What is snowshoeing and why you should go?

What is a Snowshoeing Holiday and Why You Should Go!?

Are you a winter walking enthusiast looking to add an extra dimension to this season’s winter break? Or, perhaps you enjoy taking things a little steadier, but are looking for a new way to experience the mountains?

If your answer to either of these questions is ‘yes’,  a snowshoeing holiday could be the perfect option for you. Therein lies the beauty of the activity – snowshoeing is accessible to all and completely adaptable to your own preferences and levels of fitness. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.

Often overlooked in favour of more popular winter activities like hiking, ice skating and cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing offers an accessible and safe way of discovering some of the quietest, most undisturbed winter landscapes across Europe.

Below, we dive into the basics of what snowshoeing is, why we’re such fans and where to go to experience snowshoeing for yourself.

What is Snowshoeing?

You might have seen a few old images of people walking in snowy conditions, holding two poles and with what look like large tennis rackets strapped to their feet.

That, in effect, is snowshoeing – although modern snowshoes can look considerably more high-tech than their traditional wooden counterparts! These shoes attach to your boots and widen the area that you distribute your weight across whilst walking, so you can cross deep snow without your feet falling in.

This means that snowshoes open up access to areas of the mountain inaccessible to winter walkers, skiers and piste-grooming machines. If you love exploring off the beaten track and the sense of wilderness it brings, snowshoeing could be your new favourite winter activity.

The beauty of going on a snowshoeing holiday is that the activity is so easy to learn. You don’t need any experience, special training or even to have gone on a winter holiday before to enjoy the activity. The snowshoes can certainly feel a little strange when you first put them on, but they’re easy to get used to – you’ll be making your way through peaceful Alpine forests in no time.

Why Everyone Should Experience a Snowshoeing Holiday

If you’re planning to head somewhere this winter, snowshoeing is a fantastic activity to try whilst you’re out there. Here’s why:
 
Snowshoeing is Accessible for All Skill Levels

Snowshoeing is easy to learn. Once you’ve picked it up, you’ll get to experience the mountains in a completely new way, whether you’re an experienced hiker or a complete newcomer to all things winter sports. It’s also a low-impact activity, so if you’re recovering from injury or illness – or need to avoid intense exercise for whatever reason – you can still enjoy it.

Snowshoeing Holidays Open Up Pristine Winter Landscapes

Winter activity holidays are incredibly popular – if you’re in search of a little solitude, it can seem hard to find. Snowshoeing opens up a completely new network of trails into areas often inaccessible by other means. If you’re keen to get off the beaten track and see some of Europe’s most untouched winter landscapes, snowshoeing is the way to do it. 

Snowshoeing Gives You Variety on a Winter Holiday

Whether you’re an avid hiker or prefer to gaze over winter landscapes from the comfort of the hotel spa, it’s good to try something new once in a while! You may well discover your new favourite winter activity; experiencing snowshoeing (even just once) offers a breath of fresh air over your usual winter holiday regime.


 

What to Expect on Inntravel's Winter Holidays

Inntravel’s winter holidays are designed to be the ultimate cold weather retreat. We don’t specify a day-to-day itinerary; instead, we provide in-depth information on everything on offer and let you choose the pace. This means you’re perfectly positioned to take advantage of good conditions, or perhaps recharge at the hotel spa when it’s looking a little less inviting out.

We take care of everything you need to enjoy a restful and invigorating holiday. There’s no need to worry about finding the right hotel, booking advance travel or what to do if something doesn’t go to plan – we use our experience to reserve luxurious, locally-owned accommodation and book the best transport option for you. And, if you have any questions at all, you can contact our friendly support team by phone 24/7.
 
Accommodation

When you’re out in the winter weather, there’s nothing quite like relaxing on your hotel balcony, glass of something nice in hand, or treating your muscles to some time in the spa. That’s why we’re careful to choose the hotels with fantastic facilities and the warmest welcome, prioritising boutique, locally owned accommodation that benefits the surrounding community.

Food and Drink

Whether your holiday includes meals at your hotel or not, we’re here to ensure you get a real taste of your destination’s cuisine. Tasty, locally sourced food is one of our criteria for selecting hotels; and we’re always happy to point you in the direction of hearty local inns and well-regarded restaurants – and you may be able to arrange visits to local producers to dig deeper into regional specialties.

Support

We take care of your accommodation, advance transport and luggage transfers – but we don’t stop there. We provide in-depth walking maps and information about other winter activities, so that you don’t miss out on a thing when you’re on holiday.

When you’re on your trip, you can get in touch with our team 24/7 via phone – if something hasn’t gone to plan or you have any questions at all, you have an immediate point of contact who’ll do everything they can to resolve the issue.


 

How Fit Do I Need to Be for an Inntravel Winter Holiday?

This depends entirely on what you’d like to do whilst you’re on holiday!

Inntravel’s winter holidays have no set itinerary, so you’re free to choose which activities you do day-to-day. Feeling adventurous? Opt for one of the more challenging hiking trails or book a guided snowshoe tour. In need of some relaxation? Take a sleigh ride or simply relax in your cosy hotel for a while (there’s a reason we select ones with spa and pool facilities…).

Snowshoeing is accessible to all levels of fitness, so you shouldn’t need to train specifically for this activity – though getting a little movement in before an activity holiday is always good for general fitness and injury prevention!

 

What Should I Pack for a Winter Holiday?

Assuming you’re off for a week, here’s our winter walking capsule wardrobe. If you’re off for longer (or just need a couple of options for evening outfits), you can use this as a base and adapt it to your own needs.

This may depend on where you’re off to, the length of your holiday and whether you’re a light or heavy packer. Here’s our ‘capsule wardrobe’ recommendation for a week’s winter walking holiday – adapt it to your own needs.
 

• Shoes: 1 pair waterproof, insulated walking boots and 1 pair evening shoes
• Tops: 3 base layers, 2 mid layers, 1 sweater (that also works for evening), 2 evening shirts/tops
• Trousers: 2 walking pairs and 1 or 2 evening pairs
• Outer layers: 1 jacket and 1 set of waterproofs
• Accessories: hat, gloves, scarf or neck gaiter, sunglasses, rucksack, walking poles

Need more detail on the type of clothes to pack? Check out our comprehensive guide to packing for a walking holiday.

What is a Snowshoeing Holiday - Frequently Asked Questions

Is snowshoeing suitable for beginners?
Yes – if you can walk, you can snowshoe. It’s easy to learn, and doesn’t need any special skills. We offer snowshoe routes and guidance for all experience levels – and on many of our holidays you can join a group snowshoeing tour.

Do I need prior experience or special training to go snowshoeing?
You don’t need any previous snow experience to snowshoe, and there’s no need for any sort of training regime before your holiday. In fact, if you’re new to winter sports, it’s an ideal choice!
What kind of terrain can I expect on a snowshoeing holiday?
Inntravel’s snowshoeing and winter experience holidays offer a range of trails. Your surroundings will generally be mountainous, but you’ll be able to choose from gentle, beginner-friendly trails and more adventurous options – from peaceful forests to open snowfields.

Is snowshoeing physically demanding?
The great thing about snowshoeing is that you can make it as easy going or as challenging as you like, depending on the route you choose. Snowshoeing is a great low-impact way to get some winter exercise at your own pace, no matter your level of fitness.

What equipment do I need for snowshoeing?
To snowshoe, you’ll need snowshoes and poles – these can be provided at your hotel or a rental service at your destination. It’s also important to dress in warm layers, with waterproof boots and hats, gloves and scarfs to stay warm. You may want to take a backpack so you can add or remove layers for temperature control, and transport water and trail snacks.