Snowshoeing Holidays

Snowshoeing Holidays - Make the most of winter landscapes
Snowshoeing is one of the lesser-known winter pursuits but is rapidly gaining enthusiasts around the world and ranks as one of the best ways to make the most of winter landscapes in all their glory. Snowshoes are essentially flat, lightweight attachments on your boots that give the wearer a larger foot base, keeping them on the surface of the snow. Popular for thousands of years in the Alps and Pyrenees, snowshoeing is now the fastest growing winter sport in France making this one of the best places to experience the great outdoors. A decent level of health and a pair of snowshoes are all you really need to get started but to really get the most out of the sport, guided tours are the best way to learn the basics and be introduced to the most incredible mountain scenery. 

Snowshoeing Holidays
Snowshoeing can be enjoyed by all ages so is the ideal family activity. Unlike ski holidays where everyone descends at their own pace, snowshoeing is a much more inclusive and social experience as groups generally walk at a similar pace - no-one gets left behind. The real beauty of snowshoeing is the landscape. Not only will you find yourself in the midst of unspoiled, magical, white surroundings but you will forge new paths, experiencing nature at its most peaceful and undisturbed. On a snowshoeing adventure, you are more likely to encounter wildlife than other holidaymakers so you truly feel you are escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The sheer amount of snow at higher elevations means that your snowshoes are taking you where vehicles and feet alone cannot venture.    

Snowshoeing Holidays
Depending on ability, snowshoeing trips can last for a few hours to an entire day, or if you have a good level of fitness, overnight trips or multi-day holidays are options. The health benefits of snowshoeing are another reason for the sport's popularity. You will burn many more calories than running or aerobics so not only will you return feeling the benefits of fresh air, your body will be in much better shape and there will be no need to feel guilty as you sip hot chocolate and fill up on carbs after a long day on the snow. Snowshoeing is popular throughout Europe and North America but certain places stand out. The beautiful resort of Whistler in Canada has a long history with the sport. In France, Chamonix is a wonderful base for snowshoeing holidays. France is also a popular destination for the sport with resorts in both the Alps and Pyrenees offering holidays and trips and the resorts in the region of the three valleys is one ideal location to try snowshoeing.