Know How To Go Snow Shoeing

Snowshoeing is one of the least expensive winter activities out there. The gear for snowshoeing is under 100 dollars and usually comes in a kit. If you are doing longer treks, you may want to consider better outdoor gear and poles. 

Beginners should start on a golf course trail to help them get used to the movements needed. Once you are comfortable on flat ground, you can navigate up to off-trail techniques and going downhill. I suggest falling over into a pile of snow on purpose and figuring out how to get back up. 

If you are going off-trail poles are advantageous for navigating fallen trees, deep snow, and hills. Some advanced snowshoers do not use poles at all because they can become cumbersome when going through a forest. However, if you are uncomfortable or not steady, use the poles and spikes on the shoes to help steady yourself.

You want to choose shoes based on your weight, terrain and snow conditions. If you are going to be going through the forest with deep snow you need a wider snowshoe. If you intend on running through fields the snowshoe with likely be smaller. 

The best choice for beginners is flat terrain shoes. These are the easiest ones to work with and they work in a majority of scenarios. Always consider your weight and the weight of your gear. If you get an undersized shoe it will work as well as a regular boot. 

This is going to depend on the type of snowshoes you have. The obvious choice is warm and waterproof but the height of the boot matter too. For example, if the sole of the boot is too thick the straps on the snowshoe will slip off. This is a common issue because snow boots meant for colder temps have large platforms. 

The number one tip is to use wool and synthetic fibres. Snowshoeing is a lot of work and you will be sweating within minutes. Layering with moisture-wicking material is key to staying cool and warm all at the same time. You also may want to consider a change of clothing for the longer trekking days. When the sun goes down and excess moisture will aid in cooling you down in a bad way. Cross country skiing gear is designed specifically for conditions you would encounter on snowshoes. 

This is intuitive and is about as difficult as you can imagine. Your stride is a bit wider than normal to account for the frames on your snowshoes. This means your tooshie & groin will likely be a bit sore the next morning. 

Walk on your tippy-toes. Forget about the even placement of the frame you need to dig your spikes (aka Crampons) into the ground. Stepping down with your toes first will help you gain your much-needed traction. 

If the snow on the hill is powdery use the kick step technique. Simply use your frame to kick into the snow and make a shelf. The key here is making sure the snow isn't firm enough to allow this process to happen. If the snow will not hold you up after making the hole consider a different route.

This is where poles come in handy because downhill on snowshoes can be eventful without them. Place your poles in front of you and bend your knees while putting your weight slightly backwards. The pole should be extended a bit longer for the dissenting process to help ensure your weight can stay backwards. If you feel unstable while going downhill simply sit down. 

This is the perfect guide for getting you started with snowshoeing. Try practicing on flat ground at first and eventually work your way up into more advanced trails. Whenever going outdoors you want to make sure you let someone know about your travels and the expected return times. Have fun and stay warm!