I know we keep talking about this storm but it has been impressive.  I was able to get out on Friday near Stevens Pass, which has picked up over 12 feet of new snow during this storm.  While the snowpack is a little unstable right now the backcountry skiing is totally amazing (if you pick the right terrain).

We had a fun time skiing in the Stevens Pass zone today.  The 13" of new snow was welcome but the stability was less than perfect.  Thanks to Larina Davis for the fun skiing and solid skills with the camera.

Our great friends Steph Williams and Drew Lovell (one of our new guides) put together this video of their time spent up north earlier this winter.  Steph is now back  in Boise and needed a little reminder of all the fun she had up here while she works her way through school.  We are looking forward to her return.....

Jeff just finished up guiding a trip in the Bugaboos.  The weather was perfect and climbing conditions couldn't have been better.  This was a exploratory trip for NCMG to see if we wanted to offer this trip in the future.  Jeff can't stop raving about the trip so this will likely be a trip that we offer next year.  Classics such as the West Ridge of Pigeon Spire and the Kain Route on Bugaboo Spire are just of few of the amazing alpine rock routes that this area has to offer.

This year we were reminded, once again, why the Haute Route is such a Classic ski tour.  We had a great group of skiers and the weather lined up perfectly.  I know this cliche gets overused, but if you are a backcountry skier and haven't done the Haute Route yet, you'll be one year older when you do.  What are your plans for 2014????

At the start of February the crew from last year's Ortler Tour got back together for a four-day powder-slaying reunion at the Barron Yurt in the North Cascades.  Boot-top pow, bluebird sky, amazing stability and a long anticipated farkle rematch all combined for a very memorable time.  Congratulations go out to Ashley who often lives by the motto "if you aint first, you're last" (literally).  Nice work finally coming in first.  Congratulations also goes out to Larry.

2013 got off to a great start with an amazing bluebird day above Washington pass with a couple of NCMG's favorite guests, Bob and Larina Davis. They joined Larry and NCMG's newest guide john Schaefer for a great day in Portly bowl, where they took 3 runs down the prime lines of the basin. If this day is any indication of the year to come, we are looking forward to another amazing season!

The skiing in the North Cascades this December has been amazing.  Storm after storm has rolled in laying down a ton of cold, deep snow.  The sun has finally reappeared and allowed us to get up high and enjoy some of the wide open ski terrain in the alpine.  Blower snow and sunny skies.  Here's to more in 2013....

Here at NCMG, we love this time of year.  Short days, cold, deep snow and skiing with friends.  Winter Solstice is something to celebrate.  Don't forget to take advantage of what this season has to offer.  You know we are!