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Domestic & International Trips & Courses with Professionally Trained Mountain Guides
Course

2-Day Winter Camping Course

Overview

This course is designed as an introduction to spending the night in winter conditions in the alpine. Whether you're looking to summit Rainier or spend days doing a ski mountaineering trip, this course will help you dial in your winter camping skills and equipment so you feel confident and prepared to take your next adventures to higher elevations.

$500 Per Person
2 Days
Difficulty
Ratio:
6:1, 12:2

Trip Information

$500
425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com

This course is designed as an introduction to spending the night in winter conditions in the alpine. It will help you dial in your winter camping skills and equipment so you feel confident and prepared to take your next adventures to higher elevations.

This 2-day, 1-night trip will cover topics such as selecting equipment for winter camping and building shelters to protect you from the elements. You will meet your guide around 8am on day 1 and return to the parking lot around 3pm the following day. We'll schedule a gear check prior to the course at Pro Ski and Mountain Service so you will be sure to have all the right equipment.

Course is offered near Snoqualmie Pass, with options of camping in the Commonwealth Basin or near Snow Lake as conditions allow.

 

Duration: 2
Ratio: 6:1, 12:2
Difficulty Level:
Click here to learn more about difficulty ratings.

Overall difficulty: Moderate

Skills required: Proficient with your mode of uphill travel (snowshoes or touring setup)

Moderate physical fitness: 2500 to 3500 feet of vertical gain with a (30 - 35 lbs) pack


Private Trips Available

Don't see a date that works for you? Pro Guiding Service offers any trip or courses on a private basis. We are flexible! Call or email to inquire.
Learn MoreView Dates & Availability

Itinerary

In this course you will learn:

  • How to choose equipment for winter alpine excursions, including:
    • Shelter System
    • Sleep System
    • Clothing System
    • Cook System
  • How to set up different types of shelters, including:
    • Tents (set-up, anchoring)
    • Snow Caves
    • Ski Bivy
  • How to move uphill and downhill efficiently with a heavy pack
  • How to pick campsites that offer natural protection from the elements (eg, wind, avalanches)
  • How to reinforce your shelter against the elements
  • How to cook in cold weather
  • How to keep yourself warm during the day and while sleeping, all in various conditions
  • How to prepare for inclement or changing weather

 

As a group, you can decide with your guide to take ski tours or snowshoe hikes to nearby peaks if time and conditions permit.

Private Trips

Pro Guiding Service proudly offers the most diverse ski touring and ski mountaineering programs of any guiding service in the Northwest. Smaller, more intimate custom itineraries or instructional tours are available for any of our destinations. Tell us what you want to do, and we can create a customized plan for you.
View Private Trips

Pricing

$500
per person
425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com
View Dates & Availability
Payment Policy
If booking a domestic trip that is over 60 days away or an international trip that is over 90 days away, you can book your trip by paying a 20% deposit.  View Full Policy
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel for any reason 60 or more days before domestic trips or 90 or more days before international and Alaska trips, we will refund everything you have paid minus half of your deposit. No refunds will be provided if you cancel your trip for ANY REASON (this includes but is not limited to illness including CoVid-19, injury, or work-related issues) within 60 days of the start of domestic trips or 90 days of international and Alaska based trips.  View Full Policy

