Snowshoeing for Beginners: Getting Started
Snowshoeing is one of the most accessible winter sports. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. It requires no chairlift, no expensive lessons, and no years of practice. Strap on a pair of snowshoes and you instantly have access to a winter wonderland that's off-limits to regular hikers.
Why Snowshoe?
The Appeal
- Low barrier to entry: Basic technique is intuitive—just walk
- Affordable: Snowshoes cost $100-300, and that's your primary investment
- Excellent exercise: Burns 400-1,000 calories per hour depending on conditions
- Access: Go where summer hikers go, but in a transformed winter landscape
- Solitude: Far fewer people on winter trails than summer ones
- Beauty: Snow-covered landscapes, ice formations, and winter wildlife
Choosing Snowshoes
Sizing
Snowshoe size is determined by your total weight (body weight + clothing + pack):
- Up to 150 lbs: 22-inch snowshoes
- 150-200 lbs: 25-inch snowshoes
- 200-250 lbs: 30-inch snowshoes
- 250+ lbs: 36-inch snowshoes or add flotation tails
Larger shoes = more flotation in deep snow but harder to maneuver. Smaller shoes are easier to walk in but sink more.
Types
Recreational snowshoes: Designed for gentle terrain and packed trails. Simpler bindings, moderate traction, affordable.
Backcountry snowshoes: Built for varied terrain including steep slopes. Aggressive crampons, heel lifts, more durable construction.
Running snowshoes: Lightweight and narrow for snowshoe running on groomed paths.
Key Features
Bindings: The connection between your boot and the snowshoe.
- Strap bindings: Most common. Adjustable to fit various boot sizes.
- Ratchet bindings (Boa or similar): Quick on/off, precise fit.
- Step-in bindings: Fastest but requires specific boots.
Crampons: Metal teeth on the bottom for traction on ice and hard snow.
- Toe crampons: Standard on all models. Grip when going uphill.
- Heel crampons: Found on backcountry models. Help on descents and traverses.
Heel lifts (climbing bars): A wire that flips up under your heel on steep ascents. Reduces calf fatigue dramatically. Essential for backcountry models.
Frame material: Aluminum frames are most common. Carbon fiber for ultralight models.
Decking: The platform you walk on. Modern decks are synthetic fabric stretched over the frame.
Essential Gear
Footwear
- Waterproof insulated winter boots are ideal
- Hiking boots with gaiters work well
- The boot must fit the snowshoe binding—check compatibility
- Avoid anything without ankle support in deep snow
Clothing
Layer for winter hiking conditions. You'll be working hard and generating heat.
- Base layer: Moisture-wicking synthetic or merino wool
- Mid layer: Fleece or light insulated jacket (you'll warm up fast)
- Shell: Waterproof breathable jacket. Snow gets everywhere.
- Pants: Waterproof shell pants or snow pants. Gaiters if using hiking pants.
- Hands: Liner gloves for exertion, insulated mittens for rest stops
- Head: Breathable beanie, buff for face protection
- Eyes: Sunglasses essential—snow blindness is real
Poles
Trekking poles or ski poles with powder baskets are highly recommended:
- Provide balance in deep snow
- Help on ascents and descents
- Assist in getting up after falls (you will fall)
- Adjustable trekking poles are most versatile
Other Essentials
- Gaiters: Keep snow out of your boots. Critical in deep powder.
- Sunscreen: Snow reflects UV radiation. You'll burn on cloudy days.
- Water: Staying hydrated in winter is just as important as summer.
- Snacks: High-calorie foods for energy in cold conditions.
- Map and compass/GPS: Winter trails look different from summer trails.
- Emergency kit: Space blanket, fire starter, headlamp.
