Strap On Your Snowshoes, and Let’s Go! The World’s Best Snowshoeing Destinations You Need to Explore This Winter
Snowshoeing is a fantastic way to explore the great outdoors during winter. It’s a low-impact activity that requires minimal equipment and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Snowshoeing allows you to venture off the beaten path and explore remote wilderness areas inaccessible by foot or ski. From Banff National Park’s rugged terrain to the Swiss Alps’s stunning peaks, countless worldwide destinations offer excellent snowshoeing opportunities.
In this list, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best places in the world to go snowshoeing and what makes them so spectacular.
Some of the best places in the world to go snowshoeing, along with why they’re spectacular:
- Banff National Park, Canada: Banff National Park is one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason. It offers a wide range of snowshoeing trails that cater to all skill levels. Snowshoers can explore the park’s rugged terrain, snow-covered forests, and frozen lakes while taking in the stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
- Yellowstone National Park, USA: Yellowstone National Park is a winter wonderland, and snowshoeing is a great way to explore its remote wilderness areas. With over 900 miles of trails, snowshoers can explore the park’s geysers, hot springs, and wildlife, including bison, elk, and wolves.
- Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world, but it also offers some great snowshoeing trails. Snowshoers can explore the area’s stunning glaciers, snow-covered peaks, and alpine meadows while taking in the spectacular views of the French Alps.
- Dolomites, Italy: The Dolomites are one of Italy’s most beautiful mountain ranges, offering some of the best snowshoeing in Europe. Snowshoers can explore the area’s jagged peaks, deep valleys, and frozen waterfalls while enjoying the region’s delicious food and wine.
- Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most famous peaks, and snowshoeing is a great way to explore its lower slopes. Snowshoers can trek through the lush rainforests that surround the mountain, as well as the stunning alpine meadows and glaciers that lie above.
- Lapland, Finland: Lapland is a winter wonderland, and snowshoeing is a great way to explore its remote wilderness areas. Snowshoers can trek through the area’s snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, and remote villages, all while taking in the spectacular Northern Lights.
- Hokkaido, Japan: Hokkaido is famous for its powder snow, and snowshoeing is a great way to explore its winter wonderland. Snowshoers can explore the area’s snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, and alpine meadows, all while taking in the stunning views of Japan’s northernmost island.
- Swiss Alps, Switzerland: The Swiss Alps are one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world, and snowshoeing is a great way to explore their remote valleys and peaks. Snowshoers can trek through the area’s snow-covered forests, alpine meadows, and frozen lakes while enjoying the region’s delicious food and wine.
Did you know?
Snowshoeing was initially invented by indigenous peoples living in snowy regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia. However, it was in the late 1800s that it became a recreational activity. It was even a competitive sport in the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France, with both men’s and women’s events.Â
A little history:
Indigenous peoples around the world have used Snowshoes for thousands of years. The first snowshoes were made from natural materials such as animal hides and wood and were designed to help people move more quickly through deep snow.
In North America, for example, indigenous peoples such as the Inuit, Cree, and Huron-Wendat used snowshoes for hunting, trapping, and transportation.
Over time, snowshoes evolved and became more specialized. In the 16th and 17th centuries, French-Canadian fur traders began using snowshoes to travel across the snow-covered wilderness of Canada.
These snowshoes were longer and narrower than traditional indigenous snowshoes and were designed for speed and efficiency.
In the late 19th century, snowshoeing began to evolve into a recreational activity. Snowshoe clubs were formed, and competitions were held to see who could travel the farthest and fastest on snowshoes.
In 1924, snowshoeing was even included as a demonstration sport in the Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France.
Snowshoeing these days is a popular winter activity around the world. Modern snowshoes are typically made from lightweight materials such as aluminum and synthetic fabrics. They are designed for various uses, from hiking and backcountry exploration to racing and fitness.
Snowshoeing is a great way to stay active during the winter months and allows people to explore the great outdoors in a fun and unique way.
