Family Snowshoe: Winter Explorers

Join us for some beginner and kid-friendly winter exploration! Come solo or bring the whole family for this gentle snowshoe along the Cambie Creek Loop Trail in E.C. Manning Park.

Along the way we will investigate how the forest and its inhabitants prepare for the winter months, and how we humans can enjoy the outdoors safely in the cold.

Should we wear microspikes or snowshoes? Crocs are all-season footwear, right? Is my favourite sweatshirt warm enough? Other than my cherished stuffed animal, what else needs to be in my backpack? Uh oh, I think I’m lost, now what do I do? You’ve got questions and our Program Director, Meg, has the answers for you! 

Let’s hit the trail together! After our 2.7 km loop, we’ll cozy up with warm drinks, hotdogs and snacks fireside, followed by some free play in the snowy field before heading home.

Itinerary:

9:00 am - Gather and check-in in Hope, in front of the Hope & District Recreation Centre (1005 – 6th Avenue, Hope)

9:15 am - Drive to Cambie Creek Parking lot (60 km) - Map

10:00 am - Intro and put on snowshoes at Cambie Creek

10:15 am - Begin Snowshoe

11:15 am - Break, snack and hot drink at the bridge (1.5 km)

12:15 pm - Return to parking lot

• Lunch

• Campfire, roast hotdogs & marshmallows

• Snow fun, snowmen, snow art

1:15 pm - Participants depart

Be aware that times are approximate. Start and end times may vary slightly depending on speed of the group, weather conditions, etc.

Price Includes:

• Interpretive guided snowshoe, led by Remote First Aid and BC Adventure Smart-trained guide

• Warm drinks, hotdogs & snacks

• Campfire

• Snow play accessories

• Snowshoe loan for adults and kids

What to bring:

Whenever you are hiking, you should always carry The 10 Essentials.

At a minimum, participants will need the following for this outing:

• Backpack to carry all your gear

• Lunch and high-energy snack foods

• Water (at least 1 litre per person)

  NOTE – Water can freeze in a water bottle in winter conditions. To prevent this, you can either put warm water in your water bottle (Make sure the bottle is safe for hot and cold water) or use an insulated bladder or bottle

• Waterproof winter boots or hiking boots (no runners please)

• Warm winter clothes (including jacket, snow pants, gloves, toque, warm socks, no cotton as the first layer against your skin)

• Sunglasses, sunscreen, chap stick

Optional:

• Two poles per person for snowshoeing (greatly improves stability)

• Camera

• Sled with pull rope

• Foam pad to sit on in the snow

• Mug for hot chocolate

• Small portable snow shovel

Physical Demand:

We will snowshoe a total distance of 2.7 Km roundtrip. The terrain is gentle, with a cumulative elevation gain of 70m.

Please note that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless we determine that it will affect the safety of participants.

Meet Your Guides:

Meg Turner/Program Director:

Meg considers our wild spaces her second home. Raised in the Girl Guiding community and an active outdoor family, she is in her element guiding others and sharing her passion for the trail. As the Hope Mountain Centre Program Director , Meg is an experienced teacher of environmental education and local history, bringing rich, place-based learning to life for participants. Safety is always top of mind: with multiple first-aid credentials—including Remote First Aid and BC AdventureSmart training

Cancellation:

Sorry NO refunds! However, you can pass on your spot to someone else who meets the physical demand of the program, just please let us know, as we need registration information from everyone.

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A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled by HMCOL, participants will receive a full refund. Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless HMCOL determines that it will affect the safety of participants.

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Hope Mountain Centre reserves the right to change the location of a program for everyone's safety. As much notice as possible will be given. No refund will be provided if the location is changed. 

Additional information:

Liability Waiver

Everyone ages 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take the time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. These forms will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions. 

Informed Consent Form

Everyone, age 18 & under must have an informed consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program.