What is snowshoeing?
The purpose of a snowshoe is simple: it distributes your weight over a larger area than a normal shoe, so you don't sink as deep into soft snow.
You can use them to move through forests, fells, and deep snow without a pre-made track. Snowshoes are particularly convenient for shorter trips, uneven terrain, and places where moving with regular skis would be difficult.
Moving with snowshoes resembles walking more than skiing. That is why they are also well-suited for someone heading out into the winter nature for the first time.
In Rovaniemi, snowshoeing is also a well-established winter activity, and in the region's tourism offerings, it is typically provided for moving in winter nature in forests and off-trail.
Snowshoes or skin-based skis?
Choose snowshoes when you want to walk.
Traditional snowshoes are a good choice when:
you are a beginner
the trip is quite short
the terrain is forested or broken
you spend a lot of time in deep snow
you want to stop, take photos, and explore the surroundings
you don't need the glide of skis.
They are also a very easy way for a tourist to get away from plowed roads and walking paths.
Choose skin-based skis when you want to cover more ground.
A skin-based ski is essentially a short, wide ski with an integrated climbing skin. The idea is to combine the ease of a snowshoe with the glide of a ski.
The climbing skin provides grip when moving forward and uphill, but the ski also glides. That is why moving on flat or gently rolling terrain is completely different compared to traditional snowshoes.
For example, OAC's Skinbased skis use an integrated mohair-nylon climbing skin. According to the manufacturer, mohair improves glide especially in cold conditions, while nylon adds grip and durability.
Moving on sanded walking paths can damage skin-based skis.
In short:
Snowshoe = walk on top of the snow.
Skin-based ski = walk, ski, and glide on top of the snow.
necessary equipment
clothing
snowshoes and skin-based skis
poles
backpack
hiking snacks/meals and outdoor dining equipments.