Cross training - does anyone snowshoe?

[LBTC]

DH and I are trying to find the least expensive winter cross training activity that can be done outside, that also won't hurt his knees.

We have lots of indoor training stuff, and we walk to work/school each day, but on a nice day we do think it would be good to get outside.

Neither of us are really keen on cross country and/or skate skiing, at the moment. Not sure if it's because of the learning curve and coordination required, or because of the cost of the equipment, or because you must always be on groomed trails. Snowshoeing seems like a better alternative, where there's only one thing for each of us to buy, the snow shoes, and, if we buy the right ones, we can do the trails at the local cross country area, or we can just go wherever we want in the woods.

Have any of you done much snowshoeing? Do you have any tips for newbies?

We are planning to do a one day rental / lesson at the cross country area some time this winter to help us decide, to learn some and to get the feel for it, but your thoughts are always helpful, too.

Thanks!
~T~

[spokewench]

A lesson? Snowshoeing is great and it does not take any special talent and you can just walk anywhere in the woods that you want as long as you know your way and don't get lost!

The only learning curve at all with the new snowshoes is that you just have to pick your feet up a little bit higher and don't step on the other snowshoe.

We have Redfeather (metal frame) walking length snowshoes. They are great! They make them in shorter length for running also. If your SO has knee problems, walking is probably the better choice.

A lot of times, the crosscountry places rent the cheap plastic shoes. I recommend if you want your own , buy the metal framed ones A lot of times, you can get a deal on them online, at Campmor type stores; REI, etc.

Hope you get some, they are lots of fun and like I said, don't take any special abilities except the ability to walk.

spoke

[Crankin]

I started snow shoeing last year, mainly because there was very little snow to x country ski. You can snow shoe in about an inch or two of snow. I love it, and my husband loves it even more. We have trails everywhere close by, so it is convenient. But several x country centers also have dedicated snow shoeing trails. I have been cross country skiing for about 14 years, but it wasn't until recently that I ever got off of the green trails. I think cycling gave me more confidence to go down hills on those skinny skis and climbing up was no problem! But, it doesn't look like we will be having much snow this year either (I guess I shouldn't talk yet), since I am still cycling outside. What I mean to say is that the learning curve for x country isn't that bad for the basic stuff, but snow shoeing is less. Just put them on and walk or run. It's basically hiking on snow. Make sure you have winter proof hiking shoes and buy a pair of gaiters to put on your pants. Otherwise, the snow flops up your pant leg. Have fun!

[DebW]

I don't think of snowshoeing as an activity in itself, just as the proper footgear for winter hiking (unless you need crampons instead). Modern snowshoes are really very easy to use (compared to flat 13x23 inch bearpaws) and most have built-in traction devices. Hiking on an already-packed trail is a synch - just avoid stepping on your own snowshoes. If you are packing a new trail with a group on relatively level terrain, the followers should step in the spots not stepped in by the leaders to make a broad evenly-compressed path. Breaking trail is exhausting, so best done with a group where everyone rotates the lead position (just like a paceline). If breaking trail on steep terrain, everyone should use the same footprints and attempt to keep them level like stairsteps. On gentle slopes where your shoes may tend to slip, keep weight on your heel to provide better traction (good achilles tendon exercise). Most people probably use ski poles or something similar for balance while snowshoeing, expecially in deep unbroken snow.

[Aint Doody]

And remember that snowshoes are designed according to your weight.

[Trekhawk]

I love snowshoeing. My family and I pack up a big picnic lunch, snowshoe out to somewhere nice, eat our lunch and enjoy the beautiful scenery and then snowshoe back to our starting point. Its such a great way for us to see more of this amazing country.

[Trekhawk]

Here is a snap of us from a snowshoeing day last winter.

[wannaduacentury]

I would love to go snowshoeing, but the absence of snow in Ga makes it difficult, maybe one day. Have fun. Jennifer

[Lifesgreat]

During the winters, the local bike club sponsors snowshoe outings in the Wasatch Range, just minutes from my home. I have never tried snowshoeing, but plan to do so this winter. It looks like lots of fun!

[roadie gal]

Snowshoeing is a blast. It's just like walking, but uses up a LOT more calories.

I go out a lot during the winter with my dogs. Here are a few things I've learned:

1. Use poles. They're very helpful when you start to tip over or for extra balance when you have to step over roots and things.

2. If you think you may be carrying a pack or other heavy thing on a regular basis and you're near the top end of the weight for a certain snowshoe, get the next size up. Same goes if you are going to be in deep powder. Go for the extra flotation.

3. If you're going to be traversing (going across rather than up or down) a lot of slopes make sure the shoes have a heavy duty crampon on both the toe and heel area of the shoes. You will slide and be very unhappy without an aggressive heel crampon. My roommate gave herself an awful groin pull when her snowshoe slid out from under her one day. Since then she's bought some better ones and been much happier.

