Snowshoe Racing: A Beginner's Guide to Your First Snowshoe Race
If you enjoy running and winter sports, a snowshoe race may be a great activity for you.
March 4th, 2025
Home > Learn Skills
You’ve surely heard of running races. You’ve probably heard of snowshoeing, too. But a lot of people are surprised to hear there are snowshoe running races.
And yet, snowshoe races take place in many snowy parts of the globe. In the United States, you’ll find races in the northern states like Minnesota and Michigan, the Northeast, and western states like Colorado, Washington, and even New Mexico. Any state with consistent snowpack in the winter tends to have snowshoe races.
Granted, the scene is relatively small, and races can be difficult to find unless you know where to look for them—you likely won’t see flyers for a snowshoe race all around town like you might for a 5k fun run.
Once you’ve overcome the barrier of finding races, you may wonder what they’re even like and how to prepare. After all, snowshoe racing isn’t exactly a mainstream activity.
Even as a long-time runner who has participated in cross country, track, road, and trail races for over 20 years—and as a long-time casual snowshoer—I, too, felt uncertain about the world of snowshoe racing. Would it be similar to trail racing? How competitive is it? What shoes do I wear and how do I train?
After training for and completing my first snowshoe race, I want to lower the barrier to entry in this sport for anyone who thinks they may enjoy it or wants to try something new. In this guide, I’ll share what skills and training are required, how to dress and layer, what gear you’ll need, and what the experience of a snowshoe race is like.
I also interviewed Elle Spacek, race director of the Sourdough Snowshoe Race in Nederland, Colorado. She’s an accomplished ultramarathoner, and one of the founders of Trail Trash Adventures, a series of races aimed at building community and cleaning up the trails. As someone with a lot of racing, snowshoeing, and race directing experience, Spacek offers excellent insight on what it takes to snowshoe race.
We write mission-driven gear reviews. To find the best gear, we combine expert reviews, everyday user opinions, and rigorous independent trail testing—never native ads or sponsored posts. We are 100% reader-supported and may make a small commission from some qualifying affiliate links. Learn more.
Technical Skills
I got my first pair of snowshoes—small, green L.L. Bean kid’s snowshoes—at age nine, and spent winters in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan forging through snowy woods. Snowshoeing has long held a special place in my heart—I even have the coordinates of the last place I snowshoed with my grandpa before he passed tattooed on my shoulder—and as my hip arthritis has prevented me from training for running races, snowshoeing has become even more of a joy.
Snowshoeing sounds like hiking on racket-like shoes over snow, and in a sense it is. But it’s not exactly that simple. Snowshoeing requires a bit of a wider stance to accommodate the width of the snowshoes, and more of a gliding gait so the back of the snowshoes don’t catch. Some snowshoes are equipped with heel lifts to help you up inclines. If you’re new to snowshoeing, you can learn more about the basics in our How to Prepare for a Snowshoeing Trip guide.
When it comes to running snowshoes, maneuvering is a bit easier than with regular snowshoes (provided you’re on a packed or groomed trail). The snowshoes themselves are smaller and lighter, making it easier to move without tripping over yourself while still preventing you from sinking in the snow. Because they are smaller, they are not ideal for deep, powdery snow.
While certainly not necessary, a knowledge of trail running and/or snowshoeing makes for a relatively smooth transition to snowshoe racing. In fact, many folks discover snowshoe racing by way of trail racing. Spacek, for example, found her first snowshoe race in 2018 while looking for a winter trail race. The Sourdough Snowshoe Race (which she now directs) “sounded like an adventure, so I opted in.”
As for me, one of my high school cross-country teammates raced a snowshoe 10k in the UP years ago and won cute local art. Since then, I knew I wanted to try snowshoe racing too.
Snowshoe racE checklist
| SNOWSHOE RACING GEAR | OUR CHOICE | MORE OPTIONS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing | ||||
| Base Layers | Your favorite | Best Base Layers | ||
| Windbreaker | Your favorite | Best Men's Windbreakers Best Women's Windbreakers |
||
| Running Jacket | Your favorite | Best Women's Running Jackets Best Running Jackets For Men |
||
| Softshell Jacket | Your favorite | Best Softshell Jackets |
What to wear for a snowshoe race
Base layers
If you’re snowshoeing, the weather is probably pretty cold. But you’ll still likely work up a sweat too, so base layers that are moisture-wicking and breathable are essential for staying warm and dry during your race. Check out our favorites in our Best Base Layers guide.
