Standing 14,410 feet above sea level over the Seattle skyline, Mount Rainier is one of the most iconic mountains in the United States. An active volcano, the surrounding national park is full of subalpine wildflower meadows and stunning ancient forest, while the peak itself is the most glaciated in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers on its own.
Spring travel on the mountain comes with real risks, including thin snow bridges that can be broken through, snow cornices that can collapse under a person’s feet, tree wells, steep, snow–covered slopes, and much more. But when done safely and when done right, a spring ski trip on one of the many glaciers can have some serious payoff.
Skier Seamus Dolan captured this footage from the slopes of Mount Rainier, capturing just how nice a day of skiing can be when, again, done right right and done safely.
The footage was captured on Tahoma Glacier which, as of 2021, had a maximum elevation of 14,334 feet and a minimum elevation of 5,510 feet. In total the glacier has an elevation range of 8,824 feet, but according to Seamus their descent was closer to 6,000 feet.
Tahoma Glacier was previously connected to South Tahoma Glacier in the recent historical past, but they’ve since been separated by Glacier Island. They were connected between 25,000 and 15,000 years ago, forming a tributary to the ancient Nisqually Glacier. They were reconnected during the Little Ice Age about 100 years ago, remaining so until around the middle of the 1900s.
The best spot for viewing Tahoma Glacier is from the crest of Emerald Ridge along the Wonderland Trail, while South Tahoma is best viewed from Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground. Climbing regulations on Mount Rainier are dictated by Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, 7.5 (b). Primarily, if you intend to travel on a glacier or above normal climbing high camps at around 10,000 feet, you must have a permit. Learn more about climbing access in Mount Rainier National Park here.
