There’s a popular saying, if you can walk, you can snowshoe! Similar to hiking, this cardiovascular and fat-burning workout allows you to burn between 420 and 1000 calories per hour (based on your speed and snow conditions).

Snowshoes can be used for a variety of activities—from hiking and aerobic conditioning, to pure leisure and recreation. It’s easy to learn and doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment.

Different levels of snowshoeing include recreational hiking, advanced mountaineering and snowshoe racing or sport. The most common kind of snowshoeing in Minnesota is recreational hiking.

For help in finding the right snowshoe equipment for you, visit Snowshoes Online

Where You Can Snowshoe in Minnesota

Northeast Minnesota is known for the kind of deep snow cover that is perfect for snowshoeing. There are excellent snowshoe trails at Giants Ridge in Biwabik and also at Lutsen Mountains. Along the Gunflint trail there are nine separate snowshoe trails — 25 miles worth—through the Superior National Forest (just north of Grand Marais).

Many Minnesota state parks, such as Fort Snelling, William O’Brien, Afton, Wild River, Lake Bemidji, Gooseberry Falls, Sibley, Mille Lacs Kathio(near Onamio), Jay Cooke (near Duluth) and Whitewater, have extensive snowshoeing trail systems. Many of these parks have warming houses, and about 18 parks around the state rent snowshoes. Snowshoeing is allowed in any state park except on groomed ski trails and where posted.

To find parks that offer guided snowshoe tours, check the events calendar at the Minnesota DNR website.

If you live on the western side of the Twin Cities, there are also snowshoe trails at many parks in the Three Rivers Park District. Six of the parks rent snowshoes. For more info, go to the Three Rivers Park District website.

Sources: WinterTrails.com; Explore Minnesota.com.