So, it’s winter. The season once we hunker down and attempt to make it by means of to brighter and hotter days. Proper? Not fairly. Whereas snowboarding and snowboarding have been lengthy heralded as high sports activities of the season, one other exercise is rapidly gaining traction—even on icy surfaces.
The exercise in query? Snowshoeing. You heard me. Snowshoeing: the low-frills exercise that entails strapping snowshoes to your boots, grabbing some trekking poles, and venturing right into a winter wonderland. Arguably a sibling to cross-country snowboarding, snowshoeing has rapidly gained followers throughout generations, rapidly putting in it as a well-liked winter exercise for the complete household (and drawing these pickleball comparisons).
Actually, the intrigue across the sport has grown a lot that WGSN, a world main pattern evaluation firm, referred to as it out as a part of their “Gentle Journey” motion, a key pattern for 2025. Within the description of the pattern, WGSN analysts name out that snowshoeing has change into the quickest rising outside exercise within the U.S., taking part rising over 20 p.c in 2022, per Out of doors Trade Affiliation.
Forward, be taught extra from specialists concerning the exercise, why it’s on the rise, and how you can get began.
What’s snowshoeing?
Snowshoeing will be seen as mountain climbing, and even path working, in wintry landscapes. “Snowshoeing is mainly mountain climbing on snow,” says Betsy Bothe, Nordic teacher and ski and snowshoe information at White Pine Touring in Park Metropolis, Utah.
The exercise requires a pair of snowshoes ($170), that are strapped onto waterproof boots to assist muster by means of the weather. Relying on the terrain, you is perhaps suggested to make use of trekking poles ($26), like these in cross-country snowboarding, which may also help with steadiness and momentum, and supply an upper-body exercise, in line with Bothe.
When you’re equipped, you possibly can hit the path by merely moving into the snow together with your snowshoes. “In the event you can hike, you possibly can snowshoe,” Bothe says. Like mountain climbing, snowshoeing will be performed on a wide range of terrains. Whereas extra skilled individuals may wish to take their journey off the overwhelmed path, those that are on the lookout for a extra, err, chill(y) expertise can simply discover alternatives that traverse low-key trails.
Why is snowshoeing changing into so common?
Nicely, a bunch of causes. From a response to the pandemic to its accessibility, snowshoeing is rife for the selecting.
“Snowshoeing meets the large shopper demand we’re seeing for reference to nature by means of journey,” says Rory McAllister, sports activities and outside content material strategist at WGSN. Maybe spurred by quarantining through the pandemic, people are searching for refuge within the nice outside, which has been confirmed to bolster psychological well being. In line with the Out of doors Trade Affiliation and its 2023 Annual Out of doors Participation Report, “outside recreation participation grew 2.3 p.c in 2022,” the eighth consecutive 12 months of development.
Bothe agrees, stating that she’s seen an uptick in individuals and that extra folks acquired into the snowshoeing through the pandemic and have stored it up since. Additional, as a result of snowshoeing is much less aggressive than snowboarding or snowboarding, it might probably attraction to a wider set of individuals. McAllister says the exercise’s low-barrier entry can be a trigger, because it’s much less bodily demanding for newbies than extra adventurous options.
“It shares the winter-specific, off-grid attraction of cross-country snowboarding, however with extra reasonably priced tools, decrease bodily calls for, and a shallower studying curve for newbies, alongside higher comfort and alternative,” he McAllister says. This implies people of all ages can provide the exercise a attempt, underscoring the 2023 Annual Out of doors Participation Report’s findings that seniors are contributing to general outside exercise development.
Bothe has noticed the same perspective amongst resort company. “Snowshoeing is a superb sport for anybody who’s serious about stepping into the backcountry to see the mountains within the winter. Lots of my shoppers are individuals who don’t downhill ski, however they’re right here with household that does ski.”
The right way to snowshoe for newbies
Whereas snowshoeing is comparatively accessible, there are just a few key elements to know earlier than heading out in your first journey. First, you should definitely decide up the precise gear—this implies figuring out what kind of snow you’ll probably be mountain climbing by means of.
“The snowshoes distribute your weight so you possibly can float on the upper layer of snow with out postholing down deep,” Bothe says. “There are such a lot of various kinds of snowshoes. Some snowshoes are made for working and others are made for deep powder.” When getting fitted on your first pair of snowshoes—regardless if you happen to plan to purchase or lease—take into account working with a professional at an area gear store who’s conversant in the paths, terrain, and snow or ice sort you’re certain to come across to seek out the perfect match.
On the day of your snowshoe journey, go for a pair of waterproof boots ($97)—ideally already damaged in—and gown warmly, however for exercise, advises Artwork Myshrall, one other snowshoe information at White Pine Touring. “I prefer to have layers that make it straightforward to regulate your clothes to the circumstances. Because it’s as cardio as you wish to make it, you may want to have the ability to regulate if you are out,” he says. Take into account that chilly wind will be vicious, so having some kind of shell or protecting coat ($85) is perfect.
And, earlier than you head out, give the climate report a glance. Whereas Myshrall says many newbie snowshoe trails aren’t in harmful areas, avalanches can happen and it’s finest to be ready for escape routes and an important pack containing additional layers, snacks, fluids, and a primary support package, amongst different objects your information may advise you to deliver.
In the event you’re serious about attempting out snowshoeing this winter, there are many trails and resorts to take a look at. Simply you should definitely keep secure, keep heat, and benefit from the views.
