Winter Hiking Series
Updated:AMC NH Chapter 2026 Winter Hiking Series
WHS group on the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail
For over 25 years the New Hampshire Chapter has offered the Winter Hiking Series (WHS) and is pleased to do so again in 2026. The goal of this series is to provide serious, experienced 4000-footer hikers with the knowledge and training to safely hike the larger mountains of the Northeast during the winter months. The focus of this series is on winter day hikes in the mountains of the Northeast, especially those in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It is NOT a winter backpacking workshop.
The WHS will be taught by experienced winter hikers and AMC Trip Leaders / Instructors; Larry Yetter, Wanda Rice, Ann Boland, Lisa Hart, Bill Nesheim, Don Walters, David Geiger and others.
The WHS begins with a weekend in early November and continues with a series of four strenuous hikes of increasing difficulty ending in January. During that time participants will gain experience, confidence, and knowledge concerning aspects of appropriate gear, clothing, nutrition, and techniques for safe winter hiking.
This course can be a life-changing opportunity. It provides you the training and experience to successfully and safely hike in winter. Along the way you’ll pick up tips and techniques garnered from thousands of hikes in New Hampshire and around the world, and maybe make some new friends along the way.
Approaching Little Haystack
2026 WHS Schedule
- Highland Center Opening weekend 11/13-11/15
- Hike 1 – 12/5 or 12/6
- Hike 2 – 12/19 or 12/20
- Hike 3 – 1/9 or 1/10
- Hike 4 – 1/23 or 1/24
- Bad weather date: 1/30 or 1/31 (in case any of the other dates needs to be canceled due to bad weather)
There will also be an optional pre-opening hike in October.
The hike destinations will be chosen (and are subject to change based on weather conditions) in order to provide the best learning opportunities to the participants.
Note that four hikes are scheduled for a Saturday with a bad weather date of Sunday. It is very important that you keep both days available, plus the additional bad weather date.
Winter Hiking Series Details
Who the series is for: An ideal candidate for the series is someone who has been consistently hiking strenuous 4000-footers in recent months and years and has done at least 4 in the current hiking season. Those who are most likely to successfully complete the program are those who are consistently hiking 4000 footers with significant mileage (8+ miles) and elevation gain (2500’+) at a pace that is at least 1.5 mph. Winter hiking is strenuous, involves heavy packs, heavy footwear and shorter daylight hours in cold conditions. Groups need to be able to move along at a decent pace.
The course is $340. This includes two nights lodging at Highland Center, two dinners, two breakfasts, one lunch, and our book and other training materials.
Great undercast as seen from Edmands Path looking North towards Mt. Jefferson
We will teach you the basics of safe winter travel and give you informed choices for winter gear. This program includes lectures on hiking gear, footwear, traction choices, other equipment, heat management, energy management, emergency preparedness, group safety, weather, and winter conditions.
The opening weekend at Highland Center begins Friday evening after a group dinner and includes a Saturday session with lectures and discussions as we show you the necessary equipment for later in the course. Sunday, we will have our first hike. Please plan to stay at the Highland Center with the group and attend the whole session in order to maximize your benefit.
Equipment
You are expected to have 3-season hiking gear and clothing appropriate for early November, including waterproof hiking boots, for the opening weekend hike. You will also need to have microspikes on hand for the opening weekend hike.
We recommend that you do not buy other gear or clothing in anticipation of the series until you have attended the lectures. This will help you avoid buying gear that you need to upgrade. That said, please be advised that the gear needed for this workshop can be very expensive! If you have little or no winter gear at present, this workshop can easily run you $1,500 or more in gear purchases!
If you have some winter gear and clothing already, (boots, snowshoes, larger pack etc.) please bring it to the first session. The instructors will be available to make an assessment of it in terms of its suitability for backcountry winter travel.
Prerequisites
The ideal candidate for this series is someone who hikes at least once a month, has recent 3-season hiking experience with significant mileage and elevation gain. You must have done at least 4 4000-footers in the current hiking season, and at least some of them must be to bigger mountains. A resume of Tecumseh, Waumbek, Cannon and Pierce, for example, will not be sufficient since most of our hikes will be more difficult than those. Candidates should consistentlywork to maintain a fitness level needed for hiking 4000-footers, have familiarity with the White Mountains or their equivalent, and have the appropriate gear for 3-season hiking. Winter hiking is strenuous and we want you to be successful. This is NOT for those who may be new to hiking or new to 4000-footers or who only hike the easier summits.
Participants are expected to commit to the entire series, including all the hikes (barring unforeseen circumstances of course). Please check your calendar to make sure that you do not have other commitments on the dates (or alternate dates) of all the hikes. Please be realistic about any injuries or medical issues that you may be recovering from.
If you think you would prefer less strenuous winter hiking instruction, please check out the AMC NH Winter Schools held at Cardigan Lodge every January and February.
Warning sign on Edmands Path
Registration: Begins August 1, 2026
Registration will begin on August 1, 2026. Class size will be limited to 27 individuals. You will be contacted after we receive the application to set up a time to talk with an instructor. Note that this program usually sells out. We recommend you apply early. See link below to apply.
For information email:
Larry Yetter – Click to reveal eMail
or
Wanda Rice – Click to reveal eMail