I'm Ashley, a commercial photographer from Seattle, Washington. Traveling, taking photos, and getting outdoors are all hobbies of mine that continually energize and inspire me.
Snowshoeing is a great way to get outside and work up a sweat during the winter months! It’s my preferred way of getting outdoors during winter because I love how warm I stay while snowshoeing and the trees look magical coated in snow. If you’re looking to dip your toes into winter sports, I highly recommend learning how to snowshoe. Snowshoeing is also far more affordable than other winter sports like skiing or snowboarding. In this snowshoeing guide, you’ll learn how to snowshoe for the first time and have all of the resources to do it safely!
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Table of Contents
Snowshoeing is similar to summer hiking, but instead hiking your favorite trails during winter. Snowshoes are outdoor footwear with a large footprint that spreads the hiker’s weight out over a wider area to help them walk on top of the snow without sinking. If you learn how to snowshoe, you’ll get to climb your favorite hiking trails no matter what season it is!
When deciding whether or not you need snowshoes, just remember that you only need snowshoes if there is 6 inches or more of snow on the trail or you begin to sink into the snow. Another tool to familiarize yourself with are microspikes, small spikes and chains that improve your traction on ice, so keep these in mind if you will be hiking on slippery packed snow or ice; you just slip them over your boots! I’ll put a link to those down in the gear section.
The winter months can be difficult as the days get shorter and we often spend more time inside, but snowshoeing is a great way to move your body, get fresh air, and connect with nature during those colder months. Another positive when it comes to snowshoeing is that it’s less expensive than other winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding. You don’t need lessons to snowshoe like you would with skiing and snowboarding and the gear to snowshoe is far less expensive. But the real gift of snowshoeing is seeing your favorite trails coated in snow, looking like a winter wonderland!
Well, you need snow to be able to snowshoe so finding snowshoeing trails will vary based on where you live! Apps such as AllTrails are a great way to find snowshoe trails, but most of the time any hiking, walking, or biking trails double as snowshoeing trails in the winter. Guidebooks are another great resource for finding trails or taking a snowshoe tour or class where you’ll learn all of the techniques and skills for avalanche preparedness.
That being said, always exercise caution by choosing established trails with low avalanche risk. Sticking to popular trails as a beginner is also important so you don’t get lost and other people can help you if necessary. When snowshoeing, you do not need to stick to trails. On your first few trips, you’ll want to stay on defined trails, but the more comfortable you get the more adventurous you can be.
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All outdoor activities have etiquettes that need to be followed to ensure that everyone is respected and Mother Earth is taken care of properly. Follow these tips below while snowshoeing:
I didn’t learn the movement and technique of snowshoeing before I ventured out two years ago with my Costco snowshoes, but my learning curve would have been shorter had I taken the time to learn the techniques. If you’d like to learn techniques that help you snowshoe uphill, downhill, on flat terrain, and how to get up when you’ve fallen read this article Techniques for the Beginner from SnowshoeMag. They’ve compiled and provided all of the information you need to learn how to snowshoe for the first time.
I bought my first pair of snowshoes at Costco for $50. These snowshoes were cheap, but they were my entry point for snowshoeing and did the job well on lower elevation hikes. As a beginner, you’ll want to try renting snowshoes or borrowing them from a friend! If you’re ready to buy yourself a pair of snowshoes, here are some helpful tips for purchasing your first pair.
There are three categories of snowshoes, flat terrain snowshoes, rolling terrain snowshoes, and mountain terrain snowshoes. As a beginner, you will most likely choose between a flat terrain snowshoe or a rolling terrain snowshoe. More advanced snowshoers looking to tackle steep and icy terrain should look at Mountain terrain snowshoes. Another commonly used word for flat terrain or rolling terrain snowshoes is hiking snowshoes or backcountry snowshoes. I’ll be using those terms below for recommendations! If you’d like a more in-depth article on how to choose snowshoes read this one by REI.
The weight range for snowshoe sizes are below:
Tubbs Xplore Snowshoes
The Tubbs Xplore Snowshoes for women and Tubbs Xplore Snowshoes for men are great beginner snowshoes for those who are looking to hike flat terrain. There’s no heel lift on these snowshoes, which is used for steeper slopes. The binding system on the Tubbs snowshoes are great and it’s a high quality piece of gear. I don’t recommend these for serious backcountry treks, but these are a good option for going on high trafficked trails with a bit of elevation.
