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Snowshoeing:
Hottest Thing In Winter Sports
by Barbara Gibbs
Ostmann
Dave Miller, camping manager for
Outdoors, Inc., in St. Louis, Mo., says Midwesterners have joined the trend.
“The first week of January [last winter] when we had all that snow, we sold
out of snowshoes. Everybody was cooped up and wanted to get out.” The great thing about snowshoeing,
noted Miller, is that it’s just like walking. “There’s no learning
curve.” Casey Irish, assistant manager at
Sun and Ski Sports, in St. Louis, agrees. “Snowshoeing is very popular. You
can snowshoe anywhere, on any trail in the woods.”
“Snowshoeing is especially
popular among women,” says Jennifer Upson, a former instructor and guide at
The Home Ranch. “It’s a great alternative for people who don’t feel
comfortable on skis but who want to get out in the backcountry.” And it’s so easy. “Basically
you just walk, but with a bit wider stance to allow for the snowshoes,” says
Upson. “The first time you trip over your snowshoes, you’ll learn. I suggest
using ski poles to help with balance and to make your arms move, too.” Great for beginners
“Snowshoeing made me like to
walk in the snow. It felt great to be out in the fresh air and in the cold,”
says Susan. “It made me understand the fascination of winter sports. I could
see why there is pleasure in it.” Marshall, an avid tennis player,
agreed. “I had done zero winter sports since I was a kid and used to ride my
sled. I had trepidation about skis, about being out in the snow. But snowshoeing
made it easy. It was a good entry-level experience for me. I wasn’t at the
mercy of the snow or of something on my feet that I couldn’t control. “It was a great way to get
started. The next day I went cross-country skiing and I was more prepared for it
because of the snowshoes.” While snowshoeing on packed trails
is basically just walking with ski poles, breaking through fresh, deep snow is
another story. Snowshoeing can be a real workout. “Snowshoeing takes more effort
than cross-country skiing,” says Upson. “You have to make more steps; there
is no gliding as there is with cross-country. It is especially strenuous in deep
snow, especially for the person in the lead.” But breaking fresh trails through
deep powder is a beautiful experience. The scenery is stunning, and the quiet
and stillness are only broken by the thwack of your snowshoes. Gearing up
If you’re conjuring up images of
wooden snowshoes strung with rawhide that resemble tennis rackets, you’re in
for a surprise. Although traditional snowshoes are still available and still
used in many places, today’s modern snowshoes are high-tech affairs with
lightweight aluminum or plastic frames and a platform or webbing made of nylon
or other synthetic material. Easy-to-use buckle bindings fasten the snowshoes to
your hiking boots or cross-country ski boots. There are talons, crampons or
cleats on the bottom for traction and stability. Snowshoes come in different sizes
and with different bindings depending on the intended use and the size of the
user. If you’re lightweight and will be going mostly on packed snow, a smaller
shoe is the right choice. If you’re heavy, will be carrying a heavy pack, or
will be in deep powder, you’ll need a larger shoe. Smaller shoes are more
maneuverable, but they don’t provide as much flotation – the ability to stay
on top of the snow. There are small snowshoes designed for running, with special
bindings and pivots. There are even snowshoes with special crossover step-in
bindings so you can switch from your snowboard to your snowshoes while wearing
the same boots. Prices in the St. Louis stores we
called ranged from $100 to $279, depending on the size, construction and
different performance features. In addition to snowshoes, you’ll
need waterproof boots, a pair of ski poles and a daypack with drinking water,
extra clothing and a snack. If you have a pair of gaiters, wear them. Dress in
layers, just as you would for cross-country skiing. Taking the first steps
Claire Walter, author of
“Snowshoeing Colorado” (Fulcrum, Inc.), writes in the January 1999 issue of
Hemispheres magazine, “Local snowshoeing takes minimal preparation, and you
probably already own all the clothing and accessories you need. If you are in
unfamiliar territory, such as high altitude if you’re a lowlander, or are
unfamiliar with the backcountry, sign up for a guided tour, which offers
security, companionship and insight into the winter wild.” Irish, of Sun and Ski Sports, says
many of their customers have been heading to Colorado and other western
destinations for snowshoe trips, which include lessons and guided tours. Many
people take a day off from a skiing or snowboarding trip to spend a day on
snowshoes for a chance of pace and to work different muscles. Most resorts offer
snowshoes for rent, just like skis or snowboards. “If snowshoes were easy to rent
in St. Louis, I’d do it here,” says Susan Katzman. There’s a business
opportunity just waiting to happen. Contact information
The Home Ranch, Clark, Colo.,
970-879-1780, www.homeranch.com. Home Ranch offers free snowshoe
and cross-country equipment, lessons and guided tours to its guests. There are
miles of groomed trails and acres of open spaces to explore. Text copyright 2000 by Barbara
Gibbs Ostmann Photo by Dave Shultz |
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TM
What’s America’s
fastest-growing winter sport? If you said snowboarding, guess again. Snowshoeing
is the hottest new thing in the North American snowbelt. Ten years ago,
snowshoeing wasn’t even a blip on the sports statistics sheets. Today, most
ski resorts and outdoor equipment shops have added snowhoeing and snowshoes to
their lineup. 
We got our feet wet, so to speak,
at The Home Ranch in Clark, Colo., last winter. Nestled in the Elk River Valley
and surrounded by mountains, the ranch’s 1,500 acres are ideal for cross-cou
Susan and Marshall Katzman of St.
Louis tried snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at The Home Ranch last winter,
and loved both sports. Neither is a winter sports fan and, before going to the
ranch, neither really understood why anyone would want to be out in the cold and
snow instead of basking in the sun on a beach somewhere.
Although you can snowshoe right
where you live, weather permitting, you might want to try it in a more exotic
locale, such as The Home Ranch.