Consider this a wilder, more adventurous version of hiking that enables you to truly take the path less traveled.
Way up in the frozen New England woods, winter does nothing to slow down Al Sochard, 56, facilities director at Camp Newfound-Owatonna in Harrison, Maine. “We have five months of winter up here, so you either sit inside or find a way to get out,” says Sochard, who in summer is a dedicated ultrarunner and hiker. His winter workout: snowshoeing.
The sport opens up an entire world of winter wilderness, putting you in the middle of a Robert Frost poem, says Sochard. The cold and snow won’t slow down your adventures.
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Plus, according to Sochard, snowshoeing is easy to learn. “It’s great for people who are uncoordinated,” he says. “Unlike with skiing, there isn’t a learning curve and you don’t have to worry about crashing into a tree.”
But that doesn’t mean snowshoeing is for the uninspired: Sochard summited all 48 of the 4,000-plus-foot New Hampshire peaks in a single winter. He also used snowshoes when he climbed Denali, the highest peak in North America.
“Winter is my favorite time of year. I won’t stop or slow down,” says Sochard. “It’s a way to get exercise, sure. But it’s also a way to explore. I can look out and see someplace I want to go, and I go.”
LEARN THE BASICS
Generally, snowshoeing is no different than walking. In deeper snow and when you’re moving uphill or downhill, you want to take heavier, more confident steps. But be sure to test your footing first so the snow doesn’t collapse under your weight, even with the buoyancy the shoes provide. Bring a small backpack with plenty of water.
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SHOP SMART
The tricky part is choosing the right equipment. Will you be using your snowshoes to hike? You may not want poles if you’re running at full speed on packed trails or logging roads, but a pair of poles can be your best friend when you’re trudging up steep hills in the backcountry.
Poles can also add an element of upper-body conditioning to your workout. Trekking poles are best; just change out the standard baskets with larger snow baskets.
Make sure you select snowshoes that can support your weight. The whole premise of snowshoeing is to distribute your mass so you don’t sink deeply into the snow. If you plan to tromp on mostly level ground, look for a pair of flat-terrain snowshoes, which are easy to get into and out of; their traction systems aren’t as aggressive as those on other types.
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If you’re hiking hills or steep trails, go with rolling- or mountain-terrain shoes, which have rugged bindings and sharp metal teeth for clawing into steep, icy hills.
HEAD OUT AND EXPLORE
Because snowshoeing is more about enjoying the calm serenity of the woods than jacking up your heart rate, you’ll want to dress heavier.
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Sochard likes to wear a light, wicking long-sleeved shirt under a non-insulated, weatherproof shell. Carry a headlamp if you plan to go out at night or are headed deep into the exposed backcountry.
Take avalanche safety classes and bring the right equipment (shovel, transceiver, probe) before you venture into areas where snowslides are common. Unwitting snowshoers have been killed in avalanches, even on trails.