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Snowshoe and Discover the Healthy Side of Winter

Snowshoe and discover the healthy side of winter

Monte the Mountie gets new shoes. Photo rtaylor

Publisher’s assessment of the snowshoe experience

It was not until a year ago in Haliburton Ontario I ever thought snowshoeing would replace my favorite winter sport, cross country skiing. I remembered trying out the big old wooden snowshoes as a kid. There was the romantic notion “I too could be like Sergeant Preston, and track the illusive bad guy Snidely Whiplash on my snowshoes.” The experience was not favorable. I found it difficult and awkward to maneuver, and was going nowhere fast. The bad guy was getting away.

Snowshoeing—a boomers new sport

With ageing bones and the aches and pains of hips and ankles, and a reluctance to falling while skiing, I decided to try out the new ultra light metal snowshoes, and to my surprise they provided a lot more stability, and a confidence level that made me feel comfortable.

Combined with cross country ski poles, I could go off traditional hiking trails into the bush or across a lake with ease. The poles really give you that added sense of control, and provide some upper body movement similar to cross-country skiing.

Snowshoe Technology

The new technology and design have helped revolutionize a sport for all of us aging baby boomers.

Snowshoe Aerobics

Also to my surprise, in addition to the upper body movements while moving your snowshoes in a rhythm compatible with the ski poles, you can get a significant amount of exercise just by navigating a small hill or deep snow off the trail. You are achieving a high level of aerobics, burning calories, and reducing guilt about that big bacon and egg breakfast you just consumed. Explore, Canada’s Outdoor Magazine suggests ‘a must do’ on their winter life list should be a run on snowshoes, “It’s twice as strenuous as an ordinary workout. And it’s infinitely more beautiful”. At this stage in my life I will leave this one to the younger snowshoe enthusiasts to accomplish.

Many of the members on the 400ELEVEN website provide snowshoe rentals and experiences including a snowshoe eco-tour at Midland’s Wyes Marsh Wildlife Centre. See snowshoe getaways.