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Snowshoeing holidays

Discover Europe on a snowshoeing holiday

Discover a quieter side of winter with a snowshoeing holiday. Snowshoes open up a world of snowy forests, mountain valleys and panoramic trails that are often inaccessible to skiers and walkers, allowing you to explore the winter landscape at your own pace.

Easy to learn and requiring no previous experience, snowshoeing is a wonderfully accessible way to enjoy the mountains in winter. Follow marked trails through silent forests, cross snow-covered meadows and climb to viewpoints where the only sounds may be the crunch of snow beneath your feet.

Our snowshoeing holidays take you to some of Europe's most beautiful winter landscapes, from the Swiss and Austrian Alps to the Italian Dolomites and the snowy mountains of Norway. Stay in welcoming hotels, enjoy excellent local food and make the most of a winter holiday away from the crowds.

What is snowshoeing?


Snowshoeing is essentially walking on snow with specially designed footwear that spreads your weight over a larger surface area. This stops you from sinking into deep snow and, combined with the grip underneath the snowshoes, allows you to walk confidently across snowy trails and gentle slopes. Perhaps the greatest appeal is the freedom it gives you. Snowshoes allow you to venture beyond the groomed pistes and explore winter landscapes that skiers and conventional walkers cannot easily reach.

Snowshoes help you to walk on snow by distributing your body weight over a large surface area – this reduces the pressure exerted on the ground, which in turn enables you to walk across the snow without sinking. Snowshoes also have excellent grip, which is especially useful when walking across slopes in snowy conditions. Snowshoeing is a popular and easy-to-learn activity that is perfect for anyone looking to explore away from the beaten track.

With their firm grip and effective weight distribution, snowshoes enable those wearing them to follow designated trails that lead to areas of the mountain impassable to snow-grooming machines, skiers and winter walkers.

What should I wear for snowshoeing?

Besides the snowshoes themselves, no special equipment is required. However, it’s important to dress for the conditions:

- Waterproof walking boots
- Waterproof & windproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers (or gaiters), plus walking trousers
- A breathable base layer and additional warmer layer
- Wool or fleece hat
- Thermal gloves
- Good-quality woollen or synthetic socks

As you will be walking in fresh snow, to keep the bottom of your legs dry we recommend wearing waterproof walking boots and waterproof trousers or gaiters. A hat, warm socks and thermal gloves are essential, as is a good waterproof and windproof jacket. Layers will also come in useful – even if it's chilly when you set out, you might find that you become quite warm, as snowshoeing is an aerobic activity. You should also wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun and snow: even on duller days, the snow can be very bright. Similarly, it is advisable to wear sun-cream, including in cloudy conditions.

Where can I go snowshoeing in Europe?

Top destinations for snowshoeing with Inntravel

  • There’s something for everyone in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland: whether you are a keen cross-country skier; eager to explore the region’s generous collection of winter walking paths; or are looking simply to soak in the superb mountain views on a snowshoe hike. Staying at a high-quality hotel in the charming village of Kandersteg, you’ll soon discover what makes the Bernese Oberland such a rewarding place to snowshoe – the specially designated trails reveal the best of the area’s glorious Alpine scenery, with one of our favourite routes skirting the glacial valley of Gastern, and another winding along the panoramic Gemmi Pass.
  • It’s hard to beat the drama of the Italian Dolomites – especially during the cooler months, when these snow-white peaks rise sharply against the crisp winter skies. There are a number of ways to immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery, from cross-country skiing to winter walking, tobogganing and even reindeer-feeding. The Dolomites are also a top destination for snowshoeing, with a number of marked routes that meander through the unspoiled landscapes. If you’d prefer to explore in a group, your four-star, family-run hotel can arrange for you to join the free guided hikes that depart several times each week from the local tourist office.
  • Magical Lapland is the place to go for an all-round snow experience, with our chosen base, the wonderfully welcoming Hotel Ylläshumina, offering a quite staggering range of winter activities. Of these, snowshoeing is perhaps the best way to appreciate the area’s tranquil beauty – when you’re out on the surrounding fells, the only noise the crunch of the snow beneath your snowshoes, the silence is breathtaking. Choose either to explore independently – equipment can be hired locally – or to join a guided tour; these are available during both the daytime and evening, with the latter offering the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.
  • With trails that explore silent forests and lead across snowy meadows peppered with traditional Austian Tyrolean hamlets, Austria’s peaceful Leutasch Valley makes a great destination for a relaxing snowshoeing holiday. At the valley’s midpoint lies the small village of Weidach, whose excellent Hotel Kristall is your base for the week; from here, follow the marked routes, join a guided hike organised by the local tourist office, or take advantage of the snowshoes’ firm grip to step away from the beaten track. There are even some torch-lit snowshoeing trails that can be enjoyed after the light fades.

Winter Snowshoeing Holidays

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Snowshoeing FAQs

  • Specialist equipment such as snowshoes and poles can generally be hired locally. Check the individual holiday details for exactly what is included or available to hire.
  • No. Snowshoeing is an easy-to-learn activity and many people try it for the first time on an Inntravel holiday. Your snowshoes and other specialist equipment can generally be hired locally, so you don't need to invest in your own equipment before travelling. Our route notes provide the information you need to explore independently.
  • You should have a reasonable level of fitness, as walking through snow can be more tiring than walking on firm ground. The difficulty varies between routes, so check the difficulty of your route before heading out onto the snow.
  • Snowshoeing is generally easy to learn and doesn't require specialist skills. However, walking through snow can be more tiring than walking on a clear path, particularly when routes involve climbs or deeper snow. A reasonable level of fitness is all that's required for most snowshoeing holidays, although some routes are more strenuous than others.
  • For most beginners, snowshoeing is easier to learn than downhill skiing. There is no complicated technique and, essentially, you are walking rather than skiing. However, walking through snow can still be physically demanding, particularly on uphill sections.
  • You don't need to be a skier to enjoy a winter holiday in the mountains. Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to experience the Alps and other snowy regions without having to master downhill skiing. Combine snowshoeing with winter walks, cross-country skiing or simply relaxing in a cosy hotel surrounded by winter scenery. Many of our winter holidays are deliberately based away from the busiest ski resorts, allowing you to enjoy the mountains at a more peaceful pace.
  • Winter walking usually follows cleared or compacted paths, whereas snowshoeing allows you to venture across deeper, softer snow. Snowshoes spread your weight and provide grip, opening up more remote and snowy terrain.
  • The key is to dress in layers so that you can adapt to changing temperatures and activity levels. You'll need warm base layers, a fleece or insulated mid-layer and a waterproof outer layer, together with a hat and gloves.

    Sturdy, waterproof walking boots are essential, as are warm socks. Snowshoes and poles can usually be hired locally, so you don't have to bring specialist equipment from home.
  • The main snowshoeing season runs through the winter months, although exact conditions vary by destination and altitude. Higher Alpine resorts and northern destinations tend to have the most reliable snow.

    January and February can offer particularly good conditions, with a deep winter landscape and typically plenty of snow, while March can bring longer days and more sunshine at higher elevations. We only operate snow holidays during the appropriate season for each destination, with individual holiday pages showing the available travel dates.
As we’ve said, snowshoeing is a great way to explore a little farther from the beaten track. But don’t just take our word for it – Inntravellers regularly get in touch to tell us how snowshoeing was one of the highlights of their trip: “This was the first time I'd ever attempted snowshoeing,” wrote Mr Wise after his holiday to Ylläs. “Never knew it would be so easy and the woods so beautiful. There’s a special beauty that one only encounters when snowshoeing.”

 
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