Outer layers
Depending on the weather and how long you’ll be racing, you may want to consider outer layer options. If it’s windy or precipitating, a windbreaker or running jacket can offer protection from the elements and breathability so you don’t overheat. Learn about our favorites in our Best Men’s Running Jackets, Best Women’s Running Jackets, Best Men’s Windbreakers, and Best Women’s Windbreakers guides.
If you’ll be racing for a long time (like, over an hour), and if it’s really cold, you may want to consider something more insulated. Our Best Softshell Jackets guide is a good place to look for more.
Socks
Happy feet make all the difference when you’re active outdoors. When it’s cold, it’s important to prioritize keeping your feet warm and as dry as possible. This will be hard during a snowshoe race – many folks race in trail running shoes, which are not waterproof. During my race, I wore wool winter hiking/ski socks, which I found to be the most comfortable option.
We take socks pretty seriously at Treeline, so we have several guides to help you make your best choice. Check out our Best Hiking Socks, Best Waterproof Socks, Best Ski Socks, and Best Running Socks guides. All of them review options that could work well during a snowshoe race.
Be sure to wear good wool and/or waterproof socks, as you will get wet during a snowshoe race. Photo by Becca Downs
Shoes
I found choosing shoes to be the most difficult gear decision of snowshoe racing. I wanted something that would be comfortable running in over several hours, which meant steering away from boots or hiking shoes and toward trail running shoes.
Waterproof trail running shoes like the La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX (men's and women's)—which won Best Waterproof in our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes and Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes guides—would be ideal, but since I didn’t have a pair of waterproof trail runners, I wore regular trail running shoes (the Salomon Speedcross 6 to be exact, which we wrote an in-depth review on) and thick wool socks. For what it’s worth, I tried other trail running shoes—like the La Sportiva Levante—and determined the Speedcross 6 to be the best non-waterproof trail shoe option for keeping my feet comfortable.
Note that if you do wear non-waterproof trail running shoes, your feet will absolutely be wet at the end of your race. Only do this if you have warm, moisture-wicking/quick-drying socks, extra socks in your pack, and know you won’t be racing super long. My race took about three hours and that was pushing it—much longer and I would have needed to change socks to avoid frostbite.
Snowshoes
Obviously to compete in a snowshoe race, you need snowshoes! Many folks are surprised to learn you can find running-specific snowshoes. They’re a little smaller, lighter, and designed for faster movements. Similar to traction spikes, they typically have small spikes and tread along the bottom, and are optimal for flatter, groomed trails rather than hilly and/or powdery ones.
The TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Racing Snowshoes are our favorites for snowshoe running due to their lightweight and durable design. Photo by Becca Downs
I wore the TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Racing Snowshoes, which are our pick for Best Running Snowshoes in our Best Snowshoes guide. I love how lightweight and relatively agile they are on the snow.
Some racers had the Crescent Moon EVA snowshoes, which we’ve dubbed Best Snowshoes for Everyday Hiking. While folks racing in the Crescent Moons appreciated their light weight and running-friendly rocker shape, many complained of their lack of traction and some had issues with the spikes breaking off.
A common complaint of the Crescent Moon snowshoes is spikes breaking off the bottom. These are still a popular racing snowshoe. Photo by Becca Downs
Spacek advises getting racing snowshoes with some grip. “I feel like in many aspects of running you can get by with significantly less gear than advertised, but not here,” she says. “To really snowshoe race you gotta have racing snowshoes.”
However, you don’t need running-specific snowshoes for a snowshoe race if you’re not there to be competitive. In fact, most folks in my race wore whatever snowshoes they already had. While those snowshoes were heavier and more cumbersome, they offered much better traction and displacement on the mountainous and deep snow portions of the race. (For lengthy races, you’ll probably be walking rather than running a lot anyway).
