Snowshoeing is more strenuous than it looks. Here is how much, tour by tour, and what to wear for it.
The short answer
You need no experience, but snowshoeing in fresh snow is more strenuous than it looks, and uphill it becomes real cardio. If you can comfortably walk for two hours, the city-close walks and the reindeer combo suit you; the wilderness hikes of about 4 hours reward people who could manage a half-day hike at home. The operators provide snowshoes and the technical equipment, while warm layers, waterproof winter boots, a hat and gloves are yours to bring.
Every tour listing says “no experience needed”, and that is correct as far as experience goes. What the listings say less loudly is that snowshoeing itself is a workout: lifting a snowshoe through fresh snow costs noticeably more energy than walking, and uphill it becomes proper cardio. First-timers are regularly surprised; a five-star reviewer of the most popular hike still called it “a little tasking”. This page ranks every tour by what they actually ask of your legs, then covers what is provided and what you pack.
The tours, with live details
The snowshoe tours that fit this page, side by side. Open a card for the meeting point, what to bring and the full details.
Wandering Owl
Snowshoe Hike + Picnic & Photos
Effort level 5 of 5 (tied): ~3 hours on the mountain, "an average level of fitness" according to one review.
Duration: About 4 hours per the listing (about 3 hours of it on Kvaløya, picnic included)
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
The most-reviewed snowshoe tour in Tromsø, and one of the best-rated
A proper 4-hour wilderness outing with fjord and mountain views, with a picnic and free photos taken by the guide
Small groups of up to 15, minimum age 6; season runs long, 1 October to 15 April
About this tour
This is the classic Tromsø wilderness snowshoe hike: roughly 3 hours out on a mountain on Kvaløya, with a picnic on the trail and free photos taken by the guide. Those are the two extras reviewers mention most, right after the guides themselves and the views. The sandwiches are vegetarian-friendly; one March reviewer listed the filling in full: hummus, red onion, lettuce, cucumber.
Wandering Owl runs the tour in small groups of up to 15, takes children from age 6, and keeps one of the longest seasons in Tromsø, from 1 October to 15 April. The exact route depends on conditions: the guide picks the day's best area, and the tour runs in any weather; in the snow-free shoulder weeks (October and November especially) it becomes a hike instead of a snowshoe walk. This is a real hike. Walking uphill on snowshoes through fresh snow is more of a workout than the photos suggest. One reviewer's summary, translated: it 'required an average level of fitness'.
Meeting point
In front of the Scandic Ishavshotel, Tromsø
Know before you go
Snowshoeing is more strenuous than normal walking, and first-timers are regularly surprised. An average level of fitness makes the day far more enjoyable.
The route is weather-dependent and the tour runs in any weather; without snow (possible in October/November) it runs as a hike instead. If the weather is unsafe, the operator cancels and offers an alternative date or a full refund.
Minimum age is 6 years; groups are capped at 15.
In the polar-night weeks (late November to mid-January) daytime tours run in blue twilight rather than sunlight. It is atmospheric, but different from the brochure photos.
Content taken from the operator's product page on the booking platform.
Tromsø Villmarkssenter
Husky Snowshoe Hike + Husky Camp
Effort level 3 of 5: the hike is moderate, and the huskies pulling on the leash are the wildcard.
Duration: 5 hours
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
Snowshoe hike with huskies walking along, plus time at the Villmarkssenter husky camp on Kvaløya
Run by Tromsø's best-known husky operation, on one of the biggest review bases in this comparison
A 5-hour tour with cake served on the trail or by the fire at camp: two Arctic experiences in one booking
About this tour
The combination tour for people who want more than one Arctic experience out of a single day: a 5-hour outing where huskies join the snowshoe hike itself, followed by time at Tromsø Villmarkssenter's husky camp on Kvaløya island, with cake served on the trail or by the fire at camp. A different rhythm from a pure sledding tour, and usually cheaper than booking a hike and a husky visit separately.
One point from the reviews: the dogs pull hard on the leash. Several guests describe being dragged along, which most of them found the fun part. And a charming detail more than one reviewer discovered at camp: retired sled dogs can be adopted. It is one of the most consistently rated snowshoe products in Tromsø, and the better-rated of the two combination tours here.
