10 Snowshoeing Tips and Tricks

Snowshoeing is a great way to explore Colorado’s mountains in the winter, opening up a whole new season for hiking. A great activity for beginners and experienced hikers alike, the basics are easy to get down, but the learning curve to mastery takes a little longer. Here are the best tips and tricks for a great snowshoeing experience from our Colorado snowshoe guides. 

Try out your bindings at home.

Whether it’s your first time snowshoeing or you just picked up a new pair, the ideal time to figure out some fiddly bindings isn’t a chilly, windy trailhead. Test them out at home to see how to put them on, how to get them off, and if you can tighten or loosen them with gloves on or if you’ll need to expose your fingers to the cold.

Pack everything the night before.

No one wants to drive to the trailhead only to discover their jacket, headlamp, or left boot is still in the living room. Have your backpack fully loaded and checked through the night before your trip to keep stress out of the adventure.

Use trekking poles.

Going uphill in the snow is hard work, even with snowshoes. Trekking poles not only help with the climb, they increase your stability in deep snow, keep you from skidding away on downhills, and provide a good rhythm for snowshoe steps.

Bring sunglasses and ski goggles.

Whether it’s blinding glare reflecting off the snow or gale winds sending ice chips into your face, every winter adventure requires eye protection. Throw in a pair of sunglasses for sunny, calm days, and ski goggles for when things get a bit stormier.

Wear good boots.

Running shoes, lightweight booties, and sneakers aren’t stiff enough to hold up against a snowshoe strap, and tightening it down will only hurt your feet while the snowshoe is still flopping away. A pair of good winter boots or hiking boots will keep your feet warm and comfortable while providing a nice platform for the snowshoe to attach to.

Explore off trail…but don’t get lost!

One of the best parts about snowshoeing is the ability to head anywhere, on-trail or off-trail, deep snow or frozen lake. But remember that the path you make away from the trail is only half the trip; you need to get back, too! A handheld GPS, satellite-enabled cell phone, or map and compass ensures that you have a way to mark your route and get back to the trailhead safely.

Bring a hot drink.

Snowshoeing is hard work while you’re moving, but stopping to look at the view is one of the best parts. It’s also cold, especially if it’s windy or snowing, and there’s no better way to warm up in the winter woods than a hot drink. That’s why our guides bring hot chocolate on every Estes Park snowshoeing trip!

Opt for many light layers.

It’s always important to not get too cold, but you don’t want to get sweaty either–that just makes you more cold as soon as you slow down. Dress in lots of layers so you can take jackets on or off as you go uphill, downhill, and stop for snacks. The ideal setup is a wool or synthetic moisture-wicking baselayer, then waterproof pants on the bottom and a fleece or lightweight down jacket on top, followed by a warmer down jacket and a rain jacket or other waterproof and windproof layer. Don’t forget a hat, lightweight and ultra-warm gloves, and a neck gaiter!

Use your heel lifts.

Climbing a long uphill to Rocky Mountain National Park’s Sky Pond? If your snowshoes have heel lifts, a small wire square that holds your heel at a higher angle during hill climbs, flip them up for a lot less leg fatigue. 

And last but not least, keep your feet pointed straight. It sounds like an obvious one, but we’ve all tangled our snowshoes together and fallen over at least once. Keep the snowshoe toes from crossing and you can stay upright the whole way!