Intro to Winter Hiking / Snowshoeing Safety

Step into the serene beauty of winter with confidence! This supportive full-day program introduces you to the essentials of cold-weather hiking and snowshoeing along the breathtaking trail around Lightning Lake in Manning Park.

Whether you are brand new to winter adventures or looking to improve your cold weather backcountry skills, this hands-on workshop helps equip you with key skills in an encouraging environment.

Join us for this hands-on workshop as we hike around E.C. Manning Park’s Lightning Lake. This gentle 4.5 km loop is ideal for an introduction to winter outdoor adventures. Along the way, you will learn practical skills including BC Adventure Smart’s 3 T’s (Trip Planning, Training, and Taking the Essentials) as well as proper layering, winter hydration tips, and real-world emergency management, including an interactive field scenario. Enjoy complimentary warm drinks while engaging in trail discussions with backcountry aficionados in a supportive group environment. All participants will receive a digital preparation guide prior to event day to help you feel prepared.

Itinerary:

8:00 am - Gather and check-in in Hope, in front of the Hope & District Recreation Centre (1005 – 6th Avenue, Hope)

8:30 am - Convoy in own vehicles up to Lightning Lake Day Use Area (70 km) - Map

Participants must arrange their own transportation!

Note: BC law requires that vehicles have winter tires at this time of year for the stretch of highway used for this program.

9:30 am - Arrive at Lightning Lake Day Use Area

10:10 am - Intro and begin hike

11:15 am - Break

1:00 pm - Lunch Break

2:30 pm - Return to parking lot

2:50 pm - Leave for Hope

3:50 pm - Arrive back in Hope

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 hike, led by Remote First Aid and BC Adventure Smart-trained guide

• Digital PDF handbook

• Warm drinks & snacks

• Snowshoe use if required (weather dependent)

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 (greatly improves stability)

• Camera

• Foam pad to sit on

Physical Demand:

We will hike a total distance of 4.5Km 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 Adventure Smart 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.