How to Become a Snowshoe Guide

If you aspire to become a snowshoe guide, it is important to understand that it entails more than just possessing the skill of snowshoeing. To successfully embark on this career path, one must familiarize themselves with the local snowshoe trails in their area, ensuring they have expertise in navigating these terrains. Additionally, a comprehensive understanding of safety protocols is crucial to ensure the well-being of both the guide and their patrons. Make sure you are well informed of a trail pass that is more appropriate for a novice customer as opposed to a mountain pass that is for a more experienced snowshoe customer. 

Interpersonal skills play a significant role as well, as being able to interact with your clients in a professional and accommodating manner. By embodying these qualities, you can market yourself as a knowledgeable, reliable, and personable individual within the industry.

Guides should acquire certifications such as wilderness first aid training, avalanche safety training, and instructor certifications from organizations like the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). These certifications are important for ensuring the safety of both the guide and the clients. Moreover, they demonstrate professionalism and expertise. By obtaining these certifications, snowshoe tour guides can market themselves as highly knowledgeable and reliable professionals who prioritize safety while providing an unforgettable experience to their clients.  

By ensuring that guides are fully prepared and equipped with the skills and knowledge required for a safe and positive snowshoe trip, they can confidently navigate through the challenges posed by snowy terrains and adverse weather conditions. Becoming a competent snowshoe guide goes hand in hand with effective marketing strategies, as it allows potential clients to recognize the guide's dedication to providing exceptional services. Always know what the snow conditions are before embarking on a snowshoe adventure. Investing in the development of one's expertise as a snowshoe guide is a key aspect of carving a successful niche in this field.

How to Market Yourself as a Snowshoe Guide

To successfully establish yourself as a snowshoe guide and effectively market your services, you need to form connections with experienced winter sports enthusiasts within your community. By doing so, you can build a solid reputation as an expert in the field. One effective way to achieve this is by collaborating with outdoor clubs and organizations. By working together, you can offer informative lectures and seminars that cover essential topics such as snowshoeing safety, proper technique, and best practices. This not only showcases your expertise but also highlights your commitment to ensuring the well-being of those who embark on this winter adventure. Through these educational initiatives, you can demonstrate your dedication and knowledge, attracting potential clients who are seeking a reliable and experienced snowshoe guide.

Are there hotels near you that have guests looking for this winter activity? Contact them to see if there is an opportunity for both parties to profit. Are you going to offer snowshoe rental? If there is a winter sport rental business near you, again that can also be a place to approach for a shared market opportunity

Social Media

It is essential to establish a strong online presence to effectively market your services. By creating a website or blog, you can provide potential clients with detailed information about the various services you offer, leaving no room for doubt or confusion. This will enable you to showcase your expertise and professionalism, further enticing individuals to choose you as their guide. Taking advantage of popular social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter can significantly enhance your visibility and reach. Sharing captivating photos of recent snowshoe trips and highlighting your extensive experience as a guide will undoubtedly attract attention and establish credibility in the industry. As you continuously engage with your online audience, utilizing strategic keywords and maintaining an engaging tone, you will gradually build a reputable brand and attract a loyal client base. Remember, in the world of snowshoe tours and guiding, effective marketing is the key to success, and by staying proactive online, you are sure to turn your passion into a thriving business.

 
Booking and Getting Clients

One of the biggest questions is how to get clients. As mentioned above, joining groups in your area is a good way to get your name out there.  If you are in the area of ski resorts and hotels, you can approach them as a collaboration between you and a service they can offer their patrons.  However, the best way is to have a place online where potential clients can find you. 

Online booking companies, such as Guidesly.com, offer not only a website set up for you, but also allow your customers to see when you are available, what exactly you offer, an easy way to book online, and a way to get in touch with your customers with all their information stored for you.

One of the most challenging parts of a guide business is the booking tool.  Many looking into getting started have hopes of the customer calling and booking over the phone.  There is no downpayment possible with an out-of-date booking system over the phone and leads to many missed opportunities if you are not available at the time of the call. With your Guidesly website, you will have a calendar booking tool set up with your available times, the snowshoe trails and guided tours you offer, prices, and payment procedures.  On the day of the trip, Guidesly also offers the guide to accept a credit card payment that is already set up during the booking process or tap to pay which most guides love as it is an immediate payment option.  Tips and rental fees can be included if you choose so the customer does not need to worry about having cash.  Ease of booking and payment is what will draw more customers to you.

These are some of the highlights to help you on your way to fulfilling your dream of being a snowshoe guide. We hope you succeed in your endeavors and remember to use all the tools available to help you succeed.