When you get settled into your winter RV camping destination this year, naturally you’ll start looking around for things to do. Hiking isn’t easy with a foot of snow on the ground, so here are five guided snowshoe adventures to check out this winter.
As the saying goes, “If you can walk, you can snowshoe!” So don’t be discouraged if you’ve never tried it before. Most of these companies specialize in teaching beginners the basics of snowshoeing and winter trail etiquette.
PS Not all of these wintery locations will have a year-round Good Sam RV park nearby, but we’ve included a few options for you at the end of this article.
Guided Snowshoe Adventures
Most companies that offer snowshoe adventures will rent you the snowshoes and poles. Still, you’ll need a good pair of winter camping and hiking boots. Also, make sure you consult the tour company’s website for a full list of what to bring for your snowshoe adventure.
Snowshoe hiking in Colorado. Getty Images
Breckenridge Nordic Center
Snowshoe adventures at the Breckenridge Nordic Center are great for all ages and you don’t need any snowshoeing experience to enjoy them. Their adventures last 1.25 hours and offer a great way to explore Breckenridge and the surrounding mountains.
Their guides will also teach you about the history of the small mountain town and can answer many of your questions about the area’s winter inhabitants. Yes, we mean both humans and native wildlife.
They also offer guided snowshoe adventures for larger groups and their marked trails are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily if you’re interested in a self-guided adventure. Tours come with a complimentary trail pass and are available seven days a week.
Tahoe Adventure Company
Snowshoeing near the edge of Lake Tahoe. Getty Images
Exploring the High Sierras on one of Tahoe Adventure Company’s guided snowshoe tours is a great way to exercise while the rest of the family hits the ski slopes. This company is locally owned and operated and their guides have tons of information about local history, flora and fauna.
Their tours run from several different locations, but the infamous Donner Summit is one of the most popular starting points. From here, you can hike up to a ridgeline with exceptional views of Donner Lake and the valley that is home to the small mountain town of Truckee, California.
Regular tours last approximately four hours and cover two to five miles. They’re available seven days a week and prices start at $90 per person. They also offer sunset and full moon snowshoe tours on set dates throughout the winter.
Taos Snowshoe Adventures
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Taos Snowshoe Adventures is the right company to call upon if you want to explore New Mexico’s wintery backcountry. They offer half-day and full-day tours, as well as backcountry trips, full-moon snowshoe hikes and even overnight yurt trips.
If your family is looking for something even shorter, you can explore the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on their Learn to Snowshoe hike. Because winter recreation at high altitudes can present some challenges, all of their adventures are customized to meet your group’s preferences.
Also, for all tour participants, they offer a convenient gear list that will help you arrive prepared for your adventure. Their prices start at $59 per adult for their introductory two-hour tour and then go up from there depending on the adventure you’re looking for.
Smugglers’ Notch Vermont Snowshoe Adventures
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If you’re in the northeast this winter, you should check out the snowshoe adventures at Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont. “America’s Family Resort” offers a lot in the way of winter sports, so there’s something for the whole family here.
Their snowshoe adventures utilize the resort’s Nordic skiing trails, which offer plenty of space for snowshoers and the cross-country skiing crowd. Weather permitting, these tours are available annually from December 10 through April 10.
Their offerings include lessons and tours designed for all skill levels and they also offer special programs for families. For the rugged adventurers out there, you can also contact them to design your own customized snowshoe adventure.
All Seasons Snowshoeing Adventures
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Heading back to the west, All Seasons Snowshoeing Adventures is based in Park City, Utah. The Uinta Mountains are one of Utah’s great winter wonderlands and this company offers a variety of adventures for snowshoers ages four and up.
Tour routes can be customized for a leisurely stroll, an aerobic mountain climb or anything in between. Durations range from one to five hours and tours run from December through March, depending on the weather and snowpack.
Typically, tours consist of groups of two to five people, but they also offer private tours for larger groups. For some tours, you can even arrange for a guide to pick your group up and bring you right to the trailhead. From there, you’ll pack up water, snacks and first aid supplies before strapping snowshoes on and hitting the trail.
Year-Round Good Sam RV Parks
If you’re looking for a place to park your RV close to one of these adventures, here are a few options to consider:
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino RV Park
If you’re heading to Tahoe to snowshoe with Tahoe Adventure Company, staying at the Grand Sierra RV Park is a great choice. It’s about 45 minutes from several of the company’s tour destinations while being far enough off the hill for you to avoid dangerous winter road conditions.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, during winter. Getty Images
Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground
For those of you interested in heading up to Taos for a snowshoe adventure, staying at the Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground is one of your closest options to that small mountain town. It offers multiple back-in RV sites with full hookups through the winter, but the availability of water can be dependent on weather.
Dakota Ridge RV Resort
Anyone looking to explore the Rockies for their guided snowshoe adventure should check out Dakota Ridge in Golden, Colorado. It’s a great spot to set up your adventure sports basecamp and then enjoy snowshoeing, skiing, and other winter sports in the mountains above.
Steps to Fun
Snowshoeing is a great way to get exercise between big holiday meals and quality time with family. We hope you take advantage of one of these guided snowshoe adventures to check out this winter!