Calories Burned Cross-Country Skiing vs. Snowshoeing

Calories Burned

According to Harvard Medical School, you'll burn the same number of calories during cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. A 125-pound person will burn 240 calories while doing either activity for 30 minutes, while someone who weighs 155 pounds will burn 298 calories during 30 minutes of either activity. If you weigh 185 pounds, expect to burn 355 calories during a half-hour of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Other Activities

The rate that you burn calories while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is moderate. Both activities will burn more calories than tennis, soccer, in-line skating, kayaking and walking at a speed of less than 5 mph. Activities that burn more calories than cross-country skiing and snowshoeing include running and cycling vigorously, swimming laps, jumping rope and practicing martial arts. Hockey, beach volleyball and running at 5 mph burn calories at the same rate as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Considerations

Although cross-country skiing and snowshoeing provide a calorie-burning workout, ConsumerReports.org warns that while practicing winter activities, you should always focus on safety. Travel in groups, wear bright, visible clothing and consider wearing a reflective vest or carrying a flashing light, especially if you plan on moving along roadways. Wear several layers of clothing to keep comfortable and carry water with you to keep hydrated. Warm up before either activity by using dynamic stretches, which stretch your muscles and increase your core temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

If you have seasonal affective disorder, you might feel depressed or have a lack of energy during the winter months, especially if you don't spend as much time outside as you do during the summer. MayoClinic.com notes that reduced exposure to sunlight can cause a reduction in your brain's level of serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates your mood. The clinic recommends a combination of exercise and being outdoors as lifestyle changes you can make to combat the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.