Trips | Classes | Events
The Outdoor Program offers trips and classes all year round. Whether backpacking in the desert, running the Alberton Gorge, cross country skiing at Lolo Pass, or learning how to climb - we've got you covered! In addition to trips and classes, we also host special events throughout the academic year.
Classes and events are open to the public, while trips are limited to the UM community.
Trips and Classes
Land
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Dates: August 14-17
Cost: $375
TRIP SUMMARY/WHAT TO EXPECT: Spend four days in Western Montana's Rocky Mountains backpacking. The Freshman Wilderness Experience is specially designed for traditionally aged incoming students who have graduated high school in the past six months.
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Dates: August 14-17
Cost: $455
TRIP SUMMARY/WHAT TO EXPECT: Spend four days canoeing a beautiful Montana river. The Freshman Wilderness Experience is specially designed for traditionally aged incoming students who have graduated high school in the past six months.
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Dates: Friday, Aug. 14 to Monday, Aug. 17
Cost: $300
TRIP SUMMARY/WHAT TO EXPECT: In its sixth year, we are excited to showcase the 2026 Flathead Lake Biological Station for this special overnight experience! Similar to the Freshman Wilderness Experience, this trip will bring a small group of 17 incoming first-year students together with 3 UM Advocates for a multiday adventure at UM’s world-class freshwater research and education facility on Flathead Lake. The cost is $300 per student and covers transportation, food, and lodging. Important Information This trip is designed for incoming first-year students only and is a special addition to the required in-person Big Sky Experience program, which is held immediately following this trip from Aug. 17 - Aug. 21, 2026.
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Dates: September 18-20
Pre-Trip Meeting: September 16th at 5pm at the Outdoor ProgramCost: $275
TRIP SUMMARY/WHAT TO EXPECT: This trip is a chance to explore the spectacularly beautiful backcountry of Glacier National Park. We will spend Friday night at a campground in Glacier and then backpack Saturday and Sunday, spending Saturday night in the backcountry of Glacier. If you have not been to Glacier, you are in for a treat. We plan to leave as early as possible on Friday. That way we can get up there in time to pick up the permits and get to our campsite. It is ideal to get there before dark.
Trip includes: transportation, park entry, food, shared gear and trip leadersSkill level: It helps to have some hiking and some outdoor camping experience, but it is not necessary
Film
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Date: October 28, 2026
Where: UC Theater | 3rd floor
Time: Doors open at 5:30pm, Show begins at 6:00pm
Cost: $23 | Day of: $28
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Dates: December 13, 2026
Time: Doors open at 5:30pm, Show begins at 6:00pm
Rock
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Dates: Every Tuesday from 5-7pm
Cost: $15
These are two-hour clinics on Tuesdays to teach you the fundamentals of belaying (climbing on the ropes). You will learn the industry standard way to belay your partner and be on your way to getting belay certified in our gym. Join us!
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Date: October 29, 2026
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Indoor Rockwall in the Fitness & Rec Center
Climbing Wall Instructor Course
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American Mountain Guides Association Climbing Wall Instructor Program
Dates: November 6-8th
Cost: $385
*Requirement for the Climbing Wall Staff
*Offered for credit
Avalanche Classes
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January Trip:
Dates: Jan 5, 7, 9, 10 | 8am-4pm
Classroom session: 6pm-9pm
Cost: $525 | $595 for non-students
February Trip:
Dates: Feb 2, 4, 6, 7 | 8am-4pm
Classroom session: 6-9pm
Cost: $525 | $595 for non-students
Details:
THIS COURSE FOLLOWS THE AMERICAN AVALANCHE ASSOCIATION (A3) CURRICULUM. INSTRUCTORS COVER INFORMATION GATHERING AND DECISION-MAKING STRATEGIES FOR STAYING SAFE IN THE WINTER BACKCOUNTRY. FORTY PERCENT OF THE COURSE IS CLASSROOM-BASED AND THE OTHER SIXTY PERCENT IS FIELD-BASED. PARTICIPANTS WILL TRAVEL IN THE BACKCOUNTRY, IN AND AROUND AVALANCHE TERRAIN.This course focuses on the following:• Basic avalanche terminology• Recognizing avalanche terrain• Travel procedures in avalanche terrain• Formation of the mountain snowpack• How weather changes the snowpack• Human factors and how they can influence decision-making• Interpreting the avalanche forecast and advisory• Tour planning• Avalanche transceiver use and rescue skills• Field observations of terrain, snowpack, and weather• Use and interpretation of stability tests• Prioritizing information, working as a team, and minimizing possible human factor traps• Next stepsCourses Include:InstructionLift Tickets if Accessing the Backcountry from a Ski AreaParticipants must ProvideTheir own Backcountry Skiing or Split boarding EquipmentAvalanche Beacon, Shovel, ProbeTransportation to the course locationTheir own Food on Field DaysCancelation Policy:STANDARD POLICY – If notice of cancellation is received within 30 days of the course we will offer a full refund. If notice is received 14-30 days before the course we will offer a 50% refund of course costs. If notice of cancellation is received within 14 days of the course no refund can be given. -
