Snow Travel Course

Overview

Unlock the skills to confidently conquer high-altitude snow terrain, whether you are traversing the Sierra Crest or eyeing massive international peaks. Many of the finest alpine adventures—from backpacking over remote 12,000’+ Sierra passes to classic mountaineering ascents—require navigating variable snowpack. If you aspire to climb big peaks at home or worldwide—such as Mt. Whitney in winter, Mexico’s Volcanoes, Ecuador’s Volcanoes, or Mt. Elbrus—solid winter travel mechanics are non-negotiable. Our Eastern Sierra Snow Travel Course provides the essential, hands-on foundation you need to transition safely from dirt trails to steep snow slopes.

Snow Travel Course

Our comprehensive Eastern Sierra Snow Travel Course is designed to get you moving confidently on alpine slopes right from day one. This hands-on, practical curriculum is packed with real-world skills to prepare you for everything from high-altitude summer pass crossings to year-round technical peak ascents.

Throughout the course, you will practice and master:

  • Snow Ascents & Descents: Master the rest step, plunge-stepping, kick-steps, and step-cutting.
  • Ice Axe Mechanics: Proper carrying positions, gripping methods, and life-saving self-arrest techniques from multiple fall positions.
  • Crampon Proficiency: Understanding different crampon types, securing them safely to your boots, and executing precise up-and-down movement.
  • Roped Team Travel: An essential introduction to moving as a roped team on snow and managing running belays.
  • High-Altitude Performance: Pro-tips for efficient breathing, strategic energy conservation, and common mistakes to avoid.
  • Gear Selection: Expert guidance on modern equipment selection, fitting, and field use.

Snow Travel Course Schedule and Locations

  • Timing: Courses run from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
  • Location: To ensure the highest quality training, we utilize field sites between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes. We choose specific locations dynamically based on where snow conditions are currently ideal for instruction and technique practice.

Cost

$220 per person.

Scheduling & Booking

  • Weekly Group Courses: Join us any Saturday throughout the winter season—ideal for solo adventurers and small groups looking to learn together.
  • Custom Private Dates: Book a private guide any day of the week to seamlessly fit your personal calendar and learning pace.
  • Group & Team Events: Organizing a trip for an outdoor club, corporate team, or search and rescue organization? We will gladly design a custom private curriculum tailored specifically to your group.

How to Book: Ready to secure your spot, lock in a custom date, or organize a team trip? Click the Book Now button below to reserve any open Saturday, or contact our office today to coordinate your custom itinerary!

2027 Dates

January 23, 30
February 6, 13, 20, 27
March 6, 13, 20, 27
April 3, 10, 17, 24
May 1, 8

Do you have a group, club, or organization? We’re happy to arrange a private course for your team! Contact our office to schedule.

See a photo gallery from a Snow Travel Course here.

Snow Anchors and Crevasse Rescue School

Elevate your alpine skills with our Snow Anchors and Crevasse Rescue School—available as a standalone masterclass or as a seamless, second-day add-on to our Snow Travel Course.

This intensive program covers the critical safety skills required to safely navigate glaciated routes and technical snow slopes steep enough to warrant running or fixed protection.

Key curriculum topics include:

Safety & Gear Analysis: Modern equipment selection, safety margins, and gear utilization throughout the day.

Snow Anchor Systems: Designing, building, and evaluating various snow anchors and their real-world applications.

Mechanical Advantage: Setting up efficient pulley systems (such as 3:1 and 5:1 hauls) for rescue scenarios.

Rescue & Team Management: Executing step-by-step crevasse extraction procedures under realistic team dynamics.