Snowshoe / Winter Camping Course

This course teaches you to make a comfortable camp in the snow. It will cover winter tent camping and for those who are interested to stay the night in caves, we will also go over other shelter options such as snow caves. 

The course consists of:

• one Lecture
• one online Trip Preview session,
• One all-weekend Field Trip. We show up well prepared on the Saturday, but do not conclude until Sunday afternoon.

What to Expect in the Course

The lecture will address gear choices as well as the practical considerations and techniques of setting up a camp in the snow. This is also an excellent opportunity to meet other campers for setting up carpools and small groups for gear sharing (tents, stoves) and snow cave construction. 

Note that attendance at the lecture is MANDATORY in order for you to take the Field Trip.

Also, please note you must sign up for one Field Trip weekend. The locations could change - will be determined as the date approaches for each weekend. 

We will set up our tents, and review our setups to share gear choices, and experiences.  We will then turn our focus to the variety of other shelter options and emergency bivouac possibilities. Instructors will be on hand to offer guidance and advice.

If you are new to winter camping, you will need to source by rental, borrowing, or purchase of the necessary gear: tent shelter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad(s), cook stove (fuel), pan(s), utensils, clothing as needed to be well prepared for the overnight stay. 

In addition to snowshoes and overnight gear, each person should bring a collapsible metal snow shovel.

Please specify your carpool preferences for the field trip when signing up (or edit them later). Then click the link in your Profile to view other students' carpool preferences so that you can organize your own carpooling arrangements.

Questions? Email Tim at: timlawsonwild@msn.com

Prerequisites: Completion of Basic Snowshoeing Course or equivalency. Alpine Scrambling, Basic Climbing, Basic cross country skiing , ski/Snowboard mountaineering  courses graduates are also eligible to enroll in this course. 

COVID and carpooling policy:

There are currently no restrictions in place. The lecture and field trips will be held in person, and the trip planning preview meeting will be held remotely. Masks are optional. 

We encourage participants to carpool for the field trips, as parking can be limited. We do not facilitate carpooling, however course emails will include information on ways participants may  arrange carpooling amongst yourselves.

As a starting point please specify your carpool preferences for the field trip when signing up (or edit them later). Then click the link in your Profile to view other students' carpool preferences so that you can organize your own carpooling arrangements.

Before signing up for this course please be sure you have access to a winter-capable vehicle.     Lack of access to adequate transportation for the field trip will not be considered a sufficient reason to refund the course fee.

Financial Assistance

The Mountaineers strives to serve everyone, regardless of ability to pay. We are committed to providing access to outdoor recreation, education and conservation opportunities for all members and youth in the communities we serve. If you would like to take this course and are experiencing financial hardship or limitations, please apply for financial assistance. Here is more information about the Mountaineers Financial Assistance Program.