This guide is built from our own winters in the Arctic and from the live Legendary Adventure tour pages in Tromsø — prices, pickup times and what is included come straight from the operator, never invented.

What Is and Is Not Included

The most useful thing to know before you pack is what the operator provides. The Arctic Snowshoe Hike lists a local expert guide, transport in a Mercedes minivan, and snowshoes and poles. The Aurora Snowshoe Hike lists a local expert guide, Mercedes minivan transport, snowshoe rental, and snacks and a hot drink. Neither lists a winter suit, unlike the northern lights tours, and the daytime listing does not mention food or drink.

So the rule is simple: you bring your own clothing and boots on both, and you bring your own food and drink on the day hike. On the evening hike, bring a little extra if you tend to get hungry, since the snacks are a snack, not a dinner.

Eating Before the Hike

A 4-hour snowshoe hike burns more energy than most people expect. Cold air, uphill steps and the wider snowshoe gait all add up. For the 10:00 daytime hike, eat a proper breakfast with protein and slow carbohydrates, such as eggs, oats, bread with cheese or yoghurt with nuts. Avoid very heavy or greasy meals that sit uncomfortably, and avoid skipping breakfast because you are rushing to the pickup.

For the 18:30 evening hike, eat an early, balanced dinner at around 16:30–17:00, or a substantial late lunch plus a snack. Pickup is outside Clarion Hotel The Edge, so you can eat nearby and walk over in a few minutes.

What to Carry for the Day Hike

Pack a small daypack with these items:

• A thermos with a hot drink such as tea, coffee or hot chocolate; an insulated bottle keeps it warm for the whole outing
• Water in an insulated bottle or kept inside your jacket, because a plain bottle can freeze
• Snacks that do not turn into rocks in the cold: nuts, dried fruit, cereal bars, a sandwich, chocolate in small pieces
• A small packet of tissues and a zip bag for rubbish

Keep snacks in an inner pocket so they stay edible. Food that freezes solid, such as a banana or some energy bars, is no use. Eat little and often; the guide will stop for breaks, and that is the moment to refuel.

The Evening Hike: Snacks, Hot Drink and Extras

On the Aurora Snowshoe Hike, the operator lists snacks and a hot drink, which is a real advantage on a cold night. We still suggest bringing a small thermos of your own favourite drink, a few extra snacks and a spare pair of gloves. If you have dietary requirements, tell Legendary Adventure in advance. The evening hike is slower and more contemplative than the day hike, with stops to look at the sky, so warmth matters more than speed.

Clothing: The Layer System

Wear a thermal base layer, a fleece or wool mid-layer, and a windproof and waterproof outer layer. Insulated trousers or ski trousers are more comfortable than jeans. Use insulated, waterproof winter boots with a firm sole; snowshoes strap onto them. Add two pairs of socks, a warm hat, liner gloves with mittens over them, and a neck gaiter. You warm up quickly while walking, so start slightly cool, and add layers at stops.

The biggest mistake we see is too many bulky layers that make movement awkward. Thinner layers that you can stack work better than one huge jacket.

Hydration and Cold

Cold air is dry, and people drink less when they do not feel thirsty. Aim to sip regularly, even if you do not feel the need. Warm drinks help you stay comfortable. Avoid alcohol before the hike, as it makes you lose heat faster and can leave you dehydrated. If you feel unusually tired, dizzy or very cold, tell the guide promptly.

Kids, Teens and Fussy Eaters

Both hikes are recommended for ages 10 and up. Children and teenagers burn energy fast and get cold fast, so pack their favourite snacks and a warm drink, and let them carry some of it. For a family of four or more, the Private Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 and Private Aurora Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 (NOK 12,000 per group each) let your guide adjust the pace and stops. Our family guides are collected on our Tromsø activities hub.

Snack Ideas That Work in the Cold

Choose snacks that stay edible when cold and are easy to eat with gloves. Good options are nuts and seeds, dried fruit, small sandwiches wrapped in foil, cheese cubes, dark chocolate pieces, flapjacks, and cereal bars that are not rock-hard. Soft fruit freezes and turns to mush, so keep it in an inner pocket or leave it behind. Pack food in small portions so you do not have to remove your mittens for long. If you like a hot snack, a small thermos of soup is a luxury that many guests appreciate.

Avoid anything that needs a knife or a table. You will be standing in snow, and the break is short.

What the Guide Does and Does Not Provide

The guide chooses the route, monitors the weather, fits the equipment and keeps the group together. They are not a catering service on the daytime tour, so planning your own fuel is part of the deal. On the evening tour, the snacks and hot drink are part of the experience. If you are unsure, send a short message to Legendary Adventure through the booking page before you travel, especially if you have allergies, a medical condition or a question about your child. Operators usually reply quickly, and it avoids surprises at the trailhead.

A Sample Packing List

The headtorch is a suggestion; check your booking confirmation for what the guide provides.

Pacing Yourself on the Trail

Snowshoeing is a steady activity. Walk at a pace where you can still talk, drink and snack at the breaks, and ask the guide to slow down if you need to. Drink before you feel thirsty. Take layers off before you sweat, put them back on at stops, and keep your hat and gloves handy. The hike is designed for people with ordinary fitness, and the group travels at the speed of its slowest member. If your knees complain, use the poles properly and tell the guide.

Pickup and What Happens Next

The shared hikes pick up outside Clarion Hotel The Edge; look for the black Mercedes. The day hike leaves at 10:00 and the evening hike at 18:30. The guide drives you to a trailhead chosen for snow and weather, fits the snowshoes and poles, and sets the pace. The 4 hours include the transfer, so the walking time is shorter than it sounds. Wear your boots to the pickup, bring your daypack, and arrive a few minutes early.

How to Book With 5% Off

Open the tour page for the hike you want, pick your date and guests, and continue to checkout. Enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 in the promo-code field and apply it before paying. The code works on every Legendary Adventure tour booked online, so you can add a northern lights tour to the same booking. Free cancellation applies more than 48 hours before departure; inside 48 hours the full amount is charged.

FAQ

Our Honest Final Word

Snowshoeing is simple, and the food side is simple too: eat well beforehand, carry a thermos and a snack, and dress in layers. The better prepared you are, the more you enjoy the quiet and the view.

Book the Arctic Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 or the Aurora Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 and enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 for 5% off.

5% off · code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5

Our Tromsø snowshoe picks

Tap a tour to see live dates and prices. Enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 in the promo-code field at checkout for 5% off.

Small group · 4 HoursArctic Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 1 500 per personBook with 5% off →Small group · 4 HoursAurora Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 1 500 per personBook with 5% off →Private · 4 HoursPrivate Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 12 000 per group (private)Book with 5% off →Private · 4 HoursPrivate Aurora Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 12 000 per group (private)Book with 5% off →

Code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 works on every Legendary Adventure tour booked online. We are Legendary Adventure’s partner and may earn a small commission — it never changes your price.