South Pole Last Degree Ski
South Pole Last Degree Ski
$83,995 USD
- December 4 – 18, 2026
- December 15 – 30, 2026
Get read for an adventure of a lifetime. You’ll spend eight days skiing to the last degree latitude at the South Pole. While at the South Pole, youāll be able to experience the spirit of determination and discovery that has inspired a century of Antarctic exploration and scientific research. Once youāve gotten a feel for what life is like there, youāll fly back to Union Glacier Camp, where you will gear up for your Vinson expedition. If youāre ready to walk in the footsteps of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott and Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, join us for this unique experience.
A ski to the South Pole entails skiing with skins on nearly flat snow for roughly 63 miles. Clients will ski six to eight hours per day and set up camps on the glacier along the way. Temperatures hover around -40Ā°C/F while the sun circles above.
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments once submitted are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and acclimatization. This is adventure travel, meaning things rarely go as planned, and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive. We always recommend climbers arrive in Punta Arenas one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (e.g., hotel, food, or sightseeing) of this extra day are the clientās responsibility. Please let us know if you want us to arrange logistics for early arrivals or for a single-rooming option.
- Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile
- Day 2: Breakfast, gear checks, guide briefing
- Day 3: Luggage check-in
- Day 4: Fly to Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Day 5: Expedition preparation in Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Day 6: Expedition preparation in Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Day 7: Fly from Union Glacier to 89Ā°S and start skiing
- Day 8 - 11: Ski to the South Pole
- Day 12: Arrive at the South Pole or 90Ā°S
- Day 13: Return to Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Day 14: Fly to back to Punta Arenas, Chile
- Day 15: Fly home
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Hereās a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included:
- Professional guides
- Flights to and from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Flight to and from Union Glacier, Antarctica, to the South Pole
- Checked luggage up to 55 lbs (25 kg) to Antarctica
- Accommodation at Union Glacier Camp and during the expedition
- All expedition food on the expedition, including breakfast, dinner, snacks, and hot drinks
- All team gear, including four-season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
- All ski equipment
- Satellite phone to update the CTSS blog and available to clientele at $3/min
Excluded:
- Flights to and from Punta Arenas, Chile
- Transportation from and to the airport in Punta Arenas
- All meals in Punta Arenas, Chile, and specialty expedition lunch food
- Hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile, if not doing Vinson before
- Luggage over 55 lbs (25 kg) to Antarctica
- All personal climbing gear is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, the client is responsible for any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs, including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping.
- Vehicle pick-up and transfer to the South Pole if you are unable to complete the expedition.
- Guide tips (customary but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
South Pole Last Degree Ski Add-On
Last Degree Ski Add-On
$59,995 USD
- December 4 – 18, 2026
- December 15 – 30, 2026
Youāre already at the end of the earth, so why not tack on a Last Degree Ski to the South Pole? Climbing Vinson is one of the worldās great adventures, but so is skiing to the South Poleāour take: letās do both!
Adding on the South Pole Last Degree Ski means youāll arrive in Antarctica before our team climb of Vinson where youāll spend eight days skiing to the last degree latitude at the South Pole. While at the South Pole, youāll be able to experience the spirit of determination and discovery that has inspired a century of Antarctic exploration and scientific research. Once youāve gotten a feel for what life is like there, youāll fly back to Union Glacier Camp, where you will gear up for your Vinson expedition. If youāre ready to walk in the footsteps of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott and Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, join us for this unique experience.
A ski to the South Pole entails skiing with skins on nearly flat snow for roughly 63 miles. Clients will ski six to eight hours per day and set up camps on the glacier along the way. Temperatures hover around -40Ā°C/F while the sun circles above.
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments once submitted are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and acclimatization. This is adventure travel, meaning things rarely go as planned, and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive. We always recommend climbers arrive in Punta Arenas one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (e.g., hotel, food, or sightseeing) of this extra day are the clientās responsibility. Please let us know if you want us to arrange logistics for early arrivals or for a single-rooming option.
- Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile
- Day 2: Breakfast, gear checks, guide briefing
- Day 3: Luggage check-in
- Day 4: Fly to Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Day 5: Expedition preparation in Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Day 6: Expedition preparation in Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Day 7: Fly from Union Glacier to 89Ā°S and start skiing
- Day 8 - 11: Ski to the South Pole
- Day 12: Arrive at the South Pole or 90Ā°S
- Day 13: Return to Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Day 14: Rest day in Union Glacier, Antarctica
- You Vinson itinerary then flows from here
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Hereās a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included:
- Professional guides
- Flights to and from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Flight to and from Union Glacier, Antarctica, to the South Pole
- Checked luggage up to 55 lbs (25 kg) to Antarctica
- Accommodation at Union Glacier Camp and during the expedition
- All expedition food on the expedition, including breakfast, dinner, snacks, and hot drinks
- All team gear, including four-season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
- All ski equipment
- Satellite phone to update the CTSS blog and available to clientele at $3/min
Excluded:
- Flights to and from Punta Arenas, Chile
- Transportation from and to the airport in Punta Arenas
- All meals in Punta Arenas, Chile, and specialty expedition lunch food
- Hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile, if not doing Vinson before
- Luggage over 55 lbs (25 kg) to Antarctica
- All personal climbing gear is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, the client is responsible for any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs, including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping.
