What does snowshoeing mean?
Snowshoeing means traveling across snow on specially designed snowshoes. These broad, lightweight frames distribute the walker’s weight over a larger area, allowing movement through deep snow where ordinary footwear would sink. The activity is associated with winter hiking, nature walks, and exploration of snowy mountain or forest terrain. It can also refer to a person’s method of travel, as in "we spent the day snowshoeing near the lake." Compared with skiing, snowshoeing requires no skis or poles, although poles may be used for balance and propulsion. The word is recognized in both British and American English, with minor differences in pronunciation. Snowshoeing is especially useful in regions where deep snow is common and where maintaining groomed ski trails is not necessary.
The activity of walking or traveling over snow while wearing snowshoes.
"Snowshoeing was the safest way for us to reach the cabin."
Often treated as an activity noun and normally used in the singular or as an uncountable noun.
To walk or travel over snow using snowshoes.
"They snowshoed across the meadow to the frozen creek."
The present participle form is commonly used in descriptions of the activity.
Rarely used; snowshoeing is normally an uncountable activity noun.
"The guide documented several snowshoeings across the pass during the winter."
Snowshoes turn an ordinary walk into a winter expedition: their broad frames keep you on top of deep snow instead of sinking into it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does snowshoeing come from?
The word is formed by combining "snow" with "shoe," a word that originally referred to a covering for the foot, and adding the suffix "-ing." "Snowshoe" is the older compound noun for the footwear itself, while "snowshoeing" developed to name the activity of moving with such footwear. The related agent noun "snowshoer" denotes a person who snowshoes.
Related word forms
How snowshoeing is actually used
Snowshoeing is usually an outdoor recreational or practical activity. In British English, it is also common to use the related form "snowshoe" as a verb, though "snowshoeing" is widely understood in both varieties of English.
Easily confused with snowshoeing
Snowshoeing uses broad, flat footwear attached to the feet, whereas skiing uses long runners mounted on skis and poles.