Gloves
You do not want any part of you to be cold during a race, and that means keeping your hands warm in a good pair of gloves or mittens. For warmer days or shorter races, I prefer the Nathan HyperNight Reflective Convertible Mitt. For frigid or long days, I prefer something bulkier and warmer. Check out our recommendations in our Best Winter Gloves guide.
On really cold days, the author opts for thick, insulated mittens over running gloves. Photo by Daniel Grosso
Hat/headband
Protect your ears with a good headband or hat. If it’s super cold, a hat is great for trapping in more heat; if it’s mild, a headband protects your ears while letting heat escape. Learn more about headbands and hats in our Winter Running Gear guide or our 13 Tips for How to Run in the Cold guide.
Neck gaiter
Neck gaiters, like a Buff, are versatile in that they help keep you warm and can double as a sweatband if you get a little toasty. It’s also nice to be able to pull it up over your nose for a bit if you get too cold.
Watch
Wearing a watch is by no means essential, but most folks like tracking their activity and being aware of how long they’ve been racing. For longer races, though, a watch could be considered essential, as knowing how long you’ve been racing will help you keep track of how much fuel you need and how your body might react to the cold.
Most folks use a GPS watch of some type. For example, we’re pretty big fans of the great bang-for-the-buck Garmin Forerunner 55, which you can read about in our in-depth review.
However, as I rant in our Best Running Accessories guide, you can absolutely have a fruitful running experience with a simple digital lap watch, like the Timex Ironman 30-lap watch. It’s not fancy, but it will tell you how much time has passed at a fraction of the cost of a GPS watch.
The author wore base layers, a waterproof running jacket, hydration vest, headband, running gloves, a Buff, wool socks, trail running shoes, a digital watch, and the TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Racing Snowshoes for this race. Photo by Jon Rudolph
What to carry on a snowshoe race
Hydration pack
It’s a good idea to have a hydration pack on you during the race to encourage you to drink more fluids (even in the cold you can easily become dehydrated, especially at higher altitudes!), and to stow away other necessary items, like extra socks, fuel, and any other specific items your race may require. Read our Best Hydration Vests guide for our top picks.
Poles
A pair of trekking or running poles with snow baskets will help you maintain balance and stability on the trail, and can help alleviate pressure on your joints with navigating declines. As someone with hip arthritis, I’m a big fan of trekking poles because they help me last longer on the trail. Many folks will carry poles during snowshoe races for this reason.
I opted not to carry poles during my race, and mostly appreciated this decision. Since I was racing to win, I didn’t want to carry the extra weight. While they would have been really useful in the steeper inclines and deeper snow, this choice mostly worked well for me. However, a lot of racers used poles and seemed equally happy with their decision. You just have to weigh your options and decide what’s best for you.
Trekking poles with snow baskets help you maintain balance and alleviate pressure on joints while snowshoe running. Photo by Becca Downs
For our recommendations, check out our Best Trekking Poles and Best Running Poles guides. Some folks may prefer a sturdier pole designed for snow like those recommended in our Best Ski Poles guide.
The MSR Dynalock is a winner for best winter running poles and also appears in our Ski Poles guide. You can read our in-depth review on the MSR Dynalock pole's multi-functionality.
Whichever pole you opt for, don’t forget to put on the snow baskets!
Fuel
Your body is working really hard as you trudge through the snow, so you’ll definitely want fuel on you, whether that’s energy gels and chews or “real” food like granola bars (or, if you’re like me, string cheese and fig bars). For some ideas, check out Our Favorite Energy Gels and Chews for Outdoor Activities.
The 18k snowshoe race I recently ran required racers to carry 600 calories-worth of fuel on them. I chose three Huma gels, two string cheeses, and two chocolate almond butter bars.
Over three hours of racing, I only ended up consuming one Huma, one bar, and some bacon and candy at the aid station. I was fine, but I know I would have felt stronger in the middle of the race had I consumed more calories earlier on.
Avalanche Safety Gear and Emergency Preparedness Items
If your race is in avalanche territory, or in the backcountry with no cell service, it’s essential you carry the appropriate safety gear with you.
