“Winter Storm Warning!” is practically screaming from the computer monitor.  The next line reads, “Hazardous winter weather conditions pose an immediate threat in your area.”  Locals move their snow boots to the front door, stuff a pair of gloves into their jacket pocket and warm up the snowplow for hours of snow pushing.  Me, I’m beside myself with joy.  Snowshoes are checked for lose bindings and summer pole baskets are exchanged for ones of wider resistance.

Yeah – it is snowing!  Winter is here and it is time to step out and play – not the time to avoid the cooler temperatures for indoor sedentary couch sitting.  And, when you are considering what outdoor activity to pursue remember the layering system, the hydration system and warming up to lessen the chance of a pulled muscle from your inner enthusiasm.

Are you pondering your excuses of avoidance?  Don’t any longer.  Here is an activity that requires only for you to place one foot in front of the other.  If you can walk, you can snowshoe.  Want to run?  You can do that too, with snowshoes.  In fact, snowshoeing is a more enjoyable workout than being inside staring at yourself in the mirror of the local gym.   Think, 500-plus calories burning an hour!

Snowshoeing is easy to learn (but give yourself a break in the first couple of outings as you build endurance).  And, review these easy 101 tips for an enjoyable day outside.

Putting on Snowshoes

Obviously larger than the feet you are accustomed,  finding a step to sit on while putting on your shoes for the first time may be helpful.  Follow these steps for a more secure, comfortable fit.

• Loosen the toe strap, unbuckle the instep strap (goes over the top of your boot) and loosen the ratcheting strap (at the back of your heel)
• Step into the snowshoe and move your foot forward so to be centered over the crampon
• Tighten the ratcheting heel strap to hold your boot firmly
• Buckle and tighten the instep strap that goes over the top of your boot
• Lastly, tighten the toe strap to secure the toe of your boots

How to Waggle

Now, you are secure in your shoes and have poles in hand.  How do you move?  On fairly level terrain you simply walk as you would normally.  Allow your poles to provide you stability as you find your gait which is a tad wider than how you may walk generally.  Take breathers as necessary and don’t forget to look around.  But, you are not going to stay on flat terrain for long so ead ahead for tricks on uphill, downhill and traversing.  (These tricks are borrowed from http://snowshoes.com/learncategories/7 an excellent resource for staying active in the winter.)

Going Uphill – To ascend a slope, kick the front of your snowshoe into the snow and press down to compact it into a step under your foot. Make sure that each new step is sufficiently above the last one to keep your step from collapsing.

Going Downhill – To descend a slope, keep your knees slightly bent and keep your weight over your heels to maintain control grip and control.  If your snowshoes start to slide in soft spring or summer snow, spread out your stance fore and aft and glide your way to the bottom.

Traversing – To traverse a slope, kick the side of the snowshoe into the hillside, engaging the crampons. Swing your heel hard towards the uphill slope, then stomp down, securing the snowshoe edge and crampons in the slope. Keep your weight balanced into the slope for grip as you step forward.

You’ve now got the basics … time to step out and practice your skills!

About Step Outdoors, LLC  

Step Outdoors wants you to go outside and we lead individually inspired one foot in front of the other adventure pursuits to get you there.  In the summer, we will tailor a first time overnight backpack or a more challenging multi-day hiking adventure just for you.  In the winter, we offer snowshoe hikes appropriate for beginners and for those with a tad more experience.  Perfect for mothers and daughters, couples, families, co-workers or a group of friends, we provide a 100% guarantee of fun.

Check out our blog at http://stepoutdoorscolorado.com/blog/.  Or send us an email at info@stepoutdoorscolorado.com.