Never Tried Snowshoeing? Here's Why You Should

What is snowshoeing?

If you've never tried snowshoeing, the concept is simpler than you might think. Snowshoes are lightweight frames that attach to your regular walking boots, distributing your weight across a wider surface area so that you can walk across deep snow without sinking into it. If you can walk, you can snowshoe — unlike skiing or snowboarding, there's no steep learning curve and no specialist experience required. What snowshoeing gives you is access to winter landscapes that would otherwise be impassable on foot — snow-covered forests, mountain trails and remote valleys that most travellers never reach. It's also a wonderfully sociable activity, well suited to small groups exploring at a gentle pace together. Come with us and we'll take you into some of the most spectacular winter landscapes in the world — all you need to bring is a decent pair of walking boots and a sense of adventure.

Where are the best locations to try snowshoeing in?

The Slovenian Alps: Tucked away in the southeastern corner of the Alps, Slovenia remains one of Europe's best-kept winter secrets, and all the better for it. We'll take you through pristine snow-covered forests and across open mountain meadows in the shadow of the Triglav massif, where the trails are quiet, the scenery is breathtaking and the warmth of Slovenian hospitality makes every evening around the table something to look forward to.

The Austrian Alps: Austria's Alps offer some of the most accessible and rewarding snowshoeing in Europe, with a vast network of winter trails winding through picture-postcard villages, frozen valleys and open alpine terrain. Join us as we lead you through landscapes straight from a storybook — where the mountains are dramatic, the air is crisp and clear, and a well-earned Glühwein is never far away.

Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley: In the shadow of Western Europe's highest peak, the Chamonix Valley offers a snowshoeing experience unlike anywhere else. We'll guide you through ancient forests and across high alpine ridges with Mont Blanc filling the horizon — a backdrop so extraordinary it makes every step feel like an achievement. Chamonix itself is a wonderfully vibrant base to return to each evening, with great food, warm company and the unmistakable atmosphere of a town that takes its mountains seriously.

What do our expert walk leaders say about snowshoeing?

Snowshoeing for the first time can feel daunting, but our expert walk leaders are on hand to help you to put any fears away. This is what one of these experts has to say:

“There's always that initial hesitation, that wondering if they'll manage it, but within the first hour on the snow, something shifts. The basic techniques are surprisingly easy to master, and the local guides are brilliantly helpful and patient. “

Our snowshoeing tours are designed to ease you into this new skill. The first day will include instruction on how to manoeuvre with your snowshoes, and the walks and distance travelled increase incrementally from then. The tours are designed to give you a sense of achievement: letting you marvel at your ability to pick up a new skill (and such a physical one at that) so quickly.

How to prepare for your first snowshoeing tour

Our expert walk leader describes snowshoeing as a “fabulous workout, especially going uphill”. This means that you’ll want to make sure that you’re feeling as fit as possible before booking a snowshoeing holiday. Each of our tours come labelled with a grade, and you can find a little more about what our grading system means here.

Afternoons are often spent traversing the gentler terrains of the valley floors on our snowshoeing adventures, and snowshoes aren’t required for this. Instead, we recommend that you bring snow grippers to stop any unwanted slips while you enjoy this leisurely activity.