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Privacy Policy Travel School Frugal Sightseeing
Has the winter weather kept you indoors and stalled your workout plans, despite your best New Year’s resolution intentions? Consider snow shoeing. It’s easy to do, accessible to everyone, lots of fun, and a terrific aerobic workout. If you can walk, you can showshoe. It’s that simple.
Karen Lundgren, a member of Team Sole , amultisport adventure racing team says “The best thing about snowshoeing is that it's a sport for everyone. Snowshoeing turns a 'regular' hike into something magical. Trails that you know like the back of your hand are transformed in the winter to something new. Dogs, kids and adults of all ages love snowshoeing.”
Karen goes on to say that in many places, like her hometown of Big Bear Lake, California, the weather is most often sunny so it's not even cold.
Today’s snowshoes bear little resemblance to the huge woven wooden contraptions that so often adorn the walls of chain restaurants trying to invoke a homey, nostalgic kitschy feel. Modern shoes are significantly smaller and are made with lightweight metal frames. You can wear your regular hiking boots or shoes, then just strap on the snowshoe. The snowshoes allow your heel to raise, just like regular walking. The only difference is that metal spikes under your toes grip the snow and ice, while the wide bases of the snowshoes keep you from sinking into the snow. You can find models available from about $60.00 on up to several hundred.
Karen and partner Paul Romero personally recommend Kahtoola’s innovative Flightdeck and Flightboot system, consisting of a neoprene boot that fits over your ordinary walking shoes, and a removable “deck – the wide framed part that we regularly think of as a “snowshoe.” Since the boots come equipped with metal spikes that grip the snow, you have great stability in even the iciest conditions – plus the neoprene keeps your feet really warm no matter how cold the temperature outside. If snow conditions are packed and/or icy, snowshoers can opt to carry the lightweight deck in their backpacks, ready to be strapped onto their feet if needed. If you know the conditions are packed, you can even leave the deck behind. This two part systems gives snowshoers the ultimate flexibility in all conditions.
I have tried Kahtoola Snowshoes and have to say I loved their comfort and ease of use, and the ability to leave the deck part of the snowshoe behind when you don’t need it can’t be beat.
Try Before You Buy and Group Hikes and Events
If you’ve never tried snowshoeing before, consider renting before you buy. Most ski rental shops also rent snowshoes, giving you the chance to try out this exciting winter sport for less than $20.00 (in most locations).
You might want to consider joining a snowshoe group hike. In Mammoth, California, the U.S. Forest Service provides a free two hour snow shoe tour to the breathtaking Minaret Vista, complete with a Ranger/Naturalist guide. You'll learn all about local plant and animal life as well as the geological history of the Sierras.
In Karen’s (and my) home town of Big Bear, the Big Bear Discovery Center offers guided nature snowshoe hikes in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains throughout the winter (weather permitting of course).
Karen and Paul are also organizers of the annual Snowshoe the Bear 5K and 10K race in Big Bear. While the event attracts some serious athletes who run the course, it also welcomes and encourages beginners who just want to challenge themselves to complete the course. With social activities, vendor booths, kid’s activities, sled dog demos and prizes, it’s also lots of fun. Snoeshoe the Bear is open to all ages and skill levels. They even have a limited number of demo snoeshoes for those who don’t have their own equipment.
If you know of other snowshoe tours, groups hikes and/or events in your area, please post them to the comments section below.
For more information on Kahtoola snow travel systems visit http://www.kahtoola.com.
For more information about the annual Snowshoe the Bear 5K and 10K Snowshoe Race in Big Bear, visit www.teamsole.com/snowshoethebear.html.
The Big Bear Discovery Center is a prototype for urban forest Visitor Centers around the country. In a unique partnership with the US Forest Service, the non-profit San Bernardino National Forest Association manages this state-of-the-art visitor center and educational facility. For tour reservations or information about all of the activities at the Big Bear Discovery Center, log onto www.bigbeardiscoverycenter.com or call 909.382.2790.
For more information about all sports related events in Big Bear visit www.openairbigbear.com.
For more information about snowshoeing in general and especially competitive snowshoe racing, visiting the United States Snowshoe Association’s website at www.snowshoeracing.com.
Visit the Mammoth Lakes Visitor's Bureau website at www.VisitMammoth.com.
