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Snowshoeing

A Not So Crazy Winter Craze

By Lori Lee

Found in: | Outside | Snowsports | Snowshoeing |

"...Very little evidence of God or man did I see just then, and life not as rich and inviting an enterprise as it should be, when my attention was caught by a snowflake on my coat-sleeve. It was one of those perfect, crystalline, star-shaped ones, six-rayed, like a flat wheel with six spokes, only the spokes were perfect little pine trees in shape, arranged around a central spangle. This little object, which, with many of its fellows, rested unmelted on my coat, so perfect and beautiful, reminded me that nature had not lost her pristine vigor yet, and why should man lose heart . . . We are rained and snowed on with gems."

- Henry David Thoreau, January 6, 1858, journal entry

he car was cramped. Our flight arrived late, the rental car agency rented out the promised car, here we were, six of us, crammed into an economy-size can with all our bags, ski stuff and snowshoe gear. We sped along the Colorado road covered with the dark winter night, tempers edgy and bodies dreadfully uncomfortable. At last, after hours of travel, we pulled in along the crunching, snow-covered road and unloaded like clowns from a circus car in front of the cabin. The cold air hit us, stark and real, but oh so welcome. I unloaded the giant bag of snowshoes from the trunk, threw them open onto the ground in front of us, and just like that, the best part of the evening began. We hadn't planned to snowshoe that night, but with headlamps and a few layers for warmth, the mountain came alive as we ran through the evergreens and naked aspen, shouted, tackled one another in the snow, threw snowballs, tromped up hills, made snow angels and coasted down powder.

This was Karen Righthand's first snowshoe experience. Righthand, the marketing director for Atlas Snowshoes, relives the story with a smile. I can tell the memory tastes sweet.

Snowshoes, like all great inventions, were designed to make our lives easier. One of the best things about the sport of snowshoeing is the ease at which one can get involved in the sport. You don't need a resort. You don't need a fifty-dollar pass. You don't need an entire weekend or even a whole day for a snowshoe jaunt. Snowshoeing's accessibility spans the board for young and old, rich and not-so-rich, city or canyon dweller. Any time there's enough snow, and any place there's enough snow, snowshoeing becomes an option. At the risk of stating the obvious, snowshoes enable you to walk on top of the snow without post holing (sinking up to your thighs), which means terrain you would not usually be able to access in the winter, opens to your exploration.

If you snowshoe, my attempted explanation of the crystalline snow reflecting in the sun as you climb mountains and take in vast valley views and connecting ranges standing grand against a stark, blue, winter sky, will be easily understood; but if you're a newbie to the sport, you have a great deal to be excited about.

Easy on the Wallet

Known as winter's most affordable and accessible sport, snowshoe and accessory manufacturers have designed snowshoes, poles, boots, and clothing, incorporating detailed research for top-of-the-line, technically advanced products. There has never been a more ideal time to start snowshoeing. The gear is sweet and the sport is hitting its stride. According to an outdoor recreation participation study taken by the Outdoor Industry Association: Snowshoeing participation has increased 83 percent since 1998.

A couple of primary reasons seem to explain this incredible jump in involvement. The first may be the winter sports price tag. According to the Snowsports Industries of America, the average price of an alpine ski setup stands at $718.55, while for a snowboard, bindings and boots you'll look to spend $518.70. On top of that there's the price of the lift ticket. Snowshoeing carries a welcome price tag - less than one-third the cost of most ski and snowboard packages. If you don't have your own gear, renting snowshoes provides the perfect way to try out snowshoe makes, models, and the sport itself. Rental snowshoes are available in most local gear and ski shops.

It Ain't so Hard

In addition to the easy-on-the-wallet entry, the learning curve ain't too shabby either. If you're intimidated - don't be. Snowshoeing gives increased control in winter conditions. Extensive lessons or multiple days on the trail are not required to attain needed skills. A few minutes getting used to the feel of the shoes on your feet and you'll stomp off down the trail. Snowshoes give the ability to climb steep slopes, to maneuver through difficult terrain, and if you need a partner to hit the trail with, you can introduce anyone to snowshoeing in a matter of minutes. Because of the quick learning curve, options for camaraderie increase dramatically when snowshoeing. When I want to ski I have to go with certain friends who have the time, skill set, and finances to ski. But, when I want to snowshoe I can ask anyone to come along: nieces, nephews, mom, dad, new friends, old friends, my kids, or avid enthusiasts of the sport.

