Snowshoe trekking: how to prepare?

Snowshoe trekking is the ideal way to discover the magic of snow-covered landscapes while enjoying a sporting activity that's accessible to everyone. Equipped with suitable snowshoes, you can easily walk on the snow,

Find out all the details in our blog article

Snowshoe trekking, how to prepare?

Snowshoe trekking is much more than a simple winter activity. It's an adventure that combines physical effort, the discovery of snow-covered landscapes and a real reconnection with nature. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or a seasoned hiker, snowshoeing offers a unique way to discover the mountains under their winter coat.

Why choose snowshoe trekking?

Snowshoes provide access to places that are inaccessible on foot in winter. They allow you to walk easily on snow without sinking, while maintaining stability and comfort on sometimes steep terrain. This activity, which is both calm and dynamic, is the perfect way to enjoy the snow-covered landscape in peace and quiet, far from the crowded ski resorts.

Unlike cross-country or downhill skiing, snowshoeing requires no prior technical training, and after a few minutes' practice, you're ready to hit the trails. On the other hand, you do need to be in good physical shape, as the weight of the snowshoes and the snow is added to the weight you might encounter on a summer walk. Nevertheless, snowshoeing allows you to adapt the activity to the physical condition of the participants. It's an excellent option for families with children, for senior citizens looking for a gentle activity, or for sports enthusiasts who want to step up their winter training.

What's more, it's a complete workout: it's a physical activity that engages the whole body, while being gentle on the joints.

Snowshoeing allows you to immerse yourself in untouched landscapes, where winter flora and fauna are revealed in all their splendour.

Respecting nature in winter

Winter is undoubtedly the most demanding season for living creatures, both flora and fauna. Freezing temperatures, heavy snowfalls and shorter days create a hostile environment where food is scarce and energy precious for survival. Animals enter a phase of maximum energy conservation, some hibernating while others, like migratory birds, temporarily leave their habitat. Plants, for their part, slow down their metabolic activity, adapting to dormancy until the fine weather returns.

In this fragile environment, respecting nature during your winter hikes is essential to preserving these vulnerable ecosystems. Every step off the trail can have a lasting impact, disturbing the delicate balance that these environments manage to maintain despite extreme conditions. Snowshoe trekking offers a unique opportunity to explore these snow-covered landscapes in a gentle and respectful way. Snowshoe trekking naturally imposes a slow pace, allowing you to observe nature attentively without altering it. By favouring marked trails, you reduce the impact on wild habitats and avoid disturbing animals, which need to keep their movements to a minimum to conserve their strength.

It is also essential not to follow or track animal tracks in the snow. These tracks can tell a fascinating story for nature lovers, but getting too close can stress the animals or cause them to flee, costing them precious energy. It is also advisable not to try to lift natural shelters or touch parts of the flora, even if they seem inert, as they often play a key role in the winter ecosystem.

For a responsible approach, it may be useful to find out about local rules on preserving natural areas in winter. Some areas are deliberately closed to human traffic to protect the resting or breeding grounds of sensitive species. Finally, always take your rubbish with you and avoid any noise or light pollution that might disturb the peace and quiet of these areas.

By adopting these conscientious and respectful practices, you are helping to preserve the magic of winter landscapes and the rich biodiversity that resides there, while enjoying this immersive experience in the heart of nature.

What equipment is needed for a snowshoe hike?

You don't need much equipment for a snowshoe hike, but it's important to be well prepared for a successful experience.

• Snowshoes: There are different models, depending on the type of terrain (flat, uneven) and the weight of the user. Modern snowshoes are generally made of aluminium or composite materials, are lightweight and have crampons for better grip. In general, there are two different sizes, depending on the weight of the person and the size of the shoes.
   
• Trekking poles: When climbing, poles help to distribute the effort between the legs and arms, reducing muscle fatigue, while when descending they offer better control and reduce the pressure on the knees and ankles. Poles also make it easier to negotiate obstacles, such as snowdrifts or small frozen streams, and help to maintain an upright posture, which reduces strain on the back. Finally, they are an invaluable asset for probing the depth of the snow and identifying potentially dangerous areas.
   
