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Basic Snowshoe School - 2027

Snowshoeing Course

Basic Snowshoe School

Learn about snowshoe selection and fit, appropriate dress and keeping warm, prepping for a trip, trail techniques, breaking trail, and fall recovery. You'll be able to select a snowshoe trip off the CMC calendar with confidence. Location and carpool details TBD the week before class day depending on where the snow is.

Contacts

Wayne Howell
Wayne Howell
Leader

Snowshoeing is a great way to enjoy local trails and keep up your conditioning all winter long.  It truly is almost as easy as walking. And it doesn't require a huge investment in the gear and equipment needed to get started.  

This Denver-based one-day-in-the-field course supplies each student with a snowshoe/pole kit for the day. If you prefer, bring your own kit (snowshoes and ski/hiking poles with snow baskets).  Wear your own waterproof boots and tall gaiters.  See the Required Equipment List Below.

  • Do NOT buy or rent snowshoes before class day!  If you already have snowshoes, bring them for show-and-tell even if you intend to borrow the Club's kit for the day. 

IMPORTANT:  Sign up for ONE class date only and if all the classes you'd like to join are full, join NO MORE than two wait lists.  If you are moved from a wait list to a roster, please immediately cancel out of any other wait list, to give others a chance.

OPTIONAL EXTRA: This free class prepares students to snowshoe in Colorado. Class field time is limited to a demo and try-out of a variety of steps and techniques.  To boost your confidence in choosing snowshoe trips from the CMC calendar, BSS Instructors offer a series of Basic Snowshoe Trips to practice your skills. Look for these trips in the "Find Trips" area with mention of "First Snowshoe Trip" in the summary. 

Field venue:  We will advise you where we are planning to go a day or two before class day with updated weather and venue info.  Where we go will depend on snow conditions (and if there is snow).  Each Instructor has a preferred backup venue.

Questions?  Write your trip leader or  CMCDenBasicSSSchool@gmail.com

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
BSS - DEN - One Day Session
Course Venue TBA
Sat, Jan 9, 2027
Registration opens Oct 1; Instructor registration open now
12 participants
2 instructors
Robbie Monsma
Roster
Required Equipment

Bring your ten essentials including a water and lunch or hardy snacks you can eat on the move.  Wear sunglasses and sunscreen.  Many members use a brimmed hat under a jacket hood to cut glare.

Come dressed for a day in the snow (and possible wind). Use glove and boot liners under warm gloves or mittens and thick wool socks. Add Hot Hands and Toes (or similar) if your hands and feet tend to get cold. This is what it means to dress in suitable layers: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html.   If you dress correctly, you will not be cold and learn to love recreating in the snow.! 

The snowshoe kit does not include boots, because any water resistant boots will work. Wear your own waterproof/winter hiking boots and high gaiters. 

If you have questions about any of this, please send them to cmcbeginnerss@gmail.com.

Course Materials

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