Winter Bliss

To adrenaline junkies, snowshoeing may seem blas�, boring, a waste of time, but I'll let you in on a little secret: (the third reason so many people are turning to the sport) Snowshoeing is more than it appears. Filled with moments of syncopation between body and mind, snowshoeing gives you access to the present moment. The senses of touch (the cold and the heat), of sight (the views, the winter wonderland), of smell (the fir trees, the clean air), of taste (clean snowflakes on your tongue), and of hearing (silence), bring you to a winter place you will not find while channel surfing, and to destinations not even skiers can reach.

"I can remember one of my first times out on snowshoes," says Adam Chase, captain and team manager of the Atlas snowshoeing team. "I got the same feeling that I had on my maiden voyage on a mountain bike. That same ear-to-ear grin spread naturally across my face as I had the free feeling that I could go anywhere, so long as it was covered by snow. The world was mine to ascend, descend, and generally tramp across with abandon! The fact that I was at an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level was what brought me and my overworked lungs and heart back down to my white-covered playground with a gentle landing."

Antithesis of Hibernation

Capturing the hearts of trail runners, snowshoeing's popularity as a winter training venue has even hardcore winter competitors embracing it as the lean, mean, tough way to put in a 5K or 10K while braving the elements and getting a work out that beats the heck out of a treadmill. No more surrendering fresh air and the freedom of the run to seasonal demands. In the words of Garett Graubins from Trailrunnermag.com, "It's official: snowshoeing is the winter-time craze."

Being the closest relative to trail running, snowshoeing not only gets you out in the freshies, but demands a more powerful arm swing, a total body workout, and results in a heart-rate max out. In fact, if you're looking for the aerobic fat-burning workout, snowshoeing beats even cycling. For example: the average calories burned per hour by snowshoeing (based on a 150 lb. person) - 680; cycling burns 408; hiking 340; and downhill skiing 408.

Snowshoe racing, thanks to the US Snowshoe Association, has also clomped into national prominence. Competitors seem to be comprised of trail runners, Nordic skiers, roadies, triathletes, and adventure racers looking for their winter burn. But, you don't have to be hard core to strap on a pair. As the sport increases in popularity the range of participants include everything from recreational plodders to elite athletes.

Lisa Jhung, a member of the Atlas Snowshoe Team, says, "No one is really a snowshoe racer, so don't be intimidated. Everyone at the race does other sports in the summer; it's just a great way to cross-train in the winter. The racing events give people an excuse to get out, come together, and often try something new."

If you're interested in trying a little snowshoe racing, Chase shares some professional advice.

"My advice to neosnowphytes trying a snowshoe race is to start out slow and gauge your progress not by speed but by effort. It can be very slow going to tramp through deep powder, especially if the snow is heavy or crusty, so don't worry about having someone else take the lead for a while. Think of it like riding at the head of the peloton; you are best-off taking short turns in front unless the snow is packed."

Safe Not Sorry

It was the day after Thanksgiving and still no snow had fallen. Checking the weather didn't make it on my list of things to do because, though I'd been hoping for snow, day after day it had not come. I had given up on the daily waiting. With a sense of fun and adventure my husband and I headed toward a backcountry yurt with five young boys clad in hiking boots and backpacks. Two boys brought snow pants, (I had insisted they pack them in case the hoar frost at the higher elevation was enough to slide on,) but for all intents and purposes we were ill-prepared for the weather we were about to experience.

As we snuggled into the yurt, snow began to fall. By morning, 12 fresh inches of powder hugged the forest floor. My husband and I surveyed the sleeping kids ranging from four to 12-years old, then noted the sky still heavy with quarter-size flakes. The hike back to the SUV stretched 4.5 miles before us. All I could think was: We need to appear calm. We need to get started. Why didn't I check the weather forecast?

