WALK SKILLS
›HOW TO:
GO SNOWSHOEING S
Strap on snowshoes to rediscover the Alps this winter. Hilary Sharp leads the way.
nowshoes – used to stop you sinking into deep snow – have been used since ancient times, but they have surged in
popularity recently. Once likened to tennis rackets, snowshoes are now comfortable to wear, technical, light, manoeuvrable and, most importantly, cool.
The art of snowshoeing covers the full range of levels: from short family valley walks to full-day hikes above the tree line; from hut- to-hut treks to summit ascents. But, unlike summer walking, it also has a playful side to it: falling is fun and all sorts of acrobatics can be performed in deep snow. Many people enjoy leaping and bounding down the descents. Yet, beyond the fact that snow is involved, it bears no resemblance to skiing. There is no sliding in snowshoeing and it’s easy to learn. If you can walk, you can snowshoe; if you like walking, the chances are you’ll love snowshoeing.
Although some ski resort lifts are open to people on foot, it’s best to avoid the resorts and head to the solitude of the quieter
mountains. The joy of snowshoeing is to walk up through the muffl ed silence of the forest, emerging above the tree line to sunshine and fabulous alpine views. As recent years have seen the image of snowshoeing change, it’s now also appealing to runners, who enjoy big strenuous ascents and equally wild descents, opening up a whole different training ground.
Where to go
The Alps are known for their vast network of summer trails. Some of these are also good itineraries in the winter; however, most paths are unrecognisable under their mantle of snow, so it’s unwise to try to mimic summer routes. Guidebooks exist for snowshoeing but, generally, you should expect to have to make a trail rather than follow one. Easy walks in the valley, and forest walks on tracks, are the exception, providing relatively safe options. However, keen walkers will want to get above the tree line to the true Alps and maybe even take in a hiking summit or two. Good navigation skills and strong legs to make
40 | 70TH ANNIVERSARY | FOR BRITISH CLIMBING AND WALKING SINCE 1944
the trail will be essential – or a guide in front to do both. Snowshoeing can also take you out onto the glaciers and to the higher summits, but safe glacier travel must be practiced – being roped together and carrying crevasse rescue gear – so, personally, I much prefer the freedom and simplicity of non-glaciated terrain.
Choosing showshoes
Snowshoes themselves come in various shapes and sizes (and colours). If you’re renting, you’ll probably not have a huge choice, and what you choose will partly infl uenced by where you plan to go. The shoe should be the right size for your weight to give you optimal fl otation on the snowpack. A regular adult’s snowshoe usually covers a person ranging from 55-85kgs. Above this weight you need a bigger shoe; below, a child’s shoe might be adequate. The binding has to be appropriate for your boots. Some basic snowshoes have a very simple binding that only works on totally fl at terrain. This is somewhat limiting. There should be good
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