Prepare yourself for any winter wilderness emergency with this one day course, a must-have for backcountry skiers, mountaineers, snowmobilers, winter backpackers and campers. Topics covered include: gear and equipment, emergency shelters, fire building, meal prep and planning, emergency communication, hypothermia, basic winter first aid, problem solving and more. This is a hands-on course where each topic is introduced in a group discussion then followed by an outdoor practical. Students will be required to dress warmly as activities will be outside for the entire day.

Cost: $330 USD (lunch included)
Please contact Eric for application and more information.

Learn winter camping basics in this hands-on course based in Crested Butte, Colorado. This is an excellent course for those wanting to extend their winter activity to include an overnight as well as anyone who simply wants to be be 'more comfortable in winter situations'. Students will meet for a brief introduction to winter camping fundamentals and course overview followed by a full day of seminars and outdoor practicals. Topics covered include: clothing and equipment selection, layering, food preparation, stove use, camp selection and tent set up, snow shelters, sleeping systems, and more. On Saturday, students will travel to a backcountry location for a final winter camping overnight.

Cost: $1350 USD (plus lodging)
Please contact Eric for application and more information.

Join Eric Larsen for an immersion into the world of winter travel and polar expeditions. Learn valuable skills and techniques that will allow you to travel comfortably, safely, and efficiently in cold and snow - whether its just a weekend excursion or an expedition to the North or South Pole. Based out of a remote cabin near the lake, this course covers all aspects of modern-day polar travel through intensive seminars and culminates in a five-day, four-night polar expedition.

After spending the first three days alternating between indoor instruction and outdoor practicals, students will embark on a four-day traverse of Lake of the Woods. With temperatures well below zero and conditions nearly identical to the Arctic and Antarctic, this adventure will provide a challenging, yet safe, opportunity to experience the many facets of expedition life.

Topics covered: polar travel philosophy, cold weather layering, sleeping in cold weather, equipment, expedition communications and electronics, travel techniques, nutrition and menu planning, safety and first aid, cold weather photography, team dynamics, crisis management and fundraising.

Upon completion of the course, participants will receive an official certificate (to be used as reference for Antarctic expeditions and my Level 2 or 3 courses) as well as a portfolio of professional quality images.

Cost: $3500 USD
Please contact Eric for application and more information.

Join renowned Polar Adventurer and Expedition Guide Eric Larsen for a two week polar style expedition in the stunning valleys of Svalbard. In this two week experience, participants will be learning and refining expedition skills while actively leading most aspects of the journey - from navigation to camp selection and team dynamics to expedition communications. After a brief introductory meeting and gear check, we will take two days to finalize gear and equipment selection and food preparation before the start of the traverse.

Cost: $9000 USD. Please contact Eric for application and more information.

Travel to Longyearbyen, Svalbard and the edge of the Arctic Ocean to experience polar travel at it's most intense. After meeting in Longyearbyen, the team will spend two days familiarizing ourselves with the environment, expedition travel and polar bear safety before heading out for a two week exploratory expedition of the surrounding environment. Special emphasis is placed on sea ice travel and polar bear safety.

Please contact Eric for application and more information.