What is Snowshoeing?

‘Is that the thing where you wear tennis rackets on your feet?’ This is the usual response we get from people when we mention what we do out in the Alps each winter. And the answer? ‘Um… kind of.’ Snowshoeing is basically just going for a walk in the snow with specially designed devices strapped to your feet to spread your weight out and give you more traction on snow and ice using metal spikes on the bottom. Their resemblance to tennis rackets has pretty much disappeared as the modern generation of snowshoes has been developed.

The Reality
The reality of snowshoeing is that it is one of the most wonderful and enjoyable ways to spend time in the snow. It’s easy to learn, doesn’t require much fitness, is cheap and accessible to all and allows anyone to access the snowy wonderland of the mountains in winter.

So why should I go snowshoeing?
Snowshoeing is growing in popularity and becoming interesting to everyone, not just as a backup for those who don’t want to ski or can’t ski anymore. Essentially snowshoes allow you to go for a stroll down a snowy path; trek across vast snowfields to reach a wintry summit; access the best off-piste runs with your skis strapped to your back; or explore the forests, ridges and valleys looking for the perfect view or a rare wildlife sighting. Snowshoeing is silent, majestic and breathtaking.

Who goes snowshoeing?
Our clients have ranged from 70 year old ex-skiers who no longer trust their knees, to expectant mothers not willing to risk skiing to 20 somethings looking to improve their fitness whilst having a great day out. Snowshoeing can be relaxed, exciting or a real workout depending on what you want to get out of it.

Why hire a guide?
Snowshoeing is not difficult and getting used to having big bits of plastic strapped to your feet takes only about half an hour or so of trying them out so you might think why can’t I just give it a go? You certainly can and if you live in a snowy environment I’d really recommend it. But if you are on holiday in a snowy area and want to get the best out of your day it really does pay to hire someone to take you out for a half day or a day. They will know all the best routes, won’t get you lost, can take you to much more remote and exciting areas without risk, will understand and know how to avoid avalanches and can predict and avoid rapid and potentially dangerous changes in weather. We’ve spoken to people who hired snowshoes but no guide and found they didn’t really know where to go and so just wandered around on well-marked trails which didn’t offer them the views and excitement of the real thing.

In conclusion snowshoeing is an up and coming winter sport which is fun and accessible to all so why not give it a go this winter?

You can read more in our other articles on snowshoeing found on our website and blog.
Snowshoeing Holidays
Snowshoeing Holidays blog

Richard and Pauline go for a snowshoe walk...

The sun has come out now after several days of heavy snow and so we had a wonderful time making our own trail through the deep snow between the trees on the Pleney circuit. Pleney has become our most popular walk with its varied terrain, great views and the fact that it isn't too steep or strenous!

A Super Walk up Super-Morzine

After a week of blistering sunshine which practically melted all our snow away we were blessed with an April style dumping of snow. Phew! It snowed hard and fast today which meant no spectacular views but we did get that special feeling of being in a real Alpine environment you only get from being in a snowstorm!
We were all up for a bit of exercise so we walked up from the top of the Super-Morzine gondola to the Col de Croix, then across the Tetras and Zore pistes to return to the gondola on the other side. Everyone had such a good time we decided to go out again tomorrow. Its been snowing hard ever since as well so tomorrow should be amazing!

Vallee de la Manche with Trevor and Lindsay

A spectacular day with glorious sunshine. It hasn't snowed for a while and the top layer has become quite crunchy but the views and the warm sun more than made up for that. The walk starts by winding gently up through the forest from l'Erigné past the chalets and the lac de Mine d'Or and on towards les Freterolles where there is a mountain hut open in the Summer. We stopped at the hut and admired the dramatic bowl which opens up as you approach. From here you can also see the Col de Coux which is a possible extension to this walk turning it into a full day.

Snowshoe walk behind Mont Chery

A new and exciting walk round the back of Mont Chery. Its a wild area with few ski lifts or roads. The walk ended at a lovely little cafe where we had lunch. We completed a full 5 hour circuit but there is also a smaller walk that can be done in the same valley. The walk traverses a steep sided valley with wonderful views of Roc d'Enfer and Praz de Lys.

A perfect walk round the Pleney circuit

An multi-generational snowshoe walk round Pleney with an extended Irish family. We had such fun today walking in a bigger group than normal. The weather was fantastic as unsual, the snow deep, the trees looking majestic...nice! Loads of great photos were taken, lots of hot chocolate was drunk and a good time was had by all.

The Super-Morzine ridge up to Avoriaz

A great walk across the top of the Super-Morzine ridge to Col de Joux Verte then dropping down into the wide plateau beneath Avoriaz village before ending up in Avoriaz itself. Lots of sunshine, lovely little tracks through the trees, great views into the Lindaret valley and the Ardoisiere valley.

A spectacular walk with Lisa and Jamie

Loads of soft fresh powder, glorious sunshine and spectacular scenery. What more could we want? Another great circuit of the Pleney ridge (which is a golf course in summer by the way), some great photos and a wonderful day out was had by all.

Pleney circuit with Nick and Chrissy

Despite being overcast we had very good visibility and lots of fresh snow. The Pleney circuit was as quite, untrodden and as magical as always and the trees were laden down with snow. We added a little detour we had discovered the day before which gave us a wonderful viewpoint where we had our hot chocolate and a kit-kat.

Snowshoe walk with guys and girls from the Nantegue

We took the Super-Morzine bubble and the Zore charlift up Montagne de Seraussaix. We walked along the ski de fond track for a little while up Super-Morzine, then headed off into the trees all the way along to the Col de la Joux Verte where we took the track down from the resturant there towards les Lindarets. We made our own trail down through the trees. The snow is getting really deep now especially here where there are no skiers. We decided eventually to go all the way to the bottom of the Ardent as everyone was up for a bit of a longer walk, where we stopped at La Chalande for an après ski beer and then caught the bus back to Morzine. What a great day.

Snowshoe walk up Super Morzine with three lovely ladies!

Our first snowshoe walk of the season. We took the Super-Morzine cable car and the Zore chairlift up onto the Super-Morzine ridge. We then walked up the ridge, initially along the ski de fond track, then entered the woods and made our own trails between the trees. The snow is already lovely for snowshoeing and not bad for skiing either. We took in the wonderful views of the Ardent valley on our left and the Ardoisière valley on our right. We turned round at the Col de la Joux Verte and came back via a different path to the Super-Morzine lift. The last part is a great little meander through the trees which ends right at the Super-Morzine bubble.