Snowshoeing Essentials
for Beginners
By CrAIG MACArTNEy
IF you can walk, you can
snowshoe. All it takes is a little
time to get used to having
bigger ‘feet.’ Here’s the most
important rule: move slowly
until you increase skill level.
These four pointers will keep
you out of trouble.
might prove a bit more challenging, but
Forward Movement of the trail as you step forward, as on use your poles for leverage when getting
Walking forward in snowshoes is easy. flat ground. Your second pole can offer up. Be careful that you don’t bend them.
Start by lifting your snowshoe upwards balance from behind. Snowshoeing is a great adventure!
(slightly higher than normal walking) When walking up steeper hills, you Enjoy the winter fun.
as you take a long step. The back of can choose several methods: traveling in ~ Craig macartney is an avid winter
the snowshoe will drag behind; that’s a zigzag route, walking in a herringbone camper.
normal. By lifting your feet higher than pattern (with your feet pointing 45
normal, you’ll prevent one snowshoe degrees out from each other, offering
Mal de Raquette aleRt!
from clattering down on the side of the more grip), or simply sidestepping up a
other. steep hill. Be careful when you lift your Snowshoers beware.
feet! Be sure your toes are clear of the
Turning snow or you might trip forward.
Over-exerting yourself can
Turning is a bit more difficult. You
lead to painful soreness in your
need to be careful not to step one Going Downhill
legs and ankles – a condition
snowshoe on top of the other. There If you found ski poles helpful for
voyageurs called “mal de
are two ways to turn. If you have lots climbing a hill, you’ll love them for going
of space, walk in a wide semi circle. down. They offer increased balance and
raquette.” These cramps result
When you gain confidence and skill, enjoyment, helping confidence levels.
from overworking calf and/or
make the semi circle smaller and small. With gentle downward slopes, keep your
thigh muscles that are unused to
However this method won’t always work poles slightly ahead and to the side. Walk
vigorous exercise.
in close quarters (e.g. a thick forest) or forward slow, maintaining your balance.
on a slope. To make an abrupt turn, lift Watch for any ice on the trail that might
Luckily, mal de raquette is easy
one foot slowly and rotate it 90 degrees cause your snowshoes to start sliding –
to avoid. Just start slowly. Perhaps
in the direction you want to go. (Be usually a problem only on steep hills.
stretch a bit before putting on
careful that your two snowshoes don’t If you’re descending a steep trail that
the snowshoes. Moderation can
overlap or you’ll take a tumble!) Now has already been broken, the easiest way .c
om
shift your weight onto your newly is to sit down and slide on your backside
save you a lot of trouble down t
o
moved snowshoe, and follow through – a method known as “glissading.”
the road. If your legs start to
P
ho
by planting the other snowshoe slowly Contrary to what many think, this does
t
ock
cramp, stop and message the -is
beside it. not damage the trail. In fact, it packs the
sore muscles. Then head for the
snow down more for others coming
Going Uphill behind.
chalet and a warm mug of hot
: vernonwiley
Ski poles can help a lot when climbing What if you fall? No sweat! Taking a chocolate.
hills. When tackling gentle slopes, tumble into fluffy snow is like landing on
t
o credit
plant one pole ahead and to one side giant marshmallows. It’s fun! Getting up
Pho
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca OTTAWA magazine fall/winter 2009/2010 5
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