take up the ancient sport of snowshoeing
By Sue Freeman
6,000 years ago, snowshoes were developed for winter survival, allowing
ancient people to walk and hunt on top of deep snow. The benefit is
the same today, even if our reasons for using snowshoes have changed
dramatically. Most of us no longer need them for survival. Today we
use snowshoes for recreation - to enhance our enjoyment of winter.
The Tubbs Snowshoe Company estimates that there are several million
frequent snowshoers in the U.S. The sport is growing in popularity.
Are you among the hordes that have discovered this delightful way to
enjoy a winter wonderland? If not, give it a try this winter.
Mention snowshoes and most people envision the large, clunky, wooden
framed platforms woven with catgut (or any similar animal gut) strings.
But times have changed. Modern snowshoes are high tech wonders. They’re
made of plastic or aircraft-grade aluminum. They’re lightweight,
sleek, and colorful.
Almost anyone can snowshoe. If you can walk, you can quickly master snowshoes.
Even young children can enjoy snowshoeing, making it an inexpensive family
sport. Besides, being fun, snowshoeing is good exercise. It has a low
impact on the body. The cushioning of deep snow eliminates the jarring
of knees and hips that occurs with skiing. It can be done at a leisurely,
walking pace or at an aerobic, running pace. Even at a walking pace,
snowshoeing burns up to twice the number of calories as regular walking.
Pump up the pace or the steepness of terrain and you can burn up to 1,000
calories an hour.
A pair of snowshoes ranges in cost from $60 to $300. At the low end are
plastic recreational snowshoes. At the high end are snowshoes built for
mountaineering. Try renting them first to see if this sport is for you.
With the trend toward snowshoe adventures, many nature centers rent snowshoes
for use on site for just a few dollars. Or, you can rent snowshoes for
about $15 a day and take them to a location of your choice. Then, head
out to explore the world when it’s covered in white. Follow in
the footsteps of a 6,000 year-old tradition on snowshoes and have a whole
lot of fun in the process.
ROCHESTER RESOURCE
The guidebook “Snow Trails – Cross-country Ski and Snowshoe in Central and Western New York” (www.footprintpress.com, 1-800-421-9383) is loaded with over 80 trail networks for adventures in the snow.
Where to rent on site:
• Tinker Nature Park, Henrietta (359-7044)
• Genesee Country Nature Center, Mumford (538-6822)
• Bristol Harbour, Canandaigua (396-2200)Where to rent and take them wherever you want:
• Eastern Mountain Sports, Marketplace Mall, Henrietta (272-0090)
• Get Out & Stay Out, Henrietta (427-0960)
• Medved, Pittsford (585) 248-3420
• Snow Country, Pittsford (586-6460)
• Sugar’s Bike Shop, Spencerport (354-8300)
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Sue Freeman and her husband Rich decided to make their living from what they love—being outdoors. They have written numerous books including “Take A Hike! Family Walks in the Rochester Area.” To date they have published 12 guidebooks through their company Footprint Press. Sue can be contacted at sue@footprintpress.com or at Footprint Press Recreation Guidebooks, PO Box 645, Fishers, NY 14453 (phone & fax 585-421-9383). Their website is www.footprintpress.com.