- Vehicle pick-up and transfer to the South Pole if you are unable to complete the expedition.
- Guide tips (customary but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Mount Sidley Climb
Mount Sidley Climb
$77,250 USD
At 14,058 ft (4,285 m), Mount Sidley is Antarcticaās highest volcano and one of the elusive Volcanic Seven Summits. Remote, rarely climbed, and set deep within the stark beauty of the Polar Ice Sheet, Sidley offers an expedition unlike any other.
First summited in 1990 by New Zealander Bill Atkinson, the peak has seen only a handful of ascents since. Its broad, 3-mile-wide caldera and sheer amphitheater wallsāborn of an explosive eruption 4.7 million years agoācreate a landscape that is as geologically fascinating as it is visually striking. Blue-ice slopes and otherworldly snow formations line the upper mountain, culminating in views that stretch endlessly over the frozen continent.
This is your opportunity to join the ranks of climbers who have stood on the summit of Mount Sidley with the vast expanse of Antarctica below your feet. Summiting Mount Sidley is more than just a climb ā itās an expedition of a lifetime, an experience that will leave an indelible mark on your soul forever.
Please note: Climbing Mount Sidley is a serious undertaking meant for climbers with prior experience in the cold and some climbing skills. Guides will work with clients throughout the expedition to provide safety, advice, logistics, technical guidance, and information to best ensure the clientsā summit success.
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. For more information, please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy.
All payments, once submitted, are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and acclimatization. This is adventure travel, meaning things rarely go as planned, and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive. We always recommend climbers arrive in Punta Arenas one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (e.g., hotel, food, or sightseeing) of this extra day are the client’s responsibility. Please let us know if you want us to arrange logistics for early arrivals or for a single-rooming option.
- Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile
- Day 2: Team breakfast, gear checks, expedition briefing
- Day 3: Luggage check-in and cocktail evening with Antarctic flight service
- Day 4: Fly to Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Day 5: Acclimatization hikes around Union Glacier
- Day 6: Acclimatization hikes around Union Glacier
- Day 7: Fly to Mount Sidley
- Day 8-13: Climb and summit Mount Sidley
- Day 14: Fly back to Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Day 15: Scheduled flight from Antarctica to Punta Arenas, Chile
- Day 16: Fly home
- Day 17: Contingency day
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Hereās a detailed list so you know what to expect.
Included:
- Professional mountain guides
- Flights to and from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Union Glacier, Antarctica
- Flights to and from Union Glacier, Antarctica, to Mount Sidley
- Checked luggage up to 55 lbs (25 kg) to Antarctica
- Three nights' lodging with double occupancy in Punta Arenas, Chile (two nights before the expedition and one night after). Any additional nights due to delays, etc., will be at your own expense.
- All expedition food on the mountain, including breakfast, dinner, snacks, and hot drinks. In addition, all breakfasts at the hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile, are included.
- All team gear, including four-season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
- Satellite phone to update the CTSS blog and available to clientele at $3/min
Excluded:
- Flights to and from Punta Arenas, Chile
- Transportation from and to the airport in Punta Arenas
- All in-town restaurant meals (breakfast is provided) and specialty mountain lunch food
- Luggage over 55 lbs (25 kg) to Antarctica
- All personal climbing gear is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, the client is responsible for any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs, including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping.
- Guide tips (customary but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Ty Sauerbrey and Mount Baker as a Classroom
Ty Sauerbrey and Mount Baker as a Classroom
If youāre climbing Mount Baker with CTSS this season, thereās a good chance youāll spend time on the glacier with Ty Sauerbrey, who brings extensive experience not only on Baker but also across Mexico, Ecuador, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest. With more than 80 successful Baker summits, Ty has a deep familiarity with the mountain and a background built through diverse experiences.Ā
Raised up and down the East Coast, Ty never stayed in one place for long. That constant movement shaped how he approaches new environments, learning to pay attention quickly, adapt to changing conditions, and stay comfortable when things feel unfamiliar. A chance climb of Mount Fuji in Japan became a turning point, pulling him away from a Division I collegiate running career and towards the mountains. What stayed with him was not just the climb itself, but the discipline of pacing, problem-solving, and decision-making in harsh terrains. Those early lessons became the foundation of his guiding career, informing how he moves between disciplines and teaches climbers to think clearly across different mountain environments
Throughout his guiding career, Ty has led alpine climbs, glacier courses, backcountry ski tours, and rafting expeditions, and has taught ice climbing, avalanche awareness, and outdoor leadership to a wide range of ages and abilities. That breadth of experience translates directly into how he works with climbers, especially those stepping onto glaciated terrain for the first time. His focus is not just on skills and terrain, but also on helping people understand why decisions are made and how to adapt when conditions change.
