Course

Freeride Camp

Freeride Camp course
Freeride Camp course
Freeride Camp
Freeride Camp course
Freeride Camp course

Overview

Itinerary

Skills

Gear

Advanced steep skiing in Mount Baker Ski Area backcountry. Focused on couloir skiing and technical terrain, this course covers rope applications, rappel systems, and anchor building. Emphasizes route planning and exposure management during steep descents. Includes one major objective such as Mount Herman or Mount Ann. Designed for advanced skiers and splitboarders with strong fitness. Maximum 3:1 ratio.

  • 3 days course
  • Dates: February 6-8, 2026 | February 20-22, 2026
  • Price: $500 per person
Difficulty:
Advanced

day 01

7:30

Meet at the Heather Meadows Parking Lot, gear check, permits + waivers, and Leave No Trace briefing

7:45

Group introduction

8:00

Ski tour

10:00

Introduction to safe rapelling

11:00

Skills workshop

12:30

Lunch

13:00

Ski tour

14:30

Ski descent

15:30

Debrief and planning session at Heather Meadows Parking Lot

day 02

7:30

Meet at the Heather Meadows Parking Lot

7:45

Advanced level ski tour route planning

8:00

Ski tour

10:00

Belay techniques workshop

11:00

Ski descent

11:30

Lunch

12:00

Downhill group management workshop

14:00

Ski tour

15:00

Ski descent

15:30

Debrief and planning session at Heather Meadows Parking Lot

day 03

7:30

Meet at the Heather Meadows Parking Lot

11:00

Arrive on the Mount Ann Ridgeline

11:15

Ski descent

12:00

Lunch in Swift Creek Basin

12:30

Ski tour

13:30

Arrive back at the Mount Ann Ridgeline

13:45

Ski descent

16:00

Arrive back at the Heather Meadows Parking Lot

what you'll learn:

  • Overview of and techniques for using isostatic glacier cord. Learn about its strength and application, and its compatibility with equipment and materials.
  • Avalanche exposure management. Learn about pacing, spacing, safe regrouping, and snowpack red flags.
  • Ski tour planning. Learn about using digital aids for route planning, whiteout navigation, rescue protocols, and group heuristics.
  • Overview of and techniques for uphill ski touring. Learn about grade management, terrain selection, efficient turns and transitions.
  • Rappelling. Learn safe hands-free backups, appropriate length extensions, proper descent control devices, and problem solving for different rope diameters.
  • Snow anchors. Learn about building rescue strength vs. lightweight anchors. Choosing appropriate materials in anchor construction, and problem-solving in the field.

What we provide:

  • All ropes and isostatic glacier cords
  • All alpine ice climbing protection
  • All anchoring equipment such as snow pickets
  • Descent control devices and backups for our ropes
  • Progress capturing devices for crevasse rescue training
  • A triple-action captive-eye carabiner and an ice screw, if you're traveling with us on a glacier
  • Wag Bags for travel in wilderness areas
  • Sno-Park and NW Forest Permits for your vehicle

What you need besides your skis and splitboards:

  • A tested and trusted three-antenna avalanche transceiver
  • An avalanche probe and aluminum shovel
  • Climbing skins and ski crampons
  • A lightweight harness with a belay loop
  • 30-40 liter day pack, capable of carrying both skis and ice axes securely
  • A UIAA-rated ski or climbing helmet. Should be lightweight and stowable.

What we rent:

  • Ice axes and technical ice tools
  • Lightweight harnesses
  • Classic and technical crampons
  • Four-season tents

*We can also source almost any other rental equipment needs, just let us know in advance.

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