At 10'781 feet Mount Baker (The indigenous Nooksack people called it Komo Kulshan ) is the third highest peak in Washington State. It is our opinion that Kulshan offers some of the best and biggest fall line skiing in the Pacific Northwest. We offer ski ascents from just about every side of the mountain (along with orbits) and all of the descent boast vertical drops of over 7000 feet.The annual snowfall is enormous and that explains the heavy glaciation. No matter what side you want to approach and climb it from, you will be confronted with glaciated terrain for at least 6000 feet of vertical.
At 10'781 feet Mount Baker (The indigenous Nooksack people called it Komo Kulshan ) is the third highest peak in Washington State. It is our opinion that Kulshan offers some of the best and biggest fall line skiing in the State. We offer ski ascents from just about every side of the mountain (along with orbits) and all of the descent boast vertical drops of over 7000 feet.The annual snowfall is enormous and that explains the heavy glaciation. No matter what side you want to approach and climb it from, you will be confronted with glaciated terrain for at least 6000 feet of vertical.
Skills required: Advanced skiing ability and prior ski touring experience required. You should be able to ski black diamond ski slopes at ski areas in just about any condition, and be able to ski ungroomed slopes of intermediate difficulty without any hesitation. You should have a good amount of ski touring experience and have experience in moving through the landscape in a variety of snow conditions ranging from deep to frozen snow. You should be able to complete transitions from touring to skiing or boot packing with ease and good efficiency.
Very good physical fitness: you should be able to hike or climb for 5 to 6 hours with a pack varying from 20 to 40 lbs. and ascend 3,000 to 5,000 feet of vertical gain per day for 2 to 3 consecutive days.
Day 1: We will conduct a gear check at the Ranger Station in Glacier and then drive up the Glacier Creek Road or meet at the Ranger Station in Sedro Woolley and drive up the Schrieber Meadows Road as far as we can. Either way, we will skin up about 3000 to 3500 feet of vertical and establish a good camp.
Day 2: Summit day. An early start will see us to the summit of Mount Baker via the Coleman Deming Col in the late morning. If the ascent happens from the south side, we will ascend the Easton or Squak Glacier and summit via the Roman Wall. The ascent time on both the north and south side is about 5 hours and will require a pre-dawn start, because we want to optimize our chances for good skiing. We should be back in camp right in time for a post lunch coffee. We might even ski a little more in the afternoon.
Day 3: The third day leaves some options open, but the start is leisurely. Conditions and energy permitting we will go for a short tour. We will be sure to be back down in camp before lunch time and head out in the early afternoon. You can assume to be back in the Seattle area in the early evening.
The itinerary is subject to change based on snow/weather/road conditions. Please look at the first picture in the photo gallery to see the options.
Snow Travel Equipment
Safety Gear
Technical Gear
Mount Baker can be ascended on skis via several different routes. Most commonly we get to the summit via the Coleman-Deming Route (on the north side), or the Easton or Squak Glacier route from the south side. All the routes offer excellent skiing and about the same effort to get to the top. Ease of access, and condition dictate which route makes most sense.
Yes, all the technical elements that need to be considered while skiing on a glacier, can be managed by your guide. You will be responsible for bringing your own personal glacier travel kit. You can also rent this from our sister company Pro Ski and Mountain Service in North Bend at a 20% discount.
Even though this is a 3 day climb, it is still considered a strenuous climb. You will have to carry an overnight pack for about 3000 feet of vertical to your base camp. While your pack is substantially lighter on the summit day, the vertical is also 4500 feet and you will be operating at a much higher altitude. Regular prior strength and cardio training will make your experience much more enjoyable.
On the last day we try to be back at the car at 3pm at the latest, but unforseen circumstances might make it a late arrival and for that reason, we recommend that you book your flight out for the next day.
The 3-Day Mount Baker Ski Summit offers an unparalleled opportunity for winter sports enthusiasts to experience some of the finest skiing conditions in the Pacific Northwest. Participants will engage in guided excursions, skill-building workshops, and networking opportunities with fellow skiers and industry professionals. This event is designed to enhance both recreational and competitive skiing skills while fostering a sense of community among attendees. Join us for this exceptional winter adventure at Mount Baker, where breathtaking scenery and thrilling slopes await.
Although tipping is not a requirement, it is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by our guides. We generally recommend roughly 10%-15% of your course or trip cost or a flat amount that you are comfortable with.
