Quick Tips — Snowshoeing

By REI staff

1. Before buying snowshoes, consider the snow conditions most common in your area. Wet, compact snow will require less flotation (and smaller snowshoes) than powder snow, which requires more flotation (and larger snowshoes).
2. Recommended load refers to your weight plus the weight of the gear you'll be carrying. Make sure to consider this along with snow conditions, and go for the smallest snowshoes that will support your weight. These will be the easiest to maneuver.
3. Using poles will help with balance and make crossing slopes easier. You can use ski poles, snowshoe poles or trekking poles. Large baskets are available to put on REI trekking poles so they will perform in deep snow.
4. Plan on carrying a larger pack for winter trips than you do during summer hikes. The extra clothing and gear you need to stay comfortable on a winter day trip can weigh as much as you'd take for an overnight in summer. A pack with an outer pocket is handy for carrying a snow shovel or your snowshoes if you should need to take them off and carry them.
5. Wrap some duct tape around one of your snowshoe poles as an emergency repair "kit." You can secure broken binding straps or patch puncture holes. Carry some plastic tie wraps (used for securing cables) or bailing wire for attaching decking back to the frame. If your snowshoes are constructed with grommets, consider getting a grommet repair kit.
6. Take turns breaking trail in fresh snow, so everyone in the group shares the extra work. As soon as the leader is tired, he or she brings up the rear and takes a break by walking on the packed snow. Then the next person in line kicks steps for awhile, and so on. This is especially important on steep slopes, so that no one becomes exhausted.
7. Stretching out the hamstrings (muscles on the backs of the thighs) and hip flexors (muscles in front of the hips that lift the legs) will help your flexibility for snowshoeing. Walking on snowshoes requires that you take longer steps, especially uphill. You also walk with your feet much wider apart than normal. For more on stretching, click here.
8. Learn safe backcountry travel techniques, whether through an organization or from reading and studying. An estimated 95% of people caught in avalanches actually trigger them as a result of unwise travel decisions! Have every person in your party carry and know how to use an avalanche beacon and a shovel if you plan to venture into the backcountry.
9. Carry a dry long underwear shirt to change into at the top or turnaround point of your day trip. Women may want to carry a dry sports bra as well. If you've been working hard you are likely to be sweaty and will cool off quickly when you stop. The dry clothes will keep you much warmer when you're headed downhill again and not creating as much heat.
10. Chemical hand warmers work wonders for keeping your digits happy. Put them next to your camera or flashlight in cold weather to keep them working, too.
11. Eat plenty of high-calorie, high-fat foods on long snowshoe trips. Your body will burn them for needed energy and warmth. Some folks even swear by putting a little butter in their hot drinks to stay warm at night.
12. Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. You need to stay hydrated to stay warm!
13. Carry a thermos or vacuum bottle with hot cocoa or tea when out on a day trip. Or you can even carry a small stove and heat up some water for soup. It can make a cold, wet trip much more enjoyable.
14. When snow camping, place some water in the bottom of your cooking pot before attempting to melt snow. Not only does it help the snow melt faster, it also keeps the pot from scorching and giving your water a bad taste.

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