It doesn't take a lot of expensive equipment, and it's a great way to spend time with your kids. All you need is six inches or more of snow on the ground and go. A park, the woods, or any open space works. Grab a small pack (My husband likes to take a Camelback - so there's water when you get thirsty - with a small storage section.) some liquid, and energy bars or snacks, and head out. Dress in layers that can be added or removed as your body temperature dictates. Fleece clothing works well, especially jackets that have wind-stopper capability.
Snowshoe Excursions With Kids
Heading into the woods with young kids is a great experience. They can't text while holding a pole, but tell them you'll be taking tweet breaks. Stop periodically and enjoy the lack of sound. And realize you're not alone. Our son, who is now an adult, still remembers my husband identifying bird, squirrel, rabbit, deer, and other animal tracks for him and sitting on a log eating an apple and just listening. As you get more into snowshoeing you can move up to recreational, back country or even aerobic snowshoes. As a warning, stay out of the backcountry if there is avalanche potential. Now go burn those calories.Where to Get Snowshoes
Most big-box sports stores will have snowshoes, as will REI and Eastern Mountain Sports, and it's also easy to find them online. Look for sturdy frames, good traction on the bottom and easy-to-close bindings. The Atlas Spark 20 and Echo 20 snowshoes are good choices for kids ages 8 to 12. Tubbs has snowshoes designed for men and for women.Places Where You Can Snowshoe & Overnight Trips
Most resorts and dude ranches that have cross country trails allows snowshoers on most, if not all, of the trails. Yellowstone in the winter is a wonderful place to go snowshoeing. The Cross Country Ski Areas Association has an extensive listing of resorts and trial systems. Just click on the "resorts and trails" link, then click on a state for a list. In the East, the Appalachian Mountain Club is a one-stop source for single-day and multi-trip snowshoe trips. The Colorado Mountain Club has lots of snowshoeing trips scheduled every winter.If you want to take a guided or self-guide inn-to-inn snowshoe excursion in Vermont, visit Bredeson Outdoor Adventures.
Book About Snowshoe Basics
Claire Walter's The Snowshoe Experience will take you step-by-step through the basics, if you're the person who wants to know "how to do it" before heading out to enjoy this winter sport.
