Sking Mt. St. Helens

[mzvarner]

First time, What is the best ski descent for fairly new "Ski Mountaineers"

[Lady Climber]

Go for the Worm Flows accessed from Marble Mountain Snow park. It's a long day...11 miles round trip. Make sure you know where to cross Swift Creek to get back on the trail at timberline on the descent-many a skier has missed it and ended up in thick, miserable timber. Bring an ice axe and crampons-the last 500ft can be quite icy this time of year. Although the general decent line is mellow, the canyon walls can be steep and many of them do slide-so avalanch awareness is still neccessary even on this mountain. The cornice surrounding the rim is HUGE. If you think you're far enough back to be safe-back up another 10 feet and then you might be off it. Before May 14th you will need to purchase a permit online, but there is no limit on numbers so you can buy them last minute. If you climb on Mother's Day it is maditory that you wear a dress :-)