Basic Skills Course Snowshoeing
If you are an experienced snowshoer seeking more independence in the mountains, this 2-day basic skills course will prepare you to confidently organise and execute your own snowshoe hikes. A qualified mountain guide will walk you through avalanche assessment, the use of avalanche safety equipment, and route selection, so you will be ready to plan easy tours or advance to guided hikes on more demanding terrain.
Tour Details
- Fitness Level: Moderate
- Experience Level: Advanced Beginner
If you have never been on a snowshoe tour, we recommend our taster course instead. You do not need a lot of experience for this basic, beginner level course. The terrain is moderately steep, and the tour is easy. A hiking duration of 4-6 hours with a backpack is not a problem for you.
- Gear talk
- Hiking up and down - techniques
- Route choice/ track setting
- Tour planning
- Avalanches
- Interpretation of the avalanche bulletin
- Weather science
- Partner rescue
You will know what information you need to plan a snowshoe trip. You will understand the basics of avalanche prevention and you will know how to react in the event of an avalanche with multiple burials. Individual feedback from your mountain guide will help prepare you for more demanding guided snowshoe hikes and guided snowshoe hikes on glaciers.
Group Course (4-6 participants)
| CHF 490 per person | |
Private Course
| 1-3 people | CHF 1890 per group |
| 4-6 people | CHF 490 per person |
To book a private course please contact us:
Day 1: Training tour to the Waldspitz mountain hut at 1903m
You will meet your guide in Grindelwald and study the planned route together. From there you will take the cable car up to First where you will begin your tour. Quickly you will realize that snowshoeing is not simply “walking”, and that the preparation for this activity is multi-faceted. You will learn about map reading, the assessment of avalanche danger, and how to avoid disturbing wildlife protection areas. In the evening you will discuss these focal points and prepare for the next day over a warm drink in a cosy mountain hut.
Day 2: Practice tour on Spitzen at 2381m
After a hearty mountain breakfast you will begin your ascent to Spitzen. You will have to consider your preparation: is the terrain what you expected? What impact does the weather have on your plan? What are the avalanche conditions? From the top of Spitzen you will have an incredible view of the surrounding mountains. You will descend via the “Nodhalten” clearing to the Bort middle station, and you will return to the Grindelwald valley by cable car around 4pm.
| Season | December - April |
| Departures for official tours | See "Closest Bookable Dates" |
| Departures for private tours | Private tours can be booked daily |
| Meeting point | 8:30am at the Outdoor Shop and Café - Dorfstrasse 103, 3818 Grindelwald |
- Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
- His or her expenses
- 1 night in bunk room with half-board
- Tea for the next day
- Course Certificate
- Your expenses
- Snacks
- Rental equipment
- Costs for cable cars
- Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guides share)
Backpack
- 25-30l
Clothing
- Warm, functional clothing
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Mountaineering or hiking pants
- Sunhat
- Gloves (ideally one thin and one thick pair)
- Beanie or headband
- Extra underwear and socks
- Thermal underwear
Footwear
- Solid and warm winter boots
The basics
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Thermos flask, drink bottle
- Silk sleeping bag liner
- Headlamp
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
- GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
- Earplugs (optional)
- Camera and binoculars (optional)
Technical Equipment
- Ski poles (preferrably telescopic)
- Robust snow shoes with tele crampons
- LVS (avalanche transceiver)
- Avalanche probe
- Avalanche shovel
- Gaiters (optional)
General Information for Mountaineering School
Our team is here for you. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit us in our shop in Grindelwald. We are happy to help!
OUTDOOR - Mountaineering School Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103
3818 Grindelwald
Switzerland
Trip status for group courses
1-2 days before your tour or course we will review the weather forecast and conditions with the mountain guide to determine if we can operate. We will contact you by phone with an update.
Minimum of participants (group tours)
As soon as the minimum number of participants is reached, we will send you a confirmation by email.
Cancellation
If we have to cancel your tour, you have the option to reschedule to a new date, or you will receive a full refund.
Equipment
Please refer to the equipment list for your tour or course. At our shop in Grindelwald, you can purchase technical equipment, mountain clothing, shoes, and backpacks. We also have technical equipment available for rent.
Clothing
Choose functional clothing that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Dress in layers so you can easily react to temperature changes. The range at our shop in Grindelwald is tailored to mountain tours and our expert staff are happy to advise you on the best clothing for your tour or course.
Lunch
Lunch is not included in the offer. We recommend bringing bars, dried fruits, nuts, or a sandwich. The amount you will need to drink depends on your individual needs and the length of the tour. We recommend .75 -1.5 liters of water, warm tea, isotonic drinks, or whatever you prefer. We also recommend that you hydrate enough the day before, so your body is well prepared for the tour.
Huts
A mountain hut is not a hotel. Running water is not guaranteed and electricity is not available everywhere, so it is not always possible to charge batteries or phones. If you have special dietary needs, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with the hut.
Safety
Our tours and courses are led by IVBV certified mountain guides or mountain guide aspirants. We prioritise your safety by requiring regular training to ensure our guides have relevant, up to date knowledge. Outdoor is certified by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) and our safety and emergency concepts are audited by this organization annually.
General terms of contract
Our General Terms and Conditions apply.