Snowshoeing in Colorado | Colorado Outing

Snowshoeing is another favorite Colorado winter activity. There has always been a large number of active snowshoeing enthusiasts in the State, however, snowboarders and skiers seeking virgin powder experiences have dramatically increased Colorado’s snowshoeing numbers. Snowshoes are the perfect way to access the powder rich back country. Other fans just enjoy the solitude and low impact exercise that snowshoeing offers. And for many, the reason they started snowshoeing, it’s easy and fun to learn.

If you can walk, you can snowshoe!

There are few winter recreational activities as easy to pick up as snowshoeing, making it a great winter activity for the whole family! It’s well suited for all ages and fitness levels. The old saying “If you can walk, you can snowshoe” is true! The first time you try it you’ll find there are some adjustments required on your part.

First, your stance will obviously have to be adjusted since you have two large objects strapped to your feet! Your gait will also need some revision. Normally, your foot movement might take place very close to the ground, a shuffle almost. If you’re using a modern snowshoe, you’ll have to lift your feet higher so that the front cleat doesn’t cause you to stumble on any obstruction just below the surface of the snow. Initially you may ignore this suggestion, but you’ll change your tune the first time you snag a branch just below the surface and end up face first in the snow! If you’re using a traditional snowshoe design this is less of a concern. Rather than using a cleat for traction, the rawhide laces help fill that role.

We see many people on the Nordic center trails not using poles. The groomed trails make for an experience very similar to walking. But for the novice, or ventures of the beaten path, a good set of poles are necessary and will make your jaunt more enjoyable. Now you might be thinking, “I have ski poles..those will work.” That’s true, ski poles are a good option. Today though, many snowshoe manufactures are making poles specifically designed for snowshoeing. What’s the difference between hiking poles, ski poles and snowshoeing poles? The basket size mostly. Trekking poles are designed for dry surface hiking and so the basket size is very small, too small for winter time support. Ski poles, since they’re designed for snow usage will work fine. However, the newly designed snowshoeing poles have an oversize basket. Why’s that better?

Unlike skiing on groomed slopes, snowshoeing, in many cases, takes place off the beaten trail. Even if you’re following a well used snowshoe trail, the walking path is well compacted, but the edges of the trail are not. If you lose your balance temporarily, your natural instinct is to use your pole to regain your balance. But when you go to stick your pole into the edge of the trail, surprise, it can sink all the way up to the hand grip. Putting you, head first into the fluffy snow. That’s the funny part! And what’s better yet, watching your friend trying to get back onto the trail, hilarious! Remember, you may be floating atop multiple feet of snow. Unless you have a large basket on the end of your pole, it goes through that unpacked snow like a hot knife through butter! The over sized basket on the new style snowshoe poles provides considerably better support on groomed trails and out in the woods. Most important though, is selecting a snowshoe appropriate to your size, skill level and trail type. Which is right for you?

Snowshoe Design

Originally constructed of hardwood frames and rawhide lacing, snowshoes were designed to distribute a persons weight over a larger area of snow, thereby preventing them from sinking deep into the snow. Today, some snowshoes are being manufactured with lighter materials, making them easier for the novice and expert to use. You’ll find that snowshoes are divided into three categories.

Aerobic or running – These short and narrow snowshoes are designed specifically for running or fast paced travel on groomed or prepacked trails. Individuals who enjoy running in the summer to maintain their physical health also enjoy running in the winter using this type of snowshoe. This shoe can be used by more than just runners though. If you plan on using your shoes for walking on groomed trails only, this size may be all you need. Groomed trails are firm enough not to require much flotation, even for an adult. This style of snowshoe is very easy to walk in, yet provides the stability to keep from punching through the packed snow surface.

Recreational – Larger than the aerobic version, the recreational snowshoe is still small enough in length and width to make them easy to walk in, while providing more flotation capability. They’re intended to be used for easy to moderate walks. If you plan on taking advantage of the groomed trails as well as venturing off into the deep stuff from time to time, the recreational style snowshoe is what you’re looking for! You’ll find a larger selection of sizes available in this version. The proper length and width is determined mostly by weight. The longer and wider the shoe, the more flotation capability. These will still be reasonably easy to walk in on the groomed treks, but most important, when you decide to go off trail, a properly sized pair will keep you on top of the snow. Keep in mind though, that if your heading off into an area that has never been explored, you will still sink into the snow to a certain extent. The individual “breaking trail” will find themselves converted into a snow compactor. With each step you’ll sink up to your calf or deeper, then, when you lift your shoe, you’ll be lifting whatever snow has fallen in on it. You’ll be surprised how much those tiny snowflakes weigh! It’s a lot of fun and a great aerobic workout, but remember to pace yourself. There are a number of external influences at work making what may seem to be a simple workout into much more exertion than you might think. Trading off with others in your group will keep you from exhausting yourself.

