Field trip: Beginner Snowshoe School
Beginner Snowshoe School - One Day Session – Course Venue TBA
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. Brainard Lake is our default location. Actual location and carpool details TBD the week before class day depending on where the snow is. Sign up for ONE class date only -- see rules! Look for follow-up First Snowshoe Trips for School graduates.
Contacts
- Sun, Feb 22, 2026
- Denver
- Snowshoeing
- Adults
- For Beginners (Getting Started Series)
- 11 (11 capacity)
- 2 (3 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
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.
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 Equipment List.
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. If you break this rule you will have to wait until next year to take this class.
Snowshoeing is a great way to enjoy local trails and keep up your hike conditioning all winter long. It truly is almost as easy as walking. And it doesn't require a huge investment in the clothing and gear needed to get started.
Badge earned: Basic Snowshoeing Course
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 Lead Instructor has a favorite venue.
Follow-up with a First Snowshoe Trip: BSS Instructors will lead a series of optional First Snowshoe Trips to practice skills and boost your confidence in choosing snowshoe trips from the CMC calendars.
If you have questions, please send them to cmcbeginnerss@gmail.com.
We will meet at the CMC Base Camp 15605 W 32nd Ave, Golden, CO 80401. Park facing 32nd Street. We will meet next to the shed along McIntyre Street. We will spend about 45-60 minutes discussing snowshoe equipment and related topics, then carpool to the day's field venue. There are port-a-potties available at the meet spot.
Badges
students will earn:
Basic Snowshoeing Course
Required Equipment
Come dressed for a day in the snow (and possible wind), and bring your ten essentials including a water and lunch or hardy snacks you can eat on the move.
The snowshoe kit does not include boots, because any water resistant boots will work. Wear your own waterproof/winter hiking boots and high gaiters.