To put a long, hard 4.5 miles into one paragraph, my husband and I each carried a very cold and whimpering 4- and 5-year-old child, in addition to our full packs, out of the wilderness that day. The foot-deep snow required a heavy, cold trudging as our hiking boots filled with snow and our socks became sponges. What might reasonably be handled by adults, can quickly turn tragic with children. Their extreme discomfort filled me with remorse and reproach as we struggled through the wind and falling snow toward the buried trailhead. I thought more than once about the pioneers of the 1800s who originally trudged across the plains in deep snow, certainly without Gore-tex�, and pitied their 1,200-mile trek, compared to my 4.5 miles.

Though we made it, frozen but alive, back to the Suburban, it was a mistake that shouldn't have been made. Had I checked the weather before leaving, we could have packed the needed snowshoes and warm clothes. Fortunately, the experience conjured up only temporary misery, but it could have been worse.

Winter weather in the mountains changes quickly. If winter catches you unprepared it can be brutal, even fatal. Hypothermia, frostbite, getting lost, avalanches - all have killed their fair share. As you look for adventure, do your homework. You are responsible for your safety. Always check weather and avalanche reports before you go.

Snowshoe Tips

So, it's time to make your own story. Righthand's nighttime foray with her family, Chase's "A-ha" moment in the mountains, or my lesson-learned-the-hard-way are our stories. Here are some tips as you prepare to make your own.

Though snowshoeing requires no formal training. It does require endurance, strength, balance and coordination. Some simple techniques will make a wide range of terrain accessible to you.

Climbing

Using your crampons will help you climb effectively. When a steep hill stands before you, pressure the toe of your foot where the metal teeth of the crampon can grab hold of the snow. This will give you the traction you need to climb. If you have retractable poles, shorten them for the climb.

Descending

Keep your knees slightly bent and lean back keeping your weight over your heels. This helps you to maintain control. Open up your stride and you can pick up speed without tripping over yourself. Keep your arms out to the side and enjoy the run down - the fast, light, powder descents are the big fun. Adjust poles longer when descending.

Edging

Though many people opt not to use poles, for traverses they are a key tool. As you head across a slope, kick the side of the snowshoe into the hillside, engage the crampon, and stomp down hard. The poles come in handy to maintain balance and support. Shorten the pole on the uphill side. (Each pole will be a different length.)

Breaking Trail

If fresh snow graces your trail and no prints mark the way before, you will be breaking trail. When in a group, it will be easiest if you walk in single file, letting the first in line break trail and switching off as needed. When it's your turn to lead, take consistent even steps that others can follow.

Choosing the Shoe

As with any piece of gear, the right equipment can make the difference between performance and comfort that keeps you coming back, or a single attempt. Snowshoe manufacturers have focused time and money in the last decade to developing snowshoe designs with pioneering technological innovations such as lighter, stronger frames, engineered bindings that focus on foot pressure points, control, ankle and foot flex, and crampon systems focused on maximum crampon penetration and traction. From a gear perspective, it's a great time to enter the sport.

With the answers to a few questions, you can determine the best snowshoe for your body and style of snowshoeing.

What type of snowshoeing do you plan to do?

If you want the aerobic workout and plan to use the shoes to run the trails, the shoe you choose will be smaller and lighter. A spring-loaded hinge will help the shoe spring back as you lift the shoe, step over obstacles, or back up.

If you plan to focus on more recreational enjoyment - moderate distances with moderately steep terrain - the shoe you need will be light to mid-weight, have a turned up nose, and you'll find that you may only need lightweight traction, though I prefer good, strong traction on mine.

If mountaineering and backcountry-powder exploration fits your personal style, you'll need a bigger shoe with a larger surface area to keep you and your pack afloat over powder and to help you break trail. Your traction need will increase as well.

What size snowshoe do I need?

Snowshoes come in a variety of sizes for men, women and children. Your weight determines the amount of floatation/size you need in a snowshoe. That's not how much you weighed in high school, or how much you weigh when you get out of the shower, it is how much you weigh when you are snowshoeing. Will you be carrying a pack? A baby on your back? Avalanche gear? Or will you be running in tights and a sleek turtleneck? The more weight the larger the surface area needed on your snowshoe: approximately one pound of body weight per square inch of surface area of one snowshoe. Snowshoes come in a few basic sizes depending up on the model: 23, 25, 27, 30, and 35.

What should I know about bindings?

