Snowshoeing, an Affordable Skiing Alternative

If you're not a skier, but still like the great outdoors, even in winter, snowshoeing is a great alternative. For starters, there's no skill required, other than basic physical fitness and a good sense of balance. Second, the equipment is affordable to rent and/or buy, and snow-shoeing trails here in the alps are as plentiful as hiking trails. Finally, snowshoeing is a great workout, burning anywhere from 400-1000/hour, depending on the trail you choose.

Snowshoeing as an activity has been in existence for 4000 years, however, the Algonquin and Huron tribes in North America showed early American trappers how to use snow-shoes. According to snowshoes.com, "Snowshoers looked to the naturally efficient design of animal paws and began modeling their snowshoes after animal prints. The popular "beavertail" style had a round nose with the ends coming together in a long tail. The "bearpaw" was short and wide with a round tail, as its name implies.

As urbanization decreased the need for showshoes as a hunting tool, it became a pleasure activity for outdoor enthusiasts in the 1900s. In areas like Quebec where winters were long, snowshoeing contests and races were developed with individuals and teams. Over the past century, snowshoeing has evolved into a global sport. According to the World Snow-shoe Federation (WSSF), there are over 5 million snowshoers in the world today. This year's annual event will be held in the US for the first time in Saranac, New York, on Feb 24-26, 2017. Their website provides a global calendar of snowshoeing events held around the world.

In terms of dressing for your snowshoeing excursion, layering is important, but the type of fabric is also important. According to snowshoes.com, "When you are recreating outdoors your clothes should allow you to move freely and comfortably. If you get sweaty climbing uphill, your clothing should wick the moisture away from your body to keep you dry. Wool, silk and synthetic materials (such as polypropylene) are the best to use for the outdoors. Cotton absorbs moisture from your body and dries slowly."

Tips when going snow-shoeing the first time?

1) Get comfortable taking your snowshoes on and off at home, which is easier than trying this on the trail. Also, make sure the bindings stay tight and that you're wearing the right socks--there's nothing more annoying than socks that don't stay up! I actually tuck my pant leg into my socks which keeps the snow out and the socks up!

2) Test your equipment in a nearby park or close to home. Get comfortable with walking with the snowshoes--you will have to widen your gait to allow for the wider shoe.

3) Make sure your poles are also the right height. Adjust the pole so that your elbow at a right angle with the pole touching the ground. If you're trekking on steep terrain, adjust the poles shorter, and lengthen them on your descent.

4) When backing up or turning sharply, pick your feet up high to keep the tail of the shoe from trailing in the snow.

Here's a website dedicated to the best snow-shoe trails here in the French Alps. Here at LaPalette BNB, we also rent out our snow-shoes to our guests for 5€/day. You just need either a hiking boot or even a tennis shoe to attach to the snowshoe. We hope to see you soon! PS--there's a great outdoor equipment store close by called Quechua where you can buy snowshoes too.