Tubbs Xplore Snowshoes for Women
Tubbs Xplore Snowshoes for Men
The Tubbs Wilderness Snowshoes for women and the Tubbs Wilderness Snowshoes for men are great for those who are wanting to snowshoe with an incline. They both have a heel lift for steeper slopes and have a good sturdy binding system. The wilderness snowshoes have a good sized deck for floatation when there’s deep snow and the crampons have solid traction. Overall, a great pair of snowshoes.
Tubbs Wilderness Snowshoes for Women
Tubbs Wilderness Snowshoes for Men
The Tubbs Flex VRT Snowshoes for women and the Tubbs Mountaineer Snowshoes for men are designed for those looking to tackle steep, icy snowshoe trails. They have an aggressive crampon system that helps with downhill braking on icy terrain and help you go anywhere on the mountain. These are more advanced snowshoes for those looking to explore the backcountry and stray off the trail.
Tubbs Flex VRT Snowshoes for Women
Tubbs Mountaineer Snowshoes for Men
I always use snowshoe poles and highly recommend grabbing a pair. Walking on snow can be difficult and snowshoe poles help prevent falls. If you’re unbalanced like me then you’ll definitely want to bring a pair on your hike. Regular trekking poles and baskets work perfectly in the snow. The baskets are designed to prevent the trekking poles from sinking into the snow. The good thing about using hiking poles with baskets is you can use them all year round!
The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles are a 4-season trekking pole that can handle all expeditions. Another great option is the Black Diamond Alpine FLX Trekking Poles, which work great on summer hikes as well as winter backcountry trips. A cheaper option than the two above is the Mountainsmith Halite 7075 Trekking Poles, which also work perfectly in all conditions!
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles
Black Diamond Alpine FLX Trekking Poles
Mountainsmith Halite 7075 Trekking Poles
Before I start talking details on what to wear snowshoeing, I want to emphasize that everyone’s body handles the cold differently. I personally run very cold and have a low tolerance to temperatures below 32 degrees so I bring every piece of gear mentioned in this blog with me on my snowshoe trips. My husband runs on the hotter side and brings all of the gear mentioned, but tends to take it on and off throughout the hike as he starts to heat up. All of the gear mentioned is winter-specific, but can be used on other seasonal hikes as well.
Layering your clothes properly is very important when hiking. You’ll want to take your layers on and off as you heat up and cool down on the hike. If you feel yourself starting to sweat, you’ll want to take layers off so that your clothes stay dry and you stop sweating. It’s extremely important to prevent sweating. Wet clothing can lead to hypothermia when the body stops moving and producing heat. It’s important have control in your body temperature by dressing in layers!
A base-layer or thermal top is the clothing closest to the skin. This first layer should be tight to your skin, breathable, and moisture-wicking. It’s important to have a good first layer because this layer will pull any moisture from your body away from the skin, which keeps you warm. Good first layer materials include merino wool, wool, bamboo, and hybrids. Do not wear cotton when hiking. Cotton does not dry fast and if a piece of cotton clothing gets wet it will make you extremely cold.
Here are my favorite base layers for snowshoeing! Icebreaker 260 Tech Long Sleeve Half Zip Base Layer is perfect for winter sports. For bottoms, I love the Icebreaker Merino Tech High Rise Leggings. Icebreaker is high quality clothing that is worth the investment and will keep you warm when in colder temperatures. For men, my husband likes the Icebreaker Tech Crewe Base Layer top and the Icebreaker Tech Base Layer Leggings
Oasis Long Sleeve Base Layer Top for Women
Merino Tech High Rise Leggings for Women
Tech Crewe Base Layer Top for Men
Tech Base Layer Leggings for Men
The next layer is your mid-layer, which is typically a fitted fleece. If you get really cold you can add two or three mid-layers to keep you warm. Some people prefer a full zip mid-layer or a 1/4 zip so I’ll be giving both options. This layer tends to be taken off when you start to sweat going uphill. Again, steer clear of wearing cotton and opt for merino wool or wool for this layer.
Pro-tip: tuck in the mid-layer so that your lower back stays nice and toasty.
My personal choice of mid-layer is the Patagonia Better Sweater for women.
1/4 Zip Better Sweater for Women
Full Zip Better Sweater for Women
1/4 Zip Better Sweater for Men
Full Zip Better Sweater for Men
Your third layer is an insulated jacket. When heating up on the trail, this is a good layer to take off. I recommend getting a down jacket with a hood in case the wind picks up. The hood will protect the back of your neck and ears. This layer is typically used when you’re taking a break from hiking or there’s a change in weather and temperatures drop. It’s important to have all your layers on you so that you stay safe when environments change.
