Safe Winter Walking and Snowshoeing
Tips and advice for staying safe in the mountains
As an outdoor sport, snowshoeing offers many health and social benefits.
However, safety is just as important as your experience in the mountains. That is why it is important that you observe and follow key rules of conduct and safety advice. Furthermore, careful route planning and suitable equipment are essential for a safe winter and snowshoe hike. All recommendations and information are listed below.
The following ten recommendations from the Austrian Alpine Club are designed to help make your winter and snowshoe hikes as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Winter hiking and snowshoeing are endurance sports. The beneficial effects of this physical exertion on the heart and circulation require good health and a realistic assessment of one’s own abilities. Avoid feeling rushed and choose a pace that ensures no one in the group gets out of breath.
Hiking maps, guidebooks, the internet and experts can provide you with information on distance, elevation gain, difficulty and current conditions. Always tailor your routes to the group and pay particular attention to weather and avalanche reports, as precipitation, wind and cold temperatures increase the risk of accidents.
Tour Planning Checklist
- Choosing a suitable destination based on your own ability and fitness, as well as the current snow conditions? (An honest self-assessment – physical and mental readiness; please note that in winter, many mountain tours are not feasible due to snow!)
- Time management! Set off early – in winter, dusk sets in as early as 4 pm. Bear in mind that temperatures rise during the day (the risk of avalanches increases!)
- Exploring the topics of orientation and avalanche risk?
- Taking note of the weather forecast and current weather conditions
- Installing and testing the "SOS-EU-Alp" emergency app on your smartphone
- Taking out accident and recovery costs insurance
- Inspection of conditions on site
- Choosing the right equipment
Potential alpine hazards include:
Sudden changes in weather, snowfall, wind, avalanches, fog, ice, and solar radiation (warming during the day can increase the risk of avalanches)
Changing weather conditions alter the terrain on a daily basis. For this reason, the assessment of whether a route is safe to traverse is solely the responsibility and at the discretion of each individual!
Recommendation: Recovery costs insurance
Mountain rescue operations are not free of charge! If you have taken out mountain rescue cover in good time (e.g. travel insurance from Europäische Reiserversicherung or as a supporter of the Tyrolean Mountain Rescue Service, as a member of the Alpine Club, via the ÖAMTC/ADAC, or through credit cards and private accident insurance), your mountain rescue costs may be covered by the insurance up to the specified limit.
Please note! Health insurance funds do not cover rescue from alpine emergencies!
Latest Avalanche Report for Tyrol
Here you’ll find all the information on regional avalanche danger levels, snowpack structure, hazard patterns, trends, the alpine weather report and much more.
Alternatively, you can get real-time information on the current avalanche situation via the “Lawine Tirol” app.
Download for iOS devices
Download for Android devices
The right kit for winter walks and snowshoe hikes.
Make sure your kit is suited to your trip and keep your rucksack as light as possible. You should always pack rainwear, warm clothing and sun protection in your rucksack, as well as a first-aid kit and your mobile phone (European emergency number 112). Maps, apps or GPS will help you find your way.
Checklist
- Footwear: sturdy, high-top, waterproof hiking boots with a grippy tread
- Clothing: windproof and waterproof, breathable jacket, insulated jacket, fleece/softshell jacket, hat and gloves, technical underwear, a change of clothes
- Sun protection: high-quality sunglasses, headwear, sun cream (SPF 30), lip balm
- Drinks and snacks: at least 1 and up to 2 litres of water or tea, fruit bars, muesli bars, trail mix or simply whatever you fancy
- Maps: Winter walking map, route description and information leaflets
- Mobile phone: Ensure the battery is sufficiently charged (in case of an emergency); carry a power bank if necessary
- First-aid kit including blister plasters and an aluminium emergency blanket
- Rucksack: Capacity approx. 25 litres
- Sleeping bag & head torch
- Snowshoes: Tailored to your height and weight
- Avalanche equipment: Depending on the route, an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel may also be required when travelling in open terrain
- Documents: ID card, health insurance card, cash
- Hiking poles: When used correctly, poles help to take the strain off your joints and aid your balance. However, they can have a negative impact on your natural sense of balance and coordination. When using telescopic poles, make sure they have a reliable locking mechanism.
Additional equipment for alpine winter walking trails or tours in open/alpine terrain:
- Sturdy, high-top hiking boots with a grippy tread (waterproof)
- Gaiters, if required
- If necessary, crampons / snow spikes
- Avalanche equipment: avalanche transceiver (LVS), probe and shovel
- Sleeping bag & head torch
Sturdy hiking boots protect your feet, take the strain off them and improve your footing! When choosing a pair, look for a perfect fit, a non-slip treaded sole, waterproofing and a lightweight design.
