The Forbidden Tour

A spectacular route from start to finish, the Forbidden Tour is perhaps the most classic ski mountaineering loop in the North Cascades.

An intuitive and engaging traverse across the largest non-volcanic ice sheet in the lower 48, the Forbidden Tour's excellent reputation among Washington skiers is well deserved. The route links Boston Basin to the enormous Boston Glacier via the technical Sharkfin Col, circumnavigating around Forbidden Peak into a highly remote and unbelievably scenic position.

The Forbidden Glacier at the heart of the route offers a 3000 foot descent to Moraine Lake, requiring consideration for the current snowpack and careful route finding to piece your way down to this stunning alpine lake. The route concludes by ascending the Inspiration Glacier up to Eldorado Peak, and descending via the Eldorado Glacier and boulder-field exit back out to Cascade River Road. The tour was first completed by Martin Volken and team in 1999.