A typical down jacket will be filled with 650-800 goose down or synthetic, which is the perfect size for this hiking layer. You might be wondering what the different between synthetic and down is, so let’s talk about it:
Arc’teryx Thorium Down Hoodie for Women
Patagonia Down Sweater Hooded Jacket
Arc’teryx Thorium Down Hoodie for Men
Patagonia Silent Down Jacket for Men
This is the last layer you will put on after the insulated jacket. This layer will keep you dry and protect you from the elements. I tend to lean towards spending extra money on Gore-Tex, which is engineered to let moisture out and keep you warm. This shell should be thicker than your summer shell and is the first layer to take off when you get warm on your winter hike. Be sure this layer has a hood, ventilation zippers, tapped seems, waterproof, and breathable.
Arc’teryx Sentinel Jacket for Women
Arc’teryx Sabre AR Jacket for Men
I’m always cold so I layer up on my pants, but normally legs don’t require as much layering as the rest of the body. If the temperatures are extremely cold then you’ll want to start with wearing leggings, then mid-layer (down or synthetic pants), and finally an outer waterproof shell. Your outer waterproof shell can also be ski pants if you have them. I always wear my Arc’teryx ski pants when I go snowshoeing. Some people wear leggings and gaiters when the weather isn’t very cold, but I prefer to have all my layers with me. Below are my recommendations for all three layers!
North Face Summit Pro Base Layer Tights for Women
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Pants for Women
Arc’teryx Beta AR Rain Pants for Women
You have to have insulated, waterproof boots for snowshoeing. Remember that you’ll be hiking on snow, which is water and your feet will get wet if your shoes aren’t waterproof. This isn’t an item you want to miss because it truly does make or break a trip!
Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Boots for Women
Merrell Thermo Chil Mid Waterproof Boots for Men
Gaiters are a lower leg covering that protect your boots and pants from getting wet from snow. You zip or snap these coverings onto the heel of your boot and bottom of your pants. They’re great for a warmer day when you don’t feel the need to wear all of your layers on your legs. I love gaiters!
Outdoor Research Crocodile Gore-Tex Gaiters for Women
Outdoor Research Crocodile Gore-Tex Gaiters for Men
Merino wool socks are a popular choice for hikers because they offer a number of benefits. One of the main reasons why merino wool socks are good for hiking is because they are moisture-wicking, which means that they absorb moisture (such as sweat) and help to keep your feet dry. This is especially important for hikers, as wet feet can lead to blisters and other foot problems. I highly recommend hiking with merino wool socks!
Smartwool Full Cushion Crew Socks for Women
Smartwool Full Cushion Crew Socks for Men
A glove liner is similar to the base layer for the body. It will be a tight glove that’s worn inside your mitts or gloves that adds an extra layer of warmth. Some glove liners have touchscreen compatible fingertips which come in handy! Mittens or gloves are important because they are waterproof and keep your hands dry. I personally love my mittens and have had them for years. This is a piece of clothing you’ll definitely want to invest in!
Outdoor Research Sensor Gloves for Women
Outdoor Research Gore-Tex Mittens for Women
Arc’teryx Rho Glove Liners for Men
Outdoor Research Gore-Tex Gloves for Men
Hand warmers are a simple but essential piece of gear to bring on a winter hike. They provide a source of warmth for your hands in cold temperatures, which can help to keep your hands warm and comfortable. In addition to keeping your hands warm, hand warmers can also serve as a backup heat source in case of an emergency. If you get lost or stranded in the cold, hand warmers can provide some extra warmth until you are able to get help. I highly recommend bringing some along!
Zippo Rechargeable Hand Warmer
Grab a good, warm, reliable beanie for your head and ears! Be sure yours is moisture wicking or all weather. It’s important to wear a beanie in conjunction with other warm clothing and to dress appropriately for the weather conditions. During physical activity, your body will generate more heat, which can help to keep you warm.
Flipside All Weather Slouch Beanie
I have a confession, I am very forgetful. I have a list for everything; from what to bring snowshoeing to having a picnic in the park. For some reason, if I don’t go off these lists I always forget an essential item or something that would make my trip much more comfortable. So I decided to create a checklist for you to use on mobile or printed! You can check off these items below on your phone, laptop, or printed on paper. Here are my essential items when snowshoeing:
All outdoor activities can have dangers associated with it, but there are ways to mitigate potential danger when snowshoeing. Before you go snowshoeing be sure to follow these steps:
Snowshoeing truly is a great way to get outdoors and have access to some fresh air during the winter months. I hope you were able to get valuable information from this post and feel a little more confident getting outdoors during winter! If you have any questions, feel free to ask them below!
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