Mindful hiking through snow and silence

The motto of this snowshoe experience was “Through Snow and Silence – Align Your Inner Compass.” Through various mindfulness exercises, mountain hiking guide Wander-Kathi, led eleven young adults from different European countries on a peaceful and breathtaking hike. They explored the snow-covered Liechtenstein Alpine landscape in Malbun on snowshoes. As part of the Erasmus+ project Via Alpina Youth, the hike offered them the opportunity to discover a sustainable form of winter sport while also connecting more deeply with themselves. The event was organized by CIPRA International.

"Walking in the silence of the mountains, we could hear nothing but our own breath and the distant chirping of birds", says Marta, one of the participants. "It was an excursion that brought us not only closer to nature but also to ourselves. When we closed our eyes and let the sun and wind guide us, each of us instinctively pointed in a different direction. By following a trail in the snow, we discovered traces of life—animal tracks hinting at the unseen presence of wildlife."

The Visit Utopia youth activity in the mountains of Malbun, Liechtenstein, was designed precisely for this purpose: to deepen our understanding of our own bodies, our place in the world, and our relationship with nature and other living beings. With the effects of global warming more evident than ever, this experience served as a powerful reminder that we—humans, young adults, tourists—must treat nature with mindfulness and respect.