Snowshoeing & Winter Hiking in NJ & NY

Winter doesn't end hiking season. It's a different landscape: frozen waterfalls, views that go forever without the leaves, animal tracks in the snow, and quieter trails. With the right layers, traction and know-how, a winter hike can be just as comfortable as a summer one.

Our winter program builds step by step, from a 2-hour gear workshop and short guided hikes on microspikes to snowshoe days on Catskill high peaks and your first night camping in the snow. Every step is taught by search & rescue members who work in winter conditions.

Winter Hiking & Snowshoeing Workshop · 2 hours · indoors · December
Start here. Winter layering, traction like microspikes and snowshoes, and the extra gear we carry on winter hikes, all hands-on. Proceeds go to local search & rescue.

Microspike & Snowshoe Hikes · about 4 hours · NJ & NY · January through March
Short guided winter hikes on local favorites, on microspikes or snowshoes depending on conditions. A great first winter hike, or just a way to get out with a guide.

Snowshoe Hike – Easy · about 5 hours · Catskills · Winter rocker
An introduction to snowshoeing on gentle terrain, typically around 4.5 miles with a few hundred feet of elevation. We cover how to dress, managing moisture and the different traction devices.

Snowshoe Hike – Moderate · about 5 hours · Catskills · Winter rocker
More elevation, typically Overlook Mountain: around 5 miles and 1,400 feet up to the fire tower and the Overlook Mountain House ruins, practicing layering and pacing on longer climbs.

Snowshoe Hike – Challenging · about 7 hours · Catskills · Winter rocker
A full winter day, typically Hunter Mountain: around 7 miles and 2,000 feet up to the highest fire tower in New York. We add winter water, shelter for planned and unplanned nights out, and more. No experience needed, just the fitness for the distance and climb.

Snowshoe Hike – Challenging+ · about 7 hours · Catskill high peaks · Winter rocker
Our toughest winter day hike, on a tougher Catskill 3500 peak: steep terrain, scrambles and exposed rock in snow. For strong hikers ready for the next challenge after a Challenging hike.

Winter Backpacking Trip – Intro · overnight · Harriman State Park · Winter rocker
Your first night camping in the winter woods, about 4 miles round trip with a heavier winter pack. Most of the time is in camp learning winter sleep systems, campsite setup on snow, getting water and cooking with white gas stoves. You can use your 3-season tent. Prerequisite: Backpacking Trip – Intro or Easy.

Winter Backpacking Trip – Easy · overnight · late February
A step up from Intro, with more miles and colder camps to put your winter sleep, cooking and layering systems to the test. Prerequisite: Winter Backpacking Trip – Intro.

The Winter rocker also includes our Adirondack Winter Trip in early March.

• Layering and moisture: how to dress so you stay warm and dry, and why moisture is the enemy in the cold

• Traction: when to use microspikes, snowshoes and crampons, and how to move on them

• Winter gear: what extra we carry in winter, from insulated bottles and hand warmers to headlamp batteries kept warm

• Food and water: eating and drinking enough in the cold, and keeping water from freezing

• Winter safety: trip planning, shorter days, breaking trail, navigation in snow, and spotting hypothermia and frostbite

• Winter camping: sleep systems and sleeping pads, snow campsites, stoves and staying comfortable overnight (Winter Backpacking)

• Season: the workshop is in December; hikes and trips run January through March. We typically post all of the upcoming winter events before Thanksgiving.

• Where: local hikes in northern NJ and nearby NY; snowshoe hikes in the Catskills; winter backpacking in Harriman State Park. Check each date for the exact location.

• Rentals: add snowshoes (MSR, Atlas or Tubbs, poles included) or microspikes (Hillsound or Kahtoola) to your registration. We bring all sizes. See Rentals.

• No snow? Snow is never guaranteed. If conditions aren't right for snowshoes, we hike on microspikes and still cover the winter skills.

