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented) Touring boots and poles (can be rented) Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented): Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon Lightweight snow shovel Avalanche probe For personal items, we recommend bringing: Helmet Sunglasses or ski goggles Gloves and hat Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended) Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended) Down jacket or vest Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people) Water bottle and 1L of water Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Food you can eat on-the-go First-aid kit Sunscreen Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack) Camera — optional

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 ProSki Service or REI Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Summit Snoqualmie , ProSki Service or REI Splitboards can be rented from ProSki Service or REI Summit Snoqualmie is in Snoqualmie, ProSki Service is in North Band and REI is in Seattle. Rentals 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.

What about group sizes and pricing?

Group sizes and pricing: For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. All prices are per person. Costs per person decrease as the group grows for private lessons, so it’s the perfect opportunity to ski with friends and family. Ski touring in Snoqualmie, WA 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 Snoqualmie, most people fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service. Snoqualmie is only 30 minutes 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.

Two backcountry skiers skinning up a slope in Snoqualmie surrounded by rugged peaks.

A backcountry skier moving along a snow-covered mountain ridge in Snoqualmie.

A backcountry skier climbing up a small slope with skis taken off surrounded by tree-covered snowy mountains.

A view of a short and narrow mountain pass surrounded by granite tree-covered mountains with a backcountry skier making their way towards it.

A backcountry skier moving through untracked snow in Snoqualmie with two snow-dusted mountain peaks in the distance.

Snoqualmie | Washington

Backcountry Skiing in Snoqualmie

Season

December through April

Duration

1 day

Difficulty

Guides

Shane Robinson, Graybird Guiding

Questions, additional dates, private groups

From $475 () / 1 day

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Things to know

Leave your marks on untracked powder minutes away from Seattle! Snoqualmie’s accessibility makes its slopes no secret, but heading backcountry means exploring the area’s many gems frequented by few. The number of tours you can find there easily exceeds 100, meaning that there is a hidden stash of powder for anyone—and exciting opportunities for all skill levels, making this one of the spots for the best skiing in Washington. Despite Snoqualmie’s modest elevation of about 3,000 ft, the unique topography and forests can make ski touring challenging and leave many options unexplored. Discover the less obvious routes in Snoqualmie with the help of your expert local guide and get the most out of your day in the mountains.

Adventure highlights

Find untracked snow 30 minutes from Seattle
The area boasts more than 100 possible descents
Uncrowded options for all backcountry skill levels

Available itineraries

Private Intro to Backcountry Skiing

If you are new to the backcountry, going off-piste with a professional local guide is your best option! They will teach you all the basic techniques and skills needed for a fun adventure out of bounds. Snoqualmie offers great locations for those who wish to uncover the wonders of backcountry skiing. Learn the tips and tricks while making the most out of your day on the low-angle powdery slopes!

A Customized Day of Private Guided Backcountry Skiing

The Snoqualmie area boasts more than 100 tours for all skill levels—some of which still wait to be uncovered! However, the area is also packed with trees, making skiing more challenging for newcomers. Join your local guide and let them plan out the day tailored to your abilities and wishes. Explore Snoqualmie’s couloirs and glades, master new skills while enjoying the impressive vistas of the surrounding wilderness.

Lift-Accessed Backcountry Skiing

With 24 lifts, Snoqualmie provides easy access to plenty of backcountry locations. The one unique part of this ski area is Alpental, which has a lot of sidecountry options, popular with skiers who are not fans of skinning and want to spend more time on the slopes. Let your guide plan out an exciting and safe day of shredding the finest powder in Washington!

Advanced Tours & Ski Mountaineering

Make turns down the most pristine and uncrowded slopes the Snoqualmie area has to offer. Skiing in challenging terrain assumes previous backcountry experience and brings forth some exciting learning objectives such as gear and terrain management and route finding—as well as advancing your uphill and downhill movement skills. Join your guide and learn why advanced ski touring results in arguably the most epic day adventures experienced in Snoqualmie’s backcountry.

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Download Backcountry Skiing in Snoqualmie Brochure

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Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guides

5.00

Shane Robinson

AMGA Ski Guide

Shane is the owner of Graybird Guiding and a full-time AMGA Ski Guide in the winter and a carpenter when he feels like sleeping in his own bed. Originally from Colorado, he moved to Seattle almost 20 years ago and has been exploring and guiding clients in the Cascades ever since. He is as excited to teach you a new skill or technique as he is to go look around the corner in hopes of finding more untracked snow. When you ski with Shane, you know you’re getting the best adventure possible.

5.00

Graybird Guiding

Quality over quantity is what backcountry skiing is all about! Graybird Guiding focuses on high quality, experience-based trips full of champagne powder and shredding. Their certified guides will deliver as much quantity as you can handle, maximize your time and allow you to focus on the fun part of the adventure!

Things to know

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 traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Snoqualmie, WA, please refer to the official Washington State website.

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
  - A full day of backcountry ski touring
What’s not included:
- - Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  - Trip insurance
  - Food and snacks
  - Transportation
  - Lift tickets
In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. While there is terrain for all skill levels around Snoqualmie, you will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blur or black level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.
Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner friendly, meaning anyone with challenging blue or black level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
- - Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
  - Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
  - Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    
    Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    
    Lightweight snow shovel
    
    Avalanche probe
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- - Helmet
  - Sunglasses or ski goggles
  - Gloves and hat
  - Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Down jacket or vest
  - Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
  - One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
  - Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
  - Water bottle and 1L of water
  - Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
  - Food you can eat on-the-go
  - First-aid kit
  - Sunscreen
  - Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
  - Camera — optional
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 ProSki Service or REI
  - Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Summit Snoqualmie, ProSki Service or REI
  - Splitboards can be rented from ProSki Service or REI
Summit Snoqualmie is in Snoqualmie, ProSki Service is in North Band and REI is in Seattle. Rentals 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 pricing:
- - For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. All prices are per person.
  - Costs per person decrease as the group grows for private lessons, so it’s the perfect opportunity to ski with friends and family.
Ski touring in Snoqualmie, WA 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 Snoqualmie, most people fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service. Snoqualmie is only 30 minutes 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.
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.