We sat down with Ty to talk about safety, teaching, and Mount Bakerās role as a training ground, and what climbers should expect when they step onto the glacier with him.
With your experience as a former Guide Supervisor and your certifications as a Wilderness EMT, Avalanche Pro 1, and AIARE Instructor, how do you bring your safety mindset into the Baker environment where so many climbers are learning for the first time?
My safety mindset starts long before we step on the snow. I combine pre-trip risk assessmentāweather, objective hazards, and avalanche forecastsāwith route selection that matches each groupās abilities.
On the mountain, I focus on three things. First is practical prevention. I reduce risk through smart decisions like objective selection, group spacing, and travel techniques. Second is skill-building through teaching. I break complex topics into short, confidence-building lessons and hands-on drills. Novice climbers learn ropework, crampon and ice-axe use, and self-rescue skills in small, supported steps so progress feels clear and achievable.
The third piece is preparedness to respond. My Wilderness EMT and Avalanche Pro 1 training mean Iām prepared to treat injuries and organize evacuations. I take prepping my med kit very seriously.
You guide across alpine climbs, glacier courses, and backcountry skiing. How does that range of experience shape the way you teach climbers? What do you love about guiding, and whatās the most challenging part?
I love watching people changeāthe moment when a movement clicks or when someone nails a crevasse rescue drill. That transformation is addictive. I also love the team element. I grew up playing sports, and thereās nothing like working together toward a shared goal in the mountains.
One of the best parts for me is constant problem-solving: reading conditions, choosing creative options, and teaching others to think in that same way. The most challenging part is balancing instruction with objective safety and group goals. Time, conditions, and differing experience levels mean constantly juggling teaching opportunities with route decisions and risk management. The goal is to keep learning high-quality while maintaining conservative, flexible decision-making.
Youāre known for your big smile, booming laugh, and gift for teaching. What kind of environment do you try to create while leading a climb?
Learning sticks when people feel comfortable and secure. I give positive, specific feedback mixed with energy and humor throughout the course. Empathy and pacing drive my teaching style.
I tune the day to the groupās energy and anxiety levelsāmore demos and reassurance when people are nervous, faster reps when confidence grows. Everyone learns on a different clock, and respecting that actually speeds progress. I like to create an environment with open, no-shame communication. No question is a dumb question, and repeated questions are always welcome.
I believe in a hands-on learning environment where everyone gets the reps they need to be successful. At the same time, I expect everyone to show up ready to learn. Weāre a team, and Iām going to do my best, so I expect the best from you in our outdoor classroom. When the learning environment is right, we can make real magic happen on Baker.
What do you wish all your clients knew before they showed up on expedition?
You donāt need to be āstrongā or āexperiencedā to succeed. You just need to show up prepared, curious, and ready to learn. Effort, attitude, and teamwork matter far more than prior mileage.
If I could give every client one pre-trip briefing, it would be this: expeditions arenāt about proving something. Theyāre about learning, adapting, and working as a team in a dynamic environment. The people who have the best experiences are the ones who arrive open-minded and prepared.
Youāve summited Mount Baker more than 80 times. What makes Baker a mountain you keep returning to, and why is it such a powerful place to build fundamental skills?
Baker is the perfect classroomācomplex, changeable, and incredibly instructive. Its glaciers, varied routes, and frequent weather swings give climbers real-world practice in the exact skills that matter: rope systems, crevasse awareness, movement on snow and ice, and sound decision-making.
Eighty-plus summits doesnāt mean Iāve seen everything. It means Iāve seen the same kinds of challenges play out enough times to teach them clearly. Baker is one of those rare mountains thatās both demanding and accessible, which is why itās such an effective place to build fundamentals.
What type of skills do climbers develop on Baker that prepare them for bigger objectives around the world?
Baker is a compact, high-value classroom. The skills you practice there transfer directly to big glaciated peaks and expedition objectives around the world. Climbers develop efficient movement on snow and ice, proficiency with crampons and ice axes, rope systems, expedition pacing, logistics, and nutrition.
Beyond the technical, climbers build judgmentāassessing weather, identifying objective and subjective hazards, route finding, and mountain leadership. Baker builds the habits, systems, and decision-making skills needed to step up safely and confidently to larger mountains anywhere in the world.