• Weather: hikes run in the cold; we'll reschedule for dangerous weather or travel advisories

• Minimum age: 12 (a parent or guardian must also register and attend for anyone under 18)

TrailBound's winter instructors and guides are search & rescue team members and licensed guides who hike and search in winter conditions. Everyone who leads our winter events:

• Scott Fitterman, Co-Founder: Instructor; Deputy Chief of NJSAR, NJSAR Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member, NYS DEC search crew chief, Catskill 35er

• Joe Galvan, Co-Founder: Instructor; former NJSAR Lieutenant & Mountain Rescue Unit Lead, Adirondack Winter Mountaineering School instructor, Adirondack 46er

• Ryan Raaum: Instructor & lead guide; also teaches our Bushwhacking courses

• Brad Sayer: Instructor & lead guide; Chief of Catskill Mountain Search & Rescue, NYS DEC Crew Boss, Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member

• Bill Winterbottom: Instructor & lead guide; former Chief of Catskill Mountain Search & Rescue, Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member

• Mark Mielke: Instructor & lead guide; NJSAR Lieutenant, Field Team Leader & Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member

• Nancy Purnell: Instructor & lead guide; NJSAR Medical Unit member & K9 Support Unit Lead

• Amanda Amabile: Instructor & lead guide; NYS Licensed Guide, Women's Chapter Co-Lead

• Frank Vigna: Lead guide; CMSAR Field Team Member, NYS Licensed Guide

• Keith Garcia: Lead guide; NJSAR Field Team Leader & Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) member

• Lauren Lynch: Lead guide

• Cooke Harvey: Guide

• Angela Davis: Guide

• Kat Hooper: Guide

• Jason "Jay" Brinkerhoff: Guide

• Paul Cooke: Guide

• Shannon Pravetz: Guide

• Nigel Hall: Guide

Meet the whole team on The Cadre page.

5.0 from 289 Google reviews

“This was my second snowshoe hike and it was amazing. The instructors are all so helpful, knowledgeable and kind. They continuously check to make sure you are good, multiple stops to delayer or snack, etc.”
— Fionnuala M., 2025

“Went on a women's only beginner's snowshoeing event on what was probably the coldest day I have ever experienced. … The guides were amazing, they made sure we were layered properly and safe … I felt completely safe with them. All this and they still made it fun.”
— Reba L., 2026

“This was an amazing trip. The guides were top notch. This has opened my hiking season up so much. I'm no longer afraid of a winter hike.”
— Louise I., Intro to Winter Backpacking, 2026

“It was our first time snowshoeing and the leaders were so helpful in getting us acquainted with our equipment and ensured we were comfortable and safe the whole way.”
— Sharon K., 2024

“Recently participated in the Hunter Mountain Snowshoe Challenge, and had an awesome experience! Joe and the crew did a fantastic job in sharing their knowledge and making the trip memorable.”
— K. Wolford, 2025

I've never snowshoed. Where should I start?
Take the December workshop, then a Microspike & Snowshoe Hike or Snowshoe Hike – Easy. We teach everything on the trail, and the levels build from there.

When do the winter dates come out?
We typically post all of the upcoming winter events before Thanksgiving. Use Get notified on What We Offer to hear when they open.

Do I need my own snowshoes or microspikes?
No. Add rentals when you register: snowshoes (poles included) or microspikes. If you'd like to buy your own, see the winter section of Gear We Recommend.

How cold does it get, and what should I wear?
It can be well below freezing, and colder with wind. Wear synthetic or wool layers (no cotton), insulated waterproof boots, a hat and gloves, and bring a puffy jacket for breaks. Your registration email has the full list, and the guides check everyone's layers before we start.

What if there's no snow?
We still go. We hike on microspikes and cover the same winter skills. If the weather is dangerous, we'll reschedule.

Do I need winter camping gear for Winter Backpacking?
Not to start. You can use your 3-season tent, layer two quilts or bags for warmth, and add a foam pad under your air pad. We bring the stoves, fuel, first aid and water treatment, and send a detailed packing list after you register.

Are there women-only winter hikes?
Yes. Our Women's Chapter runs women-only snowshoe hikes and a winter hiking webinar each season. The Women's Snowshoe Hike – Easy counts toward the Winter rocker.

Can you lead a winter hike for our group?
Yes. We run private hikes and workshops for scout troops, clubs and companies in the New Jersey and New York State area. Contact us.

What's your cancellation policy?
See our Registration & Refund Policy.

• Before winter backpacking: Backpacking Trip – Intro or Easy

• Build your basics: Hiking Basics, Gear & Safety and Map & Compass Navigation

• Be ready to help: Wilderness First Aid, which covers hypothermia and frostbite

• Counts toward: the Winter rocker in the Rocker Program