MOVE BEYOND THE RESORT…
The Mountain Bureau has built a modern backcountry ski and splitboard touring package in the Washington Cascades Mountains, designed for the individual. This is the first and only offering of its kind. No need to organize a group of people to go skiing. Eliminate the hassle of organizing trip plans, coordinating partners, and monitoring stability forecasts. We do it all for you. Pick your days, show up, and tour! It doesn’t get any easier than that.
BUY YOUR PASS - RESERVE YOUR DATES - GO RIDING
THE VALUE
4-days of guided backcountry skiing/splitboarding with a group in 3 locations of the Washington Cascades.
Saturday or Sunday tours are available during our 9-week pass season (January 11, 2025 - March 9, 2025) See Pass Details Below
Pass holders can enroll in a free pre-season avalanche rescue course.
The tours run even if you are the only one to show.
Pass holders can use pass days to bring friends
Purchase additional pass days at the VIP rate of $150
Reserve your tour spot with as little as 48 hours notice
Reschedule days with as little as 48 hours notice
THE SKI PASS PROGRAM IS ON PAUSE FOR 2024/25 and will reopen next season.
ALREADY HAVE YOUR PASS?
IS THE BACKCOUNTRY SKI PASS RIGHT FOR ME?
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The Mountain Bureau Backcountry Pass is for human-powered guided backcountry ski and splitboard touring adventures offered in three locations of the Washington Cascades.
First purchase your pass. Once purchased, you now have the ability to register for 4 out of 18 days on our ski pass calendar, join a guided tour planned by one of our guides. We will not be using lifts and in will be skiing groups no larger than five clients to one guide.
All tours are scheduled for 9 consecutive weeks in January-March. Snoqualmie Pass and Crystal Mountain Backcountry Tours will be available between January 11, 2025 and February 16, 2025. Mt. Baker Backcountry Tours will be available between February 1, 2025 and March 9, 2025. Both locations are perfect for someone living west of the cascade crest.
Passholders can share their days with friends and purchase additional tour days at the VIP rate of $150.
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A typical Backcountry Pass Tour will spend the day seeking the best snow for the day’s conditions. Tours will be planned to get away from other skiers and riders. If you are an advanced to expert skier/rider looking to maximize your turns for the day, this is your group. Touring group participants should be able to comfortably link turns and enjoy “black diamond” to “double-black” runs in various conditions including heavy powder, side slipping icy slopes, and jump turns in wind crusts. Skiers and riders should be comfortable spending all day outdoors engaged in moderate to intensive cardiovascular activity including 3,500-5,000 vertical feet of ascent in a day. Additionally, participants are expected to have some formal training with avalanche equipment (transceivers, probes, shovels).
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If you are looking to get “out-of-bounds” for the first time, learning how to ski, or you are a novice, this pass is not for you! Please look into our Intro to Backcountry Touring Course or Intro to Splitboarding Course. We want you to feel confident, appropriately challenged, and have a good time on our programs.
PASS DETAILS
Each Backcountry Pass is valid for 4 days - Your purchase is good for 4 public guided backcountry skiing or split-boarding days for $699.
Meet your Mountain Bureau guide at the trailhead - Greet your guide and up to 4 other Backcountry Pass holders for a day of backcountry adventure. No planning or coordinating needed. Only one pass holder is required to show for up to run a tour day. Reserve your day and be ready to roll.
Punches must be used during the 9 week pass availability window - No refunds will be issued for unused days.
Snoqualmie Pass and Crystal Mountain Backcountry Tours will be available between January 11, 2025 and February 16, 2025. Mt. Baker Backcountry Tours will be available between February 1, 2025 and March 9, 2025.
All reservations must be made before the 48-hour cutoff period - In order to plan tours the Mountain Bureau asks that all reservations be made at least 48 hours in advance. Within the 48 hour window pass holders can request a reservation via the contact link on our reservation page. Requests will be filled on a first come, first served basis until all open spaces are filled.
Reservations may be rebooked - prior to the 48-hour window without a fee.
Reservations canceled within the 48 hour window will not be rescheduled nor refunded.
Bring a Friend - Pass holders may extend pass days to friends or family. Pass holders must accompany friends or family members. All friends joining pass holder groups must meet the skills requirement stated in “Is the Backcountry Ski Pass Right for Me?”
Purchasing additional punches - Pass holders may purchase additional punches once all of the original pass punches have been used. Price of additional punches at the VIP rate of $150.00. All additional punches must be used during the 6 week pass availability window. No refunds will be issued for unused days.
The Mountain Bureau reserves the right to reschedule individual days - During the season we may experience high avalanche hazards, extremely undesirable conditions, such as rain, icy slopes, or any situation involving customer and guide safety. All days canceled by the guide will be added on to the end of the pass season calendar, according to the day of the week that was canceled.