Mount Rainier Ski Tours

This page is dedicated to Mount Rainier ski tours that I’ve done over the years with over 40 unique skiing and snowboarding adventures.

The backcountry ski tours in Mount Rainier National Park are some of the most stunning trips in all the the Cascade Mountains. From trips to the summit to tours on the surrounding Peaks. It is through these trips that I learned how to efficiently ski tour and explore new terrain every year.

During the winter if you plan on skiing your main entrance is Paradise Visitor Center but if you don’t mind a long approach you also have the Carbon River. If you have a snowmobile than you can make your way up the White River to the White River campground.

Mount Pleasant Camp and Flett Glacier Headwall

Mount Pleasant is the gateway to the Spray Park area on the North side of Mount Rainier. If you ski tour over Knapsack Pass you have to go over the peaks ridge before heading into the Spray Park basin. While it is not the biggest Peak in the park the view is one of the best with a clear shot of the Flett Glacier Headwall and the North Face of Mount Rainier. Over the years it has become one of my favorite spots for camping in both summer and winter. This time around Ben and I made Mount Pleasant our basecamp for a summit descent of the Flett Glacier Headwall in late winter.

The Tatoosh Traverse from Castle Peak to Lane Peak col was a trip the Boot and I had talked about for years. Wanting to ride down the south face of Castle Peak we had to wait for the perfect day to ride to Butler Creek in powder Conditions. Knowing that the sun would destroy the snow in minutes we patiently waited for the perfect storm. Finally the day arrived in early March and it was time to get out and do some riding.

Skiing back on the road to the Narada Falls parking lot

Sunbeam Basin is a popular bowl within the eastern side of the Tatoosh Range, With the Stevens Canyon Road running right under it the access is some of the best in Mount Rainier. Being north facing and with aspects from northeast to northwest it offers numerous aspects and holds great snow. It’s one of those places that you can easily access in the Winter from Narada Falls Parking Lot. Knowing there was good snow out there Amar, Hannah and I decided to head out and check out the snow conditions.

Ski descent of the Kautz Glacier on Mount Rainier

The Kautz Glacier is a stunning ski descent from the summit of Mount Rainier and one of the biggest lines in the Cascades. I was contacted by Amar Andalkar who was interested in finding a partner for the route. Soon enough we were packing our bags and driving out to Paradise so we could do … Read more

Wahpenayo Peak in the Tatoosh Range

near the saddle and preparing to access a NE facing run to the base of Wahpenayo Peak

Wahpenayo Peak is the western most peak of the Tatoosh range above Longmire Visitor Center. Being before the gate it is one of the more underrated peaks within Mount Rainier National Park. Even reaching the peak you are in some of the most beautiful old growth trees in all of the Cascade Range. With the trailhead starting at 2,700 feet Joe and I waited for a low freezing level storm and decided to head into the area.

Governor Ridge in the Foreground with the Cowlitz Chimneys behind it

Cowlitz Chimneys in Mount Rainier National Park is one of those lines that stands out from Crystal Mountain. There have been multiple occasions where I’ve had discussion with patrollers about accessing the Giant. The Cowlitz Chimneys have a unique formation as well as a massive East Facing gully. With the opening of Cayuse Pass it seemed this would be the most direct way to get there. Once there I would attempt to link it with Tamanos Mountain.

Looking at the Success Glacier Couloir on Mount Rainier

Both the Fuhrer Finger and the Success Glacier Couloir are some of the biggest lines in Mount Rainier National Park. Located on the south side of the mountain they are some of the more aesthetic lines from the Summit Crater. With both being steep they and semi exposed it is best to focus on this lines when it is the spring corn season. During the mid winter powder snow is rare on the upper mountain and if it is there these are massive avalanche paths. With the first week of May calling for perfect climbing weather I made my way for a solo descent of the Fuhrer Finger only to return the next day for the Success Glacier Couloir.

Looking at Rainier from the top of Fremont Mountain in winter

Skyscraper Mountain and Mount Fremont are two stunning peaks near Sunrise Visitor Center in Mount Rainier National Park. I had always wanted to snowboard the peaks in winter conditions but anyway you look at it it’s a long approach. The dream finally came together in the in early March 2018 as there was a solid weather forecast. It had just snowed a few days earlier so we start before day light and ride both the lines in a single day.

The Interglacier is one of the biggest lines in Mount Rainier National Park. Being Northeast facing I had always dreamed of riding it during the winter. From the moment that we first started sledding up White River Road it was the first line to tick off the list. I would keep coming back to this line year after year to ride in excellent powder. This trip focuses on heading in via the Emmons Glacier and doing an up and over trip in January.

The Paradise Glacier is a great alternative to the standard route going both down and up the Muir Snowfield. Being the eastern lobe of the same ridge when there is a wind event from the west this is where the snow goes. Terrain wise the area has a much better fall line then its neighbor to the west. The downside to this area is that there is a long flat and the end which can be painful for snowboarders. So if you are willing to add another 10 minute skin to the end of the trip the Paradise Glacier is a great place to go.

Mount Pleasant Camp and Flett Glacier Headwall

Tatoosh Traverse from Castle to Lane Peak Col

Sunbeam Basin in the Tatoosh Range

Kautz Glacier Ski Descent of Mount Rainier

Wahpenayo Peak in the Tatoosh Range

Cowlitz Chimneys From Cayuse Pass

The Fuhrer Finger and Success Glacier Couloir

Skyscraper Mountain and Mount Fremont

The Interglacier on Mount Rainier in January

Paradise Glacier and the Start of the Winter