Learn How to Snowshoe

Learn How to Snowshoe:
Easy to Learn, Cheap to Do

No wonder there is such a growing interest in snowshoeing - it's a low-impact sport that's fairly simple to learn, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to get started. You can go for an easier, peaceful excursion or a more strenuous adventure - or you can enjoy both.

Snowshoeing is a much more challenging sport than most people think. The payoff is that it will give you a great workout.

Gear is fairly inexpensive to rent, I found out, which basically consists of snowshoes and poles. REI checked in with the lowest price, and for a *1-day rental*, and I could pick up the gear the day before and return it the day after for no extra charge.

If you have a pair of hiking boots (waterproof is good), you can simply attach them to the snowshoes, and you're ready to go. Some people even say that snowboard boots or tennis shoes work, but I have yet to try those.

If you snowboard or ski, you can wear the same warm, snow-proof clothing you already have. Unless you choose a balmy 70 degree day in the California Sierras - then you may want to bring a tank top, shorts and sunscreen.

The best tip I learned when first starting out is that when you go uphill, kick your foot into the hill and the "teeth" of your snowshoe will grab the hill and keep you from slipping. Great trick.

Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing

You don't need to take a formal lesson to hit the snow on snowshoes. Snowshoeing is similar to hiking in that you can have a peaceful, easy outing or a strenuous adventure. Either way, it really helps to get advice from experienced snowshoers before you go, and you can accomplish that with a simple beginner's snowshoeing guide.

Snowshoe Expert Claire Walter shows you how to get the proper snowshoe gear, what to expect your first time out on the snow (sharing her own experiences), alpine centers and public lands where you can snowshoe, how to pick up the pace for a better workout, fun snowshoe races (why not?) and more. Beginner Showshoeing

Snowshoeing Gear - What Should You Get?

Snow Shoes for Sale on eBay

Foot Gear for a Winter Enthusiast

Winter is a spectacular time of the year. From dog sledding to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to snowmobiling, or just camping out in the woods, it’s a time when you can experience the hushed, serene world of white. However before planning any trip or sporting activity in the winter you must be prepared to face the dangers of this glacial weather.

Winter activities can be dangerous and this is further compounded by the weather that they are performed in. If you aren’t prepared for the hazards with the right kind of winter gear, you could be at risk from frostbite and hypothermia, the most common threats to your health from winter activities.

snowshoeing So, it becomes imperative for an outdoor winter adventurer to know the finer points of winter gear. For instance, winter shoes. Backpackers, fishers, or campers exposed to ice, snow, and water can enjoy their sport without fear of frozen toes if kitted properly with the right foot gear for the winter.

The foot gear you choose will naturally depend on the activity that you are involved in as well as the temperature that you expect to be in. It also depends on the kind of environment that you will be facing, e.g. will it be wet, snowy or icy? For instance, different types of shoes are recommended for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

For the former you will need a boot that provides support to the ankle. You may also need a ski over boot to give to the added insulation over the ski boot. For snowshoeing or hiking in the snow, regular backpacking boots are just not good enough. They are simply unable to provide the requisite dead air apace. There are several options for boots. Among them are:

Insulated Boots - Commonly called ‘Mickey Mouse’ or ‘M&M’s boots, these were originally designed for use in the Korean War. They are designed to provide an impenetrable shield against water and extreme cold. A wool-lined interior and several layers of rubber serve as insulation. Their most distinguishable features are their giant size and pure white color.

The boots are able to prevent frostbite even at -20 or -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 to -34 Celsius); a thin layer of air trapped between two layers of rubber acts as a powerful insulator. They’re now available in black, with pressure valves, special moisture-wicking liners, and ratings down to an amazing -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 Celsius). You can purchase them thorough Army Surplus Stores, which is preferred over the modern copies.

Mountaineering Boots - Plastic shell mountaineering boots have a woolen or a foam insulated inner boot. These are very warm and can be easily used with ski bindings, crampons and showshoes.

Mukluks - Mukluks are a type of footwear originally made by the Athabaskans and Eskimos to keep their feet warm and dry in the winter. These are one piece moccasins which come up to the knee and are lined with felt and wool. How ever, since they are not waterproof they are best used in dry, cold winter settings. They can easily be used with snowshoe bindings and on cross country skis with special bindings, as well as with hinged crampons.

About the Author: Jack Smith writes about winter clothing, winter sports, winter accessories, and winter gear. Please visit this winter directory for more resources on winter shopping, winter clothing and winter sports.

Snowshoe Destinations - Where Can You Go?

Winter Trails
Try snowshoeing and cross country skiing for free at these one-day events held nationwide every year. For both children and adults, put on by volunteer hiking trail clubs, community parks, Nordic centers and outdoor gear suppliers. They have a map you can click on to get more information on events near you. Interested in a strenuous but rewarding challenge? Try Mt Tallac at Lake Tahoe (The NE Route accessible in winter). Also see Mt Tallac Trail Map Image (Not for beginners - a strenuous uphill trek)
Ski Resorts
Get profiles, locations and reviews of ski & snowboard resorts worldwide. Orbitz Online Travel Reservations

Who to Snowshoe With:

Find People to Snowshoe With
Find people in your area who are interested in snowshoeing, and make new friends who enjoy spending time in the snow wilderness as much as you do.
Snowshoeing Groups
Find a group of beginner and experienced snoeshowers near you and around the world through a free online service called Meetup.com. Snowshoeing can be a peaceful, adventurous or social activity, depending on who you go with, but it's always safer and a good idea to go with a group or at least one other person.