Trip plan
What this solves
Snowshoe routes need three things to align: snow depth (not too little, not too much), slope angle (most accidents happen on 30–45° slopes), and accessibility (cable car access). Most blogs list "best snowshoe routes" without distinguishing between January and March, which is the difference between a perfect tour and walking on grass.
This tool filters 50+ known routes by month, region and acceptable avalanche tendency. Always verify the SLF bulletin the day before — this tool does not replace it.
How to read the results
- Snow window = months when the route typically has good cover.
- Avalanche tendency = the worst-case slope angle on the route, not the average.
- Vertical = metres of ascent / descent.
- Access = cable car, hike from valley, or both.
Hard rules
- Always check the SLF avalanche bulletin at slf.ch the day before.
- Never snowshoe alone in avalanche terrain.
- Carry: avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel — even on low-tendency routes.
- Below 0°C: bring gaiters, sunglasses (snow blindness), spare layers.
Common questions
Where can I rent snowshoes?
Most valley cable car stations rent snowshoes from CHF 25/day. Ski shops in Grindelwald, Engelberg, Davos, Saas-Fee all rent. Boots + poles included. Bring your own gaiters.
Do I need avalanche gear?
If your route passes through any slope over 30°, yes. Transceiver + probe + shovel costs CHF 350–450 to buy; rent for CHF 25–35/day at alpine shops.
Best beginner region?
Jura (low altitude, forested, gentle), or marked snowshoe trails near Grindelwald First and Davos. The Engadin plateau has flat terrain and is excellent for first-timers.