Snowshoeing: Hottest Thing In Winter Sportsby 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 upIf 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 stepsClaire 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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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-country skiing and snowshoeing. (Downhill skiing is available in nearby Steamboat Springs.) 
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.