Snowshoeing in Levi

Snowshoeing is the simplest way to step into the Lapland winter. You strap on a pair of shoes that spread your weight, take a pole in each hand and walk off the trail into snow that would otherwise be waist deep. The forest here is open and bright in daytime, and the guide leads a route that suits the group's fitness. Along the way you learn to read tracks, identify trees and understand how the cold shapes everything.Tours often include a stop for a warm drink and a snack, sometimes by a fire. The group is small, the pace relaxed, and there is no need for experience. It is a good activity for people who want exercise without the speed of skiing, and it fits families with older children, couples and solo travellers.

The reward is the silence. Away from engines and crowds, a snowy forest has a hush that is hard to find elsewhere. You hear your own breath, the squeak of snow and the occasional creak of branches. In midwinter the low sun makes long shadows and a soft blue light, and in early spring the days lengthen and the snow sparkles.

Trees bent under heavy snow, known in Finnish as tykky, form sculptural shapes that photographers love.Snowshoes are easy to use. After a minute or two of walking with a wide stance you find your balance.

The walking effort is higher than a normal stroll because of the snow, so wear layers you can remove. Poles help on slopes. Guides adapt the route to the weather and the group, avoiding exposed ridges on windy days and seeking sheltered forest when it is cold.Nature in winter is not empty.

Guides may point out tracks of mountain hare, fox, ptarmigan and sometimes reindeer, and explain how animals survive. You may learn about the role of snow as insulation, why spruce are narrow, and how the fell ecosystem differs from forest. Combine snowshoeing with an aurora evening or a sauna for a quiet day.

For those who prefer adventure at speed, it makes a welcome counterpoint to a snowmobile or husky day.If you wish to extend the experience, consider the practical matters that often go unmentioned. Check whether the tour stops at a hut or a fire, as a warm break makes a big difference to comfort and photographs.

Ask whether the route includes slopes, since poles help on climbs and descents. Bring a small daypack with water, a snack and a spare layer, and keep your phone in an inner pocket. If you have a camera, carry a lens cloth, because snow and breath can cloud the glass.

Walk at a pace that allows conversation, and do not worry about being the slowest in the group, because guides expect a range of fitness. Snowshoeing is also an excellent way to stretch your legs after long flights or sitting in a vehicle, so schedule it early in the trip if you can.Snowshoeing also pairs naturally with photography.

The low winter sun, frost on branches and sculpted snow on spruce give endless subjects, and the slow pace leaves time to frame pictures properly. Try kneeling for a low angle on tracks, or backlighting a branch with the sun. Even a phone can produce striking images in these conditions, so bring it along and keep the battery warm.