Don't Hibernate This Winter - Get the Gear & Snowshoe!
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An old form of winter travel sees new life
by Sarah Horton"It doesn't matter if you're running on packed snow or hiking in powder, you'll be burning up to 1000 calories per hour. Throw in a pair of poles for a total body workout. The best part is that you're outdoors, not running on the treadmill or riding the exercise bike in the gym." Tim Coats, Tubbs Sales Representative
Growing up in Maine, my first experience with snowshoeing was with a pair of bentwood and rawhide snowshoes-clumsy, awkward, and certainly not made for a girl of 10. I tried them on, made it about 30 feet from the barn, and collapsed in a heap of New England snow. Years later I donned a pair of modern snowshoes, and was astonished at how far they had come since the days of strapping quasi tennis racquets to my feet. I've been an avid snowshoer ever since.
The benefits of snowshoeing are vast and unassuming. Aside from the heart-pumping aerobic benefit, this low impact sport is amazing for strength training and improving muscle endurance. Snowshoeing boasts a better caloric burn than running and cross-country skiing (up to 45% more!), and is a perfect choice for those who find it difficult to maintain their summer physique through the winter months. Your legs get a major workout not just from the jogging/walking but from the weight of the snowshoes themselves. Your cardiovascular system improves aerobically. And your tummy stays (or becomes) nice and flat.
Snowshoeing can be more peaceful and economical than popular winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. It allows you to take in beautiful winter landscape away from crowded resorts. Unlike skiing or snowboarding, you can play in the mountains without breaking the bank on lift tickets and expensive gear like special boots, bindings, and high priced boards. Snowshoeing is one of the few sports in which virtually anyone can particpate, regardless of age or fitness level. If you can walk, you can snowshoe-just go at your own pace. Fortunately, children's snowshoes have progressed right alongside adults', making it a fun sport for families.
Snowshoe Gear
So, wondering how to get started?Here are the essentials to get you going:
The most important thing for a novice is to get a snowshoe that fits properly and is at least oriented toward the type of snowshoeing you think you’ll be doing most. Major categories of snowshoeing from least to most advanced are: Recreational, Hiking, and Backcountry. In addition, some snowshoes are oriented specifically toward Running. Don’t be intimidated by all of these distinctions. Just remember the words of Leta Sharpe, our Atlas Snowshoe Sales Rep, “You can’t have too much snowshoe [as a beginner].” You just need a secure, comfortable fit. Do bear in mind that a Backcountry or mountaineering snowshoe is fine for hiking and recreational snowshoeing, but you wouldn’t want to attempt mountaineering in a recreational or hiking snowshoe.
For the correct size, a good gauge is 1lb of Body Weight per Square Inch Surface Area of one snowshoe. If you are going to be mostly breaking trails, add your average pack weight to your body weight. If you are going to be primarily tromping through powder, step up in a size-more surface area means more float in deep, fresh snow.
Using one or two hiking poles is helpful for maintaining balance, not to mention it enhances the workout. For mountaineering, use a pole with a self arrest head or an ice axe with a snow basket.
As far as clothing and accessories, a Camelbak is helpful for staying hydrated. Footwear can be anything from trail shoes to heavy duty winter boots. A good choice for beginners would be waterproof, over-the-ankle hiking boots. A lightweight wicking sock, leg gaiters, base layers to keep the sweat out and the heat in, and lightweight waterproof shells are a good setup for most outings.
That said, it doesn't take much investment to get involved and begin enjoying this revitalized winter sport. With resorts now accommodating snowshoers on their trails and integrating the gear into rental programs the buzz is catching on. Try it out for yourself and see what it's all about!