The Muir Snowfield is one of the most popular ski mountaineering areas in the Cascades. It reaches up the south side of Mount Rainier above the visitor center at Paradise 5400 ft (1650 m), stretching from Pebble Creek at about 7000 ft (2100 m) up to Camp Muir at 10080 ft (3072 m). The skiing is fairly easy, similar to an intermediate run at a ski area, but the setting is absolutely spectacular. The snowfield lies on a broad ridge separating the heavily crevassed Nisqually and Cowlitz Glaciers, while the mass of Gibraltar Rock and the icy summit of Rainier loom overhead. Best of all, the tremendous snowfall means that the snowfield is usually skiable year round (over 1000 inches of snow fell at Paradise during the 1998-99 season). I have skied the Muir Snowfield many times, in every month of the year except March and August. A few hardy skiers and snowboarders even manage to ski the Muir Snowfield every month of every year. Ski conditions can be excellent (or dismal) any time of year, although the best months are typically April-July.
    On a nice spring or summer day, the Muir Snowfield is one of the best places to introduce skiers and snowboarders to the backcountry, as long as they have acquired the necessary skills (intermediate or so) at a lift-served area first. The terrain is moderate, the views outrageous, and help is relatively close by in the event of unexpected trouble. The one obstacle to full enjoyment for newcomers is the large elevation gain needed to reach Camp Muir, but most can manage it given a full day, if they are in reasonable shape and perhaps get some assistance in carrying extra water and such. I have introduced several of my friends to backcountry skiing/snowboarding on the Muir Snowfield. The newer trip report below combines photos from July 1999 and April 2000, on each of these trips one of my snowboarder friends tried snowboarding without lifts for the first time. I've also included some photos from December 2000, when the awesome atmospheric phenomena (lenticular clouds, sun dogs, parhelic arcs, and the rare circum-zenithal arc) made up for the so-so snow conditions. The older trip report at bottom is from June 1997, when my friend Reina Maruyama tried ski mountaineering for the first time.

Newer Combined Trip Report: Sunday, July 25, 1999;  Saturday, April 8, 2000;  Sunday, December 3, 2000

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Trip Summary: Sunday, July 25, 1999;  Saturday, April 8, 2000;  Sunday, December 3, 2000

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Trip Summary: Saturday, June 14, 1997