
Guides
About
We are an international guide service, a leading provider of mountain education, and a global community of adventure seekers.
We know first-hand that the mountains instill a feeling you can’t get anywhere else. Your pulse quickens, time slows, and life expands. When you reach new heights in the mountains, you reach new heights at home. We can never guarantee a summit, but we can guarantee that you’ll leave us changed for the better.
Alpenglow isn’t just a guide service. We are meticulous planners and masters of logistics. From our carefully curated expedition teams to our intricately designed trip itineraries, we take pride in tweaking every last detail to give our clients the best experience and mountain education possible. Whether you’re seeking an Everest summit or just a fun day out with the family, you can trust us to take care of everything. That’s our promise—and that’s the Alpenglow difference.
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Guides
Trips

Mount Shasta West Face 3-Day Ski
Climb and Ski Mount Shasta. Experience 4,000+ feet of incredible climbing and skiing on the massive West Face. This 3-day Shasta climb and ski mountaineering trip is the perfect opportunity for advanced backcountry skiers to take their ski mountaineering skills to the next level and gain confidence to ski bigger, more technical lines. Don’t forget the fantastic views stretching as far as you can see atop this 14,169 ft volcano.
The West Face of Mt Shasta will be an extremely fun ski descent for both experienced “big mountain” skiers and those looking to move into bigger terrain from their local mountains. Advanced level skiers and riders with 25+days of touring experience are welcome.
On day one you’ll ascend to Hidden Valley, where you will set up camp, go over basic snow climbing and ski mountaineering techniques, and discuss the next day. With an early alpine start on day 2, you will summit Mt Shasta by late morning/early afternoon and then make long ski descent down the wide-open terrain of the West Face, all the way back to camp. Day 3, you’ll have breakfast at camp, while enjoying the awe-inspiring views from Hidden Valley and ski down to the trailhead. For especially motivated groups, it is possible to also summit Shastina on day 3 before heading down, an incredible ski experience in its own right.
The West Face of Mt Shasta will be an extremely fun ski descent for both experienced “big mountain” skiers and those looking to move into bigger terrain from their local mountains. Advanced level skiers and riders with 25+days of touring experience are welcome.
On day one you’ll ascend to Hidden Valley, where you will set up camp, go over basic snow climbing and ski mountaineering techniques, and discuss the next day. With an early alpine start on day 2, you will summit Mt Shasta by late morning/early afternoon and then make long ski descent down the wide-open terrain of the West Face, all the way back to camp. Day 3, you’ll have breakfast at camp, while enjoying the awe-inspiring views from Hidden Valley and ski down to the trailhead. For especially motivated groups, it is possible to also summit Shastina on day 3 before heading down, an incredible ski experience in its own right.
Seasonality
Apr-Jul

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Mount Shasta Skills and Summit
Climb Mount Shasta via the secluded West Face while learning important mountaineering skills from our California mountain guides. Spending 3 days on the peak is the ideal amount of time to learn basic mountaineering skills and also take a crack at the summit, while basing out of the quiet, beautiful Hidden Valley, California.
This trip is the ideal first introduction to big mountain climbing. No previous climbing experience is required. Previous hiking experience is required.
On day one, you’ll ascend to Hidden Valley, where you will set up camp, go over basic snow climbing techniques, and brief for the next day. With an alpine start on day two, your route takes you up the West Face and on towards the summit of Mt Shasta. Summiting around midday, you’ll descend back to camp for a leisurely afternoon/evening enjoying the magnificent views from camp and a tasty dinner. Day 3, you’ll have a relaxed breakfast at camp, and then descend down to the trailhead.
This trip is the ideal first introduction to big mountain climbing. No previous climbing experience is required. Previous hiking experience is required.
On day one, you’ll ascend to Hidden Valley, where you will set up camp, go over basic snow climbing techniques, and brief for the next day. With an alpine start on day two, your route takes you up the West Face and on towards the summit of Mt Shasta. Summiting around midday, you’ll descend back to camp for a leisurely afternoon/evening enjoying the magnificent views from camp and a tasty dinner. Day 3, you’ll have a relaxed breakfast at camp, and then descend down to the trailhead.
Seasonality
Apr-Jul

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Mount Shasta Intro to Mountaineering + Summit
This Shasta mountaineering school and North Side summit climb is designed to prepare aspiring mountaineers for high-altitude peaks around the world.
With two days of skills training on Mount Shasta‘s Hotlum Glacier, it is the perfect opportunity to learn mountaineering skills here in California. The Northeast Side on Mount Shasta holds numerous complex routes that cross massive sheets of ice; perfect for glacial travel, crevasse rescue and snow travel skills work.
After spending the last two days developing the skills necessary for a successful summit of Mount Shasta, it will be time for our own summit bid. An Alpine Start will kick off our day, as we move under the cover of the stars towards the summit. We’ll utilize all of our new skills as we climb the beautiful North Side route of Mount Shasta. After a short celebration at the summit of Mount Shasta, one of California’s most iconic peaks, we’ll begin our descent back to base camp where will we get some much needed rest before trekking back to the trailhead the following day.
MOUNTAINEERING SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN:
- - Introduction to Mount Shasta‘s alpine environment
- - Glacier anatomy and hazard recognition
- - Overview of equipment
- - Moving over steep snow
- - Crampons and Ice axe use
- - Diagonal and direct ascent and descent
- - Self arrest
- - Crevasse rescue
- - Basic rope-work
- - Knots and hitches
- - Snow anchors and load transfers
- - Belaying and rappelling + raising and lowering
- - Guided vs non-guided rope-work
- - Strategies to increase security
Seasonality
Jun-Jul