We were recently asked by a reader:

Alyssa and Chris, what are your tips for taking a 1-year-old snowshoeing?

We took our first child snowshoeing when she was six months old. My tips?

1. A good carrier for mom/dad + super warm layers for baby, cause remember the babies aren’t actually making any extra body heat by walking! Rei/Patagonia down buntings are great. We used fleece (not wind proof) but weren’t out for too long. Looking back, I’d try to have a windproof layer of some sort, like the DucksDay baby snowsuit or rain suit.
2. Carriers like the Beco/Ergo actually allow you to share body heat with them, verses a backpack carrier that holds them away from you. Keeping baby warm will probably be logical for you (if not here is a few tips).
3. Just remember one of the greatest unforeseen dangers is the bright light off the snow. Baby sunglasses are a must. Goggles are better cause they also work to keep them warm. All our kids have the Smith Challenger OTG goggle. They are inexpensive ($25) and fit from roughly 1-yr to well…age 7, since my daughter is still wearing hers! I like the Julbo Looping 3 sunglasses too.
4. A successful trip depends on the snow and cold and everything else that can affect baby. A good friend and I went once when it was probably 10 degrees with wind. Haha! Let us just say we walked about 10 minutes and turned around, for a grand total of .25 miles with crying babies. I think it is the wind that killed that day.
5. Sunny days are best, just don’t forget sunscreen.
6. And you can gauge your time out or mileage like hiking. But remember very few people travel as fast in snowshoes. So allow more time for that.

Enjoy your adventures and make sure to share some photos on our Facebook Page!