By
February 8, 2025
Snowshoeing requires almost no technique, but choosing the wrong trail for the conditions turns a pleasant outing into an exhausting slog. The decisions you make at home — reading the map, checking conditions, matching your gear to the terrain — matter more than anything you do once you are moving.
Understanding Terrain Types
Flat groomed trails — found at many county parks, state trail systems, and cross-country ski areas that allow snowshoeing — are the right starting point for beginners. The packed surface requires minimal flotation, the route is clear, and the effort is predictable. These trails are also the easiest to turn around on if conditions are worse than expected.
Rolling wooded terrain — the majority of state forest trails in northern Minnesota — requires more effort and better route-reading. You'll encounter uneven snow depth, hidden deadfall, and sections where the trail is easy to lose after heavy snowfall. This is where most recreational snowshoeing happens, and where the rewards are greatest: solitude, wildlife sign, and terrain that the summer crowds never see.
Snowshoe sizing affects how well you move through different terrain. A larger deck (longer, wider snowshoe) provides more flotation in deep, light powder — you stay on top rather than sinking with each step. A smaller, more agile snowshoe works better on packed or crusty snow and hilly terrain where maneuverability matters more than flotation. A standard recreational snowshoe in the 25–30 inch range handles the majority of Minnesota conditions competently.
Reading Conditions Before You Go
The Minnesota DNR publishes trail condition updates for most managed trail systems. Check these before you go — they tell you whether a trail has been broken since the last storm, how deep the snow is, and whether there are any hazard warnings. A trail that's listed as "unbroken after 12 inches of new snow" is going to take twice as long and twice as much energy as the same trail under normal conditions.
Temperature affects snow character significantly. Very cold snow (below 10°F) is light and dry — easier to float on but slower moving. Snow near freezing is heavy and wet — it sticks to your snowshoes, adds weight with each step, and soaks through gaiters and pants. Near-freezing conditions with wet snow are the hardest snowshoeing conditions, not extreme cold.
Wind chill is less relevant when you're moving steadily — your body generates enough heat that the perceived temperature is warmer than the standing still equivalent. The bigger factor is whether the trail is sheltered by forest or exposed on a ridge or open meadow. Exposed ridgeline trails in high wind are genuinely miserable regardless of temperature; forested trails are almost always more comfortable than their wind-chill equivalents suggest.
Safety Considerations
Tell someone your plan before you go: which trailhead, which route, and when you expect to be back. This is non-negotiable for any winter outing in northern Minnesota. Cell coverage in state forest areas is unreliable at best and absent at worst. If you don't return when expected, someone needs to know where to look.
Carry a small emergency kit: a space blanket (weighs nothing, can be life-saving), a headlamp (days are short and getting caught out after dark in winter is dangerous), enough water for your planned duration, and snacks. Navigation: a downloaded offline map or a paper copy of the trail system. The map on your phone app is useless if the battery dies in the cold — keep your phone in an inner pocket against your body.
Most snowshoeing emergencies are not dramatic. They're twisted ankles on unseen terrain, exhaustion from underestimating the effort in deep snow, or getting turned around in featureless forest after a snowfall. Slow down on descents — snowshoes are not stable running downhill. Plant your poles before each step on steep terrain. Turn around earlier than you think you need to; the way back always feels longer.
Gear Checklist
If you're trying snowshoeing for the first time, rent before you buy. REI, most outdoor outfitters, and many state park visitor centers rent snowshoes by the day for $15–$25. A single rental trip tells you whether you enjoy the activity enough to invest in your own gear.
If you're buying: entry-level recreational snowshoes from Atlas, MSR, or Tubbs cost $80–$150 and will outlast years of regular use. Buy adjustable trekking poles at the same time — they are not optional on hilly terrain and significantly reduce the effort of the return trip. Add gaiters to keep snow out of your boots on loose-snow days. A pair of microspikes in your pack handles the icy sections that snowshoes aren't designed for. After two or three outings per season, buying is cheaper than renting.