Basic Technique
Walking
- Walk normally but with a slightly wider stance
- Lift your feet slightly higher than normal to clear the snow
- Don't try to walk in the tracks of the person ahead—make your own path
- Plant your pole at the same time as the opposite foot (same as hiking)
Going Uphill
- Point toes uphill and use the toe crampon for grip
- Take shorter steps on steep terrain
- Engage heel lifts on sustained climbs (reduces calf strain significantly)
- Kick the toe of the snowshoe into the snow to create a step on very steep slopes
- Switchback on extreme slopes rather than going straight up
Going Downhill
- Lean back slightly and bend your knees
- Plant poles ahead for stability and braking
- Keep weight over your heels
- Take small, controlled steps
- On steep descents, dig heels in and descend straight (no traversing on very steep slopes—snowshoes don't edge like skis)
Traversing
- Stamp the uphill edge of the snowshoe into the slope
- Use poles on the downhill side for support
- Take deliberate steps—sidehilling is where most falls happen
- On icy traverses, kick in the edge of the snowshoe and use crampons
Getting Up After a Fall
Falls are inevitable, especially in deep snow:
- Roll onto your back
- Get your snowshoes underneath you (not tangled)
- Roll onto your knees
- Use poles to push yourself up
- In very deep snow, pack down a platform before trying to stand
Where to Snowshoe
Trail Selection for Beginners
- Start with summer hiking trails that you know
- Flat terrain: frozen lakes, meadows, valley floors
- Groomed snowshoe trails at Nordic centers
- Parks and nature preserves with winter access
- Avoid avalanche terrain until you're trained
Winter Trail Considerations
- Summer trails may be unrecognizable in deep snow
- Trail markers may be buried—navigation skills matter
- Creeks and water features may be hidden under snow bridges
- Shorter daylight hours limit your time window
- Snow conditions change throughout the day (frozen morning, soft afternoon)
Avalanche Awareness
If you venture into mountainous terrain:
- Take an avalanche safety course before entering avalanche terrain
- Check the local avalanche forecast daily
- Carry beacon, probe, and shovel (and know how to use them)
- Travel with experienced partners
- Learn to identify avalanche terrain features
- When in doubt, stay out
Winter Safety
Hypothermia Prevention
- Dress in layers and manage body temperature actively
- Remove layers BEFORE you start sweating heavily
- Add layers BEFORE you start shivering
- Carry dry extra layers in a waterproof bag
- Eat and drink regularly—your body needs fuel to generate heat
Frostbite Prevention
- Cover exposed skin in wind and extreme cold
- Wiggle toes and fingers regularly
- Check each other's faces for white patches (early frostbite sign)
- If fingers or toes go numb, warm them immediately
- Don't touch metal with bare skin in extreme cold
Daylight Management
Winter days are short. Plan accordingly:
- Start early
- Calculate turnaround time based on daylight, not distance
- Carry a headlamp (always, even on short outings)
- Tell someone your route and expected return time
Breaking Trail
In fresh snow, the first person breaks trail—which is significantly harder than following:
- Rotate the lead position to share the effort
- Expect to move 30-50% slower in deep unbroken snow
- Trail breaking in waist-deep powder is exhausting—plan shorter distances
Snowshoeing with Kids
Snowshoeing is excellent for families:
- Kids as young as 4-5 can use child-sized snowshoes
- Keep distances very short (0.5-1 mile for young kids)
- Make it fun: build snow shelters, follow animal tracks, throw snowballs
- Hot chocolate at the end is mandatory
- Bring a sled for when legs give out
- Dress them warmer than you think necessary—kids lose heat fast
Recommended Gear
Based on this guide's topics, here are some top-rated products to consider:
- Marmot Birdhouse 3-Shelf Hanging Tent Organizer ($34.95, 119 g)
- MSR Blizzard Tent Stakes ($29.96, 20 g)
- MSR Carbon Core Tent Stakes ($48.95, 6 g)
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Backpacking Tent - Olive Green / 2 Person ($549.95, 1.2 kg)
- Snow Peak Aluminum Tarp Pole ($59.95, 1.0 kg)
- Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Graphic Hoody for Men - Fitz Roy Tarpon: Wispy Green X-Dye / L ($49.98, 181 g)
- Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Graphic Hoody for Men - Fitz Roy Tarpon: Wispy Green X-Dye / M ($49.98, 181 g)
- Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Graphic Hoody for Men - Fitz Roy Tarpon: Wispy Green X-Dye / XL ($49.98, 181 g)