Cold Weather Skills Course
Tahoe
$199
Trip Summary
Learn the skills to recreate comfortably in cold weather in our exclusive women’s outdoor course.
Enjoy two days of skill building, guided hikes and educational sessions to pump you up for cool weather outdoor fun. You’ll be armed with tips to be a confident camper and hiker when the temps dip.
That’s not all!
This is a classroom course but you have the option to upgrade and add on camping to practically apply these outdoor skills. Once at camp and the sun sets, we’ll relax around the campfire with good company.
Join a group of other outdoorsy women to learn the skills to make cold weather hiking & camping enjoyable. Push your hiking skills further and make new trail friends all while spending the weekend together in good company!
This trip is open to all skill levels!
2025 Dates
March 29-30, 2025 - $199
Highlights
2 day program with a mix of classroom and on field segments.
Guided hikes or snowshoeing.
Upgrade to camping for additional material on cold weather overnight preparation and safety.
Pre-event online course material too!
Only 8 spots available per trip to ensure a personalized experience.
Don't miss out!
Don’t see the dates you are looking for? Want to offer this to your group?
Sign up to be notified when new dates are released, connect with our team for group bookings or book a private guide to get the trip of your dreams.
Cold Weather Skills Workshop
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Pre-Trip Prep
Before the trip, you'll access our exclusive Client Portal for complete details on the itinerary and educational sessions. You'll also receive:
1 - Detailed gear guide to help you prepare for the weekend.
2 - Pre-trip food and nutrition guide to ensure you bring the right meals if you opt for the camping upgrade. (We’ll show you how to cook at the event!)
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Saturday
Meet at our Reno-Tahoe classroom and make introductions to your classmates. We’ll kick off our first course segment.
We’ll then pack for our first hike led by your guide. This hike will be easy so all experience levels welcome! We’ll cover some cold weather trail skills and techniques.
After we’ve covered this section, we’ll rendezvous back to the classroom for lunch and cover the next segments.
in the late afternoon, we’ll take a break before carpooling to our sunset hike destination. Be ready to take some epic alpenglow photos for this picturesque fun excursion.
We’ll get back to the classroom and you will depart for the night unless you join us for the camping portion.
If camping with us, we’ll caravan down to the campground where you will learn more about cold weather camping and put some of your newly learned skills to the test. We’ll have a campfire going and provide hot chocolate and dessert while we stargaze together!
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Sunday
We’ll meet again at the classroom to continue to cover our next set of course segments.
If you are camping with us, you’ll pack up your campsite after breakfast and drive back up to the classroom together.
We’ll wrap up the day mid-afternoon & say our goodbyes.
Our experienced female guides are Wilderness First Responder certified and are expert winter wilderness professionals.
Your safety and comfort are our top priorities.
Inclusions:
Four separate skill sessions covering gear, hydration, nutrition, preparedness, empowerment and other crucial need to know information to be safe and confident hiking and camping in cool to cold weather.
Guided hikes.
Cold weather skills information packet.
Leave No Trace session
Optional camping upgrade with additional learning and skills application segment.
Female wilderness guide with Wilderness First Responder training.
Priority access to the Alpinistas private online community.
Snowshoe rental if conditions warrant them.
Discounts on gear through the Alpinistas store.
5% back to the park.
Does not Include:
Camping and hiking gear (you may upgrade at checkout for a tent and mattress if camping with us)
Clothing and personal equipment.
Meals - we will send you recommendations on what to pack in your skills information packet and show you how to cook it in the cold weather.
Let’s do this!
Book Your Cold Weather Skills Weekend Now!
March 29 - 30, 2025
$199
Want to camp but need gear? Upgrade available at checkout, where we’ll provide the tent, mattress and stove, if you don’t have your own yet!
Tent will be set up for your comfort through the weekend.
Gear List
Layering is the key to staying comfortable while being active outdoors. The secret to achieving maximum comfort with minimum weight is to bring versatile layers that can be mixed and matched to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation, and weather protection.
When packing, try to bring only what you need.
If you've already booked your trip, don't worry! You’ll be getting emails with a detailed list of what you'll need to bring (plus tons of other helpful information).
Are you looking to reduce your carbon footprint or save some money? Check out our rental page for great gear to borrow for your trip or shop at Alpinistas Re-Cover department for gently used gear online.
Get ready to conquer the outdoors, Alpinistas! We can't wait to see you on the trail.
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Warm beverages
Stove for boiling water
Group First Aid Kit
Snowshoes, if needed
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Meals
Day hiking pack
Base Layer Tops and Bottoms (Lightweight, Synthetic or Wool)
Fleece/Wool Gloves
Fleece/Wool Hat
Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
Hiking Boots
Hiking Socks (Synthetic or Wool)
Insulated Jacket and/or Vest
Long Sleeve Shirts (Synthetic, Lightweight)
Personal Bathroom Kit: Toilet Paper, Ziplock Bags, Personal Wipes, Hand Cleaner
If Camping:
Prescription Medications
Sleeping Bag (15°-29°, Lightweight, Compressible)
Spork, Bowl and Mug
Sunblock and Lip Balm
Water Bottles (Three 1-Liter) or Hydration System Plus One 1-Liter Water Bottle
Tent
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Bandana or Buff for Sun Protection
Hand Sanitizer
Sun Hat, Sunglasses
Trekking Poles
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Camera and Accessories
Ear Plugs
Energy Snacks and Drink Mixes
Camp Chair
Sleeping Bag Liner
Have questions about the gear list?
Give us a call at 775-230-7125 or send us a chat or email.
Helpful for booking
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After you book your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email with some action items. (Please check promotions and spam folder if you don’t receive a confirmation immediately.)
As you start to get closer to your event date, you will receive additional emails confirming itinerary details, packing list and other important or helpful supplemental information such as start time and driving directions. You will also have someone from our office reach out to discuss any questions that you might have.
The week of the event, you should be ready to go and you will receive a final email introducing your guides, providing you with their contact information and other last minute notes.
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Reno-Tahoe Airport
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This is a classroom course with some day and late afternoon hiking or snowshoeing.
Sierra daytime temperatures at this time of year can range between 30 to 60 degrees F, with overnight lows dropping to the high 20s or 40s. This course is all about getting you prepared and comfortable for variable weather.
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The dates listed here are for women, however, we are able to accommodate other dates that allow mixed genders. Send us a request.
Our focus remains on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and unforgettable adventure for all our guests.
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We practice and teach Leave No Trace ethics to preserve the beauty of the wilderness for future generations.
“Dear women adventurers of all skill levels, you need to take a trip with Alpinistas! I just returned from the Cold Weather Skills workshop in Yosemite and I've learned more in three days than I have in all my years of hiking and camping. It's so rare to find guiding experiences that are fun, connect you with likeminded folks, AND equip you with a ton of new skills.”
— Ashley
“I had the absolute best experience on a rock climbing trip with Joanne’s Team! Every part of the weekend was fantastic - the camping experience was wonderful, the guides were knowledgeable and kept everyone safe, and the climbing was so much fun! I'm looking forward to future trips with Alpinistas, and love the work they are doing in making outdoor education more accessible to women!”
- Rebecca
What People Are Saying about Alpinistas Adventures
“The women I met that weekend were so amazing for their love of the outdoors, their curiosity, and their tenacious spirits. I learned so much from our skilled guides who made us feel safe to ask any and all questions regardless of how silly they might be. Thank you Alpinistas for a truly amazing weekend! I can’t wait for the next adventure 🏕️”
— Katarina
“I joined a Cold Weather course and winter camping weekend with them in Yosemite and absolutely love it! The guides are passionate about what they are teaching us, they are so supportive, and the event was organized so well.”
- Ashley-Marie