Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals

OPR Fall Quarter hours

Fall Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 10am-4pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10am-1pm
Thursday: 10am-1pm
Friday: 10am-4pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm.

Winter Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 10am-4pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10am-1pm
Thursday: 10am-1pm
Friday: 10am-4pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm.

Fall Quarter closures include Veterans Day, November 11, Thanksgiving break, Thursday, November 23, 24, 25 & 26 & Study Day, Monday, December 5.

Winter Quarter closures include Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 16, Presidents Day, Monday, February 20 & Study Day, Monday, March13.

Please call 509-963-3537 or email outdoorpursuits@cwu.edu to find out more.

The Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals Shop offers special deals for holidays and school breaks when the rental shop is closed. Listed below are the special rental periods and deals. For specific questions, please call 509.963.3536.

• Martin Luther King Day - Free day with any weekend rental.
• President's Day - Free day with any weekend rental.
• Spring Break - Pay the weekend price for the full week.
• Memorial Day - Free day with any weekend rental.
• Juneteenth - Free day with any weekend rental.
• Fourth of July - Free day for any rentals over the 4th.
• Labor Day - Free day with any weekend rental.
• Thanksgiving Break - Pay the weekend price for all of break
• Winter Break - Schedule an appointment with OPR to pickup your equipment during Winter Break.

OPR Trips

Winter Quarter
*All trips include the required gear necessary. For example, a cross country ski trip includes the boots, skis and poles. Students need to come prepared with clothing. Some clothing is available for rent if students need it. See the rental page to learn more about available clothing.

Avalanche Beacon Training Clinics
Dates: Wednesday, January 11, 25 & February 8, 22
Meet at OPR at 4 pm. Clinic may go as late as 7pm
Cost: $5 students, $7 non-students
Come learn about avalanches and the danger they pose to those who recreate in the mountains. This 2.5 hour long event is great for beginners and those with experience. We will be doing some basic avalanche transceiver practice, so please bring your avalanche beacon if you have one or borrow from OPR. Training will happen on campus. Attendance is required to at least one clinic if you want to attend the backcountry skiing and touring trip. Level of difficulty is beginner. Pre-registration required. Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals (OPR) 509.963.3537

Mountain Snowshoe
Saturday, January 14
Depart OPR at 10am, return approximately 6:00pm
Cost: $35 CWU students, $44 non-students
Snowshoe one of the local mountains offering astounding views of neighboring Cascade peaks. Pre-registration required prior to the pre-trip meeting at 4pm on Thursday, January 12. Level of difficulty is intermediate. Pre-registration required. Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals (OPR) 509.963.3537

Suncadia Ice Skating
Thursday, January 19
Depart OPR at 4pm, return approximately 9:00pm
Cost: $18 CWU students, $22 non-students
Join OPR for some ice skating, fresh mountain air & wintertime fun in nearby Cle Elum, WA. Participants will need to purchase their own ice skating admission and rentals. Pre-registration required prior to the pre-trip meeting at 4pm on Wednesday, January 18. Level of difficulty is beginner. Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals (OPR) 509.963.3537

Beginner Cross Country Ski
Saturday, January 21
Depart OPR at 9am, return approximately 5pm
Cost: $40 CWU students, $50 non-students
Join OPR for a cross country ski adventure in the Cascade Mountains. Pre-registration required prior to the pre-trip meeting at 4pm on Thursday, January 19. Level of difficulty is beginner. Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals (OPR) 509.963.3537

White Pass Ski Shuttle
Saturday, January 28
Depart OPR at 7:30am, return approximately 6pm
Cost: $20 students, $25 non-students
Join OPR for some of the best snow in the Cascade Mountains. Pre-registration required prior to the pre-trip meeting at 4pm on Thursday, January 26. Level of difficulty is beginner-advanced, and all abilities welcome. Need a fresh wax on your skis/snowboard? Bring your boards into OPR a few days before so they are ready to go for a sweet day at White Pass.

Full Moon Ski
Saturday, February 4
Depart OPR at 5pm, return approximately 11pm
Cost: $35 CWU students, $44 non-students
Join OPR for a full moon adventure like no other. Cross country ski trails by the light of the full moon. Pre-registration required prior to the pre-trip meeting at 4pm on Thursday, February 2. Level of difficulty is beginner. Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals (OPR) 509.963.3537

Snow Sledding
Saturday, February 11
Depart 10:00 am, return approximately 5:00 pm
Cost: $35 CWU Students, $44 non-students
Join OPR for a favorite winter past-time, sledding on snow tubes. Pre-registration required prior to the pre-trip meeting at 4pm on Thursday, February 9. Level of difficulty is beginner. Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals (OPR) 509.963.3537

Mission Ridge Ski Shuttle
Saturday, February 18
Meet at OPR at 7:30am, return approximately 6pm
Cost: $20 CWU students, $25 non-students
Join OPR for some of the best snow in the Cascade Mountains. Pre-registration required prior to the pre-trip meeting at 4pm on Thursday, February 16. Level of difficulty is beginner-advanced, and all abilities welcome. Need a fresh wax on your skis/snowboard? Bring your boards into OPR a few days before so they are ready to go for a sweet day at Mission Ridge. Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals (OPR) 509.963.3537