Meeting point
Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromsø
Know before you go
This is a snowshoe tour with a husky camp visit, not a dog sledding tour. If mushing your own team is the goal, that is a separate booking.
The huskies walk on a leash with the group and pull hard; reviewers mention being dragged along. Great fun for most, but be ready to hold on.
Not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments; the tour needs a minimum of 2 participants and runs in any weather.
The hike portion is a real walk on snowshoes, so the usual effort note applies.
Not suitable for
Pregnant women
People with mobility impairments
Content taken from the operator's product page on the booking platform.
Legendary Adventure
Arctic Snowshoe Hike (max 8)
Effort level 5 of 5 (tied): around 4 hours of real wilderness hiking in a small group.
Duration: About 4 hours (about 3 hours on the trail at Ersfjordbotn, about 30 minutes by van each way)
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
Maximum 8 guests per tour, a firm cap rather than a target
Around 4 hours, with about 3 hours on the trail at Ersfjordbotn
A long and stable review record, one of the biggest samples in this comparison
About this tour
Legendary Adventure runs its Arctic snowshoe hike with a hard cap of 8 guests. That cap is the reason reviewers consistently praise the personal pace and the guide's attention. The tour lasts around 4 hours, with about 3 hours on the trail at Ersfjordbotn and roughly 30 minutes by van each way.
If you want the wilderness experience but prefer a quieter trail and more guide time per person, this is the tour to look at first.
Meeting point
Clarion Hotel The Edge, Tromsø (roundabout in front of the hotel)
Know before you go
Small groups sell out earlier, so book ahead in the December–February peak.
As on every wilderness tour, uphill snowshoeing in fresh snow is a workout, not a stroll.
Content taken from the operator's product page on the booking platform.
Tromsø Arctic Reindeer
Snowshoe Hike + Reindeer + Lunch
Effort level 2 of 5: reviewers put the walk at roughly 2 km, broken up by reindeer time and lunch.
Duration: 4 hours
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
A 4-hour combo run by Tromsø Arctic Reindeer: snowshoe hike, time among the reindeer, and a warm lunch
Meets at the Tromsø Bus Terminal, minimum age 8, with one of the larger review bases in this comparison
The gentler combo: reviewers describe the snowshoe leg as a walk of roughly 2 km, with reindeer time and a meal balancing out the effort
About this tour
The second combination option: a 4-hour tour by Tromsø Arctic Reindeer that pairs a guided snowshoe hike with time among the reindeer and a warm lunch. Where the husky combo adds more animals-in-action energy, the reindeer version is the calmer day: hike, then unhurried time among the animals, then food. Reviewers put the snowshoe portion at roughly 2 kilometres, which makes this the easiest hiking leg of any tour in this comparison.
The tour meets at the Tromsø Bus Terminal and is open to ages 8 and up. It rates a fraction below the husky combo (too small a difference to choose by) and sits at the same price level.
Meeting point
Tromsø Bus Terminal
Know before you go
The tour meets at the Tromsø Bus Terminal; minimum age is 8 years.
The snowshoe leg is short. Reviewers report a walk of about 2 km, so this is the combo to pick if fitness is a concern.
Check the product page for what the reindeer portion includes, as feeding and photo time vary by departure.
Lunch is included; dietary requirements are best flagged at booking.
Content taken from the operator's product page on the booking platform.
Arctic Cruise In Norway
Kaldfjord Snowshoe Hike, Kvaløya (max 7)
Effort level 2 of 5 (tied): a slow 3-hour tour up a small summit.
Duration: 3 hours in total, Kvaløya is about 25 minutes from Tromsø by car
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
A slow climb from the village of Kaldfjord on Kvaløya to a small summit with a view over two fjords
At most 7 guests; the listing adds that tours usually run with 2 to 5
Hotel pick-up and return, coffee or tea at the viewpoint and a warm meal on the inclusion list
About this tour
A short and calm half-day on Kvaløya, run by Arctic Cruise In Norway AS. After pick-up in town the group drives about 25 minutes to the small village of Kaldfjord, learns how the snowshoes work and then climbs slowly to a low summit with a view over two fjords. The listing says plainly that the tour is about stillness, not speed or fitness.
