Posted : January 26, 2016
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
Snowshoeing often gets underrepresented in the list of winter activities. While it’s gotten a bit of a rep for being less glamorous than skiing or snowboarding, snowshoeing is an excellent winter activity to take part in. For those of you who are curious about the sport, but have yet to try it out, here’s everything about snowshoeing you need to know!
Why go snowshoeing?
The first question you may be asking yourself is, why go snowshoeing at all? Snowshoeing is quickly becoming the fastest growing winter sport, and this is mostly because of how easy it is to learn, the low costs associated with the sport, and the fact that people of any age can participate. Other winter sports can become costly with things like equipment rentals, admission fees, and lift passes. With snowshoeing, the equipment is inexpensive to rent or buy, and you can take off on any (safe) snowy path! It’s a great, low-impact way to participate in winter sports.
Types of snowshoes:
Often people assume snowshoes are simple wooden frames that are one-size for all. There are actually three different types of snowshoes available, and each are tailored for the nature of its use. The three kinds are Recreational/Hiking, Aerobic/Fitness, and Hiking/Backpacking. Recreational shoes are perfect for beginners and for those who will be doing basic snowshoeing. They work great on simple terrain, one without many steep hills or climbs. Aerobic or Fitness snowshoes are indicative by their name – they are perfect for those looking for a little more intensity, and for those who quite active already. Runners and cross-trainers will find these to be their best fit, with a sleeker design and tougher build. The last category, Hiking and Backpacking is for intermediate snowshoers – if you like powder and want a challenge, this is the shoe for you. With a strong aluminum frame, durable material and bindings to support all types of boots, these snowshoes will hold up under the intensity.
To Keep in Mind:
Here are some things to keep in mind when heading out on your snowshoe adventure. For first timers, it is strongly advised that you rent your snowshoes before buying them. Check them out on location, and give them a good test run to see what you like and don’t like. While snowshoes aren’t very expensive, it’s still wise to really know what you want before spending the cash.
Many ski towns and winter sports centers are now offering snowshoeing as an activity, given its growing popularity. For intermediate snowshoers, be sure to do your research and look into the paths and trails available to you, as some may be catered only to beginner/low-intensity level snowshoers.
Snowshoeing is a great way to get outside and get active in the winter. Try out something new now that you know all about snowshoeing. Check out these trails in Central Counties where you can snowshoe!
