Snowshoeing Holidays

Snowshoeing is hiking in snow. You strap wide, flat frames onto your regular boots and instead of sinking thigh-deep into snow, you walk on top of it. That’s genuinely it. No sliding, no technique to crack, no learning curve to speak of, if you can walk, you can snowshoe. It opens up the backcountry in winter without the faff of skis: frozen lakes, snow-loaded forests and landscapes most people never see.

None whatsoever. It’s one of the most accessible winter activities out there precisely because there’s no real technique to learn. You’ll get a quick briefing at the start including how to strap in and handle downhill sections, then you’re off. Previous hiking experience helps with fitness and pacing, but it’s not a requirement.

More than you might expect. The mechanics are simple but moving through deep snow, for 5–6 hours a day is harder work than the same distance on a summer trail. Think of it as hiking with extra resistance. A good baseline fitness and a history of getting outdoors regularly is enough for most trips. If you’re comfortable walking in hilly terrain for a full day, you’ll manage fine.

Layers, waterproofs, thick socks and waterproof boots are the non-negotiables. A moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid layer and a waterproof outer keep you comfortable as your body temperature changes throughout the day. Waterproof trousers are worth having given the amount of snow around you. Warm, waterproof boots are also essential as your feet will be in contact with snow all day and need to stay dry and warm. Gloves, a hat and gaiters to keep snow out of your boots round things out.

It’s probably the best starting point of any winter activity. If skiing or snowboarding has felt too intimidating, snowshoeing is how you get into the winter backcountry without any of that. Most people are completely comfortable within the first twenty minutes.

It varies by destination and trip, but snowshoeing really earns its place in varied winter landscapes, helping you reach dense forests with snow-heavy trees, open mountain ridges, frozen lakes and rolling countryside that’s completely inaccessible any other way. Expect short ups and downs rather than relentless climbs. The terrain is also varied enough to be interesting without being technically demanding.

Yes, and guided group snowshoeing trips suit solo travellers particularly well. The pace is decent, there’s plenty of time to talk on the trail, and days spent navigating a winter wilderness together tends to build easy connections. You won’t feel like a solo traveller for long.

January through to March is the core season, with reliable snow cover and proper winter conditions. February and March are often the sweet spot as the days are getting longer, temperatures are manageable and the snowpack is well established. In Scandinavia the season extends into April. Go too early in the season and snow cover can be patchy; too late and you risk slushy conditions that make for harder going.

Scandinavia, particularly Finnish and Swedish Lapland, is hard to beat for snowshoeing. The landscapes are vast, snow cover is reliable from December through March, and the combination of frozen lakes, dense forests and genuine wilderness is unlike anywhere else in Europe. Norway offers dramatic terrain with serious elevation if you want more of a challenge. The Dolomites and Pyrenees are strong options too, with well-established winter trail networks and mountain scenery that rewards the effort.

You need the snowshoes themselves, poles for balance and stability, and warm waterproof boots. On guided trips the snowshoes and poles are almost always provided, so you don’t need to invest in kit before you’ve tried it. What you do need to sort yourself is appropriate clothing: waterproof layers, warm socks and gloves, a hat and gaiters. A small daypack for water, snacks and an extra layer or two is worth bringing too.