This will vary depending on your circumstances, so to learn more check out our Avalanche Gear Checklist and our Outdoor Items for an Emergency Preparedness Kit guide.
We also recommend that you consider carrying a Satellite Messenger or Personal Locator Beacon, like the Garmin inReach Mini 2. The ability to text message and share your tracking and location can be vital in emergency situations in cold weather. In our in-depth review of the Garmin inReach Mini 2, we discuss how its compact size and lightweight (3.5 oz) make it suited for racing and speedier endeavors.
What I had in the car for after the race
Extra clothes
When you finish your snowshoe race, you’re going to be wet and cold. Nothing feels better than changing into dry, warm clothes after working really hard. And this isn’t just some reward for a job well done —it’s important for your safety as it mitigates risk of hypothermia.
Warm beverage
I love returning to my car after a winter excursion and remembering I packed a thermos of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or hot electrolyte mix (don’t knock it til you try it – hot watermelon or lemon-ginger Nuun is delicious). If you choose a caffeinated drink as your warm beverage of choice, just be sure you’re keeping up with your hydration otherwise, as caffeine is a diuretic.
The author catches her breath post race (and is definitely thinking about the warm clothes, salty snacks, and thermos of hot coffee waiting in the car). Photo by Jon Rudolph
Post-Race Snacks
I’ve spent many long snowshoe excursions and trail races dreaming of what I was going to eat when I finished. Personally, I love knowing a protein smoothie and potato chips are waiting for me at the finish, ready to tide me over until I can have a bigger meal.
Recovery shoes
It feels so, so good to slip into a pair of comfy, supportive recovery shoes after a hard effort. The HOKA Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX shoes (men's and women's) are my favorite wintertime recovery shoes (a review of which will be added to our Best Recovery Shoes, Sandals, and Slides guide).
It feels so good to slip into a comfortable, supportive pair of recovery shoes after a tough winter excursion. Here, the author wears the HOKA Kaha 2 Frost Moc GTX shoes. Photo by Becca Downs
Recovery/massage tools
I’ll be honest, I bring recovery and massage tools as an optimist, thinking I’ll surely be on top of my recovery right away. Usually I just want to bask in the joy of finishing something hard (or sulk in a self-pity party if it didn’t go well), and know I’ll use the ROLL Recovery R1 Percussion on my muscles later. But I like to bring them just in case. It doesn’t hurt, and maybe you will feel motivated to jumpstart your recovery right away.
We’ve reviewed some of my favorite recovery and massage tools in our Best Running Accessories guide.
Tips for a better snowshoe race
The number one thing I’d do differently next snowshoe race is fuel better earlier on. I waited until nearly 90 minutes into the race to take my first gel, and I know I would have felt better had I eaten much sooner and more consistently.
I’m grateful I practiced the full course (in sections) ahead of time, as the winner had not and took a couple wrong turns (the winner was my partner—I’m throwing him under the bus for his wrong turns while also bragging that he won, so it cancels out).
Despite having practiced the course myself, I followed his tracks in the wrong direction for a bit before realizing my mistake. So, my recommendation is to practice the course if you can, or at least thoroughly study the course map if it’s available.
Reading up on recent snow conditions at the race location can also be helpful.
The author proudly poses with the winner of the Sourdough Snowshoe Race.
How to find a snowshoe race
This can be tricky, as most people I’ve spoken with have either found races by word of mouth or extensive Googling (as I had done). The American Trail Running Association (ATRA) has a page dedicated to snowshoe racing, with a list of races around the country. You can also find information about the Snowshoe National Championships both on that page and on the United States Snowshoe Association site. The United States Snowshoe Association is the governing body of competitive snowshoe racing, and assists in the production of the National Championships.
Snowshoe Magazine is another good resource for races and all things snowshoeing.
As mentioned before, Spacek found her first race while looking for trail running races. “The next year I went to sign up again and I couldn't find it,” she recalls. “I emailed the race director and asked him what happened and he said he got too tired to keep putting it on and asked me if I wanted to take it over. I obviously said HELL YES and have been directing it since 2019.”
