Why Snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies is Awesome

Written by Corinna on 11 Dec, 2025. Posted in Stories.

Snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies is a truly magical experience that everyone should try at least once.

We’ve got 7 reasons why you should give it a try, and 3 ways to get started!

1) Snowshoeing is for Everyone!

Snowshoeing is the easiest winter activity to get into, and is very beginner friendly. While there are a few techniques to learn, beginners can get started as soon as you strap on your snow shoes! Other winter sports like skiing or skating can be a good time, but they can also take a long time to master. Snowshoeing doesn’t require any special training or ability. If you can walk, you can head right out on standard snowshoes, and there are even adaptive options (thanks to the amazing folks at Rocky Mountain Adaptive) if needed.

2) Safely Explore the Backcountry

Snowshoeing is one of the safest ways to enjoy winter in the Canadian Rockies. Winter does bring some specific risks like avalanches and cold weather, but these can be managed with a little planning. The Provincial and National Parks have created official snowshoe trails that are well marked and avoid avalanche terrain. Locals around Banff and Canmore have figured out how to stay warm while snowshoeing in all temperatures, you can learn too! An experienced and certified guide can be a great resource to help you enjoy the backcountry and educate you for future trips. Because snowshoeing moves at a calmer pace than most other winter sports, the injury rate is also lower.

3) Flexible Timing

You can fit snowshoeing into any winter trip to the Canadian Rockies. Whether you are looking to spend a few leisurely hours outside, or go on an all day adventure deep into the backcountry, there’s a snowshoe trail that will fit your plans. A short half-day trip can become extra-special with a stop for hot cocoa to enjoy the views, or you can push hard to go much further. You can even venture out for a multi-day trip and sleep in a cabin or winter camp!

Hot Chocolate: A man and a woman wearing winter coats are drinking hot chocolate while in a snowy valley.

4) Great For Families and Groups with Mixed Abilities

Snowshoeing is fun for the whole family! Because it’s so beginner friendly, groups with a wide range of fitness or experience can enjoy the mountains together. It’s also a totally dog friendly activity, so you won’t have to leave your furry friends behind!

When snow has freshly fallen, the person at the front of the group is often “breaking trail”. The leader is working hard to compress the snow for the first tim while the snowshoers who follow will use less energy to walk on the packed down trail. Teams will usually rotate who is at the front and back. In deep snow the leader may only be able to break trail for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. snowshoeing is perfect for groups with mixed ability; fitter team members can take more turns at the front, while folks at the back have an easier time moving.

5) Enjoy Spectacular Views in Peace

With hundreds of trails and off-trail areas to explore around Banff and Canmore, snowshoers tend to spread out. There are never line-ups or crowds to fight through when snowshoeing, and you never worry about “first tracks”. You might still see a few fellow adventurers, but for the most part you’ll be exploring the pristine landscape on your own.

Wildlife can be elusive, but the snow allows us to see all the tracks left behind by animals that we’d otherwise miss in summer. Rabbit, squirrel, and bird prints are everywhere, and occasionally we’ve even seen cougar, porcupine, and pine martin prints!

6) Low Cost & Durable Equipment

Modern snowshoes have come a long way from the traditional woven basket style. Today’s snowshoes have comfortable straps, a narrower platform for a more natural walking gait, and grippy spikes to keep you sure-footed in icy or steep trails. A good pair of snowshoes will easily last for many years of regular use.

7) Extend The Hiking Season

You no longer have to say goodbye to hiking when the snow flies! In fact, many of our favourite summer hikes become beautiful winter wonderlands that you can experience all over again (or for the first time).

Some areas of the Canadian Rockies that can be quite busy in summer become much more peaceful in the winter season. Snowshoeing can be the best way to experience popular summer areas like Lake Louise, Banff, and the Spray Valley near Canmore. If a major storm blows through you can enjoy a pleasant forest trip; Lake Louise and Hogarth Lakes are our favourites in a white-out. On clear days you can travel further to get spectacular views of Chester or Rummel Lake.

How to Snowshoe in the Canadian Rockies

Ok, so we’ve convinced you that snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies is awesome (because it is), and you can’t wait to try it for yourself. Now what?

Well, there are many options!

Take a Day Trip

Dedicated snowshoe trails are designed & maintained by parks staff, and are the perfect way to get started. They have maps posted at trail intersections and have trail markers to help you stay on trail. Some of our favourites are the Chester Sawmill Snowshoe area and Hogarth Lakes.

If you’d prefer to have a professional take care of the trail selection, planning, safety, and navigation, you can join a drop-in snowshoe adventure or book a private snowshoe tour.

Overnight in a Warm Cabin

If you have the time, a hut based overnight trip is totally worth it. For these trips you get to experience the excitement of venturing further into the backcountry and staying in a cozy cabin. Because the cabins are heated with wood stoves and provide all the cooking equipment & fuel, you only have to pack your sleeping bag, clothes, and food. This keeps pack weights down to a reasonable weight (even for beginners). The Alpine Club of Canada manages most of the rustic cabins in the backcountry.

Take on the Challenge of Winter Camping

Winter camping really is THE way to experience a Canadian winter! Big warm sleeping bags, sturdy tents, and plenty of hot drinks all make winter camping much more fun that you might expect. It takes a lot of knowledge and skills to actually enjoy camping in the winter (but it can be done!), so we recommend taking a winter camping course if you’ve never done it before.