Take part in one or more of our exciting winter courses as we offer some of the most comprehensive Cold Weather Survival Training in the country. Whether you need to learn new skills to instill confidence in your abilities or simply brush up on a variety of techniques, don't miss out on these exciting and unforgettable courses.

Field training ranges from two to seven days in the breathtaking snow-covered mountains of the northern Oregon Cascades. Overnight courses are always the preferred method of training. It is one thing to learn to build a winter shelter. It is an entirely different matter to spend the night in it – during poor weather conditions. Only then can you learn its qualities and increase your confidence level through first-hand experience.

We, therefore, offer a wide variety of sheltering methods in overnight formats and teach other critical life-saving skills. We will teach you how to adapt to multiple settings with varying snowpack and weather conditions. All winter field training requires snowshoes (available for rent from us - no previous snowshoeing experience is necessary) or skis. If you desire to ski, you must be at least an intermediate level skier.

Cold Weather Survival Seminar : 6:30pm-9:30pm
This is an informative pre-trip seminar that will provide an overview of a variety of important cold weather topics.
Content of training:
Pre-trip planning and prerequisites for winter travel.
Determining priorities for emergency settings in extreme cold.
Hypothermia: prevention, recognition, and treatment.
Frostbite: prevention, recognition, and treatment.
Energy needs and food types in cold weather.
Fire skills in deep snow.
Rescue signaling devices.
Snow shelters: an overview.
Water procurement and treatment in sub-freezing temperatures.
Survival kits, clothing, and equipment for cold weather environments.
A slide show and equipment will supplement this training.
Prerequisite - None.

 

Standard Cold Weather Survival : Field Training - 2 days/1 night
This is an informative pre-trip seminar that will provide an overview of a variety of important cold weather topics.
Content of training:
How to read the snowpack for specific shelter types.
Shelter placement in varying snowpacks
Shelter construction: snowhouses and snowcaves: save 90% in time and energy expenditure with these methods.
How to build your snowcave to shelter up to six people safely.
Cold weather cooking methods.
Prerequisite - None.

Intermediate Cold Weather Survival: Field Training - 2 days/1 night
Content of training:
Shelter construction: snowpits, snowtrenches, and one-man emergency snow shelters.
Fire skills for severe winter conditions.
When and when not to build a fire.
Firepit placement and construction.
The use of platforms, windbreaks and reflectors.
Fuel types and qualities.
Locating and procuring dry materials for fire and insulation.
Natural and man-made fire starting aids.
Prerequisite - Standard Cold Weather Survival.

Advanced Cold Weather Survival: Field Training - 2 days/1 night
Content of training:
Shelter construction: snow lean-to’s, treewells and igloos.
Where to build a shelter when rescue is necessary.
Rescue signaling methods for winter.
Preparing for rescue.
Problem solving during severe weather conditions.
Route selection for winter backcountry travel.
Prerequisite - Intermediate Cold Weather Survival.

Comprehensive Cold Weather Survival: Field Training - 6 days/5 nights
This is the ultimate learning experience designed for those who want all the training at one time.
Content of training:
 
The same as the Standard – Advanced Cold Weather Survival Courses, with the addition of snowshoe construction – making snowshoes out of items found in the backcountry and in your pack. Benefits of this format – two additional nights in the field
Prerequisite - None.

Extended Backcountry Cold Weather Survival: - Field Training - 5 days/4 nights
Content of training:
 
This is an exciting advanced winter course that takes place in the snow-covered Cascade Range of northern Oregon. Participants will transition from teamwork to solo techniques, and will review all previously learned skills. Quality, individual time with each person will be a primary focus of this event. Each student will depend more and more on his own skills while carrying only a wool blanket, knife and a day pack with emergency gear. All travel is done with map and compass.
Prerequisite - Successful completion of the Comprehensive Cold Weather Survival Course or NWSOS equivalent and Comprehensive Map and Compass or NWSOS equivalent.

Instructor Certification Training: - Field Training - 7 days/6 nights
Content of training:
 
Consider this winter course a vital prerequisite for a career that involves winter backcountry travel. The training covers the content of the Comprehensive Cold Weather Survival Training, yet also provides a format for every participant to instruct others in the group on a rotating basis. Strengths of this event – extensive hands-on training, instructional experience and virtually nonstop learning experiences. Participants become certified in this specialty only after successfully completing and teaching all aspects of the training, as well as written and oral exams.
Prerequisite - Successful completion of the Comprehensive Cold Weather Survival Course or NWSOS equivalent and Comprehensive Map and Compass or NWSOS equivalent.

Winter Backcountry Workshop: Field Training 5 days/4 nights
This comprehensive course will include hands-on training in:
Content of training:
Emergency snow shelters.
Fire skills.
Rescue signaling.
Preparing for rescue.
Land navigation: map and compass techniques for darkness and white-out conditions.
Avalanche basics: the same training as the Standard Avalanche Training.
Prerequisite - None.