Snowshoe Training Program : Beginner to Athlete

Whether you are someone who only walks to the mailbox or someone who jogs ten miles a day you can improve your fitness with snowshoes. Here are some ideas to get you started, and have some fun.

Snowshoeing is an ideal winter sport, because nearly everyone can do it. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. But you will find that walking on snowshoes requires more stamina than strolling at the mall. Therefore, start slowly. Most people who go out for their very first snowshoe walk have had enough in one-half mile or less, usually because their thighs are tired and burning just in that short distance. This is partly due to using new muscle groups, and somewhat due to incorrect technique.

First, the technique. Most people's first instinct on snowshoes is to raise their knees and to try to lift the snowshoes off the ground, sort of like stepping through knee-deep water. This is extremely tiring, and not the right way to do it. Some people feel that since they have wider "things" on their feet that they have to walk straddle-legged. Also untrue. What you want to teach yourself to do is to swing your legs more from the hips than to lift your knees. You will find that this does not require you to hold your legs unnaturally apart- one snowshoe will easily swing past your other leg. At the same time you will lift your toe slightly (not a lot) to keep the front of the snowshoe tipped up so it does not catch on the snow. You will know if you are getting this right if you develop slightly sore ankles for the first few days. Let the natural balance of the snowshoe keep the toe up and the tail down until you place your foot back on the snow. Soon this will just come naturally.

Since snowshoeing is an aerobic activity, give yourself points for time spent, not distance covered. For your first time out take a slow wander. Set a time you will spend (maybe only 20 minutes if you are really new), and explore some pathway or open woods. One great thing about snowshoeing is that unless you are out in a real snowstorm you can always follow your tracks back to the starting location. And if you broke new trail going out, your return walk will be easier on the packed trail you have made.