Exploring the mountains in winter on snow-covered terrain with snowshoes is a truly special experience: the muffled silence of fresh snow, the crisp winter light, and the slower pace that allows you to fully appreciate the alpine environment. It is an authentic and deeply rewarding way to experience the mountains.
At the same time, however, winter makes the mountain environment more complex and potentially hazardous. Avalanche danger is real and should never be underestimated. Knowing where and when to go requires careful evaluation of snow and weather conditions. It is also essential to always carry avalanche safety equipment — avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe — which are mandatory by law in many mountain areas.
For those who are not highly experienced in snowy mountain terrain, relying on professionals such as International Mountain Leaders is the best way to enjoy the experience with confidence. Their expertise, local knowledge, and careful risk management allow you to explore winter landscapes more safely while fully enjoying the adventure.
With our International Mountain Leaders, we organize snowshoe hikes in small groups, and we can also create tailor-made experiences designed specifically for you.
Snowshoe Hiking Tours: What they are
The snowshoe hikes we offer are generally day trips, with departure in the early morning and return in the late afternoon. Whenever possible, we also organize two-day outings with overnight stays in mountain huts, allowing participants to experience the winter mountains in an even deeper and more immersive way.
The goal of a snowshoe hike may be reaching a specific destination — such as a valley floor, alpine pasture, mountain hut, frozen lake, or sometimes even a summit — or simply enjoying the experience of exploring a mountain landscape transformed by snow, guided by the beauty of the scenery and the pleasure of discovery.
A snowshoe hike can be much more than just a walk on snow. It can also become a valuable opportunity to learn proper snowshoeing techniques, gain confidence in winter mountain environments, and acquire basic knowledge about avalanche safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe), all within a practical and guided setting.
The informal atmosphere of the excursions makes learning enjoyable, while safety always remains the priority. At the same time, it is important to remember that these outings are not a substitute for a complete avalanche safety course, which remains the only way to receive thorough and structured training in avalanche rescue techniques.
The itineraries take place on terrain and snow conditions suitable for safe snowshoe progression: flat valley terrain, stable forest environments, and open slopes that are not particularly steep (generally under 25°, with only short sections under 30°). In all cases, the proposed itineraries avoid significant exposure to slipping or falling hazards from cliffs or rocky drop-offs and do not require mountaineering techniques or technical alpine equipment.
What we offer
We design the excursion and provide:
- the complete program
- the certified International Mountain Leader who will accompany the group
- reservations for any additional services that may be required, such as overnight stays in mountain huts, shuttle services, buses, cable cars, or toll-road permits
What you need to join
Joining our snowshoe hikes requires only a few simple things:
- some familiarity with snowy mountain environments, depending on the length and difficulty of the itinerary
- good overall health (no medical certificate is required)
- appropriate equipment, described in the trip information sheet
- the pleasure of sharing the experience with others and helping one another when needed
How to join
To participate in one of our snowshoe hikes, you should:
- carefully read the trip description, paying attention to the required experience level and equipment
- make sure you have all the required equipment, especially avalanche safety gear
- if the excursion is scheduled on this website, click “REGISTER” and complete the registration form
- if you are interested in a different excursion or a custom activity, fill out and submit the contact form on the “Contacts” page
- pay the participation fee
- inform us of any relevant health-related considerations
What happens next
Once we receive your registration form:
- we will send confirmation of your participation
- you will be contacted by the International Mountain Leader leading the group
- you will receive informational material to help you prepare for the hike
- we will contact you regarding travel arrangements to the starting point of the excursion
