IF THE SHOE FITS

STEP OUT WITH SNOW-SHOEING THIS WINTER

BY JOANNA O’LEARY

This winter calls for adding a new pair of shoes to your collection. Not boots (though infinitely practical) nor slippers (oh-so-comfy) but rather something useful and fun: snowshoes.

Yes, ’tis the season for outdoor trekking and snow-shoeing is a glorious means of getting from point A to B against the backdrop of nature’s frozen splendor. Snow-shoeing is too often discounted as the boring stepsister of skiing, ice skating and even curling (gulp), though its status as a “lesser” cold-weather sport is inaccurate and unfair.

Snow-shoeing is the OG form of cold-weather ambulation, with some scientists dating the first appearance and use of snow-shoes among Central Asian peoples approximately 6,000 years ago. It has been theorized that famed 3,500-year-old mummy Oetzi, aka “The Iceman,” had snowshoes with him. Unfortunately, however, they did not prevent him from dying from exposure.

In the United States, snowshoes were the favored transportation accessory of Native American tribes, and are credited with developing variations of the webbed form of the shoe with which many of us are familiar today.

But in addition to its “old-school” (understatement of the year) charm, snowshoeing has other salient virtues that can render it comparable or even preferable to other seasonal athletic pastimes. If you’re an endurance junkie/weekend warrior, rest assured that snow-shoeing provides one helluva workout, as it burns between 500 and 1,000 calories an hour depending on your weight, pace and grade of ascent. But unlike other winter sports, snow-shoeing is also relatively more affordable, with most models costing under $200 — far less expensive than the thousands of bucks required to invest in a good pair of cross-country skis.

GEARING UP

If your interest in snow-shoeing is sufficiently piqued, here are the first steps (har) to getting started.

When selecting a pair of snowshoes, the most important question to consider is where you will primarily use them because models are designed differently depending on the terrain. Opt for a recreational style with simple bindings and moderate levels of sole traction (in the form of underside metal teeth or crampons) if you plan to snow-shoe on easier landscapes, such as rolling hills and well-trod forest trails.

However, if you’re venturing into more mountainous conditions with rugged terrain and steep, icy ascents, choose professional grade shoes with more secure binding and intricate sole traction. Such styles tend to be more expensive ($200-300) but the investment is well worth the enhanced safety and finessed mobility.

Binding design may seem like an afterthought but can literally make-or-break your experience. Consider also whether you will be wearing your snowshoes over regular shoes or bulkier footwear such as boots and modify accordingly. Strapping into your shoes should also be able to be completed, natch, while wearing gloves and other requisite cold-weather apparel.

Finally, remember that snowshoes should properly accommodate your height and weight; the taller and heavier you are, the wider and longer generally is the shoe.

Maine’s winter trails — like Reeds Brook Trails seen here, whether groomed or ungroomed, are perfect for snowshoeing.

To amplify the comfort factor of your snow-shoeing foray, you may also want to spring for a pair of balance poles with snow baskets to keep yourself steady, a weatherproof backpack in which to store extra socks, and gaiters to prevent snow from seeping into your boots.

FIRST STEPS

Now that you’ve got the gear, it’s time to try strut — er, stomp — your stuff in the snow.

Stamping and edging are two components of basic snow-shoeing technique. To stamp, step lightly onto the snow leading with your heel and rolling then onto your toe as you transfer your weight. You can also move by edging, whereby you first plant the inside edge of your snowshoe, then roll across your foot sideways. This latter method is especially useful when climbing a slope sideways.

Another technique beginner snowshoers will need to master, and one that often proves trickier than expected is turning around without tripping over your own feet. Walking in a circle is an easy way to change direction, but you can also do so via a slightly fancier gesture known as a step turn, whereby you plant one snowshoe at a 90-degree angle in front of the other shoe to form a “T” before shifting your weight and bringing the other snowshoe alongside it to make a half-turn.

You can also make a full 180-degree rotation by completing a “kick turn,” and placing one snowshoe in the opposite direction to the other and having your body make a full turn. Like any sport, snow-shoeing with (relative) ease and grace requires practice. Be prepared to take some (hopefully gentle) spills while getting your bearings.

HEADING OUT

Fortunately, Maine in winter abounds with opportunities to practice. Many rural dwellers have access to established trails in the vicinity of their homestead, but if you’re a city slicker and/or seeking a more destination snowshoeing mini-vacation, head to Woodward Point in Brunswick and Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway (both dog-friendly) or Mount Blue State Park in Weld, which boasts a series of routes ranging from easy to advanced. Another terrific spot is the Hammond Ridge Trail System near Millinocket. The system comprises around 14 miles of trails and also offers snowshoe and cabin rentals.