MOUNT SHASTA WEST FACE SKI & BOARD DESCENT OVERVIEW

Mount Shasta is considered by many to be North America's premier ski mountaineering peak, and for good reason. It provides up to 7,000 feet of skiing in one run and from early May to mid June you can find great spring corn conditions. Join us on a three-day backcountry ski mountaineering adventure on California's spectacular 14,000 ft volcano.

We ski guide the spectacular West Face of Mount Shasta It’s possible to have over 4000 feet of 35 degree corn on the West Face. And combined with a base camp in remote Hidden Valley, makes this one of the better ski mountaineering itineraries in California. Day one we depart from the Bunny Flat trail head to our basecamp in Hidden Valley. On day two we will set off from our camp and ski shots around Shasta's sub-peak Shastina and practice ice axe and cramponing techniques in preparation for the the big summit day. Day three we go for the summit and ski Shasta from somewhere below the summit and down the West Face right back to camp and then back to Bunny Flat trail head, The ski descent of Shasta’s West face is a great first “big mountain” ski descent for advanced level skiers in excellent physical shape.

The Mount Shasta Ski and board descent is great for both snow boarders on a split board and backountry skiers on alpine touring or telemark equipment. A ski descent on Mount Shasta is a goal of many aspiring ski mountaineers. Let our AMGA trained or certified ski guides show you the way. Join us on this amazing ski and board descent this spring!

For lodging in the town of Mount Shasta before and after your trip we recommend our partners at LOGE Shasta. They give all of our guests a 10% discount on lodging. To get the discount use the link above or the code INTALPINESG15 at checkout.

We include all technical climbing gear and all your camping gear at no extra cost! All you need are your ski gear & clothes.
A $120 value! ($30 cleaning fee for using our sleeping bags)

 
 
 

SKI EXPERIENCE & PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

  • No previous climbing or mountaineering experience required.

  • Previous off trail hiking experience required.

  • Excellent physical condition required.

  • Advanced to expert level of skier required. You must be comfortable skiing double black diamond runs at a ski resort in any conditions such as powder and crud.

  • Previous backcountry skiing experience required.

    Curious how to rate your physical ability? Check out our Physical Ability Page

Recommended prior courses and trips:

2024 DATES

West Face:

April 19-21
April 26-28
May 3-5
May 10-12
May 17-19
May 25-27
May 31-Jun 2

COST: $1395

Sign up with 2 or more on same reservation and receive 5% off!

INCLUDES

  • All climbing equipment, group camping equipment and avalanche safety equipment (backcountry ski rentals available but not included).

  • Professional AMGA trained or certified ski mountaineering guide

  • Breakfast & dinner while in the backcountry.

  • Shasta summit pass

 

For more info on this trip please fill out the form below:

MT SHASTA 3-DAY SKI DESCENT ITINERARY

West Face Ski Descent:

Day 1
We meet in the town of Mount Shasta, Ca at 930am. The exact location will be in your confirmation materials. After a pack check and group gear distribution, we all drive to the trail head for Mount Shasta at Bunny Flat. Everyone is responsible for their own transportation to the trailhead. We then put on skins and ski up to the Horse Camp area and then traverse over to the beautiful Hidden Valley where we establish our base camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimating before enjoying a hearty dinner.

Day 2
After breakfast, we break camp and prepare to ski some of the lower flanks of Mount Shasta or Shasta’s sister peak, Shastina. The afternoon is also spent learning ice axe and crampon techniques to prepare you for the climb of West Face. We ski a couple thousand vertical back to our base camp. We then have an early dinner and early to bed to prepare for our summit climb of Mount Shasta the next day.

Day 3
We wake up early for our alpine start to climb Mount Shasta, probably around 2am. Climbing by headlamp, we we don boot crampons and ice axes (with skis on our packs) and make our way up the West Face route. At some point before the top of the West Face we are rewarded by sunrise and the shadow of Mount Shasta. After topping out on the West Face, it’s on to Misery Hill (not really much misery!) and then to the summit plateau. We normally do not take skis beyond the top of Misery Hill. All that is left is the summit pinnacle after which we stand upon the summit of Mount Shasta (14,180 ft)! We then make our way back down to our skis, click in and prepare ourselves for the up tp 6000 foot descent ahead of us. Skiing the West Face involves 35-38 degree skiing with some exposure back down to camp. After breaking our high camp we ski back to the Bunny Flat trailhead, usually arriving in the very late afternoon. Summit day of Mt Shasta is a long, yet rewarding ski descent!

Itinerary subject to change & the summit of Mount Shasta is subject to safe weather and snow conditions