Whether your an avid snowshoer with loads of experience, or just getting involved in the sport, ether way it’s always good to know what snow will best suit you and your snowshoes. By that I simply mean, snow goes through stages from Fresh, and Powdery to Packed, Frozen, and Hard… And dependent on the snow type you can or can’t expect you snowshoes to act as they did the last time you were out.
Simply put, the way a snowshoe acts on one surface, can greatly differ when compared to another. Today, I’m going to be explaining the best kind of snow to be snowshoeing for each different style of snowshoe. This way you can either use a snowshoe that will work well on the snow type your headed out on, or wait for the snow to change in a way that better suits you, and your snowshoes.
Now given that everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to which snow type is going to best suit them, and their situation I’m going to air more on the side of usability, and ease of travel for the most part, but I will throw in a few snow conditions that will suit those looking for a grueling exercise. But i’m assuming most are looking for the best snow to snowshoe in that allows for ease of travel…
Let’s dive into it! Many wonder what kind of snow is best for snowshoeing in? My initial answer is It depends, because depending on what your overall end goal is, one snow type would better suit you over another. But in general, the best kind of snow to snowshoe in will support the user well when traveled on. Meaning snow that is packed, or easily packs typically can make for easier travel when compared to powder snow which tends to provide less support, which in turn causes the user to sink deeper in the snow making travel more difficult. Now this can be overcome depending on the snowshoe type you use.
But again, dependent on what your end goal is that you have in mind, can drastically change what kind of snow best suits you, not to mention the snowshoe type you are using has a large part to play when it comes to ease of travel up against different snow conditions.
Now you’re probably wondering what exactly do I mean by Snow types and how they affect travel on a pair of snowshoes? Well lets get into the different snow types, and later will cover which snowshoe types do better in each snow type…
Different Snow Types (Snow Conditions)
So snow type, or snow condition can mean many different things depending on the person speaking about it. Here snow type or snow condition is going to be referred to as the condition of the snow that is on the ground. We are not talking about the snow as it is falling or anything alike. Rather what the snow is like when it is on the ground, and for how long it has been on the ground. So essentially we are talking about the snow density, and how the difference in snow density has a large part to play when it comes to whether or not the snow is right for snowshoeing or not…
Truly the snow is always good for snowshoeing as long as it is deep enough. But the real factor to consider is whether or not the snowshoe type you are using or intend to use will work well up against the current snow condition. Here we are going to answer that. But first you need to know the snow conditions your are likely to come up against.
Below is a list of the most common snow conditions you are likely to go up against: (Its listed from the softer of snow conditions to the hardest)
- Fresh Powder
- Dense & Heavy
- Slush
- Hard Packed
- Ice
Now, if you have spent some time out in the snow you likely know what I mean be each. But just incase I want to specify exactly what I mean:
Fresh Powder: This is typically the snow you see right after a snow storm before anyone has touched it. You are likely to be snowshoeing in this kind of snow if you enjoy exploring off trail regions of the backcountry.
Dense & Heavy: Kind of a middle ground between Powder and Slush. This kind of snow is typically the best for making Igloos and sculptures out of. Due to its ability to pack well and hold its shape. Your likely to run into this kind of snow on a warmer day above 32° where the warmer temperatures of the atmosphere has allowed the snow to melt for a period of time.
Slush: Slush can be some of the worst snow to try and snowshoe in due to its nature of wanting to splash each time you take a step. But in most situation where there is slush you likely don’t need snowshoes as there typically isn’t enough snow to make wearing snowshoes worth while. Slush is that really wet, basically soggy snow that splashes almost like water would if you were to jump in a puddle of it.
Hard Packed: By packed I mean, snow that has been packed previous to your arrival. It can be snow that has been packed by machinery, by vehicles, or simply by others on snowshoes ahead of you. Either way, snow that has been packed before hand usually allowed for a lot less resistance the you would get if you were snowshoeing through Powder snow.
Ice: Ice is simply frozen water, or packed snow that had melted for a short period of time then re-froze turning it into Ice.
Now, obviously there are mixtures between those in the above list that you are likely to run into. For example, fresh powdery snow that had fallen multiple days ago, then got hit by the sun for a few hours, then later re-froze… Can end up with a rigid surface layer and powder underneath… Many more examples alike are definitely going to be present, it’s just a matter of understanding what the snow is likely to be like, then selecting a pair of snowshoes that will work well with that specific snow type.
