Winter Skills Courses

Communities throughout Washington offer a variety of winter skills courses - on snowshoeing, navigation, avalanche safety and winter camping.

Mountaineers

The Mountaineers offer a wide variety of winter skills courses. Check out their offerings:

: Know the avalanche conditions before heading out this winter - classes offered throughout Washington can help you be prepared. Photo by Dave Schiefelbein.

Snowshoeing courses for all different levels of experience
Basic navigation courses and GPS workshops
Avalanche safety courses

Ridge Explorations

Ridge Explorations is offering free avalanche clinics throughout Washington during the 2010-2011 Winter season..

Free Avalanche Clinics:

Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 6:30pm: Feathered Friends, Seattle

Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 7pm: Enumclaw Senior Center, Cole St, Enumclaw

Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7pm: University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Wyatt Hall Room 101

Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 7pm: Greenwater Community Center, SR 410, Greenwater

Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7pm: Marmot, Bellevue

AIARE Avalanche Awareness Level 1 Classes:

Saturday, Dec. 4 from 9:30am-3:30pm: Feathered Friends, Seattle

Wednesday Dec. 8, Thursday, Dec. 9 from 5:45-9pm, Greenwater Community Center, Greenwater

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 12, 19 from 6:45-9pm, Marmot, Bellevue

Monday, Jan. 10, Tuesday, Jan. 11 from 5:45-9pm, GRCC Enumclaw

Saturday, Jan. 22 from 9am-3:30pm, University of Puget Sound, Wheelock Student Center Rm. 101

Saturday, Jan. 29 from 9am-3:30pm, Seattle Mountaineers Program Center, Seattle

More Information:
Winter Safety Tips

Snowshoeing & Skiing Information

Guided Snowshoe Walks

Try snowshoeing and experience spectacular scenery while learning about winter ecology beginning the first week of January through March. Snowshoers need to wear layered and insulated clothing, hats, gloves and study, waterproof boots for the snowshoes. The Forest Service provides snowshoes. To offset the costs of the program, a donation of $10 per person is suggested for all tours except the extended hike, where $20 is requested.

Snoqualmie Pass

Moderate, Sat. Sun. 10 am- 1pm Extended, Fri. Sat. Sun. 9:15 am- 1pm "Kids in the Snow", Jan. 24, Feb. 28, Mar. 21, 1pm

Make reservations at 509-852-1062

Stevens Pass

Beginners, Sat. Sun. 12pm-2pm

Make reservations at Skykomish Ranger District, 360-677-2414 Stevens Pass offers a shuttle from Mountain View Chevron in Sultan to the resort at the highway summit. Check www.stevenspass.com for fees and schedules.

REI

REI stores throughout Washington and Oregon also offer introductory snowshoeing, avalanche and winter camping clinics. Click on the store nearest you to see a schedule of upcoming events.