A back injury and arthritis have curtailed her ability to bask in her favorite pastime the past five years.

“I really miss it,” she says.

Barnard is learning to appreciate a new activity that can be as gentle as a stroll in the park or as vigorous as a sweaty hike up Mount Shasta.

Caught shopping recently at REI, she said she plans to be at the Winter Trails Day event that REI plans Jan. 9 near the Kirkwood Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Center.

She said she could hardly wait. Snowshoers will be able to try out a variety of equipment on the trails and get expert advice on technique.

Cathy Anderson-Meyers, a snowshoeing instructor and ardent snowshoer, says the sport has grown in popularity as people realize that snow doesn’t have to keep them from hiking through wilderness. The icicles and white stuff provide breathtaking accents to the terrain.

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“Snowshoeing isn’t to replace a sport you already love, but something to do in addition,” says Anderson-Meyers. “My whole family could do it.”

Anderson-Meyers, who got rolling in snowshoeing in 1992, frequents the surrounding snow destinations, and her eyes widen in excitement with thoughts of lunging through Yosemite.

And no lift ticket is required.

Snowshoes are lighter today, and they come in different sizes for men and women. Men’s shoes provide more surface space to accommodate heavier frames. Women’s are narrower for easier walking.

People of all skill and fitness levels are finding a place in snowshoeing. Barnard believes that the tranquility of snow-shoeing will untie her arms so she can fully enjoy the snow and escape her winter doldrums.

Barnard never quite found her solution until her brother encouraged her to give snowshoeing a chance.

While at the Roseville REI, she paced the aisles, hoping an investment in snowshoes and boots would rekindle her winter spirit.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” she says. “It could be so gorgeous, and the snow,” she paused, “it just twinkles.”

Today, in addition to the traditional snowshoes, there are a variety of modern materials and construction techniques used to produce space age versions of this old technology. Many of the new shoes use lightweight aluminum frames with modern plastics to create a snowshoe that will work well in all types of snow. Most also include cleats on the bottom to prevent sliding if there is any ice under the snow.

To pick the perfect snowshoe for some winter fun, the first place to start is the application for which they will be used. If you are buying snowshoes for the occasional winter walk in the woods, then it is probably not necessary to worry too much about the weight or construction. Serious trail hiking or bushwhacking through the mountains will require a better model.

There are a couple of styles that are popular. Snowshoes are made in all plastic molded models, which are very durable and even come in some spiffy colors. Tubular showshoes have a round metal framework with a plastic or fabric deck. Frame snowshoes have a metal edge with points around the edge and offer great traction.

In general, traditional wooden snowshoes are better suited to fairly level terrain. They are not really built for a hike in the high peaks where there will be plenty of steep slopes. If you are looking to traverse several miles at a rip under a variety of conditions, then spending more money for the high-tech hiking models makes much more sense.

Even though modern snowshoes are more popular, don’t write off traditional wooden snowshoes. They are great to look at and in some applications work just as well, so you can float on the snow in style.

There also is something to be said for visiting an area dealer. It may cost a little more than ordering online, but you will end up with the right gear instead of guessing.

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In addition to the snowshoes, a pair of ski poles or hiking poles are a good investment. Sometimes it is easy to lose balance, depending on what you step on in the woods, and having the hiking poles helps with balance and can prevent a fall. They also make it easier to get up and down a steep hill.

One common rookie error with snowshoes is to overestimate the distance on your first trip in the woods. Snowshoes are not like taking a walk in the woods. It is a little different walking gait, and there is weight on your feet. In addition, there is all of the snow to contend with.

The point is, don’t decide to do a 10-mile hike the first time out.

Finding a place to go is easy. There are loads of state forest lands out there, both in the Adirondack and Catskill parks, and in each county. Everyone has good snowshoe territory within an easy drive of their house. Just be sure to sign in at trail registers, have a travel plan, and be sure to have a map of the area and a compass.

Winter gets kind of boring, and most of us don’t get enough exercise. A couple of hours tromping through the snow in the quiet stillness of a winter forest is a great way to spend some time outdoors.

Rob Streeter is an outdoors columnist for the Times Union. You can reach him at rstreeter@nycap.rr.com, or send items to 961 Stoner Trail Road, Fonda, NY 12068.

