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 and handling up- and downhill travel through a combination of lecture and field practice. Topics include selection and use of proper equipment, renting equipment, choosing a trip based on conditioning and skill level, winter clothing and winter travel safety.

Graduates will be eligible to participate in Basic-rated snowshoe trips with the confidence of having a solid foundation in snowshoeing.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• Online Zoom Course Lecture, which will include Q&A time and equipment show-and-tell and demonstrations.  Lecture will be held on Tuesday December 5th, 6:30pm-9:00 pm Individuals unable to attend the 12/5 lecture can instead view a recording on their own time and take a quiz afterwards.
• Course Field Trip - Planned field trip dates are Saturday, January 13th, Sunday February 4th and Saturday February 10th.
• In order to provide a convenient and easily accessible location, with the least amount of winter driving in the mountains, most or all field trips will take place at the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass summit area, in the Commonwealth Basin area across from the Summit West ski area.  Scheduled field trip dates, and possibly location, may need to change based on inclement weather, I-90 weather-related closure, or low snow levels.  If we get good early snowfall, a February field trip may be rescheduled for early January.
• Completion of separate Avalanche Awareness seminar, offered as an online through the Mountaineers or taken externally through NWAC.
• Completion of eLearning Low Impact Recreation course.

SIGN-UP PROCEDURE

1. When registering for the Basic Snowshoeing Course, sign up for an available Course Lecture. This is a 2 1/2 -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 available Field Trip that follows the online Zoom Lecture. The field trip is a 5-6 hour day of field practice on a Saturday or Sunday typically at Commonwealth Basin, Snoqualmie Pass.
3. Link to Mountaineers Financial Assistance Program is here.

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

AVALANCHE AWARENESS 

You are required to obtain the  Avalanche Awareness badge to graduate from the Basic Snowshoeing course. This badge can be obtained by taking the Mountaineers online Avalanche Awareness course or by taking an in-person class through third parties such as REI or the Northwest Avalanche Center.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SIGNING UP:

1. While this is an introductory course for beginners, snowshoeing is a highly aerobic exercise, and a moderate level of physical conditioning is expected. A typical field trip will involve approximately 4-5 miles of travel round-trip and up to 800 feet total elevation gain on snowshoes. This is the equivalent of a summer hike of approximately 6-8 miles and up to 2,000 feet elevation gain wearing hiking boots on trail. If you are new to exercising, this is not a class to take to "get in shape."
2. If you are new to the outdoors and don't have equipment or the Ten Essentials, you can 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 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.)
3. Graduates of this course will be eligible to participate in Basic-rated snowshoe trips. Those desiring to join Intermediate snowshoe trips, which require additional skills and knowledge, must take the Intermediate Snowshoeing course in addition to this course.