Snowshoeing: The Unsung Hero of Winter

Spring is in the air, but it’s not too late to experience the beauty of our landscape through snowshoeing.

 Snowshoeing, Mill Creek Canyon. Tips and advice

While many winter enthusiasts enjoy skiing or snowboarding, these aren’t the only outdoor activities you can participate in during the colder months. Snowshoeing is a great alternative, and there’s still plenty of snow in the mountains to keep you trekking for weeks.

Related: Your Winter Workout Survival Guide

Snowshoeing, Mill Creek Canyon. Tips and advice

Snowshoeing is not only easier to master than many other winter sports, it’s affordable, easily accessible, and family friendly. And it burns almost 50% more calories than walking or running an equal distance.

  • Affordability – End of season sales make purchasing snowshoes feasible for many people. If this is too much of a commitment, most local sporting goods stores rent shoes and poles at very reasonable rates and may even sell used equipment. Equipment aside, the experience itself is free!
  • Accessibility – If you can hike it, you can probably snowshoe it as well. Snowshoeing gives you the opportunity to explore areas that you may have only seen in the green of summer. In fact, many trails will already be packed from previous use, but if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also traverse fresh powder. Sound too easy? Try running in your snowshoes for a more intense workout.

 Snowshoeing, Mill Creek Canyon. Tips and advice

  • Family friendly – Almost any experience can be catered to meet the skill level of your family. Both children and adults can benefit from snowshoeing—pick a trail you hiked as a family in the summer and experience the winter version.
  • Calorie burning – As with any physical activity, your intensity level and body size determine your actual calorie burn, but in general, someone weighing 125 pounds uses about 240 calories per half hour, while a 155-pound person can burn around 298 calories. Not too shabby. 

Whether you’re interested in a day-long excursion or just exploring your backyard, consider adding snowshoeing to your winter sports lineup.

Related: Snowshoeing: Your Go-To, Calorie-Busting Activity This Winter

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