• Suitable footwear: Choose warm, waterproof hiking boots. You can add gaiters to keep the snow out.
   
• Warm, breathable clothing: As with any winter activity, the 3-layer system is recommended (a breathable layer, an insulating layer and a protective layer against the elements).
   
• Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe: When snowshoeing in the high mountains or in avalanche-prone areas, the use of three essential pieces of equipment - the avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe - is essential to ensure the safety of hikers.

How do you walk with snowshoes in the mountains?

Walking with snowshoes requires a few adjustments. Because snowshoes are wider than your normal shoes, you need to space your legs slightly, so adopt a wider gait to avoid the snowshoes overlapping. Lift your feet slightly with each step, especially in deep snow. The idea is not to make big movements, but to lift just enough so that the front of the snowshoe doesn't catch on the snow.

At the same time, keep a steady pace to save energy. When climbing, use the crampons on the front of the snowshoes for better grip. Some snowshoe models have climbing wedges that reduce calf fatigue when climbing steep slopes. These wedges can be activated to raise the heel and make ascents more comfortable.Downhill, the technique changes. It's important to lean back slightly to control the descent and avoid slipping. Plant the heels of your snowshoes first to slow your progress, taking care to maintain a stable posture. This maintains your balance and reduces the pressure on your knees.

Poles are essential for maintaining your balance, especially on steep or unstable terrain. They provide extra support, reducing muscle fatigue, particularly in the arms and legs. Both uphill and downhill, they help you to stabilise your footing and distribute the effort more evenly over the whole body, reducing the risk of falling.

By mastering these simple techniques, snowshoe walking becomes more enjoyable and less tiring, allowing you to make the most of the snow-covered landscape while progressing in complete safety.

Is it difficult to walk on snowshoes?

Walking on snowshoes is generally not difficult, but it does take a little getting used to, especially if you've never used them before. Snowshoes are designed to spread your weight over a larger area, so you can walk on snow without sinking too much. The main difficulty lies in adopting a wider gait to avoid the snowshoes overlapping, and in the extra effort required to lift your feet, especially in deep snow. However, once you have mastered these adjustments, snowshoe walking becomes relatively simple and accessible, even for beginners. It's a low-tech activity that's suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Where to go snowshoeing?

The ideal terrain for snowshoeing combines a number of features to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience. Here are the key elements of good snowshoeing terrain:

1. Gentle, moderate slopes: Slightly inclined slopes are ideal, as they allow you to walk without too much effort while offering moderate challenges. Terrain that is too steep can be difficult to navigate, especially on the descent, and can increase the risk of falling or slipping.
    
2. Powder snow: A good carpet of powder snow provides excellent lift for snowshoes, allowing them to float without sinking. Fresh snow is generally more pleasant to walk on, as it is less compact and allows you to walk more comfortably.
    
3. Marked trails: Marked trails are essential, especially for beginners. They offer added safety by indicating safe areas and minimising the risk of getting lost. Information panels and markers also make navigation easier.
    
4. Varied landscapes:A variety of landscapes, such as forests, frozen lakes and mountain panoramas, make hiking more enjoyable. Wooded areas offer protection from the wind and picturesque scenery, while open spaces allow you to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding panoramas.
    
5. Access to services: An ideal pitch is also easily accessible from ski resorts or serviced car parks. The proximity of services such as equipment hire, guides and mountain huts all contribute to a positive experience.
    
6. Low avalanche risk zone: It's crucial to choose terrain with a low avalanche risk. Before setting off, it's important to check avalanche bulletins and find out about snow and weather conditions.

Our snowshoeing trips

At Esprit Montagne we're passionate about the 4-season mountains, which is why we also offer winter holidays. These programmes will be adapted to the particular conditions at the time. Discover the mountains in winter and treat yourself to an exceptional experience.

Discover all our snowshoe trekking and winter hiking holidays on the following page.