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Trip

North Cascades, WA

Ski & Snowboard

Trip Women's Learn to Backcountry Ski
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Escape to the North Cascades! Learn fundamental backcountry skills in the company of other women, with the classic Inn at Mazama as your base camp.

Grab a friend or loved one and book this women’s only trip, meant for a private group of 2 people. This 3-night adventure is the perfect women’s winter adventure, if you’re looking for a long weekend getaway combined with the opportunity to learn essential backcountry skills.

Spend three nights at the Inn at Mazama and disconnect from the daily grind, while enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the Inn (included in your trip package). Located in the beautiful North Cascades, the unincorporated community of Mazama is an amazing escape in its own, as well as an excellent jumping off point for winter recreation.

Led by your guide, Adrienne, from our local partners at North Cascades Mountain Guides, enjoy two full days of a fun and intensive backcountry course. Get immersed in planning and touring based out of the NCMG headquarters in Mazama and snowmobile-accessed touring at Washington Pass. Emerge with a solid foundation of backcountry knowledge and ready to plot your next touring adventure!


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Itinerary
Itinerary
Note: Choice of location and itin­er­ary are sub­ject to change due to weath­er, con­di­tions, or oth­er rea­sons beyond our con­trol and in the guide’s best judgment.
  • 1
    Day number 1
    Welcome to the Inn at Mazama! After you’ve checked into your comfortable room at the lodge, meet in the lobby for a welcome wine tasting, courtesy of the Lost River Winery in Winthrop. Relax, enjoy a delicious dinner (served room service style, in your room), and get a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s adventure.
  • 2
    Day number 2
    Rise and shine, power up with a hearty breakfast courtesy of the Inn, and head next door to the NCMG office. With your guide, we will talk about the tour plan for the day, and then head to the end of the road and get a briefing on how to operate a snowmobile. Next, we snowmobile to the start of our tour and spend the day touring. Finally, after we return and put the snowmobiles away we will meet and review video footage from the day, debrief on the day and plan for our Day 2 touring. Unwind back at the lodge, relax by the bonfire (fires made upon guest request), then rest up and prepare for another big day.

    7:30 - NCMG Guide Shop, Mazama
    o Coffee and treats available for purchase at Mazama Store
    o Tour planning Part 1
    o Discuss objectives for the day

    8:30 - Avalanche Rescue Overview
    o Avy Rescue
    o Beacon Practice

    9:30 - End of Highway 20
    o Snowmobile orientation

    10:00-3:00 - Ski!
    o Heading out for the day
    o Uphill Fundamentals
    o Downhill Fundamentals/Ski Drills
    This will include taking video of each skier to review in the evening

    3:30 - Return to End of Highway 20

    4:30-5:30 - Guide Shop
    o Snacks and beverages will be provided
    o 1:1 Ski Review
    o Overview of Following Day
  • 3
    Day number 3
    Repeat! Day 3 will be another full day of ski touring, snowmobiling, and building foundational backcountry skills.

    7:30 - Guide Shop
    o Tour Planning Part 2
    o Discuss Objectives for the Day

    9:00 - End of Highway 20
    o Practice Track Setting
    o Ski Drills/Choosing a Line
    o Survival Skiing Techniques

    4:00 - Guide Shop
    o Closing and Farewells
  • 4
    Day number 4
    Pack up and enjoy your final breakfast at the Inn, unless you plan to extend your stay at the Inn at Mazama (if interested in extended stays and/or additional activities, please feel free to let us know). Take good care and have a safe journey home!
Trip Package Includes
  • 3 nights of accommodations at the Inn at Mazama (based on double occupancy)
  • Welcome wine tasting
  • All meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
  • Safety equipment
  • Snowmobiles
  • Backcountry guide and instructor
  • Departing beer flight
  • 20% off service and 10% off rental at evo Seattle store
  • 20% discount code at evo.com (exclusions apply)
Trip Package Does Not Include
  • 10.4% total lodging and sales tax
  • Transport to/from Mazama 
  • Personal backcountry ski/snowboard clothing & equipment 
  • Alcohol outside of welcome wine tasting
  • Snacks (recommended for touring days)
  • Guide gra­tu­ities
  • Travel insurance (we recommend World Nomads)

Questions? Call or email us!
Area Information

Mazama, WA


The unincorporated town of Mazama is located just off Highway 20, 14 miles northwest of Winthrop in the Methow Valley. Located in the spectacular North Cascades (often called the "American Alps"), Mazama is an excellent jumping off point for remote, backcountry activities both from the backdoor of the Inn at Mazama, and to close by touring zones such as Washington Pass and Loup Loup Pass.
 
Trip Planning

Trip Planning

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than having the wrong gear for the conditions at hand.  All our programs are subject to rapid and severe changes in the weather.  Select garments that are warm, lightweight and durable.  Generally speaking, the best arrangement is to think in terms of layers – a system that dries quickly, allow flexibility and resists wind, water and abrasion. All of us have different tolerances for heat or cold; for example, you might choose warmer gloves than specified here if you tend to get cold hands. If you have doubts about a specific garment’s appropriateness, please talk to your guide in advance about conditions you are most likely to experience. 

This list is built for a trip with an unsettled weather forecast.  With a good weather forecast some of these items may be left behind to save weight. All trips require that you bring adequate food and water, please see our “food” equipment list for details.