Reviewers name the owner, Kurt Arild Larsen, as their guide and mention plenty of local history on the drive, including Håkøya, where the German battleship Tirpitz was sunk during the Second World War. Several also note that the tour went ahead in wet and windy weather.
What's included
Snowshoes and poles
Coffee or tea and biscuits
A warm meal (the listing highlights fish soup)
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Meeting point
Hotel pick-up in Tromsø; the listing names the Scandic Ishavshotel as meeting point
Know before you go
The product page states no minimum age.
Bring comfortable footwear and warm clothing; boots and outerwear are not on the inclusion list.
Not suitable for
People with mobility impairments
Wheelchair users
Content taken from the operator's product page on the booking platform.
Earthling
Snowshoe Walk from the Cable Car
Effort level 1 of 5 (tied): 2 hours, mostly flat, for beginners. Not for low fitness.
Duration: About 2 hours, all of it on snowshoes
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
Starts and ends at the Fjellheisen cable car station in Tromsdalen, so there is no transfer at all
At most 4 guests per tour
Only a few dates on the calendar, so it may not be available on your day
About this tour
No drive at all: you meet the guide next to the lower Fjellheisen cable car station in Tromsdalen, on the mainland side of the bridge, get fitted with snowshoes and poles and walk straight into the forest above the town. The route is mostly flat and set for beginners; according to the listing a harder variant may be possible if you ask in advance. Halfway there is a break at a viewpoint with lefse and a hot drink.
This is not Tromsøya, and it is not deep wilderness either. Reviewers describe forest and open views over Tromsø and Tromsdalen, and some walked back to the centre over the bridge afterwards. From late autumn to early winter the listing also offers an option after dark, with a chance of northern lights.
What's included
Guided walk
Snowshoes
Trekking poles
Lefse (a traditional Norwegian flatbread pastry)
A hot drink
Not included
Winter boots and winter clothing
Meeting point
Fjellheisen cable car station, Sollivegen 12, Tromsdalen (start and finish)
Know before you go
Boots and winter clothing are not provided. Come dressed for two hours outside.
The evening option is a separate choice when you book; check which one the date shows.
Not suitable for
Children under 10
People with back problems
People with heart problems
People with mobility impairments
People with low fitness
Content taken from the operator's product page on the booking platform.
Unique Norway Tours
Kvaløya Hike + Lunch & Photo Album
Effort level 4 of 5 (tied): about 2 to 2.5 hours of hiking, rated medium by one reviewer.
Duration: 4.5 hours (about 30 minutes by van each way, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours of hiking)
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
Groups of at most 8, also bookable as a private tour
A simple outdoor lunch with Norwegian snacks, coffee and blackcurrant juice
A private digital photo album from the guide within 72 hours
About this tour
A half-day on Kvaløya with guides from the area. After a drive of about 30 minutes the guide explains the snowshoes at the trailhead and leads a hike of roughly 2 to 2.5 hours; the exact spot is chosen on the day by weather and snow. The group stops for a simple lunch outdoors with local snacks and hot drinks, and the guide takes photos with a proper camera that arrive as a private album within 72 hours.
If there is no snow, the tour runs as a winter hike without snowshoes, or you can take a full refund. One reviewer put the difficulty at medium, with easy and steeper stretches, so this sits between the short city walks and the long wilderness hikes.
What's included
Snowshoes and poles
Outdoor lunch with traditional Norwegian snacks
Hot drinks (coffee and blackcurrant juice)
Photo album after the tour
Transport from the city centre to the trailhead and back
Meeting point
Outside the main entrance of the Scandic The Dock, 5 minutes before departure; pick-up depends on the option you book
Know before you go
Only a few dates on the calendar, so the tour may not be available on your day.
Tromsø has several Scandic hotels; the meeting point is the Scandic The Dock.
Not suitable for
Children under 6
People with mobility impairments
Content taken from the operator's product page on the booking platform.
Tromsø Outdoor
Guided Snowshoe Walk, Tromsøya
Effort level 1 of 5: the gentlest tour, 2.5 hours at a walk-friendly pace.
