Quiet Wonder: Why Snowshoeing is the Secret to a Relaxing Family Ski Trip

Not every moment of a family vacation needs to be high-octane. In fact, after two decades of traveling with kids, I’ve learned that sometimes the best memories come from slowness.

Snowshoeing—essentially walking on oversized shoes that distribute your weight across the snow—lets your family explore Alpine meadows, forests, and ridgelines without the technical demands (or the price tag) of skiing.

It is the antidote to the chaos of the ski school drop-off. There are no lift lines. No one is screaming "pizza!" at a toddler. It is just you, the crunch of snow, and the silence of the mountains.

Resorts like Stowe (Vermont), Zell am See (Austria), and Courmayeur (Italy) have elevated this ancient mode of transport into a must-do family experience. Here is why you should swap the skis for snowshoes for at least one afternoon.

Stowe, Vermont: The Winter Wonderland Walk

If you want the classic New England winter aesthetic—covered bridges, maple sugar shacks, and snowy pine forests—Stowe is the place.

The resort at Spruce Peak and the nearby Trapp Family Lodge (yes, that Von Trapp family) offer some of the most accessible family snowshoeing in North America.​

• The Experience: Try the "Twilight Snowshoe Tour." It’s beginner-friendly, lasts about 50 minutes, and ends with hot chocolate. For something wilder, Umiak Outdoor Outfitters offers a "Snowshoe & Tubing" combo that is a massive hit with teenagers.​

• Cost: Guided tours at Spruce Peak start around $30 per person (often free on certain weekdays!), while rentals are just $20.​

• Why Families Love It: It’s low stakes. If the kids get tired, you are never far from a warm lodge and a plate of Vermont cheddar fondue.

Zell am See, Austria: High-Altitude Art

In Austria, snowshoeing isn't just a walk; it’s a cultural event. At Zell am See, you don't stay in the valley—you take the gondola up to the Schmittenhöhe mountain for a high-altitude hike.​

• The Experience: The "High Altitude Promenade" is a groomed trail at 2,000 meters that offers jaw-dropping views of thirty 3,000-meter peaks. The trail is dotted with oversized art installations (part of the "Art on the Mountain" project), which keeps kids engaged as they hunt for the next sculpture.​

• Guided Tours: The resort offers guided tours every week, often including a stop at the Sonnkogel Restaurant for Kaiserschmarrn.​

• Cost: A guided tour is often included with your lift ticket or costs a nominal fee (approx. €15-20 for gear rental).​

Courmayeur, Italy: The Gourmet Trek

Leave it to the Italians to combine exercise with excellent food. In Courmayeur, sitting at the foot of Mont Blanc, snowshoeing is often a means to get to lunch.

• The Experience: The Val Ferret valley is a snowshoeing paradise. It’s flat, sunny, and incredibly scenic, making it perfect for multi-generational groups (grandparents included!).​

• The "Hut-to-Hut" Vibe: You can snowshoe to legendary mountain huts like the Bonatti Refuge or Maison Vieille for a lunch of polenta and sausage that you genuinely earned.​

• Wildlife Spotting: This quiet valley is prime territory for spotting chamois and snow hares, adding a "safari" element to the walk.​

Why Families Love It (The "Secret Sauce")

What do you actually get from this?

1. The "Equalizer" Effect: Your five-year-old and your seventy-five-year-old grandmother can walk together. There is no "intermediate" or "expert" group. You are finally all in one place.

2. Wildlife Spotting: Without the noise of skis on ice, nature comes back. Tracking hare or ptarmigan prints in the fresh powder becomes a game that keeps even the most bored teenager engaged.​

3. The "Good" Tired: It’s a different kind of workout. It leads to the kind of exhausted-happy that results in early bedtimes and peaceful evenings for parents.

Practical Tips for Parents

• Footwear: You don’t need special boots. Your regular waterproof winter hiking boots (the ones you wore on the plane) are perfect. Just ensure they are waterproof.

• Layers: You will get hot. Surprisingly hot. Dress in breathable layers (fleece is your friend) and bring a backpack to store jackets once you start moving.

• Rent, Don't Buy: Snowshoes are bulky to pack. Every resort mentioned here rents them for $10-20. It’s worth the convenience.​

FAQ Section:

• Q: Is snowshoeing difficult for beginners?

  • A: Not at all. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. It requires no special technical skills, making it the perfect "first day" activity for families.​

• Q: Do I need special boots?

  • A: No, standard waterproof winter snow boots or hiking boots work perfectly. The snowshoe bindings strap right over your regular shoes.

• Q: How much does it cost?

  • A: It is very affordable. Rentals typically cost $15-25, and trail access is often free or included in your resort lift ticket. Guided tours range from $30-$60.​