Getting started with snowshoeing

If you can walk, you can snowshoe. It is the gentlest of winter activities: no speed, no ski lifts, just the silence of a snowy forest and the crunch of snow underfoot.

Technique in three moves

1. Keep your feet slightly apart so the snowshoes don’t overlap.
2. Going uphill, raise the heel lift: your calves work less.
3. Going downhill, weight on your heels, knees soft, short steps. Never lean forward.

Dressing right

• Waterproof, ankle-high hiking boots, or snow boots with a stiff sole.
• Gaiters to keep snow out of your boots.
• Three layers, gloves plus a spare pair, a hat.
• Sunglasses are a must: snow reflects up to 80% of sunlight.
• A flask of something hot: nothing beats it at the break.

The right pace

On snowshoes you move about half as fast as in summer and the effort is greater. 300 to 500 metres of ascent makes a great first day. And days are short: we are back before dark.