We ski from the top and the top is the summit…
Ski mountaineering is the merging of backcountry ski touring and the sport of mountaineering. It combines all the joy and hardship of earning your turns along with the rewards of basic mountaineering peak ascents. A typical ski mountaineering objective primarily involves a long ski ascent and descent on high alpine and glaciated terrain. Where it becomes mountaineering is that to reach the summit proper, one has to climb on foot over basic rock and/or ice on an exposed summit ridge or mountain face. Ski mountaineering is most rewarding to the skier who likes the added challenge of reaching a significant summit while ski touring.
Both Western Canada and the European Alps offer outstanding ski mountaineering venues for the intermediate to advanced ski tourer. Spring is the optimal season for such trips. The deeper snowpack, more reliable weather conditions along with longer and warmer days all contribute to a more successful trip during spring season.
Browse our ski-mountaineering trips
Barbeau Peak, Canadian Arctic
Barbeau Peak is a 2616m mountain in Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut, Canada. Located at 82deg North on Ellesmere Island within Quttinirpaaq National Park, it is the highest mountain in Nunavut and the Canadian Arctic. Summit Mountain Guides is planning to conduct a ski mountaineering ascent of Barbeau Peak in early June 2026.
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Custom Ski Mountaineering
Tell about your dream ski peaks! We have the expertise and experience to co-create a custom ski mountaineering trip to suit your needs and interest. We regularly create such custom programs in Western Canada, the Alps, Patagonia, the Arctic, and beyond. Trip length may vary greatly depending on venue and access from 3-21days.
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Mount Waddington NW Summit
A ski peak like no others. Mount Waddington, 4019m above see level, is the highest peak in the Coast mountain range of British Columbia. While the main summit is technical and only accessible in summer by advanced mountaineers, the North West summit (4000m high) provides one of the most interesting and aesthetic ski mountaineering challenge in the coast mountains. It is a Canadian Classic!
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Cathedral Glacier Basecamp
This remote, tent based, 10day ski mountaineering trip is ideal for those looking at attempting high elevation ski peaks far from the crowds. It is an exciting heli access program similar to a ski traverse however, the focus here is on peak bagging while skiing with a lighter day pack from a well located basecamp
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