What comes through clearly after getting to know Ty is how intentional his guiding is. He pays attention. He explains his decisions. He gives people space to learn, mess up, ask questions, and try again. Climbers donāt leave the mountain having simply followed a guide; they leave understanding why decisions were made and how to apply those lessons on future climbs.
This season, Ty will be guiding eight Mount Baker programs with CTSS, including our 5-Day Alpine Academies, Advanced courses, and Masters programs. Whether youāre stepping onto a glacier for the first time or sharpening skills for bigger objectives, learning from Ty on Baker means learning in one of the best mountaineering classrooms there is, guided by someone who knows how to make the lessons stick.
And if youāre one of the climbers joining him this season, Ty has a message for you:
āI canāt wait to get you on the snow. These programs are built for folks who want to learn how to think and move like a mountaineer. Show up ready to learn, because the learning starts the second we shake hands during gear check.
My big ask is to take Mount Baker seriously. Itās not enough to carry the heavy pack to high camp on day oneāitās about how well you recover over the following days during lessons and our eventual summit attempt. Spend some time in the off-season building fitness with a weighted pack. If you take the time to train, I promise youāll get the most out of your course.ā
Consider that your friendly nudgeāand your cue to start hauling that weighted pack.
Aconcagua Team Climbers at Plaza de Mulas Base Camp
Aconcagua Team Climbers at Plaza de Mulas Base Camp
Our Aconcagua team has officially made the full 360 traverse on the Roof of the Americas and has arrived safely at Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Due to weather conditions at the summit, our team was unable to make it to the summit.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the entire team, and CTSS guides Ty and Macarena for all of their hard work on the mountain. Aconcagua is one of many unforgiving and unrelenting peaks.
Photos from the CTSS Archives & CTSS Guide Ty Vineyard
Aconcagua Team Moves to Camp 2
Aconcagua Team Moves to Camp 2
It’s been a windy few days for our climbers on Aconagua, but our team is now officially en route to Camp 2! The wind thwarted a carry day to Camp 2 earlier in the week, but the team stayed positive and persistent. That focus has paid off, and the winds are abating, which is good news all around.
Here’s the team a few days ago at Camp 1.
Updates from Plaza Argentina Base Camp
Updates from Plaza Argentina Base Camp
It’s been a busy weekend for our Aconcagua team climbers! Yesterday, they had a successful carry to Camp 1 (16,400 ft / 5,000m). Today, they are resting at Base Camp (13,840 ft / 4,218m) before making their official move to Camp 1 tomorrow.
Here are a few images of the team during their carry to Camp 1:
CTSS Team Reaches Plaza Argentina Base Camp
CTSS Team Reaches Plaza Argentina Base Camp
Good news coming in from our Aconagua team today: they’ve officially made it to Plaza Argentina Base Camp! Tomorrow, the team will take a much-deserved rest day before starting their rotations on the upper mountain. Here are a few photos of the team:
Also on Aconcagua, we have one Speed Ascender who just landed in Mendoza and will be flying into Plaza Argentina Base Camp tomorrow to join the rest of the team. If you’re interested in learning more about our Speed Aacent programs, check out our latest webinar:
Aconcagua Team Arrives at Casa de Piedra
Aconcagua Team Arrives at Casa de Piedra
Today was the second day of mule-assisted day hiking for our Aconcagua team climbers. Our guides checked in with us earlier, and the crew has made it to Casa de Piedra, which is a major milestone. Below are a few photos of the team:
Tomorrow, they have one more day of mule-assisted trekking and should arrive at Plaza Argentina Base Camp. After that, the altitude will really be kicking in, and the team will start rotations on the upper mountain to ensure everyone continues to acclimatize properly. Here is a look at the upper mountain:
Note: Plaza Argentina Base Camp is not pictured since the team is taking on the 360 Route, which wraps itself around the entire mountain. This first Base Camp is to the left of Camp 1 and slightly off our screens. Plaza de Mulas will be our team’s Base Camp during their descent only.
Aconcagua Team En Route To Plaza Argentina Base Camp
Aconcagua Team En Route To Plaza Argentina Base Camp
Our Aconcagua team climbers officially started their trek and climb today! Today, they made their way to Pampa de LeƱas, their first of many tented camps on the way to the Roof of the Americas!
Below are a few photos from the team as they departed from Puente del Inca and started trekking up the Vacas Valley.
In Ecuador, our Chimborazo climbers were reminded that the mountain and its weather are always in charge. The team did not make an attempt to summit Chimborazo because the snow conditions were deemed too unsafe. We recognize and understand what a hard moment this can be for our climbers and our guides, but we are stoked to know that everyone made it to High Camp and got to experience one more night on the mountain. They will return to Quite today before departing for more adventures or homeward bound.