SOURCE: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=879073&category=STREETER&BCCode=&newsdate=12/16/2009

The Tubbs Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series® has opened up registration for the 2010 season and lots of people have already logged on to join in on the fun times and fantastic cause.

Register now for a Romp near you and save up to $15 with the Early Bird Registration Discount!

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The Romp is a fun, inexpensive way to get active this winter AND support a fantastic cause.

Find your event and register today!

USA (benefiting local affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®)

• New Jersey: Sat, Jan 23, 2010
• Vermont: Sat, Jan 30,2010
• Utah: Sat, Feb 6, 2010 NEW!!
• Washington: Sat, Feb 20, 2010
• Oregon: Sat, Feb 27, 2010
• Colorado: Sat, March 6, 2010

CANADA (benefiting the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

• Ontario: Sat, Feb 20, 2010

Related posts:

1. Romp to Stomp our Breast Cancer 2010 Dates Announced

The annual event is designed to offer kids and adults who are new to snow sports a chance to check them out with free equipment and trail access.

Winter trails day has been confirmed thus far at the following locations:

• Kirkwood, CA
• Echo Lake, CO
• Estes Park, CO
• Weston Ski Tracks, MA
• Fort Snelling State Park, MN
• White River Snow Park, OR
• Liberty Mountain, PA
• Soldier Hollow, UT
• The Mountaineers, WA

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You can register online for your preferred location at http://WinterTrails.org. Most locations offer snowshoeing and cross-country but some only offer snowshoeing. Venues include alpine resorts, Nordic centers, state parks, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service land. Details can be found on the Web site. You can also register onsite at each location.

Winter Trails is part of “Learn a Snow Sport Month,” set for the entire month of January to raise awareness of skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. Information about other snow sports learning programs can be found at http://WinterFeelsGood.com and individual programs are described at http://LearnaSnowSport.org.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20091102/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_winter_trails

Major News from Snowshoe Magazine Announced today!

From Snowshoe Magazine: As part of a major initiative to place the sport of snowshoe racing in the global spotlight, Mount Seymour Resort in British Columbia will host the World Snowshoe Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 27 – one day before the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremonies in Vancouver.

“Years of work and preparation all come to this point,” explained Dave Howells, co-owner and technical director of the World Snowshoe Invitational and the Yeti Snowshoe Series in Canada. “We’ve been working with the United States Snowshoe Association (USSSA) and other organizations to get the sport of snowshoe racing noticed by the International Olympic Committee and the media. This is our chance. This is the most important moment for the sport and its participants. What will take place on Mount Seymour on Feb. 27 will be historic.”

Over the past decade, snowshoeing enthusiasts and governing bodies for the sport have worked tirelessly to give snowshoe racing the attention it deserves as an Olympic game. Efforts to host a snowshoe demonstration race at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, failed. Later, targets were set for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

In order for snowshoe racing to become an official Olympic sport, it requires “major sponsorship and media involvement,” said Mark Elmore, sports director for the USSSA. “Plus, at least 20 countries would need to have their national Olympic organizations formally recognize a national governing body for the sport within their individual countries.”

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For the sport, this is no small task, but a significant first step to gain Olympic recognition is scheduled for Feb. 27. In addition, the Yeti Canadian Snowshoe Series will host a major snowshoe race on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Mount Washington Resort in British Columbia. This race is closely scheduled to the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

“The Invitational is going to piggy back on the Olympic events, despite not being formally accepted by the Olympic Committee,” said Mike Caldwell, race director for the Atlas Mad Trapper Snowshoe Series in Low, Quebec. “There is no qualifying required to compete in the Invitational, so everyone is welcome to attend, including international competitors.”

For more information about the World Snowshoe Invitational, visit http://www.theyeti.ca, http://www.snowshoeracing.com and http://www.synergyark.com/mad-trapper.html.

—————-

Stay tuned to Snowshoemag.com for more on this story and 2010 Winter Olympics news. We will have several reporters at the Games in Vancouver and will provide in-depth coverage of the snowshoe races. Snowshoe Magazine congratulates and celebrates with the organizers of the World Snowshoe Invitational. This is big news for our wonderful sport!

