Snowshoeing

[a 1 player]

Since I am an avid hiker in the warmer months, and have not really found a winter sport that I enjoy, I thought this might be something I would like to take up. I was noticing that snow shoes have evolved quite a bit from the old wood and leather that I was expecting, and they come in a million different shapes.

Does anyone have experience with these, and what should I be looking for, (apart from the correct size that will support my weight)?

 

[papasmerf]

beer

look for beer and drink it until this urge goes away.

 

[wpgguy]

If you are going to be snowshoeing off the trail buy the shortest, widest that are rated for your weight. If you are going to be sticking to groomed trails long and narrow is better.

The shorter will not hold you up ad well but if you are in the brush the long ones are a bitch to maneuver.

 

[Hiding]

Did you try cross country skiing? Great cardio...

I love hiking in the summer but snowshoing is, to me, awkward and reduces your mobility for no good reason - I feel like I'm wearing flippers and trying to walk. The proper skiis with the right snow makes for a fun time (anything else is too bulky to get a good rhythm). Mmm... good rhythms

 

[Cycleguy007]

I prefer downhill skiing....

 

[a 1 player]

I prefer downhill skiing....

So do I, but not in Ontario. Hills are way to small and the line ups far to long.

 

[Cycleguy007]

So do I, but not in Ontario. Hills are way to small and the line ups far to long.

Totally agree! I prefer to go to Holiday Valley- still small, but at least is relatively close by, and line ups are not near as bad as Blue Mountain. BUT... NOTHING beats Whistler/ Blackcomb!

 

[a 1 player]

Totally agree! I prefer to go to Holiday Valley- still small, but at least is relatively close by, and line ups are not near as bad as Blue Mountain. BUT... NOTHING beats Whistler/ Blackcomb!

Never done those two, but I have skied Aspen and Vail a few times. Mt. Ste. Anne is tolerable, still just a bit to far away for my liking though.

 

[Cycleguy007]

Never done those two, but I have skied Aspen and Vail a few times. Mt. Ste. Anne is tolerable, still just a bit to far away for my liking though.

Never made it to Colorado for skiing... Been to Ste. Anne a couple times though. Excellent skiing- but REALLY farking cold... same w/ Tremblant. I like Vermont as well... Jay Peaks, Killington, etc. But again... not day trips.

 

[Rockslinger]

So do I, but not in Ontario. Hills are way to small and the line ups far to long.

Come with me to Montreal. After a day of skiing we can do "Apres Ski" with the ladies.

 

[avguy]

Blue Mnt is a joke on weekends .. True Ont ski'ers ski on mon to fri at blue.. or any other place with a lift.. lol .. The new ski's and teaching methods make skiing as easy as breathing.. .. if you can breath you can ski downhill .. it's quite a concept..

 

[CapitalGuy]

Snowshoeing is great. You are not bound to groomed trails like you are with cross-country skiis so you can go walking anywhere you want. If you see something that interests you, simply walk towards it and explore. You can climb hills, cross fields, bush whack, follow animal tracks etc, day or night.

Go to MEC and tell the guy at the snowshow area what you plan to do. They will help you find the suitable gear for you, including mukluks, which are almost a must.

You should be prepared for the woods though, if you are going off the beaten path even a little bit. Pick up The SAS Survival Handbook or a similar publication - even if you are planning just a short day-hike You might get lost and its worth having some very basic survival gear with you. But, you can snowshoe in city parks if you want or just along the lakeshore with little worry of getting lost. Good workout too. Enjoy.

 

[Rockslinger]

You can climb hills, cross fields, bush whack, follow animal tracks etc, day or night.

Do many snowshoers fall through ice and drown like those idiot snowmobilers?

 

[ig-88]

how about throwing snow shoes at people?

 

[RayFinkel]

Do many snowshoers fall through ice and drown like those idiot snowmobilers?

Yes, but slower.

.

 

[a 1 player]

You should be prepared for the woods though, if you are going off the beaten path even a little bit. Pick up The SAS Survival Handbook or a similar publication - even if you are planning just a short day-hike You might get lost and its worth having some very basic survival gear with you.

Excellent advice here, and I have all that is required to spend nights/days in the wilderness if I have to. But spending a winter night outside truly sucks ass.

 

[Rockslinger]

But spending a winter night outside truly sucks ass

Don't forget your cellphone.

 

[Rockslinger]

Do many snowshoers fall through ice and drown like those idiot snowmobilers?

8 snowmobilers killed in B.C. Hockey great Pit Martin killed a few days ago. It never fails to happen year after year.

 

[dcbogey]

Don't forget your cellphone.

Very true - and depending how far off the beaten track you may venture, one of these may be a good idea as well.

http://www.findmespot.ca/en/

 

[Rockslinger]

Don't forget your cellphone.

Apparently, the 8 dead snowmobilers had "homing" devices which made it easier to locate their bodies.