Dates: Feb 16, 18, 20-21
Classroom session: 6-9pm
Cost: $525 | $595 for non-students
Details:
THIS COURSE FOLLOWS THE AMERICAN AVALANCHE ASSOCIATION (A3) CURRICULUM. INSTRUCTORS COVER INFORMATION GATHERING AND DECISION-MAKING STRATEGIES FOR STAYING SAFE IN THE WINTER BACKCOUNTRY. FORTY PERCENT OF THE COURSE IS CLASSROOM-BASED AND THE OTHER SIXTY PERCENT IS FIELD-BASED. PARTICIPANTS WILL TRAVEL IN THE BACKCOUNTRY, IN AND AROUND AVALANCHE TERRAIN.This course focuses on the following:• Basic avalanche terminology• Recognizing avalanche terrain• Travel procedures in avalanche terrain• Formation of the mountain snowpack• How weather changes the snowpack• Human factors and how they can influence decision-making• Interpreting the avalanche forecast and advisory• Tour planning• Avalanche transceiver use and rescue skills• Field observations of terrain, snowpack, and weather• Use and interpretation of stability tests• Prioritizing information, working as a team, and minimizing possible human factor traps• Next stepsCourses Include:InstructionLift Tickets if Accessing the Backcountry from a Ski AreaParticipants must ProvideTheir own Backcountry Skiing or Split boarding EquipmentAvalanche Beacon, Shovel, ProbeTransportation to the course locationTheir own Food on Field DaysCancelation Policy:STANDARD POLICY – If notice of cancellation is received within 30 days of the course we will offer a full refund. If notice is received 14-30 days before the course we will offer a 50% refund of course costs. If notice of cancellation is received within 14 days of the course no refund can be given. -
*NEW!*
Description: This is a unique yurt-based avalanche course that combines backcountry lodging with a level 1 avalanche curriculum. This course follows the American Avalanche Association (A3) curriculum. Instructors will cover information gathering and decision-making strategies for staying safe in the winter backcountry. We will have one day in the classroom to go over some basics and then spend 2.5 days in the field in the Lost Trail backcountry. We will meet at Lost Trail the afternoon of Friday, Jan 22nd and spend the nights of Jan 22nd and 23rd at the yurt while touring around the LT backcountry on the 23rd and 24th.
Cost: $650
Schedule:
Wednesday January 20 – classroom 5-8 pm McGill 135 – presentations (avalanche basics, problems, info on where to find avy info, terrain, gear sorting, logistics)Friday January 22 – Orientation at 3pm (in the parking lot of Lost Trail). Plan to skin up after the lifts close around 4pm. Have dinner and settle into yurt life.Saturday Jan 23 –8am –Breakfast – group check ins, morning briefing, and plan for the day10am – head out into the field for beacon and rescue practice, strategic shoveling and pits and observations.5pm – 9pm come back to the yurt for dinner and debrief the day, observation discussions, case studies, classroom workSunday Jan 24 – 8 am breakfast – group check ins, morning briefing, and plan for the day9am – clean yurt and pack up10 am – head out into the field for a tour, terrain identification, pits and rescue practice.4pm – head back to Missoula.Meals – breakfast and dinner are included, please pack your own lunches, snacks and hot drinks.Must be able to ski blue square runs on resorts and have a touring set up (snowshoes are not permitted). Also, must have avalanche rescue gear including: 3 antenna beacon, dedicated avalanche shovel and probe.
Maintenance Clinics
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Dates: September 15, 17, 22, 24
6-8pm at the ODP
Price: $75
SUMMARY: A hands-on introduction to bicycle maintenance and mechanics. Skills will range from basic anatomy to adjusting derailleurs and changing cables. We start from the basics and move up from there depending on who is in the class and what their skill set is coming into the class.
Includes: Instruction, coaching, tools and the work bench
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Dates: October 28
6-8pm at the ODP
Price: $20
Summary: Instruction and coaching on how to sharpen the edges of your skis and wax them up for the ski season.
Includes: Instruction, coaching, the use of tools and some wax.
Campus Recreation is an equal opportunity service provider that conducts certain activities under special permit with the US Forest Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Bureau of Land Management. The University of Montana's Campus Recreation trips are permitted on the Lolo, Bitterroot, and Clearwater National Forests (Clause VII.B.). The UM Outdoor Program is partners with Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and a member of the American Canoe Association, and The Access Fund.