Snowshoeing: the winter activity almost anyone can do!

Canadians are no strangers to snow. From the Rockies to the Laurentians, winter is practically a season you grow up with. But snowshoeing in the French Alps is a genuinely different experience, and one well worth the trip.

The scale is different. The terrain is wilder. And the silence of a larch forest after a fresh snowfall, with the Écrins peaks rising behind you, is something you won't find back home.

That said, whether you've snowshoed before or this is your first time, the fundamentals are the same wherever you are. Snowshoeing isn't a sliding sport or an extreme pursuit. It's winter hiking. Snowshoes are an accessory that attaches under a regular hiking boot and distributes your weight so you can walk on top of snow rather than sinking through it.

A few minutes is all it takes to feel comfortable.

We are the Nature and Mountain guides at Altimood, and every winter we take out dozens of first-timers from all over the world. This guide brings together all the advice we wish we'd had before our own first outings.

From choosing the right gear to tackling a descent, plus what to wear and the best destinations to start out, here's everything you need to know.

What is snowshoeing?

A snowshoe is a piece of equipment that attaches under a hiking boot to distribute your body weight and float on top of the snow (or at least prevent you from sinking knee-deep with every step).

The concept is ancient. In North America and the Alps alike, traces of wooden and leather snowshoes dating back several millennia have been found, used for hunting and winter travel. The indigenous traditions of snowshoeing in Canada and the Alpine traditions in France come from entirely separate histories, but the physics are identical.

The modern version keeps the same principle but replaces wood with aluminium, technical plastics, or carbon fibre. Modern bindings fasten in seconds, and integrated crampons grip hard-packed snow without any extra effort.

In practice, snowshoes open up forests, alpine meadows, and backcountry terrain where hiking trails disappear under 50 cm of fresh powder. The activity works from around age four or five, and is as well-suited to families on a day outing as it is to multi-day traverse adventures.

How do you walk in snowshoes?

Good news: it feels almost exactly like ordinary walking. The technique is quick to pick up, though a few adjustments make a real difference to comfort. The golden rule? Never step backward in snowshoes (a fall is practically guaranteed).

Walking on flat terrain

On flat or gently sloping ground, your stride stays natural. The one adjustment is to keep your feet slightly wider apart so the frames don't overlap. There's no need to raise your knees high: a smooth gliding motion is sufficient on firm snow.

Trekking poles are genuinely useful from your very first outing. They help with balance, maintain your rhythm, and make it much easier to get back upright if you tip over into the powder.

Going uphill: using the heel lift

Most modern snowshoes have a heel lift, a small metal bar that slots under the heel. You flip it up with the tip of your pole basket. It raises your heel, reduces calf strain on steep ground, and makes the climb considerably more comfortable.

On steep sections or hard snow, the kick step technique works well: stamp the front of the snowshoe into the slope to anchor the front crampons. When the slope gets too steep, switch to switchbacks rather than going straight up.

Going downhill: heel first

On descents, the instinct for most people is to lean back. While this can help stabilize you in powder in the short term, it puts strain on the knees over time. Staying upright, or leaning slightly forward into the slope, keeps your knees working in their natural axis. On hard snow, trust the crampons under the frame to hold your footing.

Traversing a slope

When crossing a hillside horizontally, your ankles bear a fair amount of stress. Use the uphill edge of the snowshoe to stamp a small flat platform in the snow. Use your poles for stability and avoid crossing your feet. On hard snow, rely on the crampons and accept the natural discomfort of the ankle angle.

Worth noting: snowshoes are excellent on rolling terrain but have clear limits. On very steep or heavily angled slopes, the flat frame doesn't grip the way ski edges do, and the leverage it creates puts serious strain on the ankle. Progress can become tiring, unstable, and potentially unsafe.

If the route steepens significantly or becomes very exposed, it is better to stop, turn back, or switch to crampons for safety.

From theory to practice: just go out there

You could read every article online and watch tutorial after tutorial, but nothing replaces getting out on actual snow.

