Snowshoeing is a delightful way to stay healthy and connect with nature. | VIDEO: SHIFTDRIVE/ENVATO
RADAR
Making Tracks: Snowshoeing for Beginners
This winter activity is taking steps into Canada’s future — today.
By Lisa van de Geyn
Modern equipment can be selected based on your expected terrain. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF OUTDOOR GEAR LAB
Forget what you thought you knew about snowshoeing, especially if it conjures up images of old-timey wooden frames laced with rawhide hanging above a rustic stone fireplace. Those are bygone memories now; this hallowed Canadian winter activity — a mode of transportation, a recreational pastime and a competitive sport — has changed.
Today, snowshoeing is more popular than ever, thanks to its accessibility, advances in equipment and its budget-friendly appeal. And snowshoeing is a delightful way to stay mentally healthy and physically fit in the coldest months of the year. Actual participation numbers are difficult to pinpoint. But according to Statistics Canada, about nine percent of Canadian families participate in snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. “[Snowshoeing] is a great outdoor winter activity that’s quite simple to learn. Very little skill is needed, plus it really is relatively inexpensive — $100 or $200 will get you a pretty good pair of snowshoes,” says David Robinson, the president of Snowshoe Canada. “Many alpine and cross-country ski centres now have snowshoes for sale and rent.”
“[Snowshoeing] is a great outdoor winter activity that’s quite simple to learn. Very little skill is needed, plus it really is relatively inexpensive — $100 or $200 will get you a pretty good pair of snowshoes”
While snowshoeing has a long history — it’s been around for thousands of years, since Indigenous peoples invented snowshoes 4000 to 6000 years ago in Central Asia as a tool that helped them hunt and travel in winter — Robinson says those old wooden shoes are mainly museum pieces these days. “Modern-day equipment is made of a variety of strong, lightweight materials such as aluminum, fibreglass, carbon fibre and flexible, durable plastic,” he says. The newer snowshoes click on like snowboard boots and feature integrated steel crampons (or teeth) under the toe bed, which allow snowshoers to traverse icy trails.
Deciding whether to buy or rent snowshoes depends entirely on how often you plan to hit the trails; rent if you only intend to go a few times a season, but purchase your own gear if you plan on making it a regular winter activity.
When purchasing snowshoes, you need to consider three key factors: terrain, frame material and proper sizing. First, choose between aluminum frames (for greater flexibility) or composite frames (for a lighter build). Then ensure the size matches your weight. Finally, pick a design suited for your intended snowshoeing environment, whether that means mellow flats or steep slopes.
(Left) Originating from Canadian Indigenous traditions, these vintage “Bear Paw” snowshoes feature thick rawhide lacing and white ash frames that offer both decorative appeal and silent, efficient mobility in deep snow. (Middle) Dating back to the 1960s, these traditional wooden “Ojibwe” snowshoes are designed with a lifted nose and a long, narrow tail that provide exceptional flotation in open areas and smooth gliding properties downhill. (Right) Handmade in Canada by the Bastien Brothers, these antique “Huron” wood snowshoes offer quiet maneuverability, excellent soft-snow flotation, and a streamlined tail for tracking, making them a historically favoured design for hunting and trapping. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ANTIQUE SKI SHOP
As a general rule, there is no maximum amount of snow that limits your ability to snowshoe, but you do need at least six inches on the ground to properly enjoy the activity, because snowshoes need a sufficient layer of snow to cushion the frame and traction cleats. Anything less will cause your steel crampons to strike frozen dirt or asphalt.
If you’re new to the sport and want to give it a shot, casual beginners are more than welcome. Consult local parks or conservation areas — many across the country are leaning into the sport by lighting up their trails and hosting group events. Just heed advice from seasoned snowshoer Robinson: expect a more challenging walk than, say, strolling neighbourhood sidewalks. “The snow creates a significant friction, like walking in sand,” he says. “Expect it to take twice as long to cover the same distance on the snow as it would walking on the road.”
But know you’ll be making tracks in the right direction, no matter your speed. CAA
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