With some of the best fall-line skiing of any of the major North Cascades traverses, the Isolation Traverse winds through spectacular and truly remote terrain deep in the heart of North Cascades National Park. This is not a first multi-day ski tour, but for experienced backcountry skiers seeking a serious ski mountaineering objective, it delivers an unmatched combination of quality skiing, scale, and wilderness.

Over the course of the traverse, the route links together long, aesthetic descents with sustained climbs and complex alpine travel, crossing more than a dozen glaciers along the way. The skiing is often direct and engaging, with classic fall-line descents that reward efficient movement and confident technique. Days are long and committing, and route-finding, weather assessment, and snowpack evaluation play a critical role in daily decision-making.

True to its name, the Isolation Traverse offers a level of remoteness that is increasingly rare. It is common to see no tracks, no camps, and no signs of previous human travel for the duration of the tour. For strong backcountry skiers with solid glacier travel skills, experience in remote environments, and the fitness for consecutive big days, the Isolation Traverse represents one of the most complete and rewarding ski mountaineering experiences in the United States.

Cost (5-day)

1:1  $3250 per person

2:1  $2375 per per­son

3:1  $1875 per per­son

4:1  $1125 per person