Winter Camping Course - Foothills - 2022

Backcountry Skiing, Scrambling & Snowshoeing Course

Winter Camping Course - Foothills

Learn to plan and execute overnight successful, comfortable overnight trips in the snow.

Would you like to enjoy the quiet serenity of wintertime?  Be there as sunrise and sunset light up the snowscapes in shades of yellow, orange and red? Watch a winter fox or rabbit at work or at play?

This winter camping course will focus on the practical aspects of safe winter tent camping.  The course consists of an evening lecture and a snow camping overnight field trip. We will not be building elaborate snow caves, but you will learn how to make emergency snow shelters in 1-2 hours. 

This course is intended for any winter sport enthusiast who would like to extend their skill set to include overnight camping, including snowshoers, skiers, scramblers and climbers. Some means of snow travel is required, such as snowshoes or skis.  

Note on Enrollment 

  • We respectfully ask that anyone signing up for this course be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
  • The badge requirement to enroll is the basic snowshoeing course badge. However, if you are a skier or do not have this badge but would like to participate, please reach out to the course leaders for assistance or email to the Foothills Snowshoeing Committee at foothillssnowshoe@gmail.com Most likely only 1 field trip (with Gabrielle Orsi) will be skier-specific.

Course Content

Course content includes:

  • planning and site selection
  • winter gear and clothing requirements
  • winter cooking and food and water
  • getting around in winter
  • winter hazards and first aid
  • how to set up a winter camp

Graduation requirements

  • 1 Lecture
  • 1 Field Trip
  • Completion of free, online Low Impact Recreation Badge or similar education such as this seminar on 11/29/21 on Leave No Trace principles
Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Additional badges needed to graduate

Completed

Roster
Required Equipment

SUGGESTED Individual gear 

Due to COVID-19 our use of shared or group gear will be limited! 

  • The 10 Essentials
  • Means of snow travel (snowshoes, backcountry touring skis, splitboard, etc.)
  • Backpacking pack - 40 liters minimum capacity
  • Sleeping pad - with insulation adequate for sleeping on snow (R value of 5+)
  • Sleeping bag for colder temperatures, rated to at least 25 degrees F. or  for colder temperatures than 25 degrees F.
  • Backpacking stove, extra fuel
  • Tent suitable for 4-season use and winter conditions
  • Snow shovel
  • Compression sacks (optional)
  • Snow saw (optional)
Course Materials

There are no materials for this course.