Visit the Big Bear Lake Resort Association’s website at www.bigbear.com.
Privacy Policy Travel School Frugal Sightseeing
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Karen Lundgren, a member of Team Sole , amultisport adventure racing team says “The best thing about snowshoeing is that it's a sport for everyone. Snowshoeing turns a 'regular' hike into something magical. Trails that you know like the back of your hand are transformed in the winter to something new. Dogs, kids and adults of all ages love snowshoeing.”
Karen goes on to say that in many places, like her hometown of Big Bear Lake, California, the weather is most often sunny so it's not even cold.
Today’s snowshoes bear little resemblance to the huge woven wooden contraptions that so often adorn the walls of chain restaurants trying to invoke a homey, nostalgic kitschy feel. Modern shoes are significantly smaller and are made with lightweight metal frames. You can wear your regular hiking boots or shoes, then just strap on the snowshoe. The snowshoes allow your heel to raise, just like regular walking. The only difference is that metal spikes under your toes grip the snow and ice, while the wide bases of the snowshoes keep you from sinking into the snow. You can find models available from about $60.00 on up to several hundred.
Karen and partner Paul Romero personally recommend Kahtoola’s innovative Flightdeck and Flightboot system, consisting of a neoprene boot that fits over your ordinary walking shoes, and a removable “deck – the wide framed part that we regularly think of as a “snowshoe.” Since the boots come equipped with metal spikes that grip the snow, you have great stability in even the iciest conditions – plus the neoprene keeps your feet really warm no matter how cold the temperature outside. If snow conditions are packed and/or icy, snowshoers can opt to carry the lightweight deck in their backpacks, ready to be strapped onto their feet if needed. If you know the conditions are packed, you can even leave the deck behind. This two part systems gives snowshoers the ultimate flexibility in all conditions.
I have tried Kahtoola Snowshoes and have to say I loved their comfort and ease of use, and the ability to leave the deck part of the snowshoe behind when you don’t need it can’t be beat.
Try Before You Buy and Group Hikes and Events
If you’ve never tried snowshoeing before, consider renting before you buy. Most ski rental shops also rent snowshoes, giving you the chance to try out this exciting winter sport for less than $20.00 (in most locations).
You might want to consider joining a snowshoe group hike. In Mammoth, California, the U.S. Forest Service provides a free two hour snow shoe tour to the breathtaking Minaret Vista, complete with a Ranger/Naturalist guide. You'll learn all about local plant and animal life as well as the geological history of the Sierras.
In Karen’s (and my) home town of Big Bear, the Big Bear Discovery Center offers guided nature snowshoe hikes in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains throughout the winter (weather permitting of course).
Karen and Paul are also organizers of the annual Snowshoe the Bear 5K and 10K race in Big Bear. While the event attracts some serious athletes who run the course, it also welcomes and encourages beginners who just want to challenge themselves to complete the course. With social activities, vendor booths, kid’s activities, sled dog demos and prizes, it’s also lots of fun. Snoeshoe the Bear is open to all ages and skill levels. They even have a limited number of demo snoeshoes for those who don’t have their own equipment.
If you know of other snowshoe tours, groups hikes and/or events in your area, please post them to the comments section below.
PRACTICALITIES
For more information on Kahtoola snow travel systems visit http://www.kahtoola.com.
For more information about the annual Snowshoe the Bear 5K and 10K Snowshoe Race in Big Bear, visit www.teamsole.com/snowshoethebear.html.
The Big Bear Discovery Center is a prototype for urban forest Visitor Centers around the country. In a unique partnership with the US Forest Service, the non-profit San Bernardino National Forest Association manages this state-of-the-art visitor center and educational facility. For tour reservations or information about all of the activities at the Big Bear Discovery Center, log onto www.bigbeardiscoverycenter.com or call 909.382.2790.
For more information about all sports related events in Big Bear visit www.openairbigbear.com.
For more information about snowshoeing in general and especially competitive snowshoe racing, visiting the United States Snowshoe Association’s website at www.snowshoeracing.com.
Visit the Mammoth Lakes Visitor's Bureau website at www.VisitMammoth.com.
Visit the Big Bear Lake Resort Association’s website at www.bigbear.com.
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