4. We've discovered that wearing light hikers, or other shoe that fits well for long hikes, with a pair of overshoes like Neos, seem to make our feet the happiest. We tried using our Sorels, but they're just not made for long walks, and our feet ended up with blisters.

Go out there and enjoy. It's a great low key way to be outside in the winter.

[Grog]

I also love to snowshoe, and wish there was more snow just out of my door to do it in the winter instead of having to drive at least half an hour... (Mind you, I can ride my bike right out of my door so it's a tradeoff!!)

What the others have said is all very true based on my experience. I'm not crazy about doing even terrain, but I love hiking up mountains. I like the poles going up but I find them to be a pain going down.

I got myself a pair of Denali Ascent (the plastic, rectangle type) last year and much enjoyed them. I find them less bulky and more convenient than the metal-frame type, but it's really a personal thing. Sweetheart is getting a pair of the same from my mom for Christmas and we're going to go try them on on the 26th. He's a little bit heavier than me and I think I'll need to get him tails to add at the back, although for trails it would be fine without them. For unbroken snow, he'll need the tails I think.

Enjoy!!!

[SadieKate]

Hey, Trek! Where do you go? Bill and I haven't snowshoed in forever because of the traffic going up toward Truckee. We used to hike up to the bowl by Castle Peak and glissade down if it had powder (tough in find in the Sierras). If we can go someplace without the weekend ski traffic, we'll be there! We even have a Mountain Smith sled to haul a boat load of snacks.

Roadie Gal has it right. Poles are great and you want aggressive crampons if you are going off trail and doing anything steep. Best to climb or descend perpendicular to the contour lines so you don't slide, twist and pull stuff.

Do some reading on the net or maybe REI. Shoes are specific to weight (including gear) and terrain. If you have groomed trails to run you'll want small running specific shoes but if you're like us and go off trail looking for adventure you'll want bigger with more flotation.

I don't know if all shoes are this way today, but right and left specific shoes are much more comfy for walking.

Waterproof hiking boots and gators keep your tootsies happier longer.

[Kathi]

I went snowshoeing yesterday at Copper Mtn. Redfeather offers a free snowshoeing clinic with a Copper guide.

I used their equipment instead of my own. The snowshoes were men's models which was a hazard for me because I kept stepping on the inside of them. I had to use a wider stance to walk without tripping. The poles were basic poles and by the end of the hike my hands and wrists hurt.

So, I recommend women specific showshoes, they're tapered and very easy to use. I use my Leki hiking poles, the baskets are interchangeable, small for hiking, big for snow.

Using poles gives me a good upper body workout, helps maintain balance going up and down hills and takes the stress off my knees.

REI has a woman's clinic every Nov. sponsored by Atlas, with tips on what to wear, techniques, etc.

We usually carry a backpack with water, extra clothes and food. One suggestion from the REI clinic was to get a small thermos and fill it with coffee or hot chocolate. Great refresher when your out in the cold.

[roadie gal]

To SadieKate,

I have a few suggestions for places to go on the eastern side of Donner Summit, toward Truckee.

1. We go off of Glacier Rd in the Tahoe Donner area of Truckee quite a bit. There's parking at the end of the road and in a small parking area at the beginning of the road. It's usually not crowded and you can wander quite a ways.

2. There's Paige Meadows which is above Tahoe City.

3. When there's a bit more snow than we have now you can snowshoe around Donner State Park.

4. There's always Mt. Rose meadows. It can get crowded on weekends but it's up pretty high so the snow is frequently better than a lot of other areas.

If you want any directions or more info, let me know.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

This snoeshow thread is getting me inspired about perhaps taking the plunge.
Here in upstate NY we do tend to get some significant snow each winter (who knows what this winter will bring however ). Last winter I walked 3 miles a day through the winter- a few times through very deep snow. We also have a public conservancy trail just a block from our home that goes nicely through woods for a couple of miles.
I am intrigued by the idea of snowshoeing instead of walking through the snow on my walks- partly for the extra calorie burning concept. I hate the thought of getting so out of shape once I can't bike on the icy roads. I can't stand the thought of a trainer in the dank basement, I can't ski or jog because of weak knees and ankles, and I'm not quite ready to invest in the crosscountry ski thing.

My weight fully loaded would range between 140 and 165, so I figure a size 25"-27" might be right. I would be walking mostly gently rolling terrain, some packed trails with perhaps some ice under the snow, a few steep hills and some woodland walking trails, but no huge mountains or trail-less wilderness, and no running.
I know that women-specific snowshoes are a good idea because of our different stance and stride from men....but I worry because i have fairly big feet (size 9) and my winter boots are all quite bulky- the bindings on the pictures of some of the better snowshoes look like they are made for dainty women's size 6 or 7 boots with narrow pointy toes. My boots are all big and chunky and have thick blunt toes. Is this an issue? Anyone with big boots have any favorites?
Thanks...