Basic Course Snowshoeing

Moderate
2 days
Person puts on snowshoes
Plan & lead your own tours safely
Hands-on avalanche training
Overnight stay at the Waldspitz mountain inn

Season:

December March

Departure Times

08:30

Key info

Good overall fitness
Comfortable with 4 hours of hiking while carrying a backpack

Overview

Recommended for: Anyone looking for the mountain beyond the postcard.

Experience winter from a new perspective: Learn to safely plan and execute snowshoe tours.

Two days full of practice: You will learn to plan tours, assess avalanche risks, and pick safe routes. On the first day, we go on a training tour, and on the second day, you apply what you have learned. Perfect for deepening your knowledge and preparing for your own snowshoe tours or guided tours.

Course details

Academy

Learning objectives

  • Learn basic techniques for ascending and descending with snowshoes.
  • Planning and undertaking simple snowshoe tours.
  • Choosing suitable routes considering weather, terrain, and wildlife protection zones.
  • Assessing avalanche conditions using the avalanche bulletin.
  • practice with the avalanche safety equipment.
  • Independent tour preparation with maps and digital tools.

Assessment methods

Progress is continuously assessed

The mountain guide provides feedback during the course, reflecting on areas where you can already act independently and where experience is still needed. This gives you a realistic assessment of your abilities for future tours.

Certification

Certificate: Basic Snowshoeing Course

Upon completion of the two-day course, participants receive a certificate. This confirms successful participation in the Basic Snowshoeing Course in Grindelwald, but is intended as a keepsake and is not an official document.

Issued by:
Outdoor Switzerland AG

Itinerary

Meeting points
Day1
Day 1: Training Tour to Berghaus Waldspitz (1,903 m above sea level)
After meeting in Grindelwald, we take a look at the planned route together. What does the avalanche bulletin say? Which route makes sense today? We take the cable car to Grindelwald First, then continue on snowshoes. You will learn to read maps, assess avalanche conditions correctly, and respect wildlife protection zones. Along the way, we practice track setting and ascent techniques. In the evening at the mountain inn, we discuss our tour over a warm drink and plan the next day.
Day2
Day 2: Practice Tour to the Spitzen (2,381 m above sea level)
After a hearty breakfast, we put our knowledge into practice. Do our plans match reality? We ascend towards Spitzen, observing the terrain and snow conditions. The view at the top is magnificent, but our focus remains on the conditions. On the descent through the forest clearing 'Nodhalten,' we test various descent techniques before taking the cable car back to the valley.

Whats included

Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
Expenses of the mountain guide
Overnight stay(s) with half-board for the mountain guide
Overnight stay(s) in bunk room with half-board for the guest
Hut reservation
Course Certificate

Not included

Costs for cable cars and travel expenses of the guest
Snacks
Technical equipment
Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guide's share)

Pack list

Weather info

General weather info

Weather can influence any tour, and a clear decision is often only possible on the day itself. We review conditions carefully and remain within our safety limits, and bad weather alone does not mean we have to stop.

Make sure we can reach you with current contact information in case your booking changes. Silence from us means your tour is still planned or the final call is not yet made. If we need to cancel, you can rebook, choose another activity, or get a full refund.

For detailed advice on how to prepare for (and enjoy!) bad weather days in Interlaken, check out our weather blog 

Meeting points

Meeting point

OUTDOOR - Shop and Café Grindelwald

Dorfstrasse 103, 3818 Grindelwald
DirectionsMore info
Meeting points
Activity location

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