Guided Climbing & Skiing in Washington
Custom North Cascades Alpine Climbing, Rock Climbing & Ski Mountaineering Trips
Washington offers some of the most diverse and spectacular climbing and ski mountaineering in the Pacific Northwest, from glaciated volcanoes such as Kulshan (Mount Baker) and Mount Rainier to the rugged peaks and extensive glaciers of the North Cascades. Skyward Mountaineering offers custom guided climbing and skiing adventures throughout Washington, with AMGA certified guides who know the terrain intimately, from classic routes to hidden gems.
Our Washington programs include alpine climbing, rock climbing, and ski mountaineering. Whether you want to learn glacier travel on Kulshan, climb a classic alpine route on Mount Shuksan or Forbidden Peak, develop your granite climbing techniques at Index, or complete a technical ski traverse in the Cascades, we tailor each trip to your experience and goals. Many North Cascades objectives take three days due to the approach and length of summit day, though excellent alpine rock climbing objectives such as Vesper Peak and routes near Snoqualmie Pass can be completed in a single day. For a bigger adventure, incorporating a bivouac into an alpine climb or winter ski traverse adds another dimension to the experience.
Guided Alpine Climbing in the North Cascades
Climb glaciated peaks and exposed rock ridges in the North Cascades with Skyward Mountaineering. The North Cascades are part of the massive Cascade Range, extending from British Columbia to northern California. It is defined by a densely vegetated forest floor and rugged rocky terrain protruding above large glaciers below. These exposed rocky arêtes and towers beckon climbers looking for a technical alpine adventure. We specialize in guided alpine climbing in the North Cascades on routes of all difficulty levels and for any level of experience alpinist. Many climbers experience their first on-route bivy during a guided climb of Forbidden Peak or another classic route, opening their eyes to a new style of climbing. Many routes in the North Cascades combine steep snow and glacier travel with alpine rock climbing, the best of both worlds, so your climb is guaranteed to be a full-value alpine experience.
Featured below are some of our most popular guided alpine climbing trips on classic routes in Washington. However, with so many rugged peaks spread throughout the Cascades Range it’s impossible to list all the incredible climbing opportunities. We offer custom alpine climbing in the North Cascades and surrounding mountains, whether you have a particular objective in mind or want suggestions to customize your itinerary.
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![Purple alpenglow lights up the Coleman Glacier on Mount Baker.]()
Beginner to advanced mountaineering
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![A climber in a green jacket ascends the South Ridge on Mount Shuksan's summit pyramid. Mnt Baker rises in the background.]()
Intermediate alpine climbing
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![The West Ridge of Forbidden Peak descends into thick clouds with the large glaciers of Eldorado Peak in the background.]()
Intermediate to advanced alpine climbing
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![A climber in a green helmet and red backpack is ascending the Northeast Ridge on Dorado Needle with the summit of Eldorado Peak in the background.]()
Intermediate to advanced alpine climbing
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![A climber in a white hooded shirt is traversing an exposed ridge on Mount Triumph with the Pickets Range in the background.]()
Intermediate alpine climbing
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![A rock climber in a white and orange helmet with an orange backpack is reaching for a handhold on the arete of the route, Mile High Club.]()
Intermediate to advanced alpine rock climbing
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![A rock climber in a white helmet is traversing a steep slabby face on the route Ragged Edges on Vesper Peak. A sea of clouds rises in the background.]()
Intermediate to advanced alpine rock climbing
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![A group of three mountaineers stand below the large Emmons Glacier on Mount Rainier.]()
Intermediate mountaineering
Guided Ski Mountaineering in Washington
The North Cascades are a dream destination for backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. Often called the “American Alps,” this region offers endless peaks, deep snow and complex glaciers. From multiday ski traverses across remote glaciers to single day summit-and-ski adventures, the North Cascades provide challenges for every level of skier. Skyward Mountaineering’s guided ski mountaineering trips in Washington focus on technical skiing on glaciated peaks and instructional components to help you become a confident and self-sufficient ski mountaineer. For those seeking a true backcountry skiing or splitboarding adventure, skiing from the summit of a Washington volcano or rugged glaciated peak in the North Cascades delivers unmatched challenge and quality turns.