Ryan Alford
ryan@snowshoemag.com
303-332-4993

Ted McGuinness, president of the American satellite of TSL Snowshoes, said the new facility will allow the company to expand its offerings and “explore new avenues to increase revenue.”

TSL Snowshoes makes high-quality snowshoes and winter accessories for adults and children. The company started in France in the 1980s and has fast become Europe and Japan’s premier snowshoe makers, McGuinness said. He added the company is making inroads into the U.S. market, especially in the Northeast. Its line consists of two types of snowshoes — aluminum-frame and composite snowshoes.

“This is our fourth year of production in the U.S. and we’re growing at a rapid rate,” McGuinness said.

TSL Snowshoes, which has six employees, used to be located on Avenue C in a 4,900 square-foot office space, which McGuinness said the company quickly outgrew. The new location offers more space — 11,700 square feet — and more amenities. The space opened up when Hampton Direct moved its operations to the former KBA North America building on Hurricane Lane in July.

At TSL Snowshoe’s new location, there is increased room for storage, shipping, receiving and plenty of room for its production department. All of the company’s aluminum-framed snowshoes are built in Williston, using mainly domestic products. McGuinness said two companies in Vermont supply the snowshoe company with parts, and only one source is located outside the United States, just over the border in Quebec. The company also distributes the composite snowshoes produced in Europe to outfitters across the country.

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In recent years, the company has edged its way into the American snowshoe industry. McGuinness said TSL’s main competitor is the former Vermont-based Tubbs Snowshoes. That company, which made aluminum-frame type snowshoes popular, moved its production facilities overseas and its headquarters to Seattle when K2 Sports bought the business earlier in the decade.

When Tubbs left Vermont, TSL snatched up some of the former company’s employees. Doing so allowed TSL to develop its own brand of aluminum-frame snowshoes and, McGuinness said, at a higher quality.

“It was the perfect time to start up a partnership in the U.S.,” McGuinness said.

At local Vermont resorts, many snowshoe rentals are now exclusively TSL brands. McGuinness said winter sports enthusiasts can demo TSL snowshoes at Catamount Family Center, Bolton Valley Ski Resort and Stowe Mountain Resort, among other places.

Much of the company’s recent success has come because of the snowy winters in the Northeast over the past two years. More snow means more business and the potential to add jobs at TSL.

“Right now, we’re really hoping for another big winter,” McGuinness said.

“The Alp simply outperformed every other all-purpose snowshoe in the test,” says Buyer’s Guide editor Sam Moulton. “The flexible plastic deck affords exceptional stability and grip whether you’re hiking for turns or strolling on the rec path.”

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“Dialing in the perfect fit is, literally, a cinch,” adds Moulton. “Two easy-to-pull straps lock down the binding mid-foot and—this is the best part—tuck away and never drag or otherwise interfere.”

The FLEX ALP and the FLEX Series of snowshoes (available in both men’s and women’s models) are the first ergonomic snowshoes optimized for walking on packed and variable snow and feature the FLEX Tail™ that absorbs shock and reduces stress on the joints.  Featuring the Active Lift™ heel lift for easy ascents and the biomechanically-designed FLEX Tail to ease joint stress on steep arduous descents, the FLEX ALP is a performance product designed for any challenge.

“We are excited to receive this prestigious honor,” says Graham Gephart, Tubbs Snowshoes Brand Manager. “Outside’s Winter Buyer’s Guide is the resource for people looking to purchase new products.  The FLEX Series is the result of true innovation, rigorous testing, biomechanical research, and extensive field use, anTubbs 2010 Gear of the YearTubbs 2010 Gear of the Year we are proud that they are recognized as the premier showshoes.”

Related posts:

1. Tubbs Introduces the FLEX Series Snowshoe line

Modeled after the highly successful Race for the Cure®, the Tubbs Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer consists of a 3k or 5k snowshoe walk or a 3k snowshoe race.

The event has grown every year and now is the largest snowshoe series in the world.

The gorgeous snowshoe course, fun atmosphere, and FREE demo snowshoes* from Tubbs helps to attract participants of all levels. Nearly 25% