The Wilderness Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 24 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

All education content presented in this activity has been reviewed and validated as appropriate in keeping with sound scientific principles.

This course is designed for healthcare professionals and students who want to apply their clinical skills in cold and winter environments. It’s particularly suited to those interested in expedition, wilderness, or adventure medicine. The focus is on clinical decision-making, adaptability, teamwork, and operating safely in cold, resource-limited settings rather than technical mountaineering alone.

Previous expedition or wilderness medicine experience is helpful but not essential. The course builds core principles and applies them to winter environments. If you’re unsure whether this is the right next step for you, we recommend using the Course Fit Checker or booking a discovery call.

You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but a good level of physical fitness will help you get the most from the course. As a guide, you should be comfortable walking at least 5 miles carrying a 20 lb pack and repeating this over consecutive days. Being physically prepared will allow you to focus on learning rather than fatigue.

This Winter Medicine course covers the medical, environmental, logistical, and human factors considerations of working in cold and winter environments.

Content includes:

• Medicine in cold and winter environments

• Clothing systems and shelter

• Hypothermia and cold water immersion

• Freezing and non-freezing cold injuries

• Altitude medicine

• Pre-existing and common medical conditions in cold environments

• Expedition planning and risk assessment

• Navigation and map reading in winter terrain

• Trauma management in cold environments

• Fractures, dislocations, and spinal injuries

• Patient packaging and evacuation

• Avalanche awareness and rescue

• Search and rescue protocols

• Communication and emergency signalling

• Medical kits for winter expeditions

• Human factors and team dynamics

Teaching is delivered through a mix of lectures, practical workshops, simulations, and outdoor field scenarios.

Please follow the kit list and bring adequate kit. Winter environments are cold, wet, and physically demanding, so it’s essential you’re equipped to manage prolonged exposure to cold and rapidly changing conditions.

As a minimum, we recommend you bring:

You need to be prepared for cold, wind, snow, and low visibility. If you have any questions about kit, please contact us before the course.

Clothing & Personal Gear

• Shell jacket and shell trousers (windproof and breathable)

• Insulated jacket (synthetic or down)

• Fleece layers

• Base layers (upper and lower)

• Warm socks and underwear

• Waterproof winter boots

• Warm hat and gloves

• Sunglasses or goggles

• Head torch with spare batteries

Equipment

• Rucksack (30–45 litres)

• 1 litre water bottle or Nalgene

• Insulated flask or thermos

• Personal medical / first aid kit

A detailed kit list will be provided once you’re booked.

No specialist technical equipment is required. All activities are designed to be accessible with standard winter clothing and personal kit. Guidance on what to bring, what is provided, and what can be sourced locally is included in your joining instructions.

The course is based at Joe Dodge Lodge, located in the White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire. Accommodation and meals are included from the start of the course until after lunch on the final day. Rooms are shared cabin-style accommodation with nearby bathroom facilities.

Typical daytime temperatures range around 0°C but can drop significantly lower. Conditions may include snow, wind, and limited visibility. These conditions are a core part of the learning experience, and faculty will guide you on managing yourself, your kit, and patients safely.

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and must cover the activities undertaken on the course, including outdoor and emergency evacuation activities. You’ll be required to provide insurance details before the course begins.

Ahead of the course, you’ll receive access to a WhatsApp group where you can ask questions, share travel plans, and connect with fellow participants and faculty. Joining instructions and optional pre-course resources are also provided.

If you wish to learn more or have any additional questions, we invite you to book a 20-minute discovery call with our team.

→ Click here to book a discovery call.

The call will be with the team who organise our courses and work closely with our medical teaching faculty. They’re best placed to explain what our attendees really get out of attending a course with us.

You can choose between a video or voice call — whatever suits you best.

Register for a time that works for you, and we look forward to speaking with you soon.

Prefer email? Then feel free to contact us.

The comprehensive curriculum and field scenarios are carefully designed to push your limits while mitigating risks.

We take every precaution to keep participants safe by:

• Rigorous gear checks before all expedition days
• Mandatory evacuation insurance policies
• Close coordination with local emergency responders