Snow Business

American Fitness, Nov, 1998 by Donna Ikenberry

Exploring the great outdoors on snowshoes.

I tend to choose quiet sports, activities in which I feel as though I am one with nature. I want to hear my surroundings and see the native wildlife before it is scared away by some strange, man-made noise like the sound of a snowmobile motor. To me, that means exploring nature with the quietest of contraptions.

It's no surprise that while visiting some friends in Leadville, Colorado, last winter, I ended up with snowshoes attached to my bulky snowboots. At an elevation of 10,430 feet, Leadville is North America's highest incorporated city. Magda and Heinz, friends I met in Arizona a year ago, had rented a cabin for five weeks and asked me to visit. It was an offer I couldn't refuse.

My first day in town we decided to check out a local factory where snowshoes are made by hand. We were taken on a private tour of the place, and soon left with three different kinds of snowshoes--all new, lightweight aluminum varieties of varying sizes. Magda and Heinz brought a traditional pair of shoes, the old-fashioned wooden kind with cowhide strappings, and suggested I try them. I agreed, but was absolutely sure I would like the newer variety best.

After bundling up, we walked out into a light snow and fading light. "Do you want to go see a ghost town?" Heinz asked. "It's only about 20 minutes from here." Glancing at the fading light, I agreed to go, figuring Heinz probably knew more about getting caught in a white-out than me. After all, Heinz is from Switzerland and I'm a native of Southern California.

On this excursion, I wore the smallest of the lightweight shoes and was surprised to be able to walk in a normal fashion. The tough part was repeatedly sinking in the snow. I thought snowshoes were supposed to keep me above the snow, but I kept crashing through the top layer once we got to the soft stuff. Heinz wore his long, traditional shoes and had a much easier time walking through the deep stuff. Magda was wearing the longest lightweight shoes and sunk less than me, too. Of course, she also weighs a bit less.

By the time we got to the ghost town, nearly a mile away, it was cold and snowing more heavily. After working up a sweat, we couldn't stay long or we'd get chilled. The place was a great photo opportunity, though, so we decided to come back the next day. The going was easier the second day wearing Magda's traditional shoes, and it helped that we followed our path from the previous day and the snow was more hard-packed.

The high-tech shoes have tiny crampons near the front, great for traction in icy areas and on packed surfaces. (There's no question it is much easier to walk on packed surfaces, regardless of the type of snowshoe one is wearing.) However, I sunk nearly to my knees in unpacked deep snow. The going was tough, and I wondered if skis weren't better as Heinz glided by, only sinking a couple of inches into the soft stuff.

I found the traditional variety better in some ways. Although heavier, I sank less, which made the entire effort seem less difficult. The traditional variety I used didn't have crampons, so I was a bit nervous going down some embankments, although I never fell while trying. I did fall occasionally while wearing Heinz's long shoes, but always while making a turn.

In the end I decided I liked both varieties of snowshoes. Aluminum models are great for running snow-covered trails. Wooden shoes may be preferable for those who enjoy a more leisurely pace.

I'm not interested in speeding from place to place by motored transport. Instead, I'll go for a trek in the woods, explore the remains of an old ghost town, or trudge along a wide open ridge at dusk. I prefer to listen to the sounds of nature without distraction.

RELATED ARTICLE: Snowshoe Facts

A Little Snowshoe History

First used more than 6,000 years ago, snowshoes opened up the world to ancient peoples. When the first Europeans arrived, they found Native Americans from Labrador to the Great Plains wearing them. The natives looked to nature for inspiration, copying the feet of animals best adapted for snow travel (i.e., the snowshoe hare and lynx). Some, like the beavertail and bear paw designs, are still in use today.

Snowshoes vary in length. Some varieties are as long as seven feet, although the current trend is to shrink them down to more manageable sizes. Today, they are more than just a means of winter transportation. They are a means to outdoor recreation for the entire family.

What to Buy

Many outdoor sporting goods stores sell a variety of snowshoes. Redfeather, Sherpa, Tubbs and Atlas are popular brands. It is recommended to rent aluminum-frame snowshoes and traditional wooden ones before buying a pair. Decide which type you prefer for the kinds of areas you'll be exploring. If you're only going to be on hard-packed trails, the aluminum frames might be best. A small frame is excellent for running on the snow. However, if you're going to be backpacking, you'll want a larger shoe.

What to Wear

Experts urge you to wear snowshoes with lightweight, waterproof hiking boots or cross-country ski shoes. Layer up with synthetic fabrics that won't absorb sweat. Do not wear cotton because you'll get chilled when it gets wet. Be sure to add a layer before you feel cold, and remove layers before you're drenched with sweat. A wool cap is a must. Hiking poles are great for balancing and picking yourself up out of the deep snow.