The Ptarmigan Traverse is one of the most iconic ski mountaineering adventures in Washington and one of the great multi-day ski traverses in the United States. This spectacular 5-day North Cascades ski traverse travels roughly 40 miles from Cascade Pass to Bachelor Creek, following the crest of the range through massive glaciers, remote alpine basins, rugged passes, and some of the wildest mountain terrain in Washington.

Over five unforgettable days, we’ll cross nearly a dozen glaciers and link roughly a dozen ski descents while traveling deeper and deeper into the North Cascades wilderness. Expect huge views, beautiful camps, long ski runs, and entire days surrounded by glaciers and peaks with few—if any—other people around. It feels like a true remote ski expedition right here in Washington.

While the Ptarmigan Traverse is a serious backcountry ski mountaineering objective requiring strong fitness, glacier travel, and consecutive long days, the skiing is generally less technical than many other major North Cascades ski traverses. That makes it an incredible progression for experienced backcountry skiers ready to take on their first major multi-day ski traverse.

For skiers looking for more than just great turns, the Ptarmigan Traverse is hard to beat: five days of skiing, camping, glacier travel, huge alpine scenery, and exploring one of the most spectacular and remote corners of the North Cascades. It’s a true Washington ski mountaineering classic and a trip you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Cost (5-day)

1:1  $3250 per person

2:1  $1875 per per­son

3:1  $1250 per per­son

4:1  $1000 per person