Equipment List

Clothing
Base Layer
  • 1 Bottom - midweight or lightweight
  • 1 or 2 Tops - midweight or lightweight
  • Ski or hiking socks - 2 pair
Mid Layer
  • Windshirt or light soft shell jacket
  • Fleece or similar warm layer
  • Soft-shell pants
Outerwear
  • Waterproof/breathable jacket
  • Waterproof/breathable pants
  • Warm hat - should cover your ears
  • Sun hat - baseball cap or visor
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Ski gloves/mittens
  • Down or synthetic puffy-type jacket
Personal Gear
  • Backpack and rain cover (40L - 50L)
  • Coffee mug/cup
  • Thermos/Hydroflask
  • Bowl/plate & eating utensil
  • Insulated Water Bottle
  • Inflatable or foam seat pad
  • Foam Sleeping Pad
  • Inflatable Sleeping Pad (sleeping pad combo must be r-value 5+)
  • Ear plugs & sleep mask
  • 0° Sleeping Bag (ideally, less than 3lbs)
  • Down Quilt (Optional)
  • Small Repair Kit (Multi-tool, rope/cord, tape)
  • Personal toiletries - keep it simple: toothbrush, tiny toothpaste, hand sanitizer, wipes
  • Toilet Paper
  • Lighter
  • Sun Protection (Sunscreen, Sun Glasses (glacier glasses if applicable), Lip Balm)
  • Hydration (Water, filter, steri-pen, or life-straw)
  • Nutrition (see Food Considerations below)
  • Navigation (Cell phone + backup batteries and pre-downloaded map, or handheld GPS + extra batteries)
  • Illumination (High performance headlamp (at least 150 lumens) & extra batteries)
  • Small First Aid Kit (Frequently/likely used supplies: Tylenol, aspirin, Bandages, Antiseptic Wipes, medical tape, etc.)
  • Communication (Mobile Phone, Radio, Satellite Phone, portable power such as Goal Zero Venture 70, phone charge cord)

 

Food & Water Considerations: (4000+ calories per day)

  • Instant coffee packets
  • Uncrustable Sandwiches
  • Bobos Bars
  • Bagel Sandwiches
  • Energy chews (honey-stinger and pro bar are the best).
  • Tea bags
  • Haribo Gummies
  • Peanut Butter Snickers
  • Landjager Meats
  • Stowaway gourmet freeze dried meals
  • Top Ramen
  • Honey Peanut Butter Tortillas
  • Dehydrated Meals (such as AlpineAire, Mountain House, etc)
  • Quesadillas
Technical Gear

Snow Travel Gear

      • Snow travel equipment - alpine touring or telemark skis, splitboard, or snowshoe
        • Make sure you are proficient at using this gear prior to the course!
      • Boots - touring ski boots, snowboard boots, or winter hiking boots (if snowshoeing)
      • Poles - adjustable poles are ideal so you can adjust the length when going uphill/downhill
      • Climbing skins - if using skis or splitboard
      • Ski brakes or removable ski leashes

 

Safety Gear

    • Avalanche Beacon
    • Shovel - compact, lightweight, metal blade preferred
    • Probe - dedicated probe only (240cm or longer strongly recommended)
Optional Items
  • Camp boots/approach shoes
  • Kula Cloth
  • Hand and foot warmers
  • Goggles
  • Small knife
  • Neck gaiter - for protecting your neck and face from sun, wind, cold
  • Change of comfy clothes and shoes (for the car)
  • Cooler of beer (for the car)

PGS Supplied

Pro Guiding can provide tents, stove, fuel, first aid kit, and communication devides. You may also use your own equipment.

Equipment Sales & Rental

Gearing Up Adventurers Since 1999 

Be prepared for every adventure by visiting our sister business—Pro Ski and Mountain Service. Order online or visit us in store in North Bend, Washington. Check out our discounts on rentals and purchases when you book a trip or course with us.
10% Off purchases and 20% Off rentals for Pro Guiding Service guests
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FAQs

How much winter camping experience is required?

No substantial prior winter camping experience is required, but solid fitness will enhance the quality of your course substantially. Experience with snow travel (either ski/splitboard or snowshoes) required.

Does PGS provide food?

No, you are responsible for your own food.  We are glad to help with food suggestions though. See our website HERE for helpful tips.

What size pack should I bring?

Try to fit your gear into a 50 liter pack. Many people choose a larger 55-65 liter pack, especially for winter camping.

Should I tip my guide?

Although tipping is not a requirement it is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by our guides. We generally recommend roughly 10%-15% of your course or trip cost or a amount that you are comfortable with.

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Why Book With Us? 

Certified Professional Guides & All Access
All of our guides have the highest quality training and certification in the industry, and you can be sure that we have the permits, licenses and insurance in every location we operate.
Safe, Well-Planned Tour Design
Every tour has a carefully thought-out guide-to-customer ratio. You always get a safe, high-quality trip or learning environment with us.
Pioneers In The Industry
You will travel and learn from experts. We've pioneered several alpine climbing routes, ski descents, and traverses and we've written books on skills and routes in the industry. 
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