Learn Snowshoeing 1-2-3-4
No wonder there is such a growing interest iin
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. Get Started >>
Beginner
Showshoeing
What to Get: Snowshoeing Gear 
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.
 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.
Where to Go: Snowshoe Destinations
- 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. Travel there with 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.
Snowshoeing Articles
Snowshoeing Organizations: United States Snowshoe
Association
| 
Ski
Resorts