Have you ever tried snowshoeing? Now is the perfect time to give it a go and spend a day in the beauty of the Italian mountains.

It was Twixmas time. So with nothing planned between Christmas and New Year, I was happy to get a ping! WhatsApp message from a local walking group suggesting a ‘Ciaspolata al Tramonto sul Monte Grappa‘.

A ciaspolata is a hike in snowshoes, those awkward-looking, long, oval-shaped things you strap on your shoes so you can walk on the snow without sinking completely.

And I was even happier when the outing was confirmed because the weather was going to be perfect- clear and sunny in the day and clear and starry in the evening.

We would be accompanied by an Alpine guide and by two experienced and enthusiastic guides: Carlo and Barbara from www.montegrappa.org 

SNOWSHOEING is a great activity to do in winter. 

• It’s not too expensive, compared to skiing, for example. We paid 16 Euros each for the guided hike and 9 Euros to hire the snowshoes.

• It’s suitable for people of all ages as long as they’re relatively fit. By this, I mean that you burn up more energy than walking when you use snowshoes and sticks, as you plough through deep snowdrifts and use the sticks to keep your balance and your rhythm. 

• You are really and truly in contact with nature (birds, trees, pine cones, red berries, silence and fresh air) so much so that you will return to your everyday life a calmer person than you were when you left!
• Walking with a group can be relaxing because someone else is in charge. It’s like having mum and dad looking after you again. All you have to do is follow and listen. 

Equipment

• Snowshoes (We hired our snowshoes from the Association)
• Ski poles or Nordic walking sticks with attachment for the snow
• Head torch (for snowshoeing after sunset)

Don’t wrap up too warm for this activity, but I still recommend wearing:

• Slim fit waterproof trousers with gaiters inside (to keep your legs dry) or  running pants/leggings with long socks.
• Hiking boots
• Warm socks
• Long-sleeve thermal top
• Slim-fit gilet
• Waterproof jacket with a hood
• Hat 
• Buff 
• Gloves

Don’t wear jeans because they’re uncomfortable and will get wet from the snow that you kick up as you go along. 

Don’t wear a ski jacket or pants either as they’re too bulky and will hamper your movements.

Extra:

• A small, light backpack containing: liquid SPF 50; SPF 50 lip balm; tissues; water; ID; some mandarins and your phone.

Getting there

We booked our walk with the associazionemontegrappa group on WhatsApp and received precise details of our meet-up location by email. 

We arrived at ALBERGO FORCELLETTO, Forcelletto, Cismon del Grappa in the province of Vicenza, around a 1 hour and 30 minutes drive away through landscapes that became more interesting and empty as we started to climb and found our first snow of the season.

La Ciaspolata

Our group set off with Carlo and the Alpine Guide leading the way and Barbara closing the group and making sure nobody got left behind.

We were a real mixed bunch in ages and types and all fairly quiet and reserved at first but the minute we got to the sunny slopes with mounds and valleys of deep untouched snow sparkling in front of us, we all unanimously lit up and began kicking up the fluffy snow, taking photos and selfies and revelling in this amazing natural landscape.

The hike followed a circular trail from Albergo Forcellato and back again and even though we only did 5km, this activity was more intense than walking the same kilometres. 

My Garmin watch showed I’d burned more calories than I usually do walking twice as far- Yippee!

Along the way, our guides stopped to give us little snippets of local history and geography. 

Monte Grappa was once the scene of intense fighting between the Kingdom of Italy and the Austrian-Hungarian Empire during the First World War, leading to a victory for the Italians but with huge losses on both sides. 

Carlo pointed out the wide hollows in the snow that were made by exploding mortar shells more than 100 years ago; and the dug outs within the mountain side which sheltered soldiers from the bombing. 

He’s a real history buff and has written and published books based on military history and you can see in his eyes that this whole landscape and its stories are full of meaning to him.

And as the winter sun begins to set, changing from yellow to orange and lighting up a few strips of clouds in the blue sky, it was time to stop and pay attention to the setting sun. And enjoy the moment.

As soon as the sun goes down, it starts to get cooler and a little wind picks up. Time to close your jacket and think about keeping warmer. 

Carlo soon points out the planet Venus in the western sky, shining like a star. Then Jupiter appears behind us, sparkling, in the east.

Finally, we return through the forest where the whiteness of the fallen snow lights the way for a while until it’s time to switch on the head torch to help see where we’re going. 

Meanwhile, Barbara swiftly snowshoes past us as she goes on ahead to prepare some hot tea for when we arrive back at Albergo Forcellato.

Cosy Dinner 

We didn’t want the magic of our day to end and also the fresh air activities had made us hungry, so we were happy to join some of the group at TRATTORIA DA MASSIO, Via S. Lorenzo in Solana after a 20 minute drive back down the mountain. 

We arrived in the pitch dark to this warm and rustic family-run restaurant which makes all those traditional Veneto dishes that you would expect to find up in the mountains:

First course:

• Bigoli all’anitra, long and thick squiggly pasta served with a duck ragù sauce.

Main course:

• Baked rabbit with polenta.

Dessert:

• Crostata ai frutti di bosco, pastry with forest fruits.

Thoughts about this day: if you’ve read this blog so far, I think you know how special this day was.

The winter passes quickly and it’s important to get out of the cocoon of your home when you can and recharge your spirit in the beauty of a snowy landscape.