In short, they can be challenging to find, but if you play your cards right you could go from not knowing one exists to directing it within a year!
FAQ
What are the best snowshoes for racing?
My personal favorite racing snowshoes are the TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Racing Snowshoes. They’re lightweight, durable, and designed to allow more fluid running strides than other snowshoes. They were named Best Running Snowshoes in our Best Snowshoes guide.
While not ideal for casual snowshoe hikes in deep, powdery snow (like seen here), running snowshoes are great for faster movement on groomed trails. Photo by Daniel Grosso
Should I wear shoes or boots to race in snowshoes? Should they be waterproof?
This sort of depends on how long your race is and your personal comfort level. Competitive folks wear trail running shoes and wool socks, especially in shorter races, knowing they’ll run warm and won’t be in the elements too long. If the race takes you longer, though—say, over an hour—you may want to consider waterproof trail runners to keep your feet dry and warm for longer.
If you plan to run, I wouldn’t recommend boots, as they are stiff and aren’t designed to support, cushion, and flex with your feet while running. However, if you think you’ll walk most or all of the race, boots can be a warm and dry choice. See our Best Winter Hiking Boots guide for more recommendations.
The author opted for wool socks and trail running shoes, but thinks waterproof socks or waterproof trail running shoes would have been helpful in keeping her feet dry. Photo by Jon Rudolph
Do I need poles for a snowshoe race?
This also depends—will your race have a lot of incline/decline? Do you feel unsteady on snowshoes? Are there deep sections where you might posthole (sink down)? Do you have nagging joint injuries that could be alleviated by the support of poles? If the answer is yes to any of these, you may want to consider poles.
For my race, I opted out of poles. There was a fair amount of incline—it was, after all, in the Colorado Front Range—but I hadn’t needed them on my practice runs of the course and didn’t want to carry the extra weight. However, considering I have hip arthritis and this race was 11.4 miles, I probably realistically could have benefitted from using them.
From what I could see, most folks used poles during my race. The ones who didn’t were among the top finishers.
How far are snowshoe races?
You can find a range of distances for snowshoe races: in my search I found distances ranging from 2 miles to 26.2 (i.e., a marathon). I’m sure there are longer races out there, but most seem to be around the 5k–10k range.
Prior to the race, the author did a few test-runs of the course (while also testing a hiking dress). This prepares you for race day by helping you know what to expect and giving you confidence. Photo by Becca Downs
Are snowshoe race courses flagged?
Like with trail races, snowshoe races are typically run on marked courses. Race directors will ensure you know the route ahead of time by providing a map of the course, and often they’ll use flags or have volunteers on the course making sure you go the right way.
It’s usually hard to get lost, as race directors are incentivized to keep everyone safe (no one wants to call search and rescue).
Is it hard to navigate a snowshoe race course?
The nice thing about snowshoe racing is that as long as you’re not in first, you’ll have tracks to follow. That also means if someone ahead of you goes the wrong way, you might also go the wrong way if you’re not paying attention. This is why I recommend checking out the course ahead of time if possible, or studying the course map carefully (and having it on you during the race).
However, most courses should be pretty easy to navigate. Usually race directors want everyone safe and on track.
Snowshoe racing has added challenges compared to trail running, including enduring harsh winter conditions, deep snow, and utilizing different muscle groups. Here, the author is exhausted after an 18k race that took 3 hours. Photo by Jon Rudolph
Will I run slower or faster than my normal running pace on a snowshoe race?
Expect to run much slower in a snowshoe race than your normal running pace. Between accommodating wider shoes, trudging through snow, and using some muscles you may not be accustomed to using (running in the snow causes micro movements your body doesn’t have to make with normal running), you’ll likely fatigue faster too.
This can be humbling for folks with a strong running background. “Snowshoe racing is the great racing leveller,” Spacek says. “We've had pretty accomplished runners come out and turn around before they even got to the halfway point because of how hard it is. This race favors the bold and persistent, not technically the fastest. It's a great place to work on the soft skills that turn good runners into great runners.”