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
Only 2.5 hours and no long transfer, because the walk starts on Tromsø's own island
At the budget end of this comparison, run by local outfitter Tromsø Outdoor
Rated at the top of this comparison so far, but on one of the two thinnest review bases, so read it as a small sample
About this tour
The short option: a 2.5-hour guided snowshoe walk on Tromsøya, the island the city itself sits on. There is no hour-long transfer and no full-day commitment, so you are back in town in time for lunch or the afternoon flight.
Be clear-eyed about what this is: a walk in the forested recreation area above the city, not an expedition into untouched wilderness. Some reviewers of city-close tours note exactly that ('too little wilderness'), and they are right, in the sense that wilderness was never the offer. As an easy introduction to snowshoeing, a half-day filler or the gentlest option for mixed groups, it is exactly right; if you want the big empty landscape, book a 4-hour wilderness tour instead.
Know before you go
This is city-close recreation, not wilderness. Trails run through the forest on Tromsøya, with city and fjord views rather than remote backcountry.
One of the two easiest tours on this site, at a calm pace, and the natural pick if you are unsure about fitness.
Content taken from the operator's product page on the booking platform.
Legendary Adventure AS
Aurora Snowshoe Evening Hike
Effort level 4 of 5: moderate hiking, but darkness and evening cold add their own demands.
Duration: 4 hours (about 3 hours on snowshoes)
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
Evening snowshoe hike away from the city lights, around Ersfjordbotn, with a real chance of northern lights on clear nights
Run by Legendary Adventure AS in small groups of max. 8, with about 3 hours of snowshoeing within a 4-hour tour
Rated at the top of this comparison so far, but it is a young listing, so read the score as a small sample
About this tour
Snowshoeing after dark sounds odd until you try it: the snow reflects what light there is, headlamps do the rest, and away from Tromsø's street lights the night sky opens up. Legendary Adventure AS, the same operator as the small-group Arctic wilderness hike in this comparison, runs this 4-hour evening tour around Ersfjordbotn on Kvaløya, with about 3 hours on snowshoes and never more than 8 guests. On clear evenings with solar activity, that means a real chance of watching the northern lights from the trail without booking a separate aurora chase.
The tour is young. Its top rating rests on a small number of ratings so far, which is a promising sample rather than a track record. Treat the rating accordingly; the current rating and review count are shown live on the tour card.
Know before you go
No operator can promise the northern lights; sightings depend entirely on weather and solar activity. The snowshoe hike is the guaranteed part.
The rating rests on a small number of ratings so far. That is promising, but read it as a sample, not a track record.
Evening in the Arctic is colder than daytime, so bring warm layers under the provided gear.
Content taken from the operator's product page on the booking platform.
The prices for these snowshoe tours are read live from GetYourGuide, taxes and booking fees included, and match the checkout total.
Why snowshoeing surprises beginners
On flat, packed snow, snowshoeing feels like slightly clumsy walking. The surprise comes from two directions: fresh snow, which swallows part of every step and makes your legs lift more weight through a bigger range, and gradient, which multiplies the effect. The result is a heart rate you did not order. None of this is a reason to skip the sport. It is the reason guides pace their groups and the reason the tours run 2 to 5 hours rather than 8. It is, however, a reason to match the tour to your real fitness rather than to your holiday optimism.
All tours, ranked by effort
Gentlest first. The ranking is ours, built from tour lengths, formats and what reviewers describe. The review-sourced figures are marked as such.
Rank
Tour
Why it lands here
1 · Gentlest
City-close walks: Tromsøya (2.5 h) or from the Fjellheisen cable car (2 h)
Short tours, mostly flat terrain, walk-friendly pace. Manageable for anyone who can comfortably walk two hours; the cable-car walk's listing excludes people with low fitness or back or heart problems.
2
Reindeer combo (4 h) and the Kaldfjord hike on Kvaløya (3 h)
Reviewers put the snowshoe leg at roughly 2 km; reindeer time and a warm lunch break up the effort. Ages 8+. The Kaldfjord hike climbs slowly to a small summit; its listing says the tour is not about speed or fitness.
3
Husky combo (5 h)
Moderate hike, but the huskies pull hard on the leash, which adds a balance workout the other tours don't have. Not for pregnant travellers or people with mobility impairments.
