WINTER CAMPING SKILLS COURSE OVERVIEW

Our basic overnight winter skills course is a full introduction to camping in the mountains in winter. It’s perfect for those who have none to little backpacking or winter camping experience. It’s a great first step for those with no previous mountain experience who wish to take our Intro to Winter Mountaineering Course and get more into the world of winter mountaineering.

This 2-day winter skills and camping course is for those wishing to learn the skills for winter backcountry travel. You will learn all the basic winter camping skills in the mountains of the Eastern High Sierra Nevada. It’s a great experience for those looking to really get away from it all in the winter.

This overnight winter camping and skills course is conducted in the Eastern Sierra out of the town of Mammoth Lakes. We snowshoe a few miles then establish a remote backcountry camp for the night.

Along the way, we will cover all the basics of:

  • Snow Camping & Winter Shelters

  • Staying Warm & Dry

  • Snowshoeing Techniques on Steeper Terrain

  • Winter Backcountry Travel & Safety

  • Avalanche Awareness

Learn proper winter camping and techniques from our professional local mountain guides with many years of experience in the Sierra Nevada.

To ease your entry into the world of winter camping, we provide everything you are going to need at no extra cost. We don’t nickel & dime you with extra costs…all you have to bring is your own clothing. We include winter boots, a winter sleeping bag and pad, a backpack, snowshoes, and more.

Do you have previous multi-day backpacking experience and are looking for something a bit more technical & challenging? Check out our Intro to Winter Mountaineering Course in the Eastern Sierra.

“The winter trip was excellent!!! I feel like I am fully prepared for more winter adventures. ”
— Dave R.
 
 
 

EXPERIENCE & PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

  • Previous overnight backpacking experience is not required, but recommended.

  • Previous off-trail hiking experience is required.

  • Good to very good physical condition is required.

This is a beginner overnight winter camping course, yet snowshoeing with an overnight backpack is very physically exerting! Please feel free to contact us for any training recommendations.

Curious how to rate your physical ability? Check out our Physical Ability Page

 

WINTER 2024/2025

December 21-22
January 4-5
February 15-16 (pres. weekend)
March 15-16
April 19-20

COST: $625

We include all camping gear & winter boots at no extra cost!

INCLUDES

  • Breakfast & dinner while in the backcountry.

  • Group camping equipment, such as tents and cooking equipment.

  • Sleeping bag and pad, backpack, snowshoes if needed at no extra cost. ($30 cleaning fee for using our sleeping bags)

  • Winter boot rentals available at $10 per day

  • Professional local mountain guides.

 

For intro to mountaineering courses past April check out our summer version of the same course Intro to Mountaineering 3-day

For more info on this trip please fill out the form below:

WINTER CAMPING SKILLS COURSE ITINERARY

Day 1
We meet in the town of Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra at 8 am at our office. After a pack check and gear discussion, we drive to the trailhead where we begin our hike to our camp location. Along the way, you will learn basic snowshoeing techniques while carrying a heavier overnight backpack. The afternoon is spent setting up a secure winter camp and covering the basics of winter camp selection and construction. If time and conditions allow, we have fun building winter shelters and snow caves, which you may sleep in if you like. We also cover all the basics of winter cooking, including melting snow for water, and then enjoy a hearty backcountry meal. Then it’s to bed in our comfy winter tents.

Day 2
After a good breakfast, the morning is spent going on a snowshoe tour without the heavier overnight packs to learn and experience snowshoeing on somewhat steeper terrain. We also show you how to avoid avalanche terrain and discuss some avalanche awareness. We return to camp for lunch then break everything down and head back to the trailhead in the afternoon.

Itinerary subject to change & is subject to safe weather and snow conditions