Overview

Snowshoeing is one of the fastest growing winter sports, and snowshoe technology has made giant strides in recent years. The great part of snowshoeing is that you don’t have to expend a large amount of money to buy equipment and it’s easy. Snowshoeing is probably one of the few challenging sports in the world that doesn't have a steep learning curve. If you can put one foot in front of the other, you're well on your way to having some fun with snowshoes.

Where to go Snowshoeing

One of the great things about snowshoeing in Montana is: you'll never run out of places to do it. Just about anywhere you can hike or mountain bike in summer, you can snowshoe in winter.

Some cross-country resorts in Montana are even getting into the snowshoeing act. Lone Mountain Ranch has established three trails especially for snowshoeing.

Snowmobile trails are usually well packed and easy to navigate.

Yellowstone National Park you can snowshoe past bubbling geysers while you admire buffalo and elk - from a distance, or course.

Montana's national forests and wilderness areas are other ideal destinations. You may find snowmobiling trails to follow in the national forests, or cross-country tracks in some wilderness areas. However, on your snowshoes, you'll have better access; if you get into brushy or steep areas, snowshoes are much handier than cross-country skis, and snowmobiles aren't allowed in wilderness areas.

If you have a favorite summer hiking trail in Montana, you're free to snowshoe on it in winter.

Rentals & Fees

Most modern snowshoes have the same basic design, but there are some differences in construction, size, materials, etc. You can try out the various differences in snowshoes before actually buying a pair, but renting difference styles. Snowshoe rentals generally run about $10.00 per day.

Hire a Guide

If you are new to snowshoeing and are not sure where to go and/or what to take, you will want to hire a guide. Snowshoeing guides are prepared to lead you through the pristine wonders of the surrounding area of Bozeman. Other guides and outfitters have snowshoe tours that can take you to a specified location where you can enjoy snacks/treats or a full meal.