A Mountain Guiding Cooperative

Worker Owned. Community Focused.

Upcoming Scheduled Programs

Looking to gain some technical knowledge, ski, ride, or climb something you’ve always wanted, or just brush up on the latest and greatest? Check out what we’ve got for upcoming scheduled programs! Fully customizable programs available on request.

Beginner +

Women's AIARE 1 Avalanche Course

December - March
Join our Women’s Affinity AIARE 1 Avalanche Course and take your first steps towards becoming a confident and informed backcountry traveler. This course is for women (queer, trans, and cis-gendered) aiming to begin their avalanche education journey in a supportive and community-focused learning environment.
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Beginner +

Women's AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course

January - February
Hone your avalanche rescue skills with our Women’s AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course. This course is for women (queer, trans, and cis-gendered) aiming to expand their avalanche rescue skills in a supportive and community-focused learning environment. This one-day course meets the highest standards in avalanche education and provides backcountry skiers and riders with skills to get out into the backcountry with respect and appropriate caution.
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Intermediate +

Women's AIARE 2 Avalanche Course

January - March
Continue your avalanche education with our Women’s Affinity AIARE 2 Avalanche Course. This course is for women (queer, trans, and cis-gendered) who are ready to deepen their understanding of the avalanche phenomenon and hone their skills in decision making, terrain management, and tour planning. AIARE 2 curriculum provides students with the tools and resources to become strong leaders within their touring groups.
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Advanced +

Icefall Lodge Fly-In Backcountry Skiing

March 18-25, 2028
Icefall Lodge is situated in a rugged corner of the Rockies 70 km north of Golden BC. Winter access is only possible by helicopter. You will not see or hear anybody else during your visit; no helicopters, no snowmobiles, just the group that you flew in with. With over 10 times the terrain of Whistler Blackcomb, there is terrain to suit all abilities.
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Beginner +

AIARE 1 Avalanche Course

December - March
Begin your avalanche education right with our AIARE 1 Avalanche Course. The course utilizes the Baker Backcountry adjacent to the Mount Baker Ski Area and exceeds the highest standards in avalanche education.
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Beginner +

AIARE 1 Refresher Course

December - February
The skills you learned in your AIARE 1 course can fade over time. Keep them sharp to keep yourself and your group safe with the one-day AIARE 1 Refresher Course. The Refresher is designed to sustain and deepen that effect over time. If you’ve never taken a class together before, it’s also a great way to set expectations for your regular touring group.
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Beginner +

AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course

December - March
Hone your avalanche rescue skills with our AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course. This one-day course meets the highest standards in avalanche education and provide backcountry skiers and riders with skills to get out into the backcountry with respect and appropriate caution. The Avalanche Rescue Course teaches students to be leaders and participants in both basic and complex rescue scenarios.
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Intermediate +

AIARE 2 Avalanche Course

December - March
Continue your avalanche education with our AIARE 2 Avalanche Course. This three-day course meets the highest standards in avalanche education and provides backcountry travelers with opportunities to hone their skills in decision making, terrain management, and tour planning. AIARE 2 Avalanche Course curriculum provides students with the resources and tools necessary to become strong leaders within their touring group.
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Advanced +

Icefall Traverse

April 16-22, 2027
The Icefall Traverse is a hut-to-hut ski traverse through some of the best ski touring terrain in Canada. You will travel through complex glacier terrain past some of the highest peaks in the range carrying only a light pack. This may sound like the Haute Route or other tours in the Alps, the only difference is that you won’t see anybody else around, just the group that you helicoptered in with.
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Advanced +

French Alps Backcountry Skiing

March 28-April 4, 2027
Join IFMGA guide Lyra Pierotti in the French Alps for backcountry skiing spring 2027! Les Écrins is a spectacular massif in the Haute-Alpes region of France – south of Grenoble and west of Turin, Italy. Perhaps you’ve heard of La Grave? That is just one of many little ski villages in the region. This trip is designed to be as flexible and responsive to conditions as possible. We will meet in Briançon, the highest city in France at an elevation of 4,350 feet, and a great kickoff point for a variety of itineraries. Lyra will be in touch to finalize your itinerary prior to arrival in country, with input from our guests on the subject of goals and interests—and knowledge of the latest conditions.
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Our Mission

Cascade Mountain Ascents is a worker-owned mountain guiding cooperative. Our mission is to provide high-quality, customizable trips and industry-leading education in the North Cascades and beyond. We seek to cultivate a caring community of guides, guests, students, and partners who share a love of mountains and are dedicated to being stewards of these landscapes.