Mountaineering – These are the largest snowshoes you’ll find. They are designed for hill climbing, long distance travel and serious off trail excursions. Their extended length and wider profile provide the maximum amount of flotation, making it possible to support the person and a backpack filled with winter travel supplies and equipment. The larger size does make the mountaineering snowshoe more difficult to walk with, so unless you’re specifically headed out on an extended backcountry hike, you may want to choose a recreational sized snowshoe. Larger individuals may find themselves in a mountaineering shoe in order to achieve the flotation and support they need. A recreational snowshoes flotation rating generally tops out around 250 pounds. Even though it’s rated up to 250, it may not provide you the flotation you desire. In many cases, a mountaineering rated snowshoe may be better suited to those individuals, 225 and up, that like to venture off the groomers. Of course, shoes and poles aren’t the only things you need. Depending on the type of treks you want to take, there are a number of other items that you’ll want to consider!

Necessary Gear

First, make sure to select a pair of snowshoes that are suited to your abilities. There’s nothing worse than finding yourself starting off on what should be a fun outing, only to find out that the snowshoes you’ve selected are going to make your day a torturous adventure! Rather than trying to purchase a pair to begin with, we suggest that you rent for awhile. Not only will the rental company be able to size you properly, but you’ll also have the option of trying out different styles of snowshoes prior to making a purchase. And frankly, you may decide that snowshoeing just isn’t for you. Do you really need one more item to find a place for in the gararge?

Next, make sure the footwear you choose will keep your feet warm, dry and comfortable. Foot comfort and warmth are essential to an enjoyable trek! Hiking boots are a good option. Make sure the pair you choose are waterproof and provide room to wear a quality pair of winter weather socks. It’s also advisable to select a pair of boots that are already broken in. A snowshoe hike is no time to break in a new pair of rigid boots.

Good bindings are the next critical item. If you rent, make sure to inspect the bindings well prior to leaving the rental shop. A damaged binding brings a quick end to the day. Also, make sure you understand the proper usage, there’s nothing worse that being ready to hit the trails and you can’t figure out how to get your boot secured in the binding! There are a number of binding designs, all of which will accommodate a variety of boot styles. If you’re going to rent, we suggest wearing or taking the boots you intend to use along with you when you pick up your snowshoes. Take the time to put them on! Make sure you understand how they work and inspect them for potential problems and damage. A broken binding can have a dramatic effect on your snowshoe outing!

You may also want to consider renting or buying a quality set of poles. Now you may be saying to yourself, “I can walk without poles”. And while some of us may be better at that than others, we’re confident that you’ll be glad to have some on your next snowshoeing trip. Just like hiking in the summer, a good pair of trekking poles help to relieve leg and back stress brought on by the excursion, as well as providing balance on the snow!

Proper clothing is the next critical concern! We know, the sun is shining, it’s a beautiful day…but this is wintertime in Colorado. Even on a sunny day, at altitude, you can start to suffer the effects of hypothermia and at the same time, be getting a snow burn…crazy isn’t it! But it’s true, so don’t take being properly dressed for your trek lightly. Remember too, that everything you wear is adding to the weight that your snowshoes have to support. Make sure to add that into your weight estimate when sizing your snowshoes. In reality, you’re better off to wear two layers of light clothing than one heavy one. Not only are you saving weight with the two layer version, but you’re also going to be warmer. Plus, as things warm up, you’ll be able to remove layers, preventing your body from overheating. We can’t stress enough the importance of dressing properly for any Colorado Outing, in any season! You can learn more by reading the Colorado Outing Magazine article – Dress properly for the occasion.

Other Necessities

In addition to what’s already been mentioned, there are 10 basic items that you should always have with you whether you’re snowshoeing in winter or hiking in summer.