Known for its reliable snowpack and accessible glaciers, Mount Baker is one of the best training grounds for aspiring ski mountaineers in Washington. With the guidance of certified AMGA Ski Guides, you’ll learn glacier travel rope systems, crevasse rescue and steep skiing techniques while experiencing the scale and beauty of this 10,000 ft glaciated volcano. Ski mountaineering trips on Mount Baker provide the perfect balance of skill progression and adventure, preparing you for bigger objectives in the North Cascades and other complex glaciated ski descents such as in Alaska.
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![A group of three ski mountaineers are skinning up a glacier on Mount Baker.]()
Intermediate to advanced ski mountaineering
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![A snowy summit pyramid during midwinter on Mount Shuksan with the Hanging Glacier and White Salmon Glacier below.]()
Intermediate to advanced ski mountaineering
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Intermediate to advanced ski mountaineering
Guided Rock Climbing in Washington
Rock climbing in Washington offers an incredible amount of variety with toproping friendly crags to focus on movement instruction, moderate multipitch routes with sweeping views of the ocean, world class granite crack climbing and high alpine traditional alpine rock climbing. Mount Erie, overlooking the Puget Sound is a perfect venue for rock climbing instruction with a mix of toprope and multipitch routes for all abilities. Darrington is a small mountain community tucked away on the scenic Mountain Loop Highway and is best known for long multipitch routes on the granite domes, with both easy slab climbs and challenging face climbing routes. Glacier Peak Wilderness also has incredible access to alpine rock climbing, such as on the popular Vesper Peak. Index is possibly one of the best known rock climbing destinations in Washington, often likened to a miniature Yosemite Valley, the granite crack climbing is both challenging and incredibly fun! Together, these areas showcase a full spectrum of Washington rock climbing, making them must-visit destinations for both developing skills and pushing limits.
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![A rock climber is reaching for a handhold on the multipitch route, Zig Zag at Mount Erie. A lake and the Puget Sound are below in the background.]()
Beginner to intermediate toproping and multipitch rock climbing
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![A rock climber in a white and orange helmet with an orange backpack is reaching for a handhold on the arete of the route, Mile High Club.]()
Intermediate to advanced rock climbing
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![A rock climber in a white helmet is traversing a steep slabby face on the route Ragged Edges on Vesper Peak. A sea of clouds rises in the background.]()
Intermediate to advanced multipitch rock climbing
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![Granite peaks above Index, Washington rise into stormy clouds with a lush green forest below.]()
Beginner to advanced toproping and multipitch rock climbing
Why choose Skyward Mountaineering?
Skyward Mountaineering is a small, independent guide service built around highly experienced guides, personalized service, and a deep connection to the mountains. Our AMGA certified guides have decades of experience climbing and skiing throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest, including many of the region’s classic alpine and ski mountaineering objectives. We bring that firsthand knowledge to every trip, from planning the right route to making sound decisions as conditions change in the mountains.
We believe the best guided trips are built around the climber or skier, not a predetermined itinerary. Our small team allows us to customize each trip around your experience, goals, and the current conditions. We cater to all ability levels, from first time climbers who want to learn glacier travel on Mount Baker, backcountry skiers who want to ski a glaciated volcano, and alpinists who want to traverse exposed ridges and bivouac on a multiday route. We’ll work with you to choose the best terrain that is appropriately challenging.
Our relationship with clients also extends beyond a single day or any particular summit. We help you develop the technical skills, mountain sense, and confidence needed to pursue increasingly complex objectives. From rock climbing instruction and glacier mountaineering courses to alpine climbs and ski mountaineering in Washington, our goal is to help you become a more capable and independent climber or skier while sharing some of the most incredible terrain in Washingon.
Plan Your Washington Climbing or Skiing Adventure
The North Cascades rewards those willing to venture beyond the ordinary. With complex glaciers, exposed alpine ridges, rugged peaks, big granite walls, and challenging ski descents, all set in a remote wilderness area, Washington offers endless opportunities for true adventure. Whether you have a specific objective in mind or want to discuss new terrain with a guide, there’s always more climbing and skiing, more routes and traverses to enjoy.
Start planning your next Washington climbing or ski mountaineering adventure with Skyward Mountaineering.