Backcountry Skiing & Touring
Saturday, February 25
Depart OPR at 9:30am, return approximately 5pm
Cost: $40 CWU students, $50 non-students
Want to learn how to backcountry ski, set a skin track and enjoy fresh powder? Join OPR for a day of winter fun. Boots, skis, poles, avalanche beacon, probe & shovel all included in the price. Previous ski experience is required. Attendance at a minimum of one Avalanche Beacon Training Clinic is required. Pre-registration required prior to the pre-trip meeting at 4pm on Thursday, February 23. Level of difficulty is beginner to intermediate. Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals (OPR) 509.963.3537

Mountain Snowshoe
Saturday, March 4
Depart OPR at 9am, return approximately 5pm
Cost: $35 CWU students, $44 non-students
Snowshoe one of the local mountains offering astounding views of neighboring Cascade peaks. Pre-registration required prior to the pre-trip meeting at 4pm on Thursday, March 2. Level of difficulty is intermediate. Pre-registration required

Typical year round programs & trips include:

Fall Quarter
Hiking
Backpacking
Rafting
Mountain Biking
Standup Paddle Boarding
Fireside Chats

Winter Quarter
Snowshoeing
Cross Country Skiing
Backcountry Skiing
Snow Tubing
Ski & Snowboard Shuttles

Spring Quarter
Hiking
Mountain Biking
FREE Bicycle Maintenance Clinics
Standup Paddle Boarding
Fireside Chats
Rafting

Training & Certifications
AIARE Avalanche Level 1 Course
Swiftwater Rescue Course
Wilderness First Responder

Enjoy a scenic float down the Yakima River, take in the stunning views of the canyon and valley, and watch for wildlife along the banks of the river. Be adventurous, see what the nature around the Lower Kitittas Valley has to offer.

Action Stage - (33.5 feet - 35.5 feet.) At this stage, the river is near bank full at Ellensburg. Lowland flooding is possible in the low areas along the river. If the water level is above 33.5 feet, please consider your recreation options carefully and know that you are responsible for your own safety while on the river.

The Yakima water level is always very closely monitored by the USGS. You are able to see what the water level for each of the stages in real-time. Yakima River's real-time water levels.

What to Bring

• PFD (Personal Flotation Device) / Life Jacket & WEAR IT!
• Water
• Food
• Waterproof sunblock
• Chapstick
• Proper footwear with snug straps that will not fall off
• Inexpensive sunglasses
• Swimsuit
• And the pump. When the raft hits the cold water it can lose pressure over the duration of the float. During a break in your float, keep the raft out of direct sunlight and give it a couple pumps before heading back out!

Caution:

Rafting is a potentially hazardous activity. Always raft with a group and seek training prior to floating the river on your own. Moving water is a powerful element and awareness of potential hazards may allow you to have a more safe and enjoyable experience. OPR offers a Swiftwater Rescue course annually each Spring for those interested in getting more training.

On the Yakima River, OPR equipment is prohibited floating the stretch between the Upper Bridge at KOA campground to the Lower Bridge at Irene Rinehart Park (People's Pond), and from the Lower Bridge (People's Pond) down to South Ringer Loop launch. AVOID THESE AREAS!!! These areas are potentially hazardous and are off limits for OPR equipment. The Ringer Loop Road is closed in the middle because it was washed out by the Yakima River a few years ago. Please avoid putting your water vessel in the river at North Ringer Loop. North Ringer Loop is the little grassy park with the picnic table that is near the Yakima River RV Park. This section of river is within the prohibited stretch referenced above. For the Ringer Loop put-in, you should drive to the second road named Ringer Loop Road and drive to the WA state managed parking area with boat launch to put your water vessel in the river. At this site, there is a Bureau of Land Management sign labeling this area South Ringer Loop. Please note a Discover Pass or day use fee is required here. For a list of Yakima River put-ins & take-outs and FAQ on our rental gear and floating the river, click here.

Please send inquiries via e-mail outdoorpursuits@cwu.edu. Or contact Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals by phone at (509) 963-3537.

Trip Resources
Local Trip Planning
Yakima River Floats
Ellensburg’s NOAA weather

Winter Resources
Washington State Dot Mountain Passes
PNW Avalanche Forecast
Nationwide Avalanche Forecast
American Avalanche Association
American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education

Hiking, Mountaineering & Climbing Resources
Washington Trails Association
Caltopo - Backcountry Mapping Website
Mountain Project
Summit Post
Turns All Year

River Flow Resources
Dream Flows
Professor Paddle
USGS Current Water Data

Outdoor Activities Waiver - Hiking Trips
Outdoor Activities Waiver - Winter Activities
Rafting and Kayaking Waiver
Climbing Trip Waiver
Medical Information Form

Banff Mountain Film Festival

Date: Thursday, December 1, 2022
Doors open at 6pm and the film starts at 7pm.
Cost: $12 CWU students, $16 non-students, $16 general admission day of the film.
Welcome to the 2022-23 World Tour. Each year, a collection of the best films celebrating outdoor culture is seen by more than 390,000 in 40 countries at over 840 screenings, including Central Washington University. There will be door prizes. To purchase tickets in advance, visit Wildcat Tickets. To watch the previous year's trailer, visit https://www.cwu.edu/rec/film-festivals.