A map of the area you’ll be exploring. A topographical map would be best. This type of map will help you see the type of terrain you’ll be experiencing. Having that information can help you select a path equal to your experience level. If you’re shoeing in a maintained Nordic area, make sure to get one of their area maps. These maps are invaluable, they’ll even rate the trails from beginner to expert, making trail selection much easier. And for most recreational snowshoers, we suggest that you stick to a maintained Nordic facility. It’s much safer than back country treks and will by nature, require a little less gear and preparation.
A quality compass – the one out of the gum machine just ain’t gonna do! A map without a compass is worthless. And a compass without basic knowledge of how to use it is just as bad! We know a few regular hikers who faithfully carried their compass, a really nice one, and yet they didn’t have the foggiest idea how to use it. Your local sporting goods store can offer you a variety of compasses to choose from. It doesn’t have to be expensive… it just has to work properly. Once you’ve selected yours, learn the basics of how to use it and care for it properly. You may never have to actually use it to find your way out of a sticky situation, but trust us, if you do get turned around, you’ll be really glad you had it and knew how to use it. Of course like many today, you may decide to go high tech and choose a GPS devise as your map and compass. And that may be an excellent choice for many. However remember, batteries go dead! Make sure to check your batteries before you start out to assure they have enough charge to last though your hike. You might even want to carry an extra set, just in case. Keep in mind that if you get lost or injured, you may not be heading out today. Make sure you have enough battery for a few days.
Extra food – Snowshoeing is a strenuous activity. Even a moderate trip will burn a lot of calories so make sure to pack enough food to keep your energy up. And whether we like to think of it or not, the possibility of getting lost and needing to spend the night outdoors, is a real one. Food is energy and heat! Make sure to carry enough to provide for emergency needs also. That’s easy to accomplish, meal bars and other compact energy foods are plentiful. It’s easy to carry a good supply of food, without adding much weight!
Extra clothing – The potential for getting wet while snowshoeing is a good one. Some critical clothing items may need to be temporarily replaced if they get wet. Socks and gloves are a couple of items that don’t take much space in your pack, but could make your trip or an unexpected overnight much more comfortable.
Water is a must! Staying hydrated is critical to your hiking health. Even though it’s cold, your body is using and sweating out your bodies water reserves. Making sure that you have adequate water available during your winter hike is very important. Oh and by the way, remember to drink it! We’ve spoken to individuals who, after returning from a serious hike, have found themselves very dehydrated and yet had carried water all through the journey. Not smart! Drink regularly as you snowshoe, it will help keep your body performing at it’s peak and lighten your load as you go. And as far as the whole “I can eat snow to stay hydrated”…extremely bad idea! Eating snow actually makes the dehydration worse. If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve run out of water and need more, you’ll need to melt the snow for it to be a benefit. Many carry a large backpackers cup and heat source for just such an occasion. Just for fun, experiment with how much melted snow it takes to make one cup of water, you may be surprised! To learn more about how important hydration is, please read our article – Water means survival

Where to go snowshoeing

Here in Colorado there are many Nordic centers where groomed snowshoeing opportunities are available. Almost every Ski resort offers snowshoeing locations as well as guided tours and classes. For the majority of individuals wanting to enjoy this winter time activity, Nordic center trails are the right choice. In addition to the mapped, groomed and skill rated trails, these areas may offer a yurt system that you can use as a lunch stop, warm up hut or for protection from inclement weather. Some facilities even allow you to stay overnight in these yurts! The Colorado Nordic Centers offer many facilities designed to make your winter outings more enjoyable. Many have expressed their appreciation for the skill rated trails. There’s nothing worse than getting yourself into an area that requires more ability than you have to offer. In addition, these areas are closely monitored for avalanche safety as well as for weather conditions suitable for a safe outing. Guided tours that may offer a catered lunch stop are a real pleasure. Your guide will take you to the various points of interest that you may otherwise miss. Guides can help you improve your snowshoeing skills, and did we mention the catered lunches and dinners that some of the centers offer. Gourmet soups, breads, desserts and full meals are offered at some locations. Playing in the snow with family, breathtaking scenery and great food…that combo is hard to beat!

Here’s a map showing the locations for some of the Colorado Nordic Centers.

Click on location marker to get directions

For those interested in a more off trail or back country experience, there are certainly many places throughout Colorado that can fill the need. Some of the backcountry trails are regularly traveled by other snowshoers, cross country skiers, telemark skiers and snowboarders. And while you’ll have to contend with unmaintained trails, the benefits are friendly faces on the trail and scenery seen only by the adventurous! These areas, however, are not suitable for novices, and even many intermediate level snowshoers, without an experienced back country traveler accompanying them. No matter what your skill level, back country and off trail adventures require that you follow some basic safety guidelines.

DO NOT venture off into these areas without first acquiring a comprehensive knowledge of winter backcountry travel. Circumstances can change very quickly in these areas, an inadequate knowledge of how to handle the various situations that could arise, may be fatal to yourself or someone in your party.
NEVER travel alone.
DO NOT travel in these areas without the additional gear required to travel safely.
ALWAYS consult the latest avalanche report for the area and NEVER proceed into a section with questionable conditions.
ALWAYS let someone know where you will be, when you will return and when you will check in!

Following these five basic guidelines will help protect you and your fellow snowshoers from potentially fatal circumstances. Of course, the information in this article does not address all the requirements for safe winter back county or off trail travel. There are many books and other resources that can provide the additional knowledge required for winter time exploration in Colorado’s wild areas. We strongly encourage all types of outdoor education! Especially when it comes to enjoying Colorado’s wilderness and unpopulated locations. We feel that it’s much better to willingly invest some time learning, rather than be forced to invest some costly time, waiting to be found by Colorado Search and Rescue.