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Snowshoe at Mt Seymour, Vancouver

Snowshoe in Vancouver at Mt Seymour with our professional and experienced snowshoe guides. Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to experience the serenity and beauty of a snowy forest while getting some exercise and having fun. Mt Seymour's Discovery Snowshoe Trails weave through old-growth subalpine forest, around lakes and across a variety of terrain. Our network of well-marked and regularly maintained trails are dedicated to snowshoe use only, providing options for beginners and experienced snowshoers alike. We've also got guided tours for individuals and groups small and large - we offer a snowshoe option for everyone!

When you rent snowshoes from us, you can be assured you are renting quality snowshoes and can choose from our wide selection including Tubbs, Atlas, MSR and GV. We even have snowshoes for toddlers.

If you have a group of 10 or more, don't miss our popular Group Tours. These tours offer special discounted rates and allow you to book your own personal guide and choose from a list of themed programs. We can even customize a theme to suit your needs.

All snowshoe programs (unless otherwise noted) meet and depart from the Snowshoe Adventure Centre located in the main resort parking lot beside the Alpine Activity Centre (Rentals Building).

Self-Guided Snowshoeing Rates, see guided tours & program rates below:

Full Day Trail Pass with Rentals:
   Adults/Youth/Students/Senior $26.50
   Child (6-12) $20
   Children 5 & under free with paying adult
   Family of 4 $74
       Add one youth $15

Full Day Trail Pass Only:
   Adults/Youth/Students/Senior $8.50
   Child (6-12) $7
   Children 5 & under free with paying adult
   Family of 4 $25
       Add one youth $5

To view the snowshoe trail map click here

Tips for New Snowshoers

If you can walk, you can snowshoe! Snowshoeing is an accessible, affordable activity and it provides a great way to get active and experience BC's incredible winter landscapes. Today's high-tech snowshoes are equipped with claws (cramp-ons) for traction in ice and hard-packed snow, simple bindings that attach to standard boots, and sleek frames, making them safe, easy to use and fun for everyone. This combined with health benefits such as stress relief and improved cardiovascular health makes snowshoeing one of the fastest growing winter sports. Come and try it out for yourself!

Here are some tips to help make your first snowshoe outing a great experience:

What to wear: Layers! To stay warm and ready for all winter weather conditions it is important to bring several layers of clothing. This allows you to remove and add layers as you warm up or cool down, depending on the weather and your level of activity. Wool or synthetic clothing like fleece and polypropylene are great for base and warm layers. If possible, avoid cotton clothing as when cotton gets wet (from sweat or wet weather) it stays wet and gets heavy and cold. Bring a wind or waterproof outer layer to keep you dry. Don't forget a warm hat, gloves, warm socks and sturdy (preferrably waterproof) winter footwear. If you don't have waterproof footwear, try wearing a small plastic bag over your socks and inside your shoes. This will help keep your feet dry and comfortable. If you have any other questions regarding outdoor winter clothing visit one of your local outdoor clothing stores.

What to bring: Extra energy snacks, water and bring extra layers of clothing in case you get wet or cold. A dry pair of shoes and socks to change into afterwards is great to have on hand.

Planning: With all outdoor activities, it is important to plan where you are going and let someone know your intended route and the time you expect to return. Refer to the Adventure Smart website for more information on trip planning and preparation at www.adventuresmart.ca.

Poles: Snowshoeing with poles is NOT recommended unless you have knee or hip injuries, or are pregnant or carrying a baby and require extra stability. Should you require poles, we are happy to provide them at no additional cost when renting snowshoes.

Discovery Snowshoe Guided Tours

Baby and Me Guided Tours

Baby and Me Frequently Asked Questions

1.      How old/young should my baby be?
There is no firm age limit for babies, however as a general guideline, we recommend that babies be at least 8 weeks old and up to 2 years. Babies younger are difficult to keep warm enough and babies older may not wish to be carried for 90 minutes, or may be too heavy to carry!

2.      Can I just drop-in?
Yes, you can drop in, however we encourage parents to register in advance and purchase a Book of 5 to save money.

3.      How long do we snowshoe for?
90 minutes is scheduled for the snowshoeing portion of the program, however that includes the time it takes to put on and take off snowshoes. Realistically, actual snowshoe time will be closer to 60 minutes, but will vary depending on the group.

4.      What if I have my own snowshoes?
You will receive $5 off the program price if you use your own snowshoes.

5.      Is there somewhere to leave my personal belongings while we snowshoe?
You may leave your belongings in the indoor meeting space. Please lock valuables in your vehicle or leave them at home.

6.      Can Dads and/or grandparents come?
YES! You are welcome to bring an additional adult. See above for rates.

7.      Can I bring my twins?If you have twin infants and can comfortably carry both of them while snowshoeing, then go for it (and kudos to you!). It’s best if you bring someone who can help you carry one of the twins.

8.      Can I bring my baby and my toddler/child?
Sorry, the program is for parents and only the baby(ies) you can carry and we will be going at an moderate adult pace. We would encourage you to bring the whole family to our family-oriented snowshoe programs. Check our website for details.

