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Trip

Snoqualmie Haute Route Ski Tour

Overview

The Snoqualmie Haute Route was pioneered by Martin Volken in 2000.  It is a multi-day alpine traverse through the big mountain terrain from Alpental to Mount Hinman and beyond.  This committing, rugged, and absolutely incredible traverse has brought new meaning to Snoqualmie Pass ski touring.

$1,200 Per Person
5 Days
Difficulty
Ratio:
2:1

Trip Information

$1,200
Price based on 4 skiers per guide. Please contact us directly for scheduling. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com

Back in 2000 we pioneered this committing, long, alpine multi-day traverse that will bring new meaning to Snoqualmie Pass ski touring. We will take five full days and four nights to complete this 40-mile tour that has approximately 20,000 feet of elevation gain. The tour starts from the end of the Middle Fork road or Snoqualmie Pass, weaves up to the north of the pass through the Chimney Rock and Lemah areas, and ends in the Commonwealth Basin at Snoqualmie Pass. We will have the option to summit Big Snow Mountain, Mount Hinman, Chikamin Peak and Alaska Mountain.

Duration: 5
Ratio: 2:1
Difficulty Level:
Click here to learn more about difficulty ratings.

Overall Difficulty Level: Very difficult

Skills Required:  Advanced skiing ability and prior ski touring experience

Fitness Level: Very strenuous due to ski touring with big overnight packs


Private Trips Available

Don't see a date that works for you? Pro Guiding Service offers any trip or courses on a private basis. We are flexible! Call or email to inquire.
Learn MoreView Dates & Availability

Itinerary

Day 1:   We will meet in front of the guiding office in North Bend at 6am, conduct a gear check and then drive up the Middle Fork Road. We should be able to drive to at least near the road head at about 3000 feet. From there we will hike and then ski up the Hardscrabble drainage and the summit of Big Snow Mountain (6680feet). We will camp at the saddle north of Big Snow Mountain.
Day 2:   Essentially we will follow the crest north of the Middle Fork Valley to the Chain Lakes area, drop some gear, and summit Mount Hinman at over 7000 feet and then ski back to our camp near Williams Lake; Another big day.
Day 3:   Our third day will send us up the hidden Summit Chief Valley, over the Summit Chief Col at 6140 feet. Then we ski all the way down to the head of the Lemah drainage at around 4600 feet and back up underneath the massive East Face of Chimney Rock to the Overcoat Col at 6800 feet.
Day 4:   The descent into the Burnt Boot drainage first thing in the morning will wake anybody up. It is wild and very scenic. From Iceberg Lake at around 4800 feet we will tour up underneath the West Walls of the Lemahs all the way up to Chikamin Ridge at nearly 7000 feet. A short scramble should bring us to the summit of Chikamin Peak. We have to make it there on time, so that we can ski the following descent down the South Face of Chikamin Peak in good conditions. A short traverse around Huckleberry Mountain will get us to our last camp at Joe Lake (4624 feet).
Day 5:   From camp we will tour south along the PCT past the Kendall Catwalk into the Commonwealth drainage and out to Alpental. We will get picked up there, go to North Bend and party.

Private Trips

Pro Guiding Service proudly offers the most diverse ski touring and ski mountaineering programs of any guiding service in the Northwest. Smaller, more intimate custom itineraries or instructional tours are available for any of our destinations. Tell us what you want to do, and we can create a customized plan for you.
View Private Trips

Pricing

$1,200
per person
Price based on 4 skiers per guide. Please contact us directly for scheduling. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com
View Dates & Availability
Payment Policy
If booking a domestic trip that is over 60 days away or an international trip that is over 90 days away, you can book your trip by paying a 20% deposit.  View Full Policy
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel for any reason 60 or more days before domestic trips or 90 or more days before international and Alaska trips, we will refund everything you have paid minus half of your deposit. No refunds will be provided if you cancel your trip for ANY REASON (this includes but is not limited to illness including CoVid-19, injury, or work-related issues) within 60 days of the start of domestic trips or 90 days of international and Alaska based trips.  View Full Policy

