Beginner Snowshoeing Guide For Your First Adventure

Welcome To Beginner Snowshoeing 

Each year the temperatures of autumn remind me that hiking and backpacking season is coming to an end. Hiking is my oasis. It allows me to get away from the real world, spend time in nature and mull over my thoughts. I get really sad when it gets to that time of year where it won’t be an almost daily occurrence for me to be out exploring the great outdoors. Which is why I decided to take up snowshoeing. When it came to beginner snowshoeing I learned all I could before I set foot on the trail.

Now, if you live in a place where you can hike all year, you’re lucky and I am jealous. For those of us in the US with weather conditions that bring deep snow and cold temperatures, hiking can be a bit tough. Which is why I decided to take up snowshoeing in the winter season. I figured it’s the winter sport that’s most like hiking. So I thought it might be a good way to tide me over until Spring returns. Snowshoeing is challenging and beautiful. Seeing the same trails I love to explore during the summer months covered in glittery snow is amazing. Snowshoeing might seem intimidating, but I can’t recommend it enough. With a little information and the right winter gear, I know you’ll love it just as much as I do.

Getting Started

Similar to hiking and backpacking, the hardest part is making the decision to try snowshoeing. Once you have decided to embrace the snow conditions in your area, it’s all about preparation. You’ll need to have proper clothing, outer layer and gear as well as a basic technique of the sport. The most important gear you can have are the right pair of snowshoes. 

If you’re unsure of how to get started, it’s a good idea to make a trip to REI or your local outdoor store. They are a great place to help you find good options for gear and the right snowshoes. They will probably even recommend good beginner trails for your snowshoe outings. There are lots of people who want to help you jump in, so don’t let some minor obstacles stop you from giving it a try.

Snowshoeing Safety

I love a solo hike just as much as the next person, but I do not recommend beginner snowshoers going alone. Being in deep snow by yourself is dangerous. If anything goes wrong, you don’t have much time to get help before the elements become too much. Here are my top snowshoeing safety tips:

• Bring a Buddy. Don’t go alone.
• Research the trail ahead of time. Just like you don’t want to pick a snowshoeing trail that’s too much for your skill level and fitness levels. Talk to experts in your area about the best places to snowshoe or go online to find beginner snowshoe trails. A lot of winter resorts have well-maintained snowshoeing trails that are good to start with. Give one of those a call before you go. It is also a great way to meet other first-time snowshoers. 
• Understand the risks. You’ll need to be aware of avalanche risks near steep slopes, areas with water, and weather patterns. Each one of these aspects can ruin your trip and put you in grave danger if you’re not careful. If the weather forecast looks dicey don’t go. Beginner snowshoeing is a blast until something goes wrong. You can check with local ski resorts about the weather in the area. 
• Invest in proper gear. I’ll talk about the snowshoes themselves later, but clothing and gear are not something to skimp on while snowshoeing. A lot of cross-country skiing gear is great for snowshoeing. You will want moisture-wicking base layers, merino wool socks, a good pair of hiking boots/shoes, first aid kit, some extra food and water, windproof outer jacket, gloves, hat, extra clothing and of course your water bottle.
• Become a navigation expert. The navigation for snowshoeing isn’t very different from hiking. However in the snow, landmarks may become harder to pick out and trail markers will likely be covered. You should always take the time to learn how to read and use a map and compass. It is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe on the trail. 

Putting the “Shoe” in Beginner Snowshoeing

If you have athletic gear meant for winter sports, then really the only thing you have to purchase for snowshoeing is the pair of snowshoes themselves. The great thing about snowshoes is that they can strap on to virtually any pair of boots. As long as you have warm, waterproof boots finding snowshoes shouldn’t be too difficult. When you’re on the hunt for your snowshoes, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Snowshoe frames are usually made of aluminum or composite. Frames that are aluminum are better for snow that is deep powder because they float better than composite shoes. Composite frames are best in packed snow and icy conditions. If you want composite shoes that can handle the powdery stuff, you can attach “tails” to your snowshoes to help them float better on top of the snow. 
• The most important factor when selecting your snowshoes is total weight, and that’s your body weight PLUS your gear. If you get a pair of snowshoes that are not meant to hold your body weight plus the extra weight of your pack, you will sink into the snow and the sport will be, well, miserable. Don’t forget to factor your gear weight in. This is big. If you have a 20 lb. pack that sends you over the weight spec on your shoes, you’re in trouble. I recommend buying snowshoes with a little wiggle room in the weight limits, so you never run into this issue.
• Snowshoes are gendered. Men’s snowshoes tend to be bigger and able to hold more weight, while women’s are a bit smaller in order to keep the steps from being too big and awkward while trying to avoid stepping on your own frames.
• You can select two types of bindings on your snowshoes. A free-rotation bindings or fixed bindings. Fixed bindings come with a secure fit and are great for getting around obstacles and walking backward. Free-rotation bindings offer more flexibility and move with the natural motion of your foot. These bindings are better at helping to prevent snow from piling up on your snowshoes.
• Make sure your snowshoes have heel lifts, AKA climbing bars. When you’re walking uphill on steep terrain, you can flip these babies under your heels to take some of the pressure off your calves and Achilles’ tendons. Something that makes you less sore the day after your beginner snowshoeing excursion.

