Winter Camping Course - Foothills - 2023

Backcountry Skiing, Snowshoeing & Scrambling Course

Winter Camping Course - Foothills

Learn to plan and execute overnight successful, comfortable overnight trips in the snow. Field trips will be offered in March 2023.

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 is comprised 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. Field trips will be offered on March 2023 weekends - we'll be updating this course soon so please check back or contact us!

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

Note on Enrollment 

  • We respectfully request that you be vaccinated for COVID-19 before taking part in this course.
  • The badge requirement to enroll is the basic snowshoeing course badge.  However, if you do not have this badge but have other snow travel skills and would like to participate, please reach out to the course leaders for assistance or email to the Foothills Snowshoeing Committee at foothills.snowshoe@gmail.com.  One of our field trips will accommodate skiers/splitboarders. 

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 on Leave No Trace principles
Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Additional badges needed to graduate

Completed

Roster
Required Equipment

Individual gear

  • 10 Essentials
  • Means of flotation (snowshoes, skis, etc.), trekking poles with snow baskets
  • Backpacking pack, 50 liters or larger is usually best
  • Sleeping pad
  • Sleeping bag, rated to 20 degrees F. or for colder temperatures

Group Gear

  • Backpacking stove
  • Tent
  • Snow shovel
  • Snow saw
Course Materials

There are no materials for this course.