Outdoors & Recreation

Snowshoeing the Wasatch Foothills

Meets Saturdays · 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM · on location Fall 2026 · registration open Free to audit

This class runs in the Fall 2026 session. Registration is open now; lessons, materials, and the class discussion board are posted before it begins.

Here's the thing. You don't need skis to get outside in winter. You rent a pair of snowshoes, wear what you already own, and go. This class meets Saturday mornings and gets you moving fast on groomed foothill trails, no backcountry, no avalanche stuff, just low-angle loops where you can actually learn.

We'll get you fitted right, figure out layering (the number one thing beginners blow), work on pace, and read what the snow's doing under your feet. Good for anyone reasonably fit who's tired of pacing the living room by January.

You'll leave able to plan a morning trip, dress so you're not soaked at mile one, and know when to turn around. That's it. That's the whole thing.

What you'll learn

Choose gear you already own over buying new
Fit snowshoes correctly based on snow conditions
Layer clothing to stay comfortable without overheating
Read snow conditions and spot hidden water hazards
Plan a safe loop and know when to turn back

Lessons

Getting Out the Door
What snowshoeing actually is, why it's the cheap door into winter, and what you honestly need to start.
- Why snowshoes and not skis15 min
- What you already own works fine18 min
- Where we go and where we don't (groomed only, and why)20 min
- Saturday morning plan: how the class runs12 min
Gear and Getting Fitted
How to rent smart, get sized for the snow you'll actually be in, and ask the rental counter the right questions.
Layering So You're Not Miserable
The number one thing beginners get wrong, fixed by starting a little cold and warming into it.
Reading the Weather and the Snow
Timing beats distance, and the forecast at 6am isn't the forecast at noon.
Moving Well on the Trail
Pace, breathing, and technique so that first rough mile turns into the mile-two payoff.
Your Own Trips
Putting it together so you can plan a morning loop on your own and know when to bail.

Class discussion

The class discussion board opens when the class begins this fall. Auditors and enrolled students ask questions and share work here once the session starts.