What Do I Need to Get Started Snowshoeing? (Complete Guide)

What do you actually need to get started snowshoeing, and is it as hard as it looks? The questions most beginners ask are "how do I snowshoe?", "what size snowshoes do I need?" and "do I need special boots?" The honest answer is that snowshoeing is pretty easy and doesn't take any special skill. It's so easy, in fact, that you might think you're doing something wrong when you're not. So I put together this snowshoeing guide for beginners to help you get started.

What do I need to get started snowshoeing?

The kit is pretty similar to what you'd use for hiking in winter, with one difference: a pair of snowshoes! Everything else is clothing and gear you may already own.

What you'll need to snowshoe:

• A pair of snowshoes
• A pair of poles
• Waterproof winter boots (no sneakers!)
• Gaiters are helpful but optional
• Winter clothing to keep you warm and dry

Gaiters earn their keep in deeper, softer snow, where they stop snow from creeping over the top of your boots and melting against your socks. On a packed, shallow trail you can easily go without. Boots matter more. Sneakers soak through quickly and offer little insulation, and cold, wet feet will end a day out faster than almost anything else.

If you have never snowshoed before or done any outdoor activity, you'll want to learn how to layer yourself properly. I usually use a layering system when hiking, and add and remove layers depending on my body temperature. The aim is to stay a little cool when you start moving, because snowshoeing is real exercise and you'll warm up quickly. Overheating is the bigger risk: sweat soaks your base layer, and once you stop moving, that damp fabric chills you.

As for what pants to wear when snowshoeing, I like hiking pants with a pair of thermals or long underwear underneath. Whatever pants you choose, they should be either waterproof or quick-drying. It's best to avoid cotton, which means no jeans. Cotton absorbs moisture, dries slowly and pulls heat from your body.

Some people ask if they can snowshoe in ski boots. The answer is yes, but it really depends on what kind of ski boots you have and whether you're comfortable walking in them. The more flexible the boot, the better. A stiff boot makes your stride feel awkward and tiring. Make sure the ski boot actually fits inside the snowshoe bindings, and keep in mind you'll be using more energy to carry the extra weight. In any case, it's best to test it out beforehand to judge your comfort level before going on any big trips.

How do I snowshoe?

As the saying goes, if you can walk, you can snowshoe, and it's pretty much true. Snowshoeing does require some technique at times, but it's a lot simpler than people think.

Walk like you normally would, but keep a slightly wider stance to prevent the snowshoes from bumping into each other. Clipping the frame of one shoe with the other is the classic beginner stumble, and it usually fixes itself within a few minutes. You'll also use your poles for balance and to take some weight off your legs.

How to snowshoe uphill (ascending)

Going uphill in snowshoes is just like going uphill when you're walking. A lot more weight will be near your toes and you'll lean forward slightly. You'll be relying heavily on the crampons on the snowshoes, which are the metal teeth under the foot that bite into the snow.

Before you climb, take a moment to shorten your poles. When climbing, kick your feet into the snow to get a better grip. Don't be afraid to dig in; it actually helps. For extra hard snow or steeper slopes, take shorter steps and take your time. Rushing a steep section tends to make you slip and burn energy you'll want later.

How to snowshoe downhill (descending)

When snowshoeing downhill, be a little more careful, especially on icy parts. Instead of the weight sitting over your toes as it does going uphill, you'll have more of it shifted toward your heels. Keep your knees slightly bent so they can absorb the impact of each step.

Before you descend, adjust your poles so they are longer. Longer poles reach further ahead and help you keep your balance.

You may also like Winter Sleep Systems

Breaking trail in deep snow

There may be times when you are snowshoeing in deep snow and need to "break trail". Breaking trail means packing the snow down to make it easier to hike on. It is a lot more labor intensive, but it can be made a little easier with help.

When you are breaking trail as part of a group, form a single line, one behind the other. Everyone after the leader benefits from the packed snow. As the person in front becomes tired, have someone else in the group take their place to keep a steady pace.

Using poles while snowshoeing

Poles aren't technically required to snowshoe, but they sure do come in handy. They provide balance, they divert some energy away from the legs and to the arms, and they're especially useful when climbing hills. If you're deciding between a pair or a single pole, our piece on one trekking pole or two covers the trade-offs.

Here are some tips when using poles for snowshoeing:

• Adjustable poles are best, as they can be shortened for uphill and lengthened for downhill.
• Pole length should be adjusted so that your elbow is bent at a right angle, with your forearm parallel to the ground.
• Using pole straps will allow your wrist to rest on the strap so that your hands don't need to grip the handle as much, giving your hands a break.

Trail etiquette

When snowshoeing, you may be sharing the trail with cross-country skiers. If you come across a path that has been used by skiers, try to make your own snowshoe path off to the side to prevent ruining the ski tracks. Deep footprints in a groomed track make for a bumpy, frustrating ride on skis. If you do cross paths with skiers, step aside to let them pass. It's much easier for a snowshoer to step aside than it is for a skier. The Leave No Trace principles apply in winter too.

What should I bring when snowshoeing?

There are some important items you should carry in your day pack when you go snowshoeing. Before you rush out and hit the trail, you should know how to hike safely in winter and have an understanding of trail skills. You'll also want to be dressed appropriately, which means having waterproof boots and a layering system. Check the mountain forecast from the National Weather Service before you leave, since temperature, wind and fresh snowfall all change how your day goes.

Here is a snowshoeing checklist:

• Water bottle
• Insulated thermos with a hot beverage
• Trail snacks/lunch
• Extra jacket/insulation layer
• Simple first aid kit
• Headlamp (I always carry two light sources)
• Trail map and compass
• Emergency whistle
• Handwarmers
• Orange hiking vest for hunting season
• Extra pair of gloves and socks inside ziplock bags

Winter days are short, which is why the headlamp and spare light source matter even on what you expect to be an easy afternoon. A map and compass don't run out of battery in the cold, and a whistle carries much further than a shout. The spare gloves and socks in ziplock bags are cheap insurance: if you fall or sweat through the pair you're wearing, you can swap them and keep going.

You may also like Best Safe Tent Heaters

Beginner snowshoe tips

A few habits make snowshoeing for the first time easier. With anything physical, it's best to start small and work your way up.

If it's your first time, try a shorter trail that's flat. Before you go, you might even want to test your gear on a short hike or a walk around your neighborhood. That lets you adjust the bindings, check that your boots are comfortable and find out whether anything rubs, all while you're close to home. After your hike, you might experience some soreness in your hips and groin muscles, because the wider stance and lifting the shoes use muscles you don't normally work.

Stick to terrain that is gentle and well travelled while you build confidence. Steep slopes can be avalanche terrain, and that is a subject for proper training, so look at the basics at avalanche.org before going anywhere near it.

Take your time, bring a friend, and have fun.

How do snowshoes work?

Snowshoes work by distributing your body weight over a greater area of snow, preventing you from sinking in as far. This quality is called "flotation". The larger the snowshoe, the greater the flotation. The trade-off is that bigger shoes are heavier and clumsier to walk in, which is why size is matched to your weight (plus pack) and the kind of snow you expect. You can read more about the design on the snowshoe Wikipedia page.

The opposite of flotation is "postholing". This happens when your foot sinks right into the snow, leaving a deep hole. It might not seem like a big deal, but it wastes a lot of energy and is considered poor trail etiquette. Other hikers could fall into the hole, and it creates an uneven surface for other hikers and skiers.

How much snow do you need to snowshoe?

While there is no official number, generally 6-8 inches of snow is the minimum to snowshoe in, preferably more. If there is not enough snow, rocks and other debris could damage the snowshoe.

When you are hiking with snowshoes, it might not make sense to wear them for every part of the trail. Don't be afraid to take off your snowshoes where there is little snow, where the snowshoes could get damaged, or where you need more aggressive traction devices like crampons. Bare, icy or rocky stretches are where you'll be glad of a firmer grip.

If you do take off your snowshoes, make sure they are fastened securely to your pack so they don't bounce around. Loose shoes swing into your legs and can throw you off balance.

You may also like Can You Snowshoe with Your Dog?

Can I snowshoe with my toddler?

While snowshoeing is great, a lot of people wonder if they can snowshoe with their 2 or 3-year-old. The answer is yes! Snowshoes come in all sizes, and if your child is old enough to talk, chances are there are snowshoes that will fit him or her. I've even heard stories of 20-month-old children snowshoeing!

Keep the outing short and flat, bring plenty of snacks, and watch for cold hands and feet, since small kids chill faster than adults. If you plan to stay out into the evening or overnight, our guide to keeping your tent warm in winter is a good next read.