4
Aurora evening hike (~3 h on snowshoes) and the Kvaløya hike with lunch (4.5 h)
Moderate hiking made more demanding by darkness, headlamp navigation and evening cold during sky-watching pauses. The Kvaløya hike has roughly 2 to 2.5 hours on snowshoes; one reviewer rated it medium, with easy and steeper stretches.
5 · Toughest
The wilderness hikes (4 h)
The full version: ~3–4 hours on the mountain with real climbs. A reviewer's translated verdict on the Wandering Owl hike: it “required an average level of fitness”.
What the operators provide
The tours in our comparison are built for visitors without gear: snowshoes and the technical equipment come from the operator, transfers from Tromsø are part of the wilderness and combo tours, and snacks make regular appearances. Wandering Owl's trail picnic (hot drinks, vegetarian-friendly sandwiches, homemade cookies) and the Villmarkssenter's trail-or-campfire cake are the review favourites; the reindeer combo goes further with a warm lunch. The exact list differs per tour, and the “What's included” section of each product page is the binding one, so check it rather than assuming.
What you bring yourself
The operators cover the snowshoe part; the winter part is yours. What works in Tromsø's coastal winter climate:
Layers, not one thick coat. You will sweat on the climbs and cool fast in the pauses. A base layer, an insulating mid-layer and a wind-blocking shell let you regulate. Cotton next to the skin is the classic mistake; it holds sweat and then holds cold.
Waterproof winter boots with ankle support. The snowshoe bindings fit around normal winter boots. Trainers do not survive fresh snow.
Warm socks (plus a spare pair), hat, and gloves. For the husky tour, gloves you can grip a leash with; for the aurora evening, consider a thin inner glove for camera moments.
Something for the pauses: the picnic and sky-watching stops are when cold catches you. An extra layer in a small backpack earns its space.
Evening tours: everything above, warmer. Arctic nights are meaningfully colder than Arctic afternoons.
How to judge your own fitness
If you can comfortably do a half-day hike at home, book any tour on this site. If two hours of easy walking is your comfortable maximum, book the Tromsøya walk or the reindeer combo and enjoy them without asterisks. If you are somewhere in between, the husky combo and the aurora evening are the middle ground. And if you are booking for a group, book for the least-fit member. A tour that is slightly too easy is a pleasant day; a tour that is slightly too hard is the thing lukewarm reviews are made of.
The effort question, in guests' own words
Two five-star reviews of the most popular hike, both clear about what it asks.
★★★★★
It was so much fun!!! Definitely a little tasking for me since it was my first time in the snow and first time hiking but the guide was so kind, helpful and patient!!!
Alice
· United States · April 2026
★★★★★
Aneta was a fantastic guide … The tour was not cheap, but it is in line with Norwegian standards. … It was pleasant to walk and required an average level of fitness.
Alexandra
· Germany · April 2026 Translated
Real traveller reviews from GetYourGuide.
FAQ
Do I need any snowshoeing experience?
No. Every tour in our comparison is built for first-timers: equipment is provided, guides give an introduction and set the pace. What you need instead of experience is a realistic look at your fitness, because snowshoeing in fresh snow is noticeably more strenuous than normal walking.
Which tour should I pick if I am not very fit?
The two city-close walks are the gentlest: 2.5 hours on Tromsøya, or 2 hours from the Fjellheisen cable car (whose listing excludes people with low fitness). Next come the reindeer combo, whose snowshoe leg reviewers put at roughly 2 km with lunch and animal time breaking it up, and the slow 3-hour Kaldfjord hike. All of them are enjoyable at an easy pace, and none is a consolation prize.
What shoes do I need?
Waterproof winter boots. The snowshoes strap over them. Sturdy, warm and waterproof matters more than any specific brand; trainers and fashion boots do not survive fresh snow.
Are snowshoes and poles included?
Snowshoe equipment is provided on the tours we compare, and transfers and snacks are part of most. The exact inclusion list differs per tour; the "What's included" section on each product page is the binding one.
How cold will it be?
Tromsø's coastal climate is milder than its latitude suggests, but tour days mix sweaty climbs with cold pauses, which is why layers beat one thick coat. Evening tours run meaningfully colder than daytime ones; the aurora hike's sky-watching stops are when you feel it.