Snowshoeing is intuitive: your body learns by doing. Clipping in, testing your grip on a gentle slope, feeling the frame underfoot, managing your breathing on the climb, this hands-on experience will teach you more than any written guide. Don't wait to have every detail figured out. Start on marked trails or head out with a guide, at your own pace, and let your instincts take over.

Which snowshoes should you choose?

This is often the question that creates hesitation before a first outing. There are many options and prices vary considerably. Here are the criteria that actually matter.

Size based on weight

Snowshoe size is determined by your total weight including your pack. The heavier you are, the larger the surface area you need to stay on top of the snow.

Note: In very cold, dry powder (with no firm base), you'll sink further than expected. If you're between sizes, go larger.

Small frame or large frame?

• Small frame: Ideal for marked trails, packed snow, and moderate slopes. Light and less cumbersome, these work well for beginners. Good choice if you're in a group and want to keep weight manageable.

• Large frame: Designed for backcountry terrain and deep snow. Heavier, requiring a wider stance.

Rent or buy?

If you're heading out once or twice, renting snowshoes makes good sense: up-to-date gear, no storage hassle, lower cost. If you're planning to go out five or more times in a winter, buying your own becomes worthwhile.

For brands, TSL (French-made), Inook, MSR, Tubbs, and Atlas are all reliable.

A note: for guided outings with Altimood, snowshoes and poles are included. You don't need to rent or buy anything.

Women's snowshoes: what's the difference?

Don't get too caught up in Men's or Women's labels. It really comes down to body type and build. Models marketed as Women's (narrower and lighter) suit any hiker, male or female, who has a lighter frame, a narrower foot, or wants a more nimble snowshoe on tighter trails. What matters most is that your foot is held firmly in the binding with no lateral movement.

What to wear and bring for snowshoeing?

The most common mistake? Showing up in a full ski suit. Snowshoeing is hiking, an active pursuit where you warm up quickly.

Clothing: the 3-layer system

For your upper body, layer as follows:

1. A moisture-wicking base layer (long-sleeve thermal shirt, merino wool or synthetic). No cotton: it holds sweat and will chill you at every rest stop.
2. An insulating mid layer (fleece or a lightweight puffer) to retain warmth.
3. A protective outer layer (waterproof, windproof jacket, Gore-Tex or similar) in your pack for wind or on the descent.

For your lower half: winter hiking pants or regular hiking pants with a thermal layer underneath. Ski pants work fine if they have ventilation zips.

Footwear: comfort first

1. Technical socks: Merino wool or synthetic blend (ski socks are excellent).
2. Ankle-high boots: Waterproof hiking boots (Gore-Tex) are more than sufficient for day hikes. Avoid Moon Boots or après-ski-style boots that are too wide and soft: no ankle support, and they pop out of bindings constantly on slopes.
3. Gaiters: A useful addition to keep snow from creeping in at the top of your boot. Sometimes built into hiking pants.

Essentials to carry on you or in your pack (20 to 30 litres)

• Poles: Adjustable, with wide snow baskets.
• Sunglasses (Cat. 3 or 4) and sunscreen: Snow glare can cause photokeratitis (corneal burn) even on overcast days.
• Gloves and a hat: A lighter pair of gloves for the ascent and a warmer pair for the descent works well.
• Water (at least 1.5 L) and snacks: Cold, dry mountain air dehydrates you just as effectively as summer heat.

Safety when snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is still a mountain activity. The most common incidents aren't slope-related: they're caused by hypothermia, fog (loss of direction), or avalanches.

Avalanche risk

The question of safety equipment (beacon, shovel, probe) comes up regularly:

• On marked trails or managed Nordic areas: Risk is managed by patrol staff and safety equipment isn't required.
• In the backcountry (off-trail): The beacon-shovel-probe kit is essential. More importantly, you need to know how to use it. Carrying the gear without training offers nothing more than a false sense of security. And worth keeping in mind: this isn't safety equipment, it's rescue equipment.