9.      How should I dress myself?
You should dress in layers, and avoid cotton clothing. Once wet, cotton stays wet while drawing heat away from your body, and you may work up a sweat snowshoeing while carrying your baby. A synthetic or wool under layer (polypropylene) would be ideal, which wicks away moisture from your skin and keeps you warm even if you sweat. Then thin wool or fleece layer(s) on top, depending on how cold it is. A windproof/waterproof outerlayer is recommended to keep you dry from the elements. Don’t forget gloves and a toque!

10. What should I wear on my feet?
Warm winter boots that are comfortable to walk in are recommended. Hiking boots are also good, with warm wool or synthetic socks. Cotton socks will not keep your feet warm, especially if they get wet.

11. How should I dress my baby?
Layers are also recommended for your baby, so you can adjust to the temperature when you arrive. Cotton is fine for baby since presumably he/she will not be sweating, however wool or synthetic layers are better. The base layer should be warm and comfortable. One or two mid-weight fleece or wool layers can go over the base layer, depending on the temperature. For the outer layer, a windlayer or snowsuit is strongly recommended, however a series of warm layers will suffice for most weather. A warm toque that covers the ears, mitts and warm booties are necessary to keep baby’s extremities warm.

12. What else should I bring?
·         Water for yourself
·         Prepared formula or baby food as needed (microwave and kettle available)
·         Baby’s favourite small toy
·         An extra layer or two for you and baby
·         A warm scarf is great for keeping baby’s face covered if it’s snowing heavily or sunny.
·         Wool adult socks are great to go over baby’s hands and feet!
·         Warm blanket in case your baby needs an on-the-trail diaper change (our guides bring a portable change pad)
·         An extra diaper or two
·         Sun protection (sunglasses for you and baby, hat with visor))

13. How should I carry my baby?
There are numerous ways to carry your baby, however, comfort is the most important factor. Either a front carrier or backpack style carrier would work well. A front carrier is better for smaller babies so you can share body heat and also see your baby to monitor his/her temperature. Backpack style carriers with aluminum frames are good, however you don’t have the advantage of sharing body heat or being able to see your baby. It is recommended that you carry your baby facing you due to exposure to wind, snow, and sun. You must be able to carry your baby for at least 90 minutes. If you don’t have a good carrier, let us know in advance and we’ll try to help you out with a loaner.

14. What if I have an emergency diaper change on the trail?
Diaper changes will be encouraged before we set out, however accidents can happen at any time! Not to worry though…our guide will bring along a portable change pad lined with a warm blanket.

15. What if I have to feed my baby on the trail?
Not to worry – foam seat pads will be brought along to insulate you as you sit in the snow to feed your baby. We do encourage you to feed your baby before we set out though and to bring snacks for older babies.

16. What if my baby gets fussy out on the trail?
If your baby needs your attention, the group will stop along the trail while you tend to your baby. This will give the rest of the group an opportunity to chat, take a break, or just to appreciate their surroundings! If your baby becomes so fussy that you wish to end your snowshoe outing, either the group or a guide will accompany you back.

17. What if I fall?

Falls can happen while snowshoeing – there’s an inherent risk in any activity you undertake with your baby – but there’s a snowy surface to break your fall! Prevention is the key to keeping you and your baby safe. That translates into a slower snowshoeing pace, using ski/hiking poles for balance, taking care to place your feet securely in the snow, and supporting each other out however we can. In all likelihood, if you fall, it will be very minor with no injuries resulting, however in the unlikely case of injury, our guides carry a radio and would dispatch a patroller to assist you.

18. What if there’s a medical emergency?
If a medical emergency transpires, our competent patrollers will be on the scene in short order to administer first aid. Our guides carry a basic first aid kit and two way radios and would immediately request assistance if necessary.

19. What if I’ve never snowshoed before?
Beginners are welcome! We will take it a bit slower than usual since everyone will be carrying our babies. We provide ski poles for stability and advise that you use them. The first one or two times may be challenging, but after that, you’ll notice it gets easier each time!

20. Do I have to be super fit to do it?
No! You recently had a baby, so are likely hoping to get back into shape! Or you may have decided to finally get into shape. This series is designed especially for parents to get active with their babies. If you are already super fit, please keep in mind that our pace will only be as fast as the slowest snowshoer as we need to stay together for safety!

21. What if I get tired?
It’s okay if you get tired…snowshoeing is physical activity! We will adjust our pace to suit the group’s needs. If we’re tired, we’ll go slower. If we’re full of energy, we’ll pick up the pace! Keep in mind that we’ll always travel as a group, so our pace will only be as fast as the slowest snowshoer. Remember to eat a good meal and bring snacks for yourself as this is crucial to keeping your energy levels up.

22. What if the weather gets bad on the trail?
Mountain weather can be unpredictable. If the weather changes for the worst while out on the trail, your guide will make a decision to end the snowshoe outing if necessary, or to continue on if it is safe.

23. What if the weather is bad that day?
Before you leave home, please call the Mt. Seymour Snowphone at 604.718.7771. The Snowphone will provide you with pre-recorded information about the weather conditions on the Mountain and any closures or program cancellations. If the program is cancelled for that day, either a make-up session will be scheduled, or you will be given a voucher for free snowshoe rentals and a guided drop-in snowshoe tour.

24. How else can I find out about outdoor activities with my baby?

If you’re on Facebook, you can join the Mom & Baby Outdoor Adventurers Group where outdoor events, including Baby & Me Snowshoeing, are posted.

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