Discount Rules:
Book alone and SAVE 15%
Bring 1 friend and SAVE 25%
Bring 2 or more friends and SAVE 35%
click orange buttons to view dates and prices!

Winter Climbing 101- Basic Ice Climbing & Mountaineering Skills

Join us on this course for some great climbing on both snow and ice, and you’ll come away with a full understanding of the fundamentals of winter climbing. It all starts here for people headed toward the winter pursuits of ice climbing or winter mountaineering. In this full-day course, we will outfit you with all the gear required to move on steep snow and moderate-angled ice. READ MORE

Skill Level: Beginner

Length: 8 hours

Prerequisites: No previous climbing experience required

Locations: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York

Mt. Washington Ascent

The tallest peak in New England is an even greater challenge in winter. Over half of the 8.2 mile round trip is above treeline where conditions can be famously harsh. Mt. Washington still holds the world record for the highest land wind speed at 231 mph and winter wind chill factor reaching a staggering -50 degrees!

If facts like these get your competitive juices flowing, our experienced guides will provide all the technical gear you need (ice axe, crampons and boots) to take on Mt. Washington at its toughest. While no prior mountaineering experience is required, we do recommend taking our Winter Climbing 101 course so you can make your ascent with total confidence. READ MORE

Skill Level: Beginner

Length: 8-10 hours

Prerequisites: No previous mountaineering experience required, but a good level of fitness essential

Location: New Hampshire

Mountaineering 201- Intermediate Mountaineering Skills

Looking at classic mountaineering objectives out West, or the committing winter ascents of the East? Then we’ll take the skills you learned in Winter Climbing 101 and apply them on a long route that will get you way up above the valley. In Winter Mountaineering 201, we’ll review the basics, then head up a route of moderate-angled snow and ice. We’ll cover lots of ground, protecting the party while moving together on the rope, and belaying the sections that require more care. Route selection, hazard assessment, and decision-making in the mountains all come into play as we steadily gain elevation. For a safety-conscious party, smooth and efficient movement up the mountain is a reward in itself, but the views from up there make it even better. Since the top of any climb is really the half-way point, we will need to address the variety of descent options as well. READ MORE

Skill Level: Intermediate

Length: 8 hours

Prerequisites: Successful completion of our Winter Climbing 101 course or previous mountaineering/ ice climbing experience

Locations: New Hampshire, New York

Ice Climbing 201- Intermediate Ice Climbing Skills

If you’ve taken our Winter Climbing 101 course or have some previous ice climbing experience, this full day course is for you. After reviewing the basics of ice axe and crampon use and self arrest techniques, we will then focus on specific techniques for efficient movement on steeper ice. We’ll help you fine-tune those techniques and then move on to ice protection and anchors. As with all of our courses, we provide all technical gear and offer everyone personalized instruction in a group environment. READ MORE

Skill Level: Intermediate

Length: 8 hours

Prerequisites: Successful completion of our Winter Climbing 101 course or previous mountaineering/ ice climbing experience

Locations: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York

Intro to Backcountry Skiing

Randonée, ski touring, ski mountaineering and extreme skiing are all terms used to describe ta new way of experiencing the world of backcountry sking that is rapidly gaining popularity in the US. These forms of skiing can be extremely dangerous if done without considering the hazards of avalanches, uncontrolled falls in steep terrain, fatique, and mountain weather. Alpine touring gear also known as randonée gear offers all the benefits of telemark or cross ski gear with the added power and control of downhill skis and bindings. The pursuit of fresh fallen snow and new challenges draw hundreds off the ski slopes and into the backcountry each year. Having the right gear and knowing how to avoid hazards will keep you safe and eagerly going back for more! READ MORE

Skill Level: Beginner

Length: 8 hours

Prerequisites: Must have previous alpine skiing experience and feel comfortable on blue trails. No backcountry ski experience required.

Locations: New Hampshire, New York

Telemark for the Alpine Skier

Are you an alpine skier looking to try something new? Want to explore the backcountry or make those same old groomers exciting again? Come try out Telemark skiing in this fun two-hour lesson catered specifically to current alpine skiers! We’ll start by doing some alpine skiing on our Telemark skis, practicing sideslipping, edge transitions, and carving round turns without having your heel locked in. We’ll work up to the full-fledged Telemark turn, focusing on body position and making sure to weight the skis as evenly as possible. By the end of the clinic you’ll be working on linking Telemark turns and you just might choose to never go back to alpine… Either way, learning Tele will force you to work on your technique and balance.READ MORE

Skill Level: Beginner

Length: 2 hours

Prerequisites: Previous alpine experience required. Must be comfortable on blue ski trails

Locations: Massachusetts, New York, Vermont

Seal Watching Kayak Tour

Join the EMS Kayak School as we go in search of one of the most endearing winter residents of Narragansett Bay, the harbor seal. Harbor seals migrate from the Gulf of Maine and Atlantic Canada into Narragansett Bay’s warmer waters in the winter months. Once quite rare in the area, harbor seal populations have rebounded since the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972. Here in the Bay, they are protected from many of their natural predators like orcas and sharks. Viewing these animals by kayak gives you an opportunity not available any other way; you can look these animals right in the eye, from their perspective, in their environment. There are several locations throughout Narragansett Bay that are regular haul out spots for the seals, and due to tides, winds and the cooler temperatures our launch sites often vary! READ MORE

Skill Level: Beginner

Length: 3 hours

Prerequisites: No paddling experience required

Location: Rhode Island

Pool Rolling

Quite simply, rolling your kayak to an upright position is the best self rescue method, period. It is one of those counter-intuitive skills progressions, however, that demands a skilled instructor with a good eye and deep understanding of the mechanics of various rolling styles to smooth the learning process. So we try to make your learning experience as easy as possible in a warm pool with rolling-friendly kayaks and knowledgeable ACA and BCU certified instructors.

All our instructors are familiar with several different rolling and teaching styles, and will determine which ones are the best match for each student. Working at your pace, the instructors will lead you through logical progressions of skills and movements which fit together to create “the bombproof roll”. READ MORE

Skill Level: Beginner

Length: 2 hours

Prerequisites: No previous kayak experience required

Location: Massachusetts