All Classes & Events

Womens Only Snowmobile Clinic Feb 28-March 1

February 28 @ 8:00 am - March 1 @ 5:00 pm

$500

The Wallowa Avalanche Center’s Women’s Snowmobile Riding Clinic will provide a supportive, skills-based learning environment focused on building confidence, avalanche safety awareness, and technical riding ability for female participants. The clinic will be led by experienced instructors, creating a welcoming space for participants to develop their riding skills.

Some of the skills covered will include:
Basic Avalanche Safety Skills: Introduction to avalanche gear (beacon, probe, shovel), group travel protocols, and communication strategies for safe riding.
Riding Position and Balance: Learning proper body positioning, throttle control, and weight shifting for stability and control on flat terrain and gentle slopes.
Starting, Stopping, and Turning: Safe starting procedures, throttle and brake modulation, low-speed maneuvers, and effective cornering techniques.
Terrain Awareness and Route Selection: Reading terrain and snow conditions to avoid hazards, with an emphasis on staying within ability levels and recognizing avalanche-prone areas.
Technical Riding Techniques: Side-hilling, hill climbing, downhill descents, and controlled maneuvers in variable snow conditions.
Stuck Management and Recovery: Techniques for safely freeing a snowmobile from deep snow and assisting others while conserving energy and maintaining safety.
Sidehilling: Master maintaining balance and throttle while traversing across a slope—one of the most important off-trail skills.
Carving & Turning in Powder: Learn to initiate turns using body weight and throttle rather than steering alone.
  • Cost: $500
  • Location: Catherine Creek snopark (outside of La Grande)
  • Duration: Saturday and Sunday
  • Instructors: David Chadderdon and Nicole Sullivan (Both specialize in working with women riders)
  • Required equipment: Reliable snowmobile, DOT-approved helmet, OR snopark pass, appropriate backpack to carry beacon, shovel, probe, radio.  (We can loan avy gear to those who need it)
This 2-day course is tailored for beginner to intermediate riders, looking to get off the groomed trails and develop confidence in themselves and their machine.  You may already ride in the backcountry, but still find it hard to get your sled to perform consistently.  Nicole and David will work with each rider to better understand how your machine can do the work for you, while gaining confidence and having fun!  You will need to have a modern mountain sled that is reliable to participate.  Safety is the number 1 priority, and your instructors will ensure everyone knows how to use their avalanche rescue gear and properly conduct a trailhead check before leaving the snopark.  This is going to be a great clinic for those looking to support other women in an inclusive learning environment.

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