The binding system reigns as the heart of the snowshoe, therefore the fit becomes crucial. The binding-boot-body interface is, in the words of Kathy Murphy, general manager of Tubbs Snowshoes, "mission critical."

You will find that each snowshoe company has its own recommended binding system. Many of these are patented. They differ in ease of use, stability, how they allow the foot to move and pivot, and the materials used. Try them to see what feels best to you. A secure binding makes or breaks your snowshoes. Frustration abounds when you're hiking along and the binding repeatedly comes off. More than once, I've struggled with mine or a partners' binding - it's a show stopper.

The ease at which you can slip in, tighten and slip out of the binding are two of the most noticeable user factors. Many a snowshoer has purchased primarily on this criteria. Choose what works and feels best to you.

Who needs a 4x4?

Crampons are the steel spikes on the bottom of the snowshoe that provide traction. Most are stainless steel. MSR (Mountain Safety Research) makes a snowshoe where the bottom of the outer frame is molded with teeth - its Lightning and Lightning Ascent models. Where the crampons sit on the snowshoe depends upon the snowshoe. Crampons typically sit below the toe, often on the heel, on the ball of the foot and occasionally along the frame. If you plan to do tricky traverses or climb steep mountains, pay special attention to crampons when you purchase your shoes. If you will regularly interface with icy surfaces, the amount and sharpness of your crampons will matter all the more. Toe cleats are used for climbing and descending while the back cleat becomes useful in a traverse. Atlas Snowshoes has just introduced a new 3-D formed toe crampon on its 10-Series snowshoes. This provides little shovel-like cleats at the toe rather than the usual spikes. Crescent Moon snowshoes have the only three-claw crampon traction system on the market with a claw on the toe, the heel, and the ball of the foot. Consider the amount of time you're on the ice and the type of snowshoeing you'll be doing, and make your decision accordingly.

Is there really a difference in a woman-specific snowshoe?

Women-specific snowshoes address the body differences between men and women. A binding and crampon system designed to fit a woman's smaller boot and accommodate the narrower heel is one feature, while making the frames of the shoes ergonomically shaped to account for the differences in the female stride, is another. Women don't walk or run like men, because of the angle created between the knee and thigh because of their wider hips. A tapered snowshoe tail and nose take this gait into consideration and allow for more clearance. Extensive research was conducted to determine if there was a need for a woman-specific snowshoe before the products were developed. You can rest secure knowing that a woman-specific snowshoe will add performance, but certainly is not required to enjoy the sport. Most manufacturers have now developed a line of woman-specific snowshoes for their female clients (45 percent of snowshoers are women).

New with the Shoe

The 2006/2007 winter season has some great gear advances. Let me share a few.

Atlas snowshoes, one of the top performance snowshoe companies, has added spring-loaded suspension to every model in its line for 2007. This patented system allows the snowshoer side-to-side foot flex as well as shock absorption. The quick return of the snowshoe to your foot also provides a more natural platform as you make your way through the snow. They have a full women's line, the Elektra, and a new website: www.atlaswomen.com. This website helps women learn about the product, the sport and helps get them on the slopes.

Crescent Moon, a specialty snowshoe manufacturer based in Colorado, prides itself on outstanding maneuverability and performance. It has one of the best bindings on the market - the SPL, or single-pull loop. Step in, pull, and the binding harnesses the foot. The binding screams user-friendly, and the ease of the system does not compromise the performance. The binding holds the boot with good solid energy transfer to the crampons below. Its design has undergone extensive testing over the years and I can attest that my husband loves his. This year CM plans to outfit its shoes with a new decking material (stiff fabric-type section of the shoe) that has no PVCs, in an attempt to become completely environmentally friendly within the next two seasons. Currently, the company recycles almost everything it "wastes" and uses all wind-powered energy at its factory. In addition, this year CM has introduced the first "backcountry" model specifically designed for women, called the Gold 15.

MSR has no major research changes this year. It figures, why mess with a good thing? The Lightening Ascents, in both men's and women's lines, has been highly popular over the last couple years.

The author of Wild Weekends in Utah, Lori Lee's new book Best Snowshoe Trails of the Wasatch and Yurts of Utah will be available December 2007 from Wilderness Press.