North Cascades Backcountry Ideas?

I posted this on ttips and it was suggested I post here.

My wife and I are going to be spending Christmas in the Methow Valley and are looking for suggestions for intermediate to advanced BC terrain to hit up while we're there. We will probably "ski the loup" in Twisp one day but would also like to check out some of the backcountry. We've skied hwy 20 a ways watching slednecks zoom past us with skis on board, I assume they were heading up to Washington Pass and Liberty Bowl.

We checked on heli skiing and the choppers aren't running that time of year so no dice on that. We thought about renting a sled somewheres.

We'd also rather not hire a guide.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

When you get to the loup ask for Chad Rosenberg; he's a ski instructor there... real nice guy. 
Tell him Ron Jarvis said hi & is looking forward to skiing with him at Whistler again in January.  Then ask him if he can hook you up with any of the locals for some backcountry tours.  Chad doesn't ski the backcountry but knows a lot of the locals who do.
If there's anyone can hook you up with the locals, Chad's the guy.

as far as i know, most good tours off mazama require snowmobile access in winter.

but there is the driveway butte; the access starts from behind the freestone inn. it is mostly glades, so good for when the avy conditions are bad; apparently the heli operations does cat skiing there when it's too bad elsewhere. you follow the logging road and keep an eye out for the old driveway signs (it used to be a sheep driveway, and it is marked as such - smart sheep to be able to read that

hwy 20 is usually plowed to silver star. that is an excellent ski; even if you don't make it to the top, there are some good glades closer to the road. pretty tight trees getting out.

you could also try delancey ridge. i've never skied that, it's usually too bony that early in the season, and it faces south, but this year it might go. burgdorfer's book has a description.

if you can figure out a way to get up to wa pass or cutthroat, it is well well worth it!!

Cuttthroat Lake? Intermediate/beginner up the road and trail, then more advanced above the lake.
Check Seabury Blair's "Backcountry Ski! Washington"m book.