Skiing California’s majestic Mount Shasta is a goal of many backcountry skiers and boarders and it’s no wonder why, Shasta is considered by many to be one of the top three ski mountaineering peaks in North America. Ski runs of up to 8,000 vertical feet, the potential for velvety corn and the satisfaction that you have just skied down a 14,000 foot volcano.

A large stratovolcano in the Southern Cascade-range of the Western US, Mount Shasta has incredibly easy access compared to other Cascade volcanoes. It is possible on many years to ski up right from the car and then ski from the summit right back to your car. In addition, the South, West and East sides of Mt Shasta are non-glaciated which allows for a much less complicated ascent and ski descent compared to other high volcanoes of the Cascades such as Mount Rainier or Mount Baker. That’s not to say Mount Shasta doesn’t has its objective hazards such as avalanche, snow conditions and weather, but if you stay off the North aspects you can take glaciers and crevasse falls off that list.

So what does it take to ski Mount Shasta?

Well, first you must have previous backcountry skiing experience. A ski descent of Shasta is not the place to learn how to use backcountry ski gear or evaluate avalanche conditions. Also, you need to be comfortable skiing very exposed slopes up to 40 degrees. Some of the ski descents on Shasta involve unbroken 35-38 degree slopes for thousands of feet. Not too difficult for advanced level skiers but not for the feint of heart.

According to the laws of physics you need to climb up Mount Shasta before you can ski down it, so having basic mountaineering skills with the knowledge of how to safely use boot crampons and an ice axe are critical (Hiring a guide can help with this one). Typically skiers will leave their camp (or even the trailhead) super early well before dawn when the snow is frozen solid and skins just don’t work well as it gets steeper. That’s when you will want to switch to boot crampons with ice axe and skis are then carried on the pack.

You also need to be in excellent physical shape with the ability to climb at least 5000 feet in a day and still have the energy to make turns on the way down.

When to ski Mount Shasta?

Skiing Shasta is a Spring thing. While the lower flanks of Mount Shasta can have great skiing all winter long, the chances of having a successful summit prior to early April are low due to winter weather, avalanche conditions and short days. The season for ski descents from or near the summit of Shasta is roughly from middle of April till early June and sometimes almost till July. This of course depends on the previous winter’s snowpack and winds. Prime time is usually early till late May.

Where to ski Mount Shasta?

The best ski descents of Mount Shasta are on the South, West and East sides of the mountain. While the glaciated routes on the North side of Shasta do get skied occasionally they generally don’t provide as quality of ski descents as the non-glaciated routes

South Side of Mount Shasta

On Shasta’s South side, there is the popular climbing route of Avalanche Gulch accessed via the main South side trailhead, Bunny Flat. While providing a somewhat straightforward way to the summit, the “Gulch” is not the best ski descent on Shasta due to the climber traffic it sees and the boot tracks that causes. A good option here is to climb the Avalanche Gulch Route but descend what is called “Left of Heart”, a bit steeper but less traveled route just to skiers right of the Gulch. Skiing from the actual summit is not usually recommend due to wind scouring and rocks so most skiers will leave their skis at around 13,500 ft.

West Face of Mount Shasta

Probably the most popular ski descent of Shasta and a great choice in late April and May. A basecamp in the spectacular Hidden Valley provides a wonderful ski mountaineering and wilderness camping experience. The descent from the top of the West Face back down to Hidden Valley offers thousands of feet of consistent 36-38 degree skiing (hopefully on corn snow). offers Access is via also the Bunny Flat trailhead. The last part of this route is shared with the upper Avalanche Gulch Route and many skiers simply leave their skis at the top of the actual West Face at around 13,000 ft.

The view from SHasta’s hidden valley basecamp

East Side of Mount Shasta

The main goal of skiers venturing over to the North East side of Mount Shasta is the famous Hotlum/Wintun ski descent, also known as the ‘Hotoon’. Considered to be one of the top ski mountaineering descents in North America when it’s in shape, the Hotoon is nothing less than spectacular. You click into your bindings about 30 feet from the actual summit of Shasta and if you hit it right you are skiing 7-8 thousand feet back to your car. It’s a step up in difficulty than the South side routes and you are looking at thousands of feet of exposure on 40-42 degree slopes. However, you are skirting between Hotlum and Wintun Glaciers and if you stay on route there is no crevasse hazard. Access is via the wilderness trail head at Brewer Creek which requires over an hour’s travel on dirt logging roads that takes longer to melt out than other Mount Shasta trail heads. This makes the timing of the Hotoon interesting. You have to wait to be able to get close enough to the trail head but you don’t want to wait so long that the route goes out of condition, usually late may into June. Many skiers will park their car in the forest as far as they can go up the dirt roads and mark a way point to get back to it.

What is required to ski and climb Mount Shasta?

Ski Equipment. Light, light, light. Shasta is no place for lugging heavy skis and trying to climb in clunky resort ski boots or having to take two pairs of boots. This is ski mountaineering and you want a proper lightweight backcountry ski setup with lightweight backcountry ski boots which can be great to climb in. Ski crampons for the ascent are very useful on those early morning alpine starts before it gets too steep and you switch to boot crampons.

The Red Tape. To climb and ski above 10,000 feet on Mt Shasta you are required to have a summit pass. They can be purchased for 3 days or for the whole season. If you are spending the night on Shasta you must also fill out a wilderness permit which are self-issued at the trailhead. In addition, all solid human waste must be packed out. You can find pack out bags at every trailhead.

Well, that pretty much rounds it up on skiing Mount Shasta. Shasta is a such a special and magical place with some of the best Spring skiing to be found anywhere if you catch it right. And keep an eye out for the Lemurians. If you don’t know who they are that will be the topic of another article!

by Dave Miller
IAG owner/Director
IFMGA ski and mountain guide
Dave has over 22 years of climbing & ski guiding experience on Mount Shasta

If you are looking to go with the safety and experience of a guide please check out our scheduled 3-day Mount Shasta Ski Descent trips. We spend 3 days camping and skiing the flanks of Shasta along with a summit attempt. We have over 40-years of experience guiding ski trips on Mount Shasta.