Snowshoe Walking in Lapland

Snowshoe walking is a great way to move through Lapland's silent, snow covered landscape. It's nature-friendly, offers a fantastic outdoors workout, and best of all… its fun!

Snowshoes have been used for winter transportation for thousands of years. They work by distributing the person's weight over a larger area so that the person's foot doesn't sink completely into the snow. Snowshoe walking requires no previous experience though moderate fitness is advisable.

Most ski resorts in Lapland will have facilities for hiring out snowshoeing equipment and guides. Trips are relatively inexpensive and ideal for children, families and groups.

If you can walk, you can snowshoe! The basic techniques are easy to learn, you'll be snowshoeing like an expert in no time:-

1. Most importantly make sure that you're dressed warmly.
2. Secure the snowshoes to your footwear so that they move as one.
3. Keep feet shoulder-width apart swing the striding foot sideways and forwards. Your foot should wing out in an arc pattern, clearing the opposite snowshoe.
4. Land with the pressure focused on the ball of your foot.
5. Repeat with the opposite leg.

Most ski resorts in Lapland will have facilities for hiring out snowshoeing equipment and guides.

The best places to learn are packed trails and flat slopes but once you're feeling comfortable any terrain can be conquered. Make the most of your Lapland Holiday with a snowshoeing excursion!