Not everyone in a ski-town group wants to slide downhill. Grandparents, tired legs, and kids who are not ready for a lift all need something to do on a bluebird Saturday in January. Snowshoeing solves that. It is quiet, it is inexpensive, and you can start from almost anywhere with snow on the ground.
Maison de Ski rents snowshoes out of our Idaho Springs shop at I-70 Exit 241, about 30 to 45 minutes west of Denver. You bring winter boots; we hand you a pair of Atlas snowshoes and a quick lesson on the bindings. That is the whole setup, and it works for people who have never been on snow in their lives.
What you get with a snowshoe rental
Our fleet is Atlas 9 Series FRS snowshoes, with free-rotating suspension that lets the deck move naturally under your foot, plus tempered steel cleats and toe crampons for grip on packed snow and icy switchbacks. Rentals run from $20 and cover 1 to 7 days, so a long weekend does not cost more than a single day.
Staff set the bindings for your boots at the counter before you leave. If you need several pairs for a group, reserve online at least 24 hours ahead so they are waiting when you arrive. Walk-ins work fine as well, but a holiday weekend can clean out the rack.
If you are not sure which length to choose, think about your trip rather than the forecast. A one-day rental suits a single outing, while a multi-day rental saves a second trip back to town. Snowshoes pack flat in a car trunk, so keeping them for the length of your stay is rarely a burden.
Bring your own winter boots
Snowshoes attach to your boots, so the boots are the important part. Wear insulated, waterproof winter boots that come up over the ankle. Hiking shoes and sneakers will leave your feet wet and cold within an hour, and ski boots are the wrong shape for the bindings.
Wool socks and a spare pair in the car make the drive home better. If your boots are borderline, pack a plastic bag for the ride back and change socks at the trailhead. Warm, dry feet are most of the reason a snowshoe outing feels good rather than like a chore.
Where to snowshoe near Idaho Springs
You do not have to drive far. The I-70 corridor west of Idaho Springs climbs into national forest and over mountain passes with plenty of snow from December into spring. Stop at the counter on your way out and we will point you toward a trail that fits your group's pace and the day's conditions.
A few rules keep it simple. Stay on marked routes, check the forecast before you leave, and turn around before you are tired rather than after. Snowshoeing is slow going in fresh powder, so plan a shorter route than you would walk on a dry trail, and tell someone where you are headed.
Timing matters more than distance. Snow along the I-70 corridor is usually best from December into spring, but conditions change week to week. Ask at the counter what still has snow and what has melted out, and stay off slopes where the snow above you looks heavy and loaded.
Renting gear for this trip?
Maison de Ski fits skis, snowboards and snowshoes at I-70 Exit 241 in Idaho Springs, 25 miles from Loveland and on the way to every major I-70 resort. Early pickup is free after 2 PM the day before.
Good for kids and mixed groups
Kids take to snowshoes quickly because there is no technique to learn. Walk, and the crampons do the work. Short loops that start and end at the car work well for young children, with hot chocolate waiting in the back seat. A parent can pull a sled on the flat sections if legs give out.
It also makes a good rest-day activity. Skiers with sore knees can snowshoe instead of taking a full day off, and a non-skiing partner can join the trip without buying a lift ticket. Groups of 10 or more can call 303-567-2044 at least 24 hours ahead for special rates.
Returning your snowshoes
Snowshoes go back to the same Idaho Springs shop, which is open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day. Multi-day rentals are the easy choice if you are staying in the mountains: pick them up on the way out and drop them off on the way home, and you are not paying for days you spend inside by the fire while the snow piles up on the car.
If I-70 backs up and you cannot make it by 7:00 PM, call the shop and we will sort out a late return. The same applies if a storm closes the pass and you are stuck on the far side. A phone call is all it takes, and staff will note it on your reservation so there are no surprises later.
Rentals are checked in at the counter, and staff look over the bindings and crampons before the snowshoes go back on the rack. If a strap broke on the trail, say so when you return it. We would rather fix it than have the next person find it halfway up a slope.
Common questions
How much does it cost to rent snowshoes in Idaho Springs?
Snowshoe rentals at Maison de Ski start at $20 and cover 1 to 7 days, so a single day and a full week start at the same price. The rental includes Atlas 9 Series FRS snowshoes with steel cleats and toe crampons; you bring your own winter boots.
Do I need special boots for snowshoeing?
No special boots are needed, but you do need insulated, waterproof winter boots that cover the ankle. Maison de Ski does not rent boots with its snowshoes, so wear the warmest waterproof pair you own and bring wool socks.
Is snowshoeing good for kids?
Yes. Kids pick up snowshoeing quickly because it is just walking with extra grip. Choose a short route that starts and ends at the car, bring snacks, and keep the outing under a couple of hours for younger children.
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