Snowshoeing: Where to go and the right clothing

Affordable, safe, easy to use. And with one big advantage: they allow you to go anywhere in the snow, enjoying the beauty of nature and with various health benefits. Snowshoes are the right tool to experience the mountains intensely, respecting them: the important thing is always choose a safe path, suitable for your physical condition, with good exposure to the sun and a beautiful view.

What is snowshoeing?

Snowshoeing is a walking in the snow with snowshoes on your feetSnowshoes are snowshoes originally made from natural materials, usually wood and leather, and were used primarily by farmers and hunters. They come in various shapes and sizes, smaller or larger, depending on their intended use. While small snowshoes are ideal for Alpine mountains, larger woven snowshoes, which sink less deeply into soft snow, are more suitable for very snowy areas. Today, they are made with a hard plastic base or an aluminum frame, a boot rest, and laces, and are equipped with a hinged binding that makes walking easier.

How do you dress?

If you want to go snowshoeing, it's important to bring everything you need. First of all, you'll need a clothing suitable for ski touring, at the feet boots waterproof mountain, rackets like the ski ones but a little longer, a backpack containing first aid kit, jacket, spare shirt, thermal flask, lanyards, pocket knife, wire, tape, map. And finally alloy crampons preferably light.

The ideal is to dress in layers To regulate body temperature, choose clothing that doesn't tend to soak up sweat, as happens with cotton, for example. As for pants, trekking pants are ideal, while ski pants tend to be too bulky. A jacket is also important, preferably a trekking jacket, which insulates against water and snow while also allowing moisture to escape.

Snowshoes

The most suitable shoes are winter hiking bootsHigh, ankle-hugging, waterproof, and fairly rigid. The boots should be placed inside the snowshoe frame and secured with wraparound straps and special attachments. However, they shouldn't be too tight. Hiking socks and gaiters are also important, as they act as a barrier against snow, mud, and water.

How to get started

First you will have to get everything you need What you need for a safe snowshoe hike and purchasing snowshoes. Generally, keep in mind that they come in standard adult sizes and can be adjusted by tightening or loosening them depending on your foot size. They should therefore be secured to your foot using the hooks, keeping the buckles on the outside. You can then set off using the snowshoes, taking short strides and keeping your legs slightly apart. Your foot should be able to raise and lower freely when walking on gentle sections. On steep uphill sections, you can use the heel lift, and on downhill sections, you can lock the snowshoes in place using the rear hook.

The 10 most beautiful routes in Italy

There are numerous trails suitable for snowshoeing in Italy, here are 10 to try.

1. On the Mont Blanc, in the Aosta Valley, you can venture into the snowshoe camp located at the Pavillon du Mont Fréty, setting off on breathtaking excursions accompanied by alpine guides.
2. Between the Val d'Non and the Val d'Adige, in the province of Trento, you can follow a trail ideal for snowshoeing that goes from the Predaia Refuge to the Todes' ci and up to the Predaia plateau. Local mountain guides will accompany you to discover enchanting places in the beautiful woods.
3. It takes about an hour to travel the route that leads from Alpe Devero, in Piedmont, to Crampiolo Starting from the Ai Ponti area, snowshoeing along the river leads to Alpe Corte d'Ardui, continuing through the woods to your destination, Crampiolo.

4. In that day Merano, on Mount San Vigilio, another ideal route for snowshoeing is path 34 which leads to the little church of San Vigilio and to a subsequent refreshment point.
5. From Vallone di Valeille you can follow an itinerary that takes you there in about an hour at the Lilliaz Waterfalls, in the Cogne Valley, in the Aosta ValleyThe waterfalls are a sight not to be missed.

6. In Friuli one of the most famous snowshoe hikes starts from Forni di Sopra, from the Davost area to the valley floor, and continues towards Palas. The trail has helpful signposts indicating the route. From Palas, you can also continue to the bridge over the Tagliamento River and venture further.
7. Always in Friuli the Fusine Lakes itinerary It's perfect for a snowshoe hike that's not too demanding but truly breathtaking due to the surrounding landscape. It lasts about two and a half hours and starts just after Tarvisio from the Kantina Inn parking lot.
8. Leaving from Cortina d'Ampezzo it is possible to go on a direct snowshoe hike at the Cinque TorriTake the chairlift to the Scoiattoli refuge and follow trail 425 towards the Cinque Torri refuge.
9. Another ideal route for snowshoeing is found in the Beigua Park, the Cappelletta di Masone-Passo del Veleno itinerary, also good for beginners.

10. Last recommended winter walk for snowshoeing is found in Val di Non, starting from the Predala refuge in the direction of the Rodezza mountain hut, then continue to the Bus del Spin clearing. Trail 503 takes you to Sella di Favogna and continues beyond.

Read also:

• How to ski safely even at an advanced age
• How to Train for Snowboarding: 10 Tips
• Cross-country skiing: 10 reasons to do it
• Exercises to do to train for skiing