Trip Grades: Snowshoeing

Leisurely 

These trips on snowshoes are for those of you who enjoy walking in the great outdoors, and would like to try walking in winter. You do not need to have any previous experience on snowshoes, but are willing to expend energy walking for up to 3-4 hours per day with ascents/descents of between 200–350m (656-1148ft). We expect to be walking at an altitude of no more than 2000m (6560ft), and then only if we take a cable car to get there. We will be walking mainly on good trails with the occasional venture off the ‘beaten track’. During the day you will also have time to relax and enjoy the local culture.

Moderate

This is for you if you would like to walk in the mountains in winter, but your experience of snowshoeing is limited or zero! On these trips full instruction is given on snowshoe technique and equipment. In reality you just need to be able to walk, it is that easy. However, we will be walking in the mountains and we expect that you take regular exercise that involves climbing up hills and have a reasonable level of fitness. We will walk on a variety of terrain from flat to steeply undulating, most of the time we will be walking on a trail, but if there is fresh snow we will enjoy making our own track. We may on occasion reach an altitude of up to 2500m (8200ft), and we will sometimes take a cable car to get there. We may complete ascents/descents of between 300–500m (984-1640ft) per day with one longer day of up to 750m (2460ft). Expect to be out on the mountain for between 4 – 6 hours per day.

INTERMEDIATE

This trip is for you if you consider yourself to be a summer or winter ‘hill walker’. We expect that you regularly go for a walk in the mountains, and that you are happy to undertake ascents and descents of up to 800m (2624ft), to an altitude of up to 2500m (8200ft). You should also be prepared to occasionally do a longer day of around 1000m (3270ft). Consult your trip itinerary for details. No previous snowshoe experience is necessary, but we do expect you to be an experienced hill walker and happy to deal with winter weather. Routes taken are on and off the beaten track and this may at times involve ‘breaking trail’ in fresh snow. A good level of fitness is required as these trips can involve considerable amounts of ascent and descent and the occasional difficult day. Expect to walk 5-7 hours per day. 

advanced

You should be someone who is a regular ‘hill walker’, and are used to dealing with all kinds of mountain weather. Previous snowshoeing experience is not essential, but would be of help. You can expect to be in the mountains for a full day, and be comfortable dealing with ascents/descents of up to 1000m (3200ft). You should also be prepared to occasionally do a longer day of around 1250m (4,100ft).You should be confident walking up and down trails which are covered in snow. You should be used to walking in the mountains on consecutive days without requiring a ‘rest day’. We will walk on trails, but also we may have sections or days when the trail is not well defined and we will be creating our own track. If there is fresh snow you can expect to help with trail breaking. We expect you to be used to dealing with winter weather and are not put off by a day when it is snowing, windy and the temperatures are low. You should be used to dealing with your comfort levels, and be able to be self-sufficient when it comes to keeping yourself warm and dry. Expect to be out on the mountain for up to 6-7 hrs per day.

expert

These snowshoe holidays are very physically challenging and are suitable for regular hill-walkers who are used to extended days. These snowshoe treks can involve difficult and sometimes demanding days, as well as short periods at altitudes of up to 2500m (8200ft). A high level of fitness and previous snowshoeing experience is essential as we may regularly ascend/descend up to 1000m (3200ft). We expect you to be used to dealing with bad weather and are not put off by a day when it is snowing heavily, the winds are strong and the temperatures are low. You should be used to dealing with your comfort levels, and be able to be self-sufficient when it comes to keeping yourself warm and dry. You should also be prepared to help with breaking trail when required. Expect to be walking 6-7 hours per day with the occasional longer day.