Icy roads ahead…

Queyras snowshoe trek, January 2014

Choosing your Snowshoes – A Beginner’s Guide

France Outdoors’ Guide to Choosing the Right Snowshoe
Snowshoeing is perhaps the simplest and most accessible of the Winter sports – as a guide once said to us “If you can walk, you can snowshoe!” This may be so, but the actual selection of snowshoes can be a bit trickier, especially if you’re a beginner to the world of snowshoeing and Winter sports. This article will give you some tips and guidelines towards selecting a pair of snowshoes to suit your activity – you may choose to buy your snowshoes, or rent on-site for the duration of your trip, which can be more economical. If you’re travelling with France Outdoors on one of our snowshoe treks, we’ll do the selection for you! On all of our Winter snowshoe trips, professional-quality snowshoes from TSL are provided.

The first consideration is the terrain and snow.
Recreational snowshoes are best suited to walking on easy terrain, that is not too steep or rugged. They are entry-level models that are easy on the budget and are ideal for families wishing to get a first experience of snowshoeing. They will not be suited to more difficult or mountainous terrain.
Hiking or mountaineering snowshoes are made for steeper, more rugged and more difficult terrain, and are for more experienced snowshoe trekkers. They can be used for hiking off the beaten track and more advanced models come with climbing-style crampons to negotiate difficult or icy slopes.
You will probably want more compact snowshoes if you plan to walk on narrow trails or negotiate steep slopes; on gentle rolling terrain a larger pair will do. Similarly, you will need a larger snowshoe if you plan to trek through deep and dry powder, as the larger size distributes or floats your weight better.

Your size and weight
Snowshoes can come in several sizes that you will need to choose depending on your own size and weight. Some brands divide their shoes into easy categories like Men’s, Women’s and Childrens’ Snowshoes. When choosing snowshoes, don’t forget to add the weight of your rucksack and equipment to your own weight.

Ease of use
Check the snowshoe bindings before buying – if necessary ask the shop or rental assistant to help you. Make sure your snowshoe doesn’t require specialised footwear (most won’t, especially if you’re looking at entry-level models) And, if you’re wearing specialised mountain or hiking boots, make sure they will fit your snowshoes.
The price!
Snowshoeing equipment is perhaps the chapest of all the winter sports, but if you’re buying, the price can range from anything between fifty to several hundred euros. For around 100 euros, you are pretty much sure to have a good and reliable pair of snowshoes.
If you’re on a budget and don’t want to rent, the French sporting shop Decathlon provides reliable equipment at a good price – you’ll find a Decathlon in most large towns.

Links

France Outdoors’ Winter Activity & Snowshoe Trips
http://www.franceoutdoors.com/all_trips.html

TSL Snowshoes
http://www.tsloutdoor.com/

Snowshoes at Decathlon
http://www.decathlon.fr/F-33160-raquettes-a-neige

Download this guide

http://www.franceoutdoors.com/fileadmin/user_upload/guides_lists/choosing_snowshoe_beginners_guide.pdf

Water, water, everywhere

Today’s travel photo gallery is on the theme of water, with photos from our travels in Nepal, North Africa and the French Alps.

Suspension bridge, Nepal

Mountain stream, French Alps

Water fountain, Provence Alps

Waterfall, Nepal

Tête Rousse glacier, Haute Savoie, French Alps

Morocco

Irrigation, Morocco, North Africa

Water fountain, Provence Alps

Mountain stream in Winter, French Alps

France Outdoors organises Winter and Summer outdoor holidays in France and worldwide. Our next available tour is a snowshoe trek on th Aravis massif in the French Alps, in january 2014.

Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.

“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world” – Marilyn Monroe

Queyras Snowshoe Trip

Views from a recent snowshoe trek to the Queyras.
The Queyras is a valley and natural parc in the French Alps, and is a popular hiking, skiing and snowshoeing destination. The valley has 8 small villages, including Saint-Véran which at over 2000m altitude is the highest commune in Europe.

Wooden bridge

Near the summit

The Queyras valley

Resting during the ridge walk

Above Molines

Our hostel

Vincent, tourguide & France Outdoors founder

Saint-Véran, the highest village in Europe

Chalet in saint-Véran

Related articles

• Views from Vercors (provencealps.wordpress.com)
• Mont Blanc Trip – August 2013 (provencealps.wordpress.com)

Collage of some of the most wonderful trips to date

Made with my own mouse

Snowshoeing in Nevache

I went on my first snowshoeing adventure with France Outdoors on 20th February 2013. Including Vincent, the guide, there was 9 of us on the trip. The first part of my journey was snowshoeing from the village of Nevache up to about 2,500 metres to rendevous with the group at the mountain hut.

Snowshoeing is like walking but with an additional shoe to grip you to the snow/ice. The Snowshoes enable you to move unhindered in a snowcovered, mountainous terrain. For those who have tried skiing and snow boarding and are not that way inclined, snowshoeing is an excellent alternative. It is a chance to experience the mountains, the snow, the wildlife and tranquility of the Alpine peaks in a different way. (I go skiing every weekend and thoroughly enjoy the sport, but you do not get the same sense of nature as you do when snowshoeing or hiking. There are no ski lifts, no restaurants, no queues and very few people).

When I arrived at the mountain hut in the early evening, a log fire, hot tea and cake were waiting in the common room. What a treat! The meal was amazing and just the kind of food to heat and fill you up. Believe me, no-one was left hungry. Dormitories are not everyone’s ideal, but I have to say I slept like a log. There’s nothing like physical activity , fresh air and good food to make you sleep.

Up and atom for breakfast and out of the hut by 8 a.m. It was freezing, and I was so glad I had two pairs of gloves. It did not take long however before I was undoing zips and removing layers (walking uphill sure does get your blood flowing). The scenery from start to finish was stunning. The blue sky, bright sun and glistening snow were pure delights. The panoramic of the mountain ring was spectacular and the feeling of peace was second to none. At the highest point of the trek (in metres), we sat on a plateau and had our picnic lunch (it was better than a roadside picnic table, let me tell you).

After lunch we descended through the valley and back to Nevache. Around every corner the mountains looked different and the trees created new silouettes. You really cannot beat the great outdoors. My first attempt at snowshoeing was a success and my experience of the mountain hut was thoroughly enjoyable. For the details of the trip, click here.

Related articles

• Art and History of Snowshoe Making in the Northeast (allisoneteague.wordpress.com)
• The Fourth Season