Tacoma Basic Snowshoe Equivalency

Equivalency permits members with appropriate levels of previous training and experience to bypass the Basic Snowshoe course.  The process involves an application, a short email or phone conversation, a short knowledge test and a Tacoma Mountaineers Basic Snowshoe trip for evaluation of skills. The review process may take a few weeks or more, depending on schedules.

Basic Snowshoe Equivalency Requirements:

• Knowledge of the 10 Essentials
• Knowledge of Winter Gear Selection, Nutrition, and Hazards
• Successfully completed two snowshoe trips in the past 24 months; private or Mountaineers
• A current Avalanche Awareness badge is required. It is not necessary to have this badge to apply for equivalence and start the process but the badge must be completed before equivalency can be granted. Avalanche Awareness
• A current Stewardship badge is also required. It is not necessary to have this badge to apply for equivalence and start the process but the badge must be completed before equivalency can be granted. Stewardship Badge Information
• A current Low Impact Recreation badge is also required. It is not necessary to have this badge to apply for equivalence and start the process but the badge must be completed before equivalency can be granted. Low Impact Recreation
• Attend a minimum of one Tacoma Branch Basic Snowshoe trip.

Steps to obtain Equivalency:

• To apply for equivalency, please fill out the below application and provide details of your snowshoeing experience. Basic Snowshoe Equivalency Application
• Once an application is received it will be reviewed by Snowshoe committee and an evaluator will be assigned.
• Evaluators are responsible to track an applicant’s progress and provide guidance.
• Once all requirements are completed, the evaluator will report the candidate’s progress to the Tacoma Snowshoe Committee.
• The committee will review the evaluator feedback and accept or reject the equivalency application.

PLEASE NOTE: Depending on the season and volunteer availability, the review process may take weeks to complete. All applications are subject to Snowshoe Committee approval. The Committee reserves the right to hold or reject any application for any reason.