<p>Around here, there are places that have snowshoe group lessons/outings and snowshoe rentals (looks like $10 to $15 a day is the going rate). These tend to be the winter resort areas – the ski areas, the kayak expedition companies, and so on and so forth. The Audubon Center near me has some scheduled outings that will either be snowshoeing or hiking (depending on the weather!).</p>
<p>Looks like buying snowshoes runs from $100 to $300 a pair, plus adjustable trekking poles (another $50 to $120) that are used for hiking in the summer. At the low end, the snowshoes are intended for flat trails. As you go up, the binding that holds your boot gets beefier and more secure (but not as quick to get into) and more aggressive spikes/claws on the bottom to dig into ice and/or hold you on the hills. They divide them into “recreational”, “day hiking/adventure/all-terrain”, and “backcountry/expedition”. NH doesn’t have much flat terrain. Just about anything in the White Mountains would be “backcountry/expedition”, even if you were only going out for an hour. It’s just hilly and rocky.</p>
<p>Here is a page of info and videos at the REI site that’s a great primer:</p>
<p>I only have a relatively inexpensive pair I got from the REI outlet store. I believe they actually came with poles.
You want to play with the straps etc. to make sure they are easy to adjust even with gloves on, and of course, have a good pair of winter boots to go with them. I also like to wear waterproof ski pants, if there is any chance of sinking into the snow. </p>
<p>If you are going to be on packed trails most of the time, it will be very easy, very enjoyable. The best terrain is the deep snow that has a light freeze on it, so you can walk on top of it without breaking through, but you have the bonus of not being on an official trail and can really feel like you are in the “wilds”.</p>
<p>I have never really found a trail suitable for snowshoe running in my area. One of the pages in the Athleta catalog showed a gal doing that and got me all inspired, but it looks like you would have to have a pretty groomed trail for that.</p>
<p>LLBEAN sells a complete package with snowshoes, poles, and carry bag. Their entry level women’s recreational package is $149 for the smaller size:</p>
<p>I’m sure you can shop around and do better, but those would be a simple way to get started. I’ve already got poles – which are fantastic for hiking! – so I just need snowshoes and a carry bag (they have a lot of sharp edges, not great for rattling around loose in the car.</p>
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<p>The only time I’ve ever been on snowshoes was back in the prehistoric times when they were made out of wood. That wasn’t a lot of fun. I could barely lift the things.</p>
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<p>My mother in law did curling when she lived in Scotland. Doesn’t look like great exercise. Ice skating is killer exercise, but it is also massive broken wrist surgery risk for geezers.</p>
<p>Curling is out for me, too.
Can’t ice skate, roller skate or roller blade to save my life. Also, don’t really want to pursue a sport that uses a broom… So, I guess no quidditch, either.</p>
<p>I think snowshoeing sounds cool but am not too likely to try it anytime in the near future. Brrr! I will enjoy reading about you guys’ adventures on that front. It’s kind of like my version of hiking would involve lovely wooded areas but none of that mountaineering and rocks stuff. I do like getting to see the pics though!</p>
<p>I think snowshoeing is really hard work. I take the easy way - skiing. :)</p>
<p>Ran 4.3 miles and then battled weeds in the yard. The suckers are still gong strong as if it is still spring! Dinner will be grilled salmon and green salad.</p>
<p>Oh, believe me… that would be my preference for hiking, too! Unfortunately, that’s just not the way it goes in New Hampshire. I really enjoyed the flat 6.5 mile round trip along the river to the waterslide swimming hole, but there aren’t many long flat hikes around here. Scenic mountain views and waterfalls all mean uphill/downhill. It’s kind of a grin and bear it kind of thing.</p>
<p>I expect that snowshoeing will be very difficult. I’ll start flat and short and see how it goes. I don’t really care. If a flat mile is enough to give me a nice workout, then, I’ll be happy to do a flat mile and get back inside to a hot cup of coffee. :)</p>
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I also like to wear waterproof ski pants,
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<p>Grrr. I sent a really nice pair of MEDIUM ski pants to Goodwill because I knew I would never fit in them again. Of course, now I wear MEDIUM. Instead of buying thermal ski pants, I’m thinking I’ll layer the Marmot Precip rain pants (100% waterproof ripstop nylon) over long johns or fleece, depending on the temps. My guess is that there’s a lot of sweating involved in snowshoeing, or there will be for me…</p>
<p>^that will work well, if you can ensure that the snow doesn’t get in between the layers.
For most of the trails I do, when I can be pretty sure I won’t be sinking too deep into the snow, I actually wear winter running tights (nice and breathable), paired with lightweight gaiters.</p>
<p>Snowshoeing on the flat isn’t difficult at all, actually. Not much harder than walking. Sinking into the snow and pulling out is more challenging, and of course, anything uphill gets you sweating quickly. But the poles are a big help.</p>
<p>These rain pants have snaps and zips and pull cords to tighten them around the boots, so they should be as good as they can get at keeping the snow out without going the full snow skirt of a ski pant. I also have a pair of soft shell hiking pants on the way. Those are ‘water resistant’ with zippered ankles (but not with pull cords). I expect those will work pretty well, too, probably without gaiters on trails. I’d cut quite the figure in power stretch fleece pants and gaiters. I’m not sure that’s the “look” for an ol’ (formerly) fat guy, but who know? :)</p>
<p>I think my GoreTex leather hiking boots will work great most of the time. If it’s crazy cold, I guess I could try the Sorel winter boots. Those are like blast furnaces on my feet, but not that comfortable for walking – although I kind of doubt that snowshoeing is much about comfort!</p>
<p>The poles have been a big help hiking, that’s for sure. I shorten them up going uphill and make them really long going downhill. They make climbing easier and take a lot of wear and tear off the legs going downhill. Plus, they keep me from falling over quite so easily!</p>
<p>Agree with CJane on the snowshoeing (I have a basic pair of snowshoes/poles that I got from LLBean a few years ago). If you’re on flat terrain, it’s not that difficult. Once you start going uphill, it gets much harder. I live in the country, so there’s plenty of places where I can go snowshoeing. I didn’t go at all last year because there wasn’t all that much snow–the year before I went quite a bit. I bought the snowshoes because everyone in my family loves to downhill ski and we went on a big family vacation to Deer Valley in Utah in 2010. I’m not a great downhill skier (I grew up in the midwest and didn’t learn to downhill ski until I was in my mid-20s) so I bought the snowshoes and figured I’d go snowshoeing when everyone was skiing. I loved it–went out a couple of times with a guide and then later by myself. It was hard work, especially in the really deep snow.</p>
<p>i love snowshoeing. until my knee crapped out on me, i used to go up all the time as part of the tracking for the wildlife bridges project in the Cascades.
Poles can be very useful especially when you are crossing a creek or want to know how stable the snow is.
i usually rent from REI, they have types depending on if you are going to be running in them, walking or hiking with a pack.
Cross country skiing is more fun, but you generally have to stay on a trail, with snowshoes you can go all over.</p>