Ski / Snowboard Equipment
Clothing
Other
FAQ
FAQ
  • Do I need to have a group of 2 to book this trip?
    Yes, this trip is intended for a private group of 2 people (including yourself). Due to COVID and the desire of North Cascades Mountain Guides to maintain the utmost safety and precautions, we are not currently mixing groups of travelers on the same trip.
  • Can you tell me about the accommodations?
    The Inn at Mazama is located in the town (nay, hamlet) of Mazama, at the upper end of the Methow Valley in Washington state. At the Mazama Country Inn our lodgings are unique. We have 18 guest rooms, each of which has a private bath (some units have showers only). Fourteen of our rooms have at least a queen size bed and four of our rooms have a king size bed with a queen size pullout couch. The rooms are warm and comfortable, with lots of wood yet airy and light. All rooms have in-room coffee and tea services. And best of all, while we do have free WiFi for all guests, there are no telephones or TVs in our rooms!
  • How do I get there?
    The Inn at Mazama is located just off Highway 20, 14 miles northwest of Winthrop in the Methow Valley. Mazama can be reached either from the west over the North Cascades Highway (except when closed in the winter, generally from mid November through late April) or from the south via Wenatchee and Chelan. Both routes offer beautiful scenery.
  • What COVID-19 policies do you have in place?
    The health and safety of our guests, employees, and community are top priorities. With that in mind, the Inn at Mazama has added a day between reservations to enable housekeeping staff to perform an extra thorough cleaning of the rooms. Further, there will be no daily housekeeping during your stay. And, of course, Inn staff will wear masks, keep a safe social distance and wash their hands, in accordance with CDC guidelines. We also ask guests to wear masks inside all buildings and common areas (though not in your room), and to follow social distancing guidelines. The Inn has keypad locks so you can go right to your room upon arrival. Prior to your arrival you will receive the code to your room. The swimming pool, hot tub and gym are all closed for now, but we anticipate reopening these amenities (with restrictions) when Okanogan County is allowed to enter Phase 3. The Inn’s restaurant will be open for “takeout” four nights per week (Thursday through Sunday). You can visit the Inn’s restaurant page for information about takeout dinner options.
  • What level of skier or snowboarder do I need to be?
    This course can be taken on alpine touring skis or splitboard. True beginners are welcome! evo or North Cascades Mountain Guides can provide rentals.
  • Who is guiding this trip?
    Your guide will be Adrienne from North Cascades Mountain Guides. Based out of Mazama, NCMG are a group of experienced, professional instructors offering courses and private guided trips in backcountry skiing, rock climbing, alpine climbing, mountaineering and ice climbing. The majority of our guides are trained and certified by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and the owners are instructors and examiners for the AMGA. Our goal is to provide exceptional mountain experiences by having the best guides in the business and by only offering low-ratio, high-quality trips to the most amazing mountain ranges in the world.
  • Are rentals available?
    Yes, rental gear is available and can be rented directly through the evo Seattle store for 10% off. You may also rent avalanche safety gear directly through NCMG.
  • What is the food like?
    Fresh and delicious! For breakfast, options include egg sandwiches, assorted pastries, granola or cereal, yogurt, and coffee or tea. For lunch, you'll be sent out for the day with a sack lunch including deli sandwiches (veggie options available), chips, fruit, dessert, and natural sodas. For dinner, choose from a variety of soups, salads, and entree options including pasta dishes and signature pizzas. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
  • Will I be able to dine in the lodge, or will all meals be served in-room?
    Due to COVID, guests will be asked to eat in their rooms. The Inn at Mazama has installed mini fridges and microwaves in all rooms. Each day you’ll receive a meal order sheet so you can tell the Inn what you are interested in for the next day.
  • What is the maximum number of guests on the trip?
    This trip is for your private group of 2 people, plus 1 guide.
  • What if I need to cancel?
    evo will refer to the Inn at Mazama + North Cascades Mountain Guides cancellation policies. The Inn is very flexible and allows cancellation at least 24 hours before your stay with a full refund - this would only apply to the lodging portion of your package. However, for the guided activity portion of your trip by NCMG, you must cancel at least 30 days prior to trip dates for refund less a $50 administrative fee. If you cancel within 30 days of your trip, NCMG will work with you to issue a future travel credit to another NCMG program. If you need to cancel due to COVID, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate a refund or future travel credit.
Testimonials
NCMG is a great guiding outfit, really professional and experienced guides and took me higher than I've ever been before. A great way to experience the mind blowing beauty of the North Cascades!
S.C.
Trip Guest
Toured with a group of friends last weekend guided by John and Drew of NCMG. From start to finish we were treated to a safe, beautiful and well-organized backcountry adventure despite high avalanche potential… the skiing was outrageously fun and the guides clearly had given much thought to terrain and safety. Wish I could do it again next weekend!! Recommend NCMG without hesitation.
Robin
Trip Guest
I loved my trip with NCMG, the guide was very knowledgeable and I learned a ton. The North Cascades themselves are a gorgeous range and the views were breathtaking. The low ratio of clients and guides is what really sets this guide shop apart, I will be returning!
JP
Trip Guest

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Questions? Let us help! Call us at
1-866-386-1590