“Announced by all the trumpets in the sky,
Arrives the snow.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The Snowstorm”
For wilderness hikers and those who just enjoy walks in the mountains, the arrival of snow is the opportunity to bundle up, strap snowshoes onto their hiking boots and head for the trails.
Fans of snowshoeing see it as the sensible solution to standing in a lift line (as the dollars spent on lift tickets “ka-ching” by with each minute spent waiting). According to SnowSports Industries America, snowshoeing participation grew 15 percent between the 2005 and 2006 seasons. About 2 million people snowshoed in 2005, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.
Snowshoeing is low impact, highly aerobic, works all of the major muscle groups and burns more than 600 calories an hour – 45 percent more than walking or running at the same pace, according to American College of Sports Medicine fellow and columnist Michael O’Shea.
No matter what your athletic ability or level of experience, everyone who can walk can snowshoe. It is a sport that people can enjoy together and even allows those with aging knees who long ago bid farewell to carving turns and exploding over moguls to enjoy the snow. People whose fitness levels are a bit lacking can gain higher levels of conditioning – and have more fun getting there than by staying inside and pounding the treadmill.
Snowshoeing gets us out of the great indoors and back to the crisp air, smell of pine trees and sunny skies. With the number of parks in Colorado (both in the cities and out in the wild) it is also easy to enjoy snowshoeing without having to endure interminable highway traffic.
Because technology has kept pace with the sports’ popularity, the 3-to-7-foot wood and leather relics that are hanging nostalgically over the ski lodge fireplace mantel shall forever remain decorative. Today’s lightweight models are available in designs for running, for recreational walking, for use in the backcountry, and even specifically for women and children.
Try before you buy
If this is a new activity for you, the best way to begin is by renting equipment for the weekends you will be snowshoeing. Because new snowshoes can range from $100 to $300, renting allows you to try a number of brands, binding configurations and styles to find out which works best for you and your budget. Some stores even allow you to apply the rental fees against the cost of new shoes.
REI sales specialist John Bradley suggests taking advantage of “demo” shoes before making a purchasing decision. “All snowshoes act differently in different terrains, and each snowshoe company has its own feel,” Bradley says.
Easy-to-use bindings will reduce the “fidget factor,” or dexterity needed to secure or release bindings when you have gloves on, says REI’s Jim Neville.
Because Colorado has such varied terrain, people who discover they love snowshoeing may want to buy snowshoes with steep-terrain options such as heel lifts. You won’t know what to buy unless you try it first, he says.
Snowshoes distribute your weight over a larger surface, which is how they keep you from sinking into the snow. It is your weight that determines the size of shoe you will require. Before renting or buying snowshoes, therefore, you will need to know your weight, including the general weight of anything you will be carrying such as a backpack
The type of shoe you use will depend on the type of terrain and level of activity. All frames are similar, the primary difference being size and style of crampons (the “teeth” on the bottom of the shoes that provide grip and traction). Recreational hiking shoes will have smaller crampons; those on backcountry shoes will be more aggressive; shoes designed for mountaineering will be the most extreme and very aggressive.
Shoes designed for women are a bit narrower to allow for their unique walking gait; shoes for racing are smaller and have a cut-out on the inside to prevent tripping; and, the lighter the frame, the more money you will spend.
Muscles to work on
Snowshoeing uses the hips and quadriceps, as well as the core muscles of the gluteus, back and abdominal areas. If you already are doing weekly strength training, spend some extra time on squats, lunges and hamstring exercises. Crunches and exercises for the low and midback are also recommended. Be sure to add some functional training where twisting and reaching moves are included. Emphasizing these kinds of exercises two or three times a week for a few weeks prior to heading out can save you some post-trekking soreness.
Linda J. Buch is a certified personal trainer in Denver and co-author of “The Commercial Break Workout.” Write her at LJBalance@aol.com
Snowshoeing events
JAN. 6:
Winter Trails Day
Activities statewide. For example, at Echo Lake, REI sponsors a free snowshoe day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring food and water, otherwise all the shoes are free for you to demo. Includes guided hikes and activities. Great for families.
Details at wintertrails.org
JAN. 12-15:
Grand Lake Snowshoe Festival
Competitive or fun 7K races, backcountry ski and snowshoe tours, technique tours led by Tom Sobal.
Advance registration, $25, and more information at grandlakesnowshoefestival.com
FEB. 24:
The Wild Hare Snowshoe Trek at Snow Mountain Ranch, Winter Park
The event starts at 11:30 a.m. for the 5K Trek, and at noon for the 5K run. This women’s snowshoe event benefits The Sporting Woman Community Fund, a newly created non-profit. Cost: $25. Contact: info@thesportingwoman.com, or Perry and Company, 303-399-7777.
JAN. 7, FEB. 11 AND MARCH 3:
Beaver Creek
Each of the three events features the East West 5K Quest, a 10K Competitive Run, Kids K, and the Dash for Cash. All on-snow action is followed by a post race celebration on the Beaver Creek Village Plaza with food, drinks, awards, and a prize raffle open to all participants.
Limited free demos and basic instruction are available to participants prior to each race on a first-come first-served basis.
Included Feb. 11 is the Jeremy Wright North American Snowshoe Championship. The March 3 Snowshoe Shuffle at McCoy Park is one of the largest snowshoe races in North America, drawing more than 1,000 participants. $35 registration.
All dates are subject to change. Registration details and more information at bcsnowshoe.com
MARCH 10:
“Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer,” Frisco
Organized by Tubbs Snowshoes, the Romp is a five-state snowshoe fundraiser (3K and 5K walk) for the local affiliates of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The Colorado event is held at the Frisco Nordic Center and is one of the largest in the country, with approximately 1,600 participants.
Registration, $20.
Visit: tubbsromptostomp.com for more information.
Popular trails
The best way to begin is by sticking with popular recreational snowshoeing areas. This will mean staying on specific trails in snow that is generally well-packed. The most popular snowshoe routes along the Front Range are:
1. Brainard Lake Recreation Area, 12 miles north of Nederland (easy to moderate trails)
2. Echo Lake, 14 miles south of Idaho Springs on Colorado 103 (easy trails – great for beginners)
3. Herman Gulch, at exit 218 off of Interstate 70 going west (more difficult)
4. Butler Gulch, Jones Pass Trailhead by Henderson Mine off U.S. 40 (most difficult)
More information
BOOKS
“Snowshoeing Colorado,” by Claire Walter (Fulcrum Publishing, 2004, $18.95)
“Snowshoeing: From Novice to
Master,” by Gene Prater (The
Mountaineers Books, 2002, $16.95)
“Snowshoe Routes: Colorado’s Front Range,” by Alan Apt
(The Mountaineers Books, 2001, $16.95)
“The Colorado Year Round Outdoor Guide,” by David Muller (Colorado Mountain Club Press, $18.95)
ON THE WEB
Internet snowshoeing magazine: snowshoemag.com
Denver and Colorado snowshoeing trails: trails.com
A guide to Colorado National Park snowshoeing trails and accommodations: coloradodirectory.com/Fun/snowshoeing.html; colorado.com/article55
Where to find guided snowshoeing tours in the national parks: vacationsinc.com/snowshoeing.htm
Snowshoeing with babies and toddlers: “Colorado Mountain Mamas,” comountainmamas.com
