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.
The Tamanos Mountain Quadfecta was a project I came up with over the years ski touring on Mount Rainier. With a solid laid skin track we would be able to access 4 different line. Heading up Owyhigh Lakes trail and wrapping around to the Southern Ridge we would be able to ride 4 different and amazing lines. This would make the most out of a day tour up the White River road on one of my favorite mountains.
The Emmons Glacier was one of those runs we had skinned over a handful of times heading out to the Interglacier. While breaking trail we would always chat about how fun the consistent and mellow run would be before breaking trail up to Steamboat Prow. Being the biggest glacier in Mount Rainier National Park it’s a smooth ramp all the way from the summit for over 9000 feet. The lower slopes always seemed to catch snow but the section above Camp Sherman would be wind hammered. After years of passing over the Emmons for other peaks in the White River area it was time to give it a shot.
Ski touring along the Wonderland trail had been something I was interested in for years. Being late May the snowpack in the alpine was still thick and the trail was hike able down in the valleys. Wanting to show a friend the beauty of the North side of Mount Rainier I decided this would be the perfect trip. We would have a mixture of snowboarding and taking in the scenery of my favorite side of the park. The plan was to hike from the Carbon River up to Mystic lake and stay there two nights. For our final night we would camp near the 3rd Burroughs and descend to the White River Campground.
Whitman Crest is one of those peaks that is perfect for spring skiing in Mount Rainier National Park. With ski touring options of every side and glaciers off 3 sides of the mountain you can find turns any month of the year. With the White River road plowed out we decided to set up camp in Ohanapecosh and explore the surround area over two nights. Being a relatively quite area for ski descents off the South side it would be the perfect area to explore.
The Sunrise and Sourdough Traverse was something that had been in the back of my mind for years. Looking at the Sourdough Range from Crystal Mountain I always dreamed of riding the area in powder conditions. With the White River Road closed during the winter it always seemed like a logistical nightmare. But if the stars aligned there was abundant amount of terrain that could be accessed from the Sunrise visitor center.
The plan came together as my friend Rory was looking to go on a 3 day trip and the forecast was looking good. After studying the topographical map I came up with a traverse that would allow us to ride the Sourdough Range all the way out to the Palisades then back to Sunrise. If all went wel we would spend some time in the Burroughs before making a final descent down to the Glacier Basin Trail.
If there is any area that I would like to think of as my home mountain it would be Mount Rainier and its lower slopes. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to tour with my friend who goes by the nickname Boot and is one of my favorite touring partners. Our zone is the White River of the NE side of the park.
Edith Creek Basin is a great spot to ski mid winter in Mount Rainier National Park. With its close proximity to the Paradise Parking Lot you can be breaking trail in less than 30 minutes. Knowing the snow was great after a day of riding Sunbeam Basin in the Tatoosh Range I met up with Zach and his touring crew. Being winter we knew it would still be good snow on South facing slopes.
The Frying Pan Creek Loop was an idea I came up with linking some of my favorite lines on the East side of Mount Rainier. I had spent numerous years touring each spot and I wanted to link them all up in one single tour. We would leave our sled at Fryingpan Creek and after 11 miles and 7300 feet we would be back at our original point. In total it would be 3 Couloirs, 1 avalanche path and 1 tree run.
The Paradise to Carbon River ski Traverse in Mount Rainer National Park was something that just fell together. Being quite familiar with the terrain that surrounded the area I had always wanted to link these areas together. Once again I wasn’t interested in a traditional ski traverse and wanted to put together a more up and down route. With 3 weeks of high pressure I found myself doing this tour right after a solo week on Glacier Peak and again was going solo. In all it would be 5 days, 45 miles and 23,000 vertical feet of some of the nicest lines in the park.
The Osceola Traverse was a trip I came up with while focusing on topographical maps. I was looking for something that including big descents and minimal sidehilling. Knowing the North side of Rainier had some great lines I decided this was an opportunity to link them together. This trip would have to have the right … Read more