Snowshoeing Kit List
Please have a look at our snowshoeing holiday offers in the French Alps.
Snowshoes and poles will be provided for you. If you would like to hire avalanche tranceivers you can hire these in resort.
Essentials
Walking Boots - good walking boots are essential for snowshoeing. You will strap the snowshoes to your walking boots so your boots need to be fairly sturdy. Walking trainers are not sufficient. They will also be acting as the barrier to snow so need to be waterproof and warm.
2 or 3 pairs of good walking socks - proper walking socks have extra padding where you need it the most and are worth getting!
Waterproof jacket and trousers or sallopettes - as you will be walking, you will be creating your own body heat, so a waterproof, breathable shell is fine to keep any snow from getting in and melting. It is a good idea to have trousers with elasticated bottoms or snow cuffs to stop snow from getting inside your walking boots.
Gaiters - if your waterproof trousers dont have snow cuffs, and even if they do, sometimes a pair of gaiters are worth bringing as an extra defence against snow entering your walking boots!
At least three layers - thin thermal layer or t-shirt made of wicking material rather than cotton next to the skin, a mid weight fleece and a thicker fleece. It is better to have lots of layers so you can strip off going up and pile on the layers when you have a rest as your body temperature will vary quite a lot as you are walking up and down hills.
Extra fleece or sweater to put on during a stop.
Fleecy Trousers or thermals to wear under your outer trousers.
Gloves, hat, neck warmer or ear warmer - it's worth getting decent waterproof warm ski gloves or mitts as well as a pair of fleecy gloves. A couple of different hats, one very warm and one less warm for differing temperatures.
Rucksack to carry spare sweater, waterproofs, packed lunch, water bottle, and other bits and pieces.
Large plastic bag to put inside your rucksack to keep the contents completely dry. No rucksack is waterproof (too many seams!)
Good sized water flask or a plastic water bottle. A Platypus or similar water system is also very handy.
Sun screen - even in winter. The sun is very strong here so we recommend factor 50 for the face.
Lip salve with sunscreen.
Sun glasses - you should make sure they wrap well round your eyes at the sides to protect you from snow glare from the ground
Sun hat or cap
Duvet Jacket - not essential but serves as a good lightweight warm jacket for those frosty cold days.
Other useful things
Head torch - if you are planning on doing a moonlit snowshoe walk
Emergency food supplies - when you are snowshoeing in the mountains you are not likely to pass any shops so you should always have a few spare cereal bars and snacks to keep you going - especially in case you get lost!
Slippers- so nice for feet in the evening!
Camera, spare film or memory card and batteries.
Binoculars
Flask
A small sit mat or bit of old camping mat - not essential but good for a bit of comfort when snacking in the mountains!
Swim suit - please note boxer short style swimwear is not allowed in French pools. It has to be the fitted trunks - sorry guys!
Games or cards for evenings
