International Mountain Guides

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international-powder-guides_1photo: Adam Clark | skier: Ingrid BackstromCrystal Mountain, Washington

Last season, Seattle-based International Mountain Guides began taking clients on backcountry tours at nearby Crystal Mountain. This same outfit guides climbers on some of the world's highest peaks, including Everest. At Crystal, you can sign on for some lift-served sidecountry or a classic ski-tour. Single and multi-day trips available. When the snow is good (this winter is looking primo), expect buttery powder turns and steep terrain. Come with four friends and book an entire group. Says guide Paul Baugher, "If they've never left a groomed trail, we can do that, but it's certainly not 'learn to ski' out there."

$500 for one to three people; mountainguides.com

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More in this category: « BackTracks Alaska Mountain Guides »
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