Find and rent your snowshoes

Snowshoeing is the experience where you can ideally combine sport and the enjoyment of nature. The routes for snowshoe hiking also lead off the beaten track. Even in deep snow, you can trudge through the unique mountain world and explore the still untouched paths.

Snowshoeing is a sport where, for once, speed is not important. That's why this wintry experience is also suitable for beginners, because in shallower snow, snowshoeing is child's play. In deeper snow, it's all about the right technique. Basically, however, anyone can learn this at any age and in the shortest time.

Snowshoeing is also very suitable for children. Children as young as four to six years old can start the adventure of snowshoeing. Shorter tours and less steep terrain are ideal for the start.

Walking with snowshoes on flat or hilly terrain hardly differs from normal walking. However, due to the width of the snowshoes, the stride width is somewhat wider. As with classic walking, place the heel of your foot on the ground and roll forward over the middle of your foot. Keep your steps as parallel and even as possible.

You should also keep your centre of gravity in the middle of the snowshoe and walk as upright as possible. The walking poles will give you additional momentum.

As soon as you venture onto steeper terrain when snowshoeing, you should activate the climbing aid. You can choose between several stepping techniques:

1. Frontal stride: If the ascent is moderately steep, you can walk with your snowshoes in frontal stride. With this walking technique, the length and width should not deviate significantly from the normal mountain stride.
    
2. V-step or duck step: If the ascent is somewhat steeper and the path is deep in snow, you should switch to the so-called V-step or duck technique. In general, you can follow the following rule: The steeper and more demanding the slope, the wider your V-step.
   Especially if you are going up a long slope, the duck step is recommended. This saves a lot of energy. For maximum grip on the mountain, lean forward with your body's centre of gravity and place the poles in the snow in front of your body.
    
3. Stair or side step: If the trail leads you along a steep but rather short passage, you can resort to the so-called stair or side step. Here you place the snowshoes sideways at a right angle to the slope. Your body remains centrally above the snowshoe.

As with classic hiking, it is best to walk downhill on snowshoes with your knees slightly bent. On the snowshoes you glide down the slope with a little momentum. Especially in soft snow or deep snow and with your back bent, you will pick up the ideal speed in the shortest time. If it is very cold and the ground is icy, you should take smaller steps and stand centrally on the snowshoe.

• Material: Typical of this winter equipment are prongs located on the bottom side of the frame. At the height of the football, the snowshoe has a claw for gripping. This gives you a firm grip on steep terrain. Climbing aids provide even more grip on very steep climbs and icy surfaces. There are snowshoes made of plastic or aluminium.
  • Plastic snowshoes: Plastic snowshoes are particularly suitable for hard snow. The narrow frames as well as the high manoeuvrability ensure the best grip. The serrated side rails promise safety when traversing.
  • Aluminium snowshoes: Aluminium snowshoes are best suited for new or deep snow. They are characterised by the flexible binding and cushion ideally with every step through the snow.
     
• Size: When choosing the right snowshoes, it is not only the material that plays a relevant role, you should also choose the right model for the size. The sizes for snowshoes range from 22 to30 . These sizes have nothing to do with your classic shoe size and are based on your body weight.
  • Size 22 (up to 70 kilograms)
  • Size 30 (over 100 kilograms)
     
• Inner shoe: To find the right inner shoe or hiking boot for a snowshoe hike, you should opt for an ankle-high, waterproof model with robust soles. We also recommend that you wear gaiters or gauntlets to prevent the wet from penetrating your shoe even in deep snow.

If you want to hike in winter, you don't necessarily need snowshoes. But especially if you like to walk on remote routes and love hiking in deep snow, snowshoes are recommended equipment. Thanks to the particularly wide sole, you won't sink into deep snow so quickly and can save energy.

Since running in deep snow can quickly become strenuous and requires stamina, you should take enough drinks and a small snack with you.

Packing list for an excursion with snowshoes:

• Snowshoes
• Hiking boots
• Hiking poles
• Breathable clothing
• Gloves
• Sunscreen & Sunglasses
• Backpack
• Drinks & Snacks

Both snowshoes and hiking poles can be rented on site from your SPORT 2000 rent ski rental partner. It's best to reserve your snowshoes in advance - so you can be sure that the model you want is available.

1. The best way to put on snowshoes is to bend your knees a little.
2. Slip into the middle of the snowshoes and tighten the straps.
3. After the first 10 minutes of your snowshoe hike, you should stop again and check if everything fits.

Are you curious and would like to try out snowshoeing for yourself? Then it's best to rent the equipment.

When choosing the right snowshoes, we will advise you individually in the rental shops of SPORT 2000 rent:

Whether you are an experienced snowshoe expert or a beginner - we will show you which equipment is right for you.