Basic Snowshoeing Course

Want to learn to snowshoe? This course is designed for those with no or little experience who want to learn the basics of snowshoeing. Whether you are new to snowsports and want to have fun in the winter outdoors, or yearn to extend the hiking season to include winter adventures, this is the course to get you started. This course will cover basic balance, maneuvering on snowshoes, going up hill and handling downhills, through a combination of lectures and field practice. Topics will include selection and use of proper equipment, renting equipment, choosing a trip based on conditioning and skill level, winter clothing and winter travel safety.

Students will be eligible to participate in Easy and Easy+ rated snowshoe trips with the confidence of having a solid foundation in snowshoeing.

The course consists of the following:

• Course Lecture;
• Avalanche Awareness;
• Course Field Trip.

Sign-up procedure

Important note: To fully register for the Basic Snowshoeing Course you need to sign up for the 3 separate components:

1. After you register for the Basic Snowshoeing Course and pay the course fee, then sign up for an available Course Lecture. This is a 3 hour class on a weekday evening. Also note that attendance at the lecture is mandatory in order to attend a Field Trip. There are NO exceptions.
2. Sign up for an Avalanche Awareness seminar. The course includes avalanche awareness education provided by the Northwest Avalanche Center, and graduates will be awarded an Avalanche Awareness Badge. We use the first 30-45 minutes of the session to review student snowshoeing gear, so it is highly recommended it precedes the Field Trip. Please bring your winter boots, snowshoes, gaiters and poles, an important step in preparing for the Field Trip. If you already have an Avalanche Awareness Badge, this seminar can be optional, but you must sign up first, then let the leader know you plan to opt out.
3. Sign up for an available Field Trip that follows the Lecture. This is a full day of field practice on a Saturday or Sunday at Commonwealth Basin at Snoqualmie Pass.

Space at lectures, field trips and regular trips is limited, so please sign up early to ensure you get the dates that work for you.

Link to Mountaineers Financial Assistance Program.

Things to consider before signing up:

1) While this is an introductory course, snowshoeing is a great aerobic exercise, and a moderate level of physical conditioning is necessary. A typical field trip will involve approximately 3-4 miles of travel round-trip and up to 600 feet total elevation gain on snowshoes. This is the equivalent of a summer hike of approximately 6-8 miles and up to 1,200 feet elevation gain wearing hiking boots on trail.

2) If you are new to the outdoors and the Ten Essentials, expect a moderate level of investment in equipment and clothing ($200-600 for new or mostly new items). Used quality gear and clothing is a good way to begin building your inventory. It is also always wise to rent or borrow snowshoes before investing in them. Check the Required Equipment list in advance to begin preparing for the items you will need for this course and for snowshoeing in general. (We will also cover clothing and gear in detail during the lecture).

Graduates of this course are eligible to join Easy and Easy+ snowshoe trips. Those desiring to join Moderate and/or Strenuous snowshoe trips, which require additional skills and knowledge, must take the Backcountry Snowshoeing Skills course offered in late January, in addition to this course.