Whether you plan to go snowshoeing in the mountains, foothills, boreal forests or prairies; winter in western Canada will provide you with some of the world's best opportunities. In addition to being able have some great exercise and see some fabulous scenery , with apologies to cross-country skiers, snowshoes open a wide range of routes and terrains that let you "get off the beaten track".

If you're properly trained, prepared, planned, equipped and dressed snowshoes are an excellent way to explore the backcountry in winter. Here are some tips for enjoying snowshoeing:

• Always be aware of avalanche and changing weather conditions!
• Carry or know how to find clean safe water!
• Let people know where you are going and when you plan to return!
• Have good map and compass skills!
• Use care, or even avoid, crossing frozen bodies of water and glaciers!
• Carry first aide and emergency supplies!
• If you're not experienced, travel with a guide, or qualified person!

For some of the best western Canadian adventure tourism destinations for snowshoeing are in the Canadian Rocky Mountains at Banff/Lake Louise and Jasper. There are also great opportunities in internal British Columbia and the foothills of the mountains in Alberta, within a short trip west from Calgary and Edmonton.

Also for great snowshoeing in the boreal forests go to Alberta's north, at Lesser Slave Lake, or in foothill of the mountains at Hinton, Grand Cache, or central Alberta's route though the mountains in the David Thompson Pass.

There also great opportunities for snowshoeing, at many of the locations, in Saskatchewan, located east of Alberta.