When hiking with snowshoes, you move far away from civilization in untouched, often deeply snow-covered winter landscape. The hikes train endurance and combine the experience of nature with various positive effects on health.

 

Packing list

Proper equipment for the tours is a question that is very difficult to answer! It depends on the season and weather, as well as the type and duration of the tour. Basically: as little as possible, as much as necessary!

Here is the link to our suggestion.

 

Snowshoe tours scale

For the snowshoe tour scale, we at SimplyTourit use the SAC difficulty rating of snowshoe tours.

The difficulty rating does not take into account the length of the tours. All tours require a good knowledge of orientation tools (map, compass, altimeter or GPS) and route selection. The requirements in this regard as well as the seriousness usually increase with increasing difficulty.

Furthermore, for all tours (except WT1) it is recommended to bring an avalanche transceiver (LVS), shovel and probe. The degrees of difficulty are approximate values in good snow, weather and visibility conditions and apply only to the route taken with snowshoes. [1]

Grade Terrain Dangers Requirements Example tours
WT1
Easy snowshoe hike

< 25°. Overall flat or little steep

There are no steep slopes in the immediate vicinity

No avalanche danger

No danger of slipping or falling

 Avalanche knowledge not necessary
  • Buffalora–Jufplaun
  • Goldau–Wildspitz
  • Zettenalp
  • La Lécherette–Mt. Chevreuil
  • Chasseron
WT2
Snowshoe hike

< 25°. Overall flat or little steep

Steep slopes are present in the immediate vicinity

Avalanche danger

No danger of slipping or falling

 Basic knowledge in assessing the avalanche situation
  • Val S-charl (Talboden)
  • Parpan–Churer Joch
  • Dreibündenstein
  • Realp–Tiefenbach
  • Hundsrügg
  • Solalex–Pas de Cheville
  • La Dôle
  • Alpe Casaccio–Campo Solario
WT3
Demanding snowshoe hike		 < 30°. Overall little to moderately steep

Short steeper passages1.

Avalanche danger

Low danger of slipping, short, run-out slippery slopes

 Basic knowledge in assessing the avalanche situation
  • Munt Buffalora
  • Mattjisch Horn
  • Buochserhorn
  • Hengst (Schrattenflue)
  • Turnen
  • Bürglen
  • Staldhorn
  • Croix de Javerne (N-Grat)
  • Campo Solario–Passo del Sole–Cap. Cadagno
WT4
Snowshoe tour

< 30°. Moderately steep

Short steeper passages1. and/or slope traverses. Partly rocky. Glacier with few crevasses

Avalanche danger

Danger of slipping with risk of injury. Low risk of falling

Good knowledge in assessing the avalanche situation.

Good running technique. Elementary alpinistic knowledge
  • Piz Calderas
  • Schilt
  • Bannalp–Chaiserstuel
  • Hohgant
  • Steghorn
  • Wistätthorn
  • Col de Chaude–Rochers de Naye
  • Madrano–Föisc
WT5
Alpine snowshoe tour

< 35°. Steep

Short steeper passages1. and/or slope traverses and/or rock steps. Glacier

Avalanche danger

Danger of falling. Crevasse danger. Alpine dangers

Good knowledge in assessing the avalanche situation.

Good alpinistic knowledge. Safe walking
  • Piz Kesch
  • Piz Buin
  • Sustenhorn
  • Wildstrubel
  • Wandflueh
  • Äbeni Flue
  • Strahlhorn
  • Pigne d’Arolla
  • Basodino
WT6
Demanding alpine snowshoe tour

> 35°. Very steep

Demanding passages and/or slope traverses and/or rock steps. Crevasse-rich glacier

Avalanche danger

Danger of falling. Crevasse danger. Alpine dangers

Good knowledge in assessing the avalanche situation.

Very good alpinistic knowledge. Safe walking on rock, firn and ice
  • Piz Palü
  • Tödi
  • Galenstock
  • Wetterhorn
  • Jungfrau
  • Mont Vélan
  • Pizzo Campo Tencia

WT = Winter Trekking

1. Steeper than the generally specified steepness [1]. 

 

SimplyTourIt is not responsible for this information.   

References

[1] SAC-Schwierigkeitsbewertung von Schneeschuhtouren. September 2012