An introduction to the growing sport of snowshoeing, with an exploration of the Mount Ottomite Trail. Ottomite offers moderate terrain and excellent mountain views of the Coquihalla Summit area.

The route passes through old-growth forests of mountain hemlock, amabilis fir, and yellow cedar, toward the subalpine summit of Mount Ottomite. You’ll enjoy snowshoeing on the Coquihalla’s deep snowpack, with frozen waterfalls to view along the way.  The route offers safety from avalanches, and professional guides will keep you safe throughout the day.

Some cool stuff you’ll learn…

Leaders will show you tips for safe winter travel including avalanche safety. They’ll also share their knowledge of local plants and animals and their strategies for winter survival.

Comments from previous Women’s Snowshoe programs:

“Awesome leaders, very encouraging for (a) slowpoke like me!!!!”

“HMC staff provided excellent guidance… Superb leadership.”

“Everything was well thought out.”

“The back country expertise of the group leaders was commendable. The preparation of the organization for the outing’s safety, comfort and learning was of the highest quality.”

“Awesome information about trees, super interesting about avalanche features.”

“Excellent organization, safety, information and great spirit!”

COST

Sorry, but this event is now sold out. We encourage you to join the waitlist and will send you an email if additional spaces become available.

$25 per person. Minimum age is 13 yrs.

Price includes snowshoe loaners–just let us know if you need them.

PROGRAM REGISTRATION

Special thanks to the UFV Kinesiology Department for their generous donation, allowing us to keep the price for this trip affordable!

Donations to Hope Mountain Centre are happily accepted, and will go toward more free and affordable family programs.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

Participants must be in reasonably good physical condition, and there will be lots of opportunities to rest and enjoy the surroundings as you climb. Terrain is moderate, ascending 272 metres (890 feet) over 4 km of distance. Round-trip distance is 8 km, but participants can choose to travel a shorter distance if fitness holds them back from reaching the summit.

ITINERARY

9:00 AM – Gather at the Hope Recreation Centre, sign legal waivers

9:15 AM – Leave Hope and drive east 46 km on Highway-5 to Exit # 217

10:00 AM – Arrive at Exit #217, Zopkias Rest Area

10:30 AM – Begin ascent of Mount Ottomite by snowshoe

12:30 PM – Lunch on Mount Ottomite

3:30 PM – Return to parking lot

4:30 PM – Arrive back in Hope

MAP & ITINERARY

MEETING PLACE

Hope & District Recreation Centre parking lot.

MAP & ITINERARY

TRANSPORTATION

Participants must arrange their own transportation.

Participants will gather at the Rec. Centre (1005 – 6th Avenue in Hope), and convoy in vehicles up Highway-5 to the trailhead (Exit #217, 46 km east of Hope).

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

How to Find Zopkias Rest Area Parking Lot: Drive northeast out of Hope on Highway-5 for approximately 50 km. After driving through the Great Bear Snow Shed, start looking on your right for the highway exit into the Zopkias Rest Area – NOTE – THE EXIT SIGN IS MISSING DURING WINTER MONTHS, so the exit will be unmarked by any sign! Be sure to take the FIRST EXIT you see on your RIGHT after driving through the Great Bear Snow Shed. Washrooms are available at the Zopkias Rest Area.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Snowshoes (bring your own or borrow from us)
  • Two ski poles per person – optional, but greatly improves stability
  • Lunch and high-energy snack food
  • Water (at least 1 litre per person)
  • Winter boots or hiking boots (no runners please)
  • Warm winter clothes, including jacket, nylon snow pants, gloves, toque, warm socks
  • Sunglasses, camera, binoculars
  • Foam pad to sit on in the snow
  • Snow shovel if you’ve got one (Hope Mountain Centre will bring some too)

ADDITIONAL INFO

Liability Release Form

Everyone age 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 parent or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program.

CANCELLATION

If a registration is cancelled 7 days or more before a program starts, HMCOL will refund the program fee and equipment rental fees (as applicable) minus an administrative cost of $20 per person. Program and equipment rental fees will not be refunded if a cancellation is received less than 7 days before the start of a program. A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled, participants will receive a full refund of program and equipment fees.

A NOTE ABOUT LIABILITY

Hope Mountain Centre carries liability insurance and maintains excellent safety records. Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk. Hope Mountain Centre assumes no responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal property and we will require each participant to sign a liability release and assumption of risk form before participating in this program. Please be aware that activities typical of this program involve many risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from events; slips and falls; loss of balance; impact, cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia, frostbite, sunburn; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, blizzards, whiteouts and high wind; steepness of terrain, tree wells, crevasses; avalanches, cornices, landslides and falling ice, snow and objects; encounters with domestic or wild animals; negligence on the part of releasees and other participants. While we love animals of all kinds, we ask that you please leave your pet at home.

Special thanks to the UFV Kinesiology Department and individual donors whose generosity make this low cost winter program possible.

Snow shovels were provided by Mountain Equipment Co-op through their Grassroots Product Donations Program.

PROGRAM PARTNERS

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