Now that we got that covered, lets go over how different snowshoe types can make travel easier in specific snow conditions.
Snowshoe Styles vs Snow Conditions
First we need to hit on the snowshoe types available to us. Then we will compare how each does based on snow condition. This way rather than waiting for the perfect snow conditions, you can simply select a snowshoe that will best fit the current snow conditions. But again this is assuming your end goal is to make the activity of snowshoeing as easy as possible.
Snowshoe Styles
- Modern Snowshoes
- Traditional (Wooden) Snowshoes
Modern Snowshoes: Modern snowshoes are equipped with, and designed to handle a broader array of snow conditions. Modern snowshoes are typically made of tough plastic, composites, aluminum and materials. If you own a pair of snowshoes, or have at least seen snowshoes. Odds are they were a pair of modern day snowshoes.
But it is important to note, moderns are typically designed to 3 different styles of snowshoeing. They include, Flatland Travel, Rolling hills, And Mountain / Mountaineering. There a subtle but helpful differences between each class. You see, Flatland snowshoes are designed for specifically that Flats. Where as Rolling, and Mountaineering are designed for steep and aggressive slopes and terrain.
Traditional (Wooden) Snowshoes: Traditional snowshoes are typically much larger than moderns and they are nearly always made of wood. They perform best in deep powdery snow, as given their larger surface area, they provide the user much more flotation. Keeping the user closer to the surface.
How They Compare:
Let’s compare how well each snowshoe style does when compared to the snow condition. Below are 2 tables that are specific to the snowshoe style, This will make figuring out the best snow for your current snowshoe a breeze! Each snowshoe style is based on a rating system from (1 – 5). 1 = the snowshoe does the Worst in that specific snow condition, and 5 = the snowshoe does the Best in that specific snow condition.
Modern Snowshoes Comparison To Snow Condition
| Snow Condition | Rating (1=Worst, 5=Best) |
| Fresh Powder | 1 |
| Dense & Heavy | 3 |
| Slush | 4 |
| Hard Packed | 5 |
| Ice | 5 |
Traditional Wooden Snowshoes Comparison To Snow Condition
| Snow Condition | Rating (1=Worst, 5=Best) |
| Fresh Powder | 5 |
| Dense & Heavy | 4 |
| Slush | 2 |
| Hard Packed | 3 |
| Ice | 2 |
Notice how there is a correlation between the 2 different styles of snowshoe you can get. The Modern snowshoes don’t do as well as the traditionals when it comes to airy snow that is powdery or something alike. This is because the amount of surface area traditional snowshoe provided allows the user to float closer to the surface of the snow. In most cases traditional snowshoes are made nearly 2 times the size of moderns. I assume this is because traditionals were designed specifically for deep, soft, powdery snow.
But do notice the moderns do a great job when it comes to snowshoeing on hard packed, or icy conditions. This is because in most cases modern snowshoes are equipped with crampons that dig into the ice and pack snow in order to provide the user tractions.
Now, this simple comparison isn’t saying that either a modern snowshoe, or a traditional (wooden) one won’t work in either setting. All its saying it which performs better over the other. Plus do note this is based on my experience and the experience of others I have talked to that are involved heavily in the sport of snowshoeing.
Conclusion
The way I see it, in order to determine the best snow for snowshoe that will apply to you directly, you need to first determine the snowshoe type / style you intend to be using then based on that you can use the above tables to see which snowshoe style best suits the current snow conditions to which you are up against.
Obviously the best snow to snowshoe in is more going to be based on the specific preference of the user, rather than a specific snow type. As those who are in it for the exercise or training is likely going to want something tougher, more challenging. This would be a good time to use modern snowshoes in deep powdery snow. As the snowshoes are going to sink deeper then traditional shoes would, in turn requiring greater effort in order to move forward.
On the other side of that coin, if you simply looking for the best way to make snowshoeing easier? Its more based on the snowshoe style rather then the snow type / condition. As traditional snowshoes which are typically much larger than modern help the user to stay closer to the surface of the snow when trekking in deep, soft, powder. Which in turn makes the journey much easier.
So really the best snow to snowshoe in is more based upon the end goal you have in mind rather than a simple one size fits all answer.
I hope you gained some value from this article! If you have any further questions regarding snowshoeing then be sure to check out the Outdoor Luxuriez Snowshoeing Lounge for more info!
This Is Colt Signing Off!