Nordic (Cross-country) Ski Course

The Tacoma Branch offers a Nordic (Cross-Country) Ski Course each year during January and February. This course is designed for beginners, but experienced skiers are welcome to join us, brush up on technique, make new friends and skiing partners. The course is also well-suited for lift skiers that want a change of pace and an escape from the crowds.

Non-Mountaineers are welcome to take the course. Enroll with a friend! Or better yet, join the club and catch a break on your course fees. 

The course includes one lectures and three field trips. Graduation requires attendance at the lecture, all field trips, taking an avalanche awareness class (no additional cost), taking the online low impact course (no additional cost), plus successful completion of one ski tour. In the classroom, we cover clothing and equipment, conditioning, preparation, and winter hazards. If you do not already have skis or boots, we advise waiting until after the equipment lecture before purchasing or renting. Actually, renting is reasonably inexpensive and a recommended way to get a good feel for the kind of skis you prefer.

Like most Mountaineer courses, we keep costs down by using volunteer instructors who have graduated the course and have qualified to instruct by attending our instructor clinics. Course fees include trail passes, but do not include parking passes, which will be required at some field trips.

Graduation qualifies you to ski with any Mountaineer branch and to pursue a trip leader and/or instructor role in future years.