Snowshoeing Course
Basic Snowshoeing
This series of lectures will include an introduction to winter activities, avalanche awareness, safety, equipment, 10 essentials, cold weather ailments and winter recreation etiquette. The lectures will be followed by a field trip, during which students will learn, practice and demonstrate basic snowshoe techniques.
Contacts
- Sat, Jan 11, 2025 - Thu, Dec 31, 2026
- Committee: Olympia Snowshoe Committee
- Members: $97.00 Guests: $150.00
- Availability: 5 (20 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Learn how to snowshoe and basic winter travel techniques. Even if you already know how to snowshoe, the training in avalanche terrain recognition and avalanche avoidance is well worth taking the class and improving your safety in the backcountry.
Classroom Session (full day Saturday with lunch break):
Introduction to Winter Activities and avalanche awareness:
We will cover winter hazards and weather, winter ailments, ten essentials for winter, clothing, gear and what's in a snowshoer's day pack; choice of routes (avalanche avoidance); trail etiquette; hands-on with snowshoes: the types, adjustment and use; and what to expect on the field trip.
Avalanche Awareness class:
To graduate, you must have taken an Avalanche Awareness or higher level avalanche class. We are offering a free 90-minute class presented by the Northwest Avalanche Center at Friends Meeting House on Thursday evening, 1/16/25. Doors open at 6:30. Presentation begins at 7:00 pm sharp. If you wish to take this class, you must register separately with NWAC and with The Mountaineers. The link to class where you can register with The Mountaineers is:
https://www.mountaineers.org/locations-lodges/olympia-branch/committees/olympia-snowshoe-committee/seminars-clinics/avalanche-awareness-class-olympia-friends-meeting-house-1
The NWAC registration link for your class is registration link
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Participants should register via this link. Registered participants will receive class reminders as well as follow up and resources after the class.
Field trip:
Full day field trip at a location with sufficient snow (likely Mount Rainier National Park, possibly White Pass). Class will be divided into small groups, each with one or more instructor-leaders. Students will learn, practice and demonstrate basic snowshoe techniques. Avalanche test pit demonstration, time and conditions permitting.
Course fees:
The course fee is $110 for Mountaineers members, and $165 for non-member guests. The Mountaineers may award scholarships in some cases to assist with course fees and other expenses. The scholarship procedure is confidential. Here is link to the Mountaineers scholarship program: https://www.mountaineers.org/membership/scholarships/scholarships
Depending on location, a trail fee or vehicle entry or parking fee may be required for the field trip. These are not included in the course fee. There is no fee for the Avalanche Awareness class presented by NWAC.
Snowshoe trips:
Prior to the course field trip, Basic Snowshoe students (and other members) may register for Mountaineers-led snowshoe trips which are rated Beginner, or unrated, and which are reasonably within their abilities. After successful completion of the course field trip, Basic Snowshoe students may also register for snowshoe trips rated Basic, and which are reasonably within their abilities.
Graduation (Badge) requirements:
You will get a Basic Snowshoe Course Student badge when you enroll. To graduate and get the Basic Snowshoe Course badge, attendance at the classroom session and successful completion of the field trip are required. You must also successfully complete at least one Mountaineers-led snowshoe trip before the end of the calendar year following the field trip. An avalanche safety course, which may be the Northwest Avalanche Center Avalanche Awareness class (90 minutes), or a higher level such as AIARE is also required. Please see registration instructions below. If you meet the graduation requirements prior to the annual branch Awards event, you will be recognized at the event and you can get your ticket at no charge.
Registration instructions:
To join and complete this course, you must register for the course. This should also automatically enroll you in the classroom session and the field trip. After you register for the course, click on your profile picture, select "My Activities" and make sure the classroom session, NWAC class and field trip are all listed. If not, please go to the activity listing and register yourself manually. An Avalanche Awareness or higher class is required to graduate. We are offering one in connection with this course. You should also be automatically registered for the NWAC class on January 16th. If you have already taken or will take the Avalanche Awareness or higher class elsewhere, and do not want to take a free refresher on January 16th, please provide proof of completion of the class.
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Participants should register via this link. Registered participants will receive class reminders as well as follow up and resources after the class. There is no fee for the NWAC class. It is part of the Department of Agriculture, as is the National Forest Service; your tax dollars at work.
This is an adult (age 18 or over) course. Youths age 12 and up may register with a parent or guardian who is taking the course and who will be primarily responsible for their supervision. Youths must be Mountaineers members, and their parents or guardians must complete the liability waiver and release, youth information form and youth in adult program form. Please enter the age of registrant under 18 in "Registration Notes".
Badges you will earn:
Basic Snowshoeing Course
| Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Snowshoe One-Day Classroom Session | |||
| Olympia Friends Meeting House |
Sat, Jan 11, 2025
Registration closes Jan 9
|
5
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Basic Snowshoe Field Trip | |||
| Paradise Area (winter) |
Sat, Jan 25, 2025
Registration closes Jan 23
|
5
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Avalanche Awareness Course
Every person's clothing needs are different. Some people get colder more quickly than others. NO COTTON; remember, "Cotton kills". If you don't have any of this gear, try borrowing it from friends before you spend money. Thrift shops, used gear stores (one good one in Ballard, Seattle; another in Interbay, Seattle; one in downtown Olympia); garage and estate sales are possibilities. Mountaineers branches have used gear sales annually or more often.
For the field trip, you must bring the Ten Essentials and clothing, equipment, lunch, snacks and a day pack large enough for all your winter gear.
TEN ESSENTIALS: Map (will be provided by leader), compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, extra clothing, emergency shelter, headlamp/flashlight, first-aid supplies, fire starter, matches, knife, extra food & water. Sun protection is a must. Snow reflection is highly damaging to eyes; UV damage and sunburns are common if proper protection is not used.
Snowshoes: metal frame or molded plastic. Bottoms must have crampons, traction bars or other traction feature. Ski Poles/Trekking poles with snow baskets. Both available at White Pass gear rental shop, Whittaker's near Rainier Nisqually entrance, or at REI stores.
Clothing and other gear will be covered in classroom sessions. A list will be provided.
| Name/Description |
|---|
| Snowshoe Travel from Seattle Guide Descriptions of basic snowshoe techniques, for use with placard check off list on field trip. |
| Winter Clothing for Snowshoeing and XC Skiing.docx |
| Winter Driving Techniques Winter Driving Techniques |
| Winter Driving: Before You Go Checklist for driving through mountain passes in snow season. |
| Winter Travel Sources and Resources.docx |
| winter-10-essentials.pdf |
| wintersportsexercise.pdf |