Before every outing, check the local forecast and the avalanche bulletin issued by Météo-France (risk rated 1 to 4 for hikers).

💡 Want to build a solid understanding of snow and avalanche risk? We offer a snow and avalanche safety course of one day, designed specifically for snowshoers.

Where to go snowshoeing in the Alps?

The Alps offer generous snowfall, and several massifs provide less abrupt terrain that's ideal for those starting out. Canadians familiar with big mountain country will feel right at home here, though the landscape has its own distinctly European character.

• Champsaur-Valgaudemar: Our home territory and one of our favourite places on earth. Snowshoeing in the Champsaur takes you through preserved valley floors, magical larch forests, and sweeping views over the Écrins from high-altitude hamlets (1,200–1,800 m). The atmosphere feels remarkably remote.
  • Ancelle & Chaillol: Family-friendly resorts above Gap, with marked and well-maintained snowshoe trails.
  • Orcières-Merlette: A higher resort (1,850 m) with very reliable snow and long routes across the Rocherousse plateau.
• Dévoluy: Far less visited than the bigger resorts, offering a genuinely authentic mountain experience. A great choice for a snowshoeing day in the Dévoluy well away from the crowds.
• Villard-de-Lans / Corrençon: Set a little further north in the Vercors, this Nordic area is an outstanding destination. Its vast plateau is ideal for snowshoeing in the Vercors with no technical difficulty.

When to go? The season generally runs from mid-December to late March. January and February tend to offer the best snow quality, while March brings long sunny days with spring snow (firm in the morning, heavier by afternoon).

Going out with a guide?

For your first outings in the French Alps, going out with a mountain guide genuinely enriches the experience. Not because snowshoeing is demanding, but because a local guide brings things no article can provide:

• The right route for the day: They choose the itinerary based on actual snow conditions, the weather, and the group's energy.
• Nature immersion: Reading wolf or chamois tracks in the snow, spotting wildlife, and hearing the stories behind the massif.
• Safety handled: The guide manages navigation, avalanche risk, and pacing. All you have to do is take in the landscape.

At Altimood, we offer introductory snowshoeing outings as half-day or full-day experiences. Equipment (quality snowshoes, poles, and safety gear when needed) is always included. For those wanting more, we also organize multi-day snowshoeing trips with nights in mountain refuges. The only prerequisite for multi-day trips is being in good physical condition.

Frequently asked questions about snowshoeing

Is snowshoeing difficult?

No, it's one of the most accessible winter activities there is. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. A few minutes is all it takes to find your balance. The three things to keep in mind compared to a summer hike are managing the cold (layering, avoiding heavy sweating), navigation (trails disappear under snow), and avalanche awareness. On marked snowshoe trails, none of these typically pose any difficulty.

What age can children start snowshoeing?

From around four or five on flat ground, with small snowshoes sized to fit them. The key is having a motivating goal: reaching a hut, following fox tracks, having a snack in the sunshine. From ages eight to ten, children can comfortably manage two to three hours on varied terrain. For very young children carried in a backpack carrier, keep in mind they get cold far more quickly than the adult who's walking.

How fast do you walk in snowshoes?

On packed snow, expect 3 to 4 km/h (close to a normal walking pace). In deep powder, progress slows to 1.5 to 2.5 km/h and becomes very demanding when breaking a new trail. For elevation, an average hiker ascends around 200 m/h and descends 300 m/h. The basic rule: always add 30% to your time estimates compared to a summer outing.

Do you need a beacon (DVA) for snowshoeing?

Not always. On marked trails or managed Nordic areas, avalanche risk is controlled and safety equipment isn't required. However, as soon as you leave secured zones and venture under slopes of 30° or more, the beacon-shovel-probe kit becomes essential, and you need to know how to use it. Before any backcountry outing, check the avalanche bulletin from Météo-France.

Further reading