It can be helpful to go on snowshoe excursions before trying snowshoe running. This allows you to gain confidence in snowshoes, which can feel awkward at first. Photo by Becca Downs
Is snowshoe running harder or easier than trail running?
Snowshoe running is harder in the sense that you’d have to work much harder to run the same pace as your trail running pace (and I wouldn’t expect to). The micro-movements that come with running on snow, and the constant tensing that comes with slipping around or occasionally postholing, mean you’ll be sore in new places and wear out faster. However, once your body is used to snowshow running, you may find it feels nearly as natural to you as trail running.
According to Spacek, snowshoe racing is like trail racing in that “the most challenging part of any race is getting yourself to the start line.” However, unique to snowshoe racing, you have the added challenges of facing cold winter mornings.
Jokingly, she adds, “Then, you’ve got to drive a distance long enough to ensure that the excitement and motivation you felt when you woke up wears off, leaving only fatigue and doubt behind. You drive up a winding mountain road in first or second gear, keeping from slipping, to reach a parking lot where the wind is so fierce that the trees are swaying back and forth. There's a lady telling you, ‘It’ll be better in the trees,’ and you have to really believe it.
“Oh right, then there's the tiny fact that you have to run 12 to 20 miles in thigh-deep snow with tiny snowshoes that aren’t made for deep snow,” she jokes.
So, yeah. There are added challenges to snowshoe racing. But ultimately, you can work really hard at both activities, and both can be challenging in different ways.
Should I sign up for a snowshoe race?
If you’re ready for a physical and mental challenge, snowshoe racing is an excellent opportunity to branch out of your usual activities and grow as an athlete and person. But understand it is a challenge.
Snowshoe racing is really challenging, which leads to a feeling of great accomplishment when you’ve finished. Photo by Jon Rudolph
“It's clunky and clumsy and wet and cold and icy and windy and slow,” Spacek says. “If none of that sounds fun, then it may not be the sport for you. Know that when you sign up to snowshoe race it's a commitment to being out in the elements—that is the entire point. However, don't let the extreme nature of the sport deter you. It's very hard and very silly, so come for the challenge and stay for the fun.”
And while there are Olympic snowshoe athletes, and this sport can be really tough, it can also be a great source of fun and community.
“I love that once a year a bunch of people show up in the cold and wind to spend an entire day outside getting beat to a pulp by the elements on tired legs and calling it fun,” Spacek adds. “I love that other people love it at least as much as I do to show up. What we all need right now is more community. I'm happy to carry on a niche community-building tradition for a sport that is so close to my heart.”
Snowshoe races encourage community building and camaraderie. Here, the author (center) celebrates finishing the Sourdough Snowshoe Race with her friend Kevin (left) and partner Jon (right).
So, come for the challenge and stay for the newfound friendships. And remember, at the end of the day, a bunch of adults are running in the snow like awkward toddlers. This sport can be serious, but it can be really funny, too.
“There is an element of silliness to snowshoe racing that makes it unique,” Spacek concludes. “Especially the start of the race. I say ‘ready, set, go’ and everyone takes off like a bunch of ducks waddling in shallow water. It is truly hilarious and so silly.”
About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
Snowshoe running can be an extremely challenging and serious sport, but it can also be verysilly. Photo by Becca Downs
Becca has been snowshoeing since she was nine years old, primarily in the woods of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the mountains of Colorado. While she’s relatively new to snowshoe racing, she’s no stranger to snowshoeing or racing.
She ran D1 cross country and track for Indiana University—Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) and continued racing everything from elite miles to an ultramarathon in her post-collegiate years. She earned a USATF Level 1 certification for coaching running and coached boys and girls high school cross country and track in Indianapolis for four years. Becca then joined the IUPUI women’s distance coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach in 2020-2021.
She geeks out on trail running, track and field, and cries every time she watches a marathon (they’re just so beautiful!). After notching a few small FKTs under her belt in 2020, she was diagnosed with hip arthritis and now channels her passion for running into coaching, writing, crewing, creating training plans for her friends, hiking, snowshoeing, and running when her hip allows it.
You can read more of Becca's work at her website or on her author page. You can follow her on Instagram at @beccad___.