Falls, caused by slipping or tripping, are the most common cause of accidents! Bear in mind that walking too fast or feeling tired can seriously affect your sure-footedness and concentration. Take particular care when descending!
In terrain without a defined path, there is an increased risk of losing your bearings and falling. Avoid taking shortcuts and return to the last known point if you do stray from the path.
When there is snow, the route and ground markings are not visible.
Taking breaks at the right time helps you to relax, enjoy the scenery and socialise. Eating and drinking are essential for maintaining your performance and concentration. Isotonic drinks are ideal for quenching your thirst.
Please note that variety and playful exploration are the main priorities for children! On sections where there is a risk of falling, one adult may only supervise one child. Very exposed routes that require sustained concentration are not suitable for children.
Small groups ensure flexibility and enable people to help one another. Inform people you trust of your destination, route and return time. Stay together as a group. Warning to solo hikers: even minor incidents can lead to serious emergencies.
To protect the mountain environment: do not leave any rubbish behind, avoid making noise, stay on the paths, do not disturb wildlife, leave plants undisturbed and respect protected areas. Use public transport or carpool when travelling to the area.
Reserve and conservation areas for plants and animals must be respected!
Being considerate of wildlife in winter
Due to food shortages, wild animals slow down their metabolism in winter and are unable, or only barely able, to compensate for energy loss when disturbed. Therefore:
- Avoid twilight (when wildlife is feeding and foraging) – it is best to plan your trip from 90 minutes after sunrise until 90 minutes before sunset. Night-time walks or ski trips should be avoided wherever possible.
- Wildlife feeding points and resting areas should be given a wide berth (300 m) (observe restricted areas!).
- Observe animals only from a great distance; under no circumstances should you pursue them.
- Remain calm and do not shout.
A young forest is a protective forest
Only healthy young trees can grow into a strong forest that protects us from dangers such as avalanches, mudslides and rockfalls – skiing, snowshoeing and careless behaviour can cause serious damage to young trees. Therefore: Do not enter reforested areas or young forests.
Dogs
Dogs are perceived as a threat by wildlife and must be kept on a lead – this also helps to prevent problems with other winter sports enthusiasts.
Furthermore, we ask that you use dog waste bags and do not leave them lying around, but dispose of them in the nearest bin.
Rubbish
Nature is a precious resource! Rubbish has no place in the countryside and belongs in the bins provided! So please take your rubbish back down to the valley with you – otherwise it will still be there the next time you visit.
How long does rubbish stay on the mountain? – An overview of decomposition times
- Banana peel: 1–3 years
- Paper handkerchief: 1–5 years
- Chewing gum: 5 years
- Cigarette ends: 2–7 years (+ chemicals, heavy metals)
- Tin cans: 50–500 years
- Battery: 100–1,000 years (+ chemicals, heavy metals)
- Plastic bottle: 100–5,000 years
- Plastic bag: 120–1,000 years
- Aluminium can: 400–600 years
- Baby nappies, sanitary towels: 500–800 years
- Glass bottle: 4,000–50,000 years – cannot be measured
- Styrofoam: 6,000 years – immeasurable
"The Tyrolean Mountains – Experience Them Together"
Observe wildlife rest periods and protected areas | Black grouse
Tip
Emergency numbers
What should you do in an emergency?
Dial the emergency number
140 - Alpine emergency service (mountain rescue)
112 - European emergency number
133 - Police
144 - Ambulance
Signposting system for winter walking trails
The winter hiking trails are marked with dark green arrowheads and a white snowflake on the yellow summer hiking trail signs, or signposted along the cross-country ski trails with green signs.
Take care when leaving the marked winter walking trails. When there is snow on the ground, the summer walking trail network and its markings are not visible – this can lead to disorientation and alpine hazards. For signage of the winter walking trails along the summer walking trail network, see the yellow sign below.
Signposting for winter hiking trails along the cross-country ski trails:
Along the cross-country ski trails, there are two types of use – winter hiking trails or a combined track for winter hiking and cross-country skiing (skating track).
Walking time calculation
Rule of thumb for calculating walking time on winter hikes (for a group of 4 to 6 people):
- approx. 300 metres of elevation gain per hour for the ascent
- approx. 500 metres of elevation gain per hour for the descent
- approx. 3 kilometres horizontally per hour
Walking time is calculated separately for the elevation gain and the horizontal distance. The value for the shorter walking time is halved and added to the larger value.
Example of calculating an ascent time:
A hiking trail covers 600 metres of elevation gain (= 2 hours’ walking time) and 9 kilometres horizontally (= 3 hours’ walking time). The smaller value is halved. Walking time for the ascent = 1 hour + 3 hours = 4 hours.
Tip
Staying safe this winter: advice from the mountain rescue service
Find out what matters most when it comes to winter sports in alpine terrain, and why proper tour planning is a key part of it.