Equipment List

Clothing
Base Layer
  • 1 Bottom - midweight or lightweight
  • 1 or 2 Tops - midweight or lightweight
  • Ski Socks - 2 pair
Mid Layer
  • Windshirt or light Soft Shell jacket
  • Fleece or similar warm layer
  •  Soft-shell pants
Outerwear
  • Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Jacket
  • Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Pants
  • Warm Hat - should cover your ears
  • Sun Hat - baseball cap or visor
  • Lightweight Gloves
  • Ski Gloves/Mittens
  • Down or Synthetic Puffy-type Jacket
Personal Gear
  • Internal Frame Pack - 50 Liter/3100 cu.in. minimum
    • Everything must fit inside except ice axe, crampons, helmet, and pad
    • If approach shoes are worn, ski boots may be on outside of pack as well
  • Sleeping Bag - down or synthetic, 15-20º F or warmer
  • Compression Sack - for sleeping bag
  • Sleeping Pad - closed cell foam or self inflating (or both)
  • Headlamp - lightweight LED recommended
  • 2 Water Bottles - liter bottles, wide mouth recommended
  • Bowl and Cup - bowl is optional if eating from freeze-dried meal bags
  • Spoon, Fork, or Spork
  • Small Knife
  • Sunglasses - adequate for snow travel
  • Goggles
  • Sunscreen - SPF 25+, waterproof
  • Lip Balm - SPF 15+
  • Lighter
  • Personal Toiletries - keep it simple: toothbrush, tiny toothpaste, hand sanitizer
  • Small Personal First Aid Kit - just the basics: blister care, ibuprofin, prescription meds, etc.; your guides will have a substantial group first aid kit
  • Toilet Paper (blue bags provided by PGS)
Technical Gear

Snow Travel Equipment

  • Skis - Alpine Touring or Telemark (or Splitboard)
  • Ski Boots - Alpine Touring or Telemark - no downhill boots (or Snowboard Boots)
  • Poles - Telescopic poles work well, but not required, with snow baskets
  • Climbing Skins
  • Ski or Splitboard Crampons - REQUIRED! - Ensure that they are compatible with your bindings
  • Ski Brakes or leashes

Safety Gear

  • Avalanche Transceiver
  • Shovel - compact, lightweight, metal blade preferred
  • Probe - dedicated probe only, ski poles do not suffice

Technical Gear

  • Ice Axe - lightweight, 45-70cm is fine
  • Boot Crampons – Ensure they fit your boots
  • Anti-ball plates for crampons
  • Climbing Harness - lightweight, (no padding; ex: Petzl Altitude, Black Diamond Couloir)
  • Glacier Travel Kit:
    • 2 Locking Carabiners - at least 1 large HMS style and 1 regular locker
    • 2 Non-locking Carabiners - any style, we recommend wire gates
    • 1 Single Length Dyneema/Dynex Runner/Sling (60cm/24in diameter loop)
    • 1 Double Length Dyneema/Dynex Runner/Sling (120cm/48in diameter loop)
    • 1 Cordelette - 6 mm cord, 6 meter length
    • 1 Prussik Loop - 3-4 feet of 6mm cordelette tied in loop with double fisherman's knot and/or a Sterling Hollowblock
Optional Items
  • Camera - we’d like some shots for the PGS website!
  • Ear Plugs - essential for sound sleep
  • Camp Booties
  • Thermos - vacuum type
  • Electrolytes - tablets/powder/gel/blocks
  • Note Pad and Pencil - Rite-in-the-Rain brand waterproof notebooks work well
  • Compass - adjustable declination a must
  • Altimeter watch
  • Map Case - large Ziploc bag works well
  • Maps - contact guiding office for appropriate quadrangles
  • Collapsible Water Canteen - good for storing snowmelt at camp
  • Liner socks - if blister-prone
  • Warm Socks - to sleep in
  • Approach shoes--lightweight running shoes work well
  • Foot Powder
  • Neck gaiter - for protecting your face from sun, wind, cold
  • Helmet - climbing or lightweight uninsulated ski helmet (recommended)
  • Post-course care kit (to leave in car): cotton T-shirt, flip flops, favorite treats
Equipment Sales & Rental

Gearing Up Adventurers Since 1999 

Be prepared for every adventure by visiting our sister business—Pro Ski and Mountain Service. Order online or visit us in store in North Bend, Washington. Check out our discounts on rentals and purchases when you book a trip or course with us.
10% Off purchases and 20% Off rentals for Pro Guiding Service guests
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FAQs

Is the Snoqualmie Haute Route really that strenuous?

Well, yes it is. You should definitely be in excellent physical condition if you want to enjoy yourself.

Should I tip my guide?

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.

Why Book With Us? 

Certified Professional Guides & All Access
All of our guides have the highest quality training and certification in the industry, and you can be sure that we have the permits, licenses and insurance in every location we operate.
Safe, Well-Planned Tour Design
Every tour has a carefully thought-out guide-to-customer ratio. You always get a safe, high-quality trip or learning environment with us.
Pioneers In The Industry
You will travel and learn from experts. We've pioneered several alpine climbing routes, ski descents, and traverses and we've written books on skills and routes in the industry. 
Read Our story
Resources

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