Women’s
Snow Camping Clinic
2025 Dates Coming Soon
$249
Trip Length
1.5 Days
Group Size
2-10
Destinations
South Lake Tahoe
North Lake Tahoe
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Snow Camping Clinic
Are you intrigued by the idea of snow camping but unsure where to begin?
Do you find yourself wondering about the best gear for an overnight mountaineering mission and how to stay warm and comfortable in a snowy environment?
We've got you covered in our Snow Camping Course, exclusively designed for those stepping into the world of winter camping.
Join us for a comprehensive, training session with Alpinistas Guide Service, tailored for women who are eager to elevate their outdoor skills to confidently embark on snow camping adventures.
This engaging course is perfect for beginners, offering essential insights into gear selection, setting up a secure and cozy camp in the snow, camp cooking and managing cold weather conditions effectively.
Besides learning, you'll also enjoy the camaraderie and connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts, potentially finding new friends who share your passion for winter wilderness.
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Day 1
3:00 PM - Meet your guide in the field at the designated trailhead & check-in.
Review terrain and avalanche hazard rating, gear check and set off on the trail.
Curriculum will be covered throughout the event.
Day 2
1:30 PM - Get back to the trailhead. Debrief of the day and discuss highlights, areas for improvement, goals, and next steps for progressing your outdoor skills.
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Snow Travel: Hiking uphill in snow with overnight pack.
This trip is rated Intermediate. The terrain will be moderate but participants should have ample hiking and summer backpacking experience. Good fitness is required considering the extra weight of winter gear to carry.
Our pace will be a slow, mountaineering style and we estimate about 2-4 miles of travel over the course of day 1.
We recommend that you stay well hydrated and fed prior to departure to assist in mitigating altitude sickness if you are coming from sea level.
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Included in your booking:
Professional AMGA/AIARE Guide
5:1 client to guide ratio with a max group size of 10 clients, 2 guides
Pre-trip handout that includes an overview on the course and equipment.
Snowshoes
Tents (shared sleeping arrangement)
Group safety gear & first aid kit
Permit fees
Special discount to shop at the Alpinistas store
Not included:
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point
Trip insurance
Food & beverages
Guide gratuities
Required gear, see in below section (available for rent when checking out)
Personal items
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Pre-Trip Preparation Packet
Overview on snow camping
Get to know the gear
Logistics for the in-person session
On Field Session
Terrain & hazard awareness and decision-making
Techniques for walking on various types of terrain with heavy pack
Energy management and nutrition/hydration focus
Proper tent set up and management
Setting up a camp kitchen
Tips for sleeping comfortably in winter conditions
Recommended gear for comfort and efficiency, explaining r-values
Every ounce counts - smart packing for snowy destinations
What to do when emergency strikes, storm conditions
If time permits, snow cave building
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. This not only makes your load lighter but also helps our amazing field staff.
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 shop at Alpinistas and the 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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Mountaineering Boots (Preferred) or Waterproof/Winter Snow Boots
(Fashion winter boots without a durable sole make for active use are prohibited.)
Overnight backpacking pack
Down sleeping bag rated between 0-15 degrees.
Cold weather sleeping mattress with high r-value (available
to rent)
Headlamp
Backpacking stove (available to rent)
Technical jacket, pants or bibs that are water resistant
Base Layer Tops and Bottoms (Lightweight, Synthetic or Wool)
Midlayer options
Waterproof/Water Resistant Gloves
Beanie
Hiking Socks (Synthetic or Wool)
Sunblock, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF
Water (1.5-2.5 liters) or Hydration System
Electrolytes, snacks, meals
Personal Bathroom Kit: Toilet Paper, Ziplock Bags, Personal Wipes, Hand Cleaner - Pack it all out.
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This will be nice for you to have:
Fleece/Wool or Lightweight Gloves
Gaiters
Hat, Bandana or Buff for Sun Protection
Hot beverage in thermos
Extra socks
Ear plugs
Trekking poles
Four season tent, if you already own one
Have questions about the gear list?
Give us a call at 775-230-7125 or send us a chat or email.
Helpful for booking
What to expect after you book your reservation
After you book your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email. Over the following weeks as you start to get closer to your event date, you will receive additional emails confirming packing lists, itinerary details and other important or helpful supplemental information such as video course, start time and driving directions. 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.
Your event does require a certain minimum number of participants to run. Don’t worry though, our group size is naturally quite small to keep it special and relaxing experience so the minimum booking requirement is also lower than other guide services.
What is the closest airport?
Sacramento, California
Reno, Nevada
Booking airfare?
If you are flying in for this trip, please contact us before booking airfare to make sure that your trip is confirmed. We require a minimum number of participants to operate.
General weather expectations
Mountaineering trips take place in the snow. Tahoe daytime temperatures can range vastly during the winter and spring season. You may encounter freezing temperatures in the early morning or very warm temperatures during the day. We highly recommend wearing layers to accommodate changing temperatures.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend travel insurance to protect your trip in the event unforeseeable circumstances or illness comes up that interferes with your ability to join the trip.
“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! 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
“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