If you are not sure which snowshoes to pick you can always head to one of your nearby outdoor adventure rental shops and rent different one for the day. That way you can figure out which snowshoes are the best for your winter adventure. I also recommend bringing your backpack with you full of your normal gear so they can weight it to make sure you are getting the correct size snowshoe.

Other Helpful Gear For Beginner Snowshoeing

Your snowshoes are the most important gear to buy when beginning snowshoeing, but you’ll also want to make sure you have trekking poles and snow gaiters. If you have been hiking or backpacking with poles, you know just how helpful they can be. Especially when you’re climbing up and down a mountain, and beginner snowshoeing is no different. Even the experts use poles to help maintain balance and steadiness. Snow gaiters help to keep snow out of your boots by providing a seal near your ankle, above your boots. Walking around with snow melting in your shoes is more annoying than trying to get around a slow walker in a crowded hallway, so don’t skip the shoe gaiters.

Planning Your Trip

As a beginner snowshoeing, don’t try and push yourself too hard the first time you try this sport. I recommend doing a little snow “walk” to test your gear, get comfortable with your technique, and learn how much energy this sport expends. Once you have done a snow walk or two, plan a small uphill trek. Find a trail you know and love that’s 1-2 miles roundtrip and do that first. You really want to build your way up, even more slowly than in hiking. Snowshoeing for beginners will test your capabilities and your endurance, and there’s no shame in taking that slow.

Keep in mind that if you get exhausted or feel like you can’t complete your trip, it’s not as easy during the winter months to sit down on a rock and rest for a few minutes like you can usually do in hiking. The temperature is cold, everything is wet, and you don’t have the luxury of time on your side. Since snowshoeing happens in the winter, it also usually gets dark earlier in the day. Once you’re ready for longer trips, make sure you’re giving yourself plenty of time to get back to the trailhead before dark. 

Technique Hacks For Beginner Snowshoeing

As you come across different terrain in your beginner snowshoeing journey, you’ll need to have different tricks in your bag to handle it all:

• Flat Terrain: When you go on your beginner snowshoeing “snow walks” without much incline, you’ll notice that your stance has to be a bit wider than it is when you’re walking normally. Since the snowshoes look like tennis rackets, be careful that the frames don’t step on one another as you take each step.
• Powdery Uphill: Use the kick-step technique in this type of terrain. When you pick your foot up to take a step, kick your toe into the snow to create a step.
• Packed Uphill: If the snow is packed, you won’t be able to kick into it, so you’ll have to rely on the traction of your snowshoes to climb up the snow. You can use your heel bar to keep your foot in a neutral position for those long uphill treks. 
• Downhill: You’ll want to have your poles in front of you for added balance and keep your weight back and your knees relaxed. If you slip on your descent, you can simply sit down to stop from sliding.
• Traversing: When you’re traversing, going across a hill instead of up or down it, you’ll need to use the side of your snowshoes to create a shelf to walk on. It’s similar to the kick-step technique but this doesn’t use your toes.

Who Knew Cold, Wet, and Hard Could be Fun!!

At first, I was super intimidated by beginner snowshoeing. I knew I loved hiking but with beginner snowshoeing it can feel like there are more factors working against you (snow, temperature, etc.). While these factors can make it challenging, it’s a fun challenge and great activity. Go try it out with some friends, put a warm soup or your favorite winter dinner on when you get back, and enjoy some hot chocolate. You’ll be transported back to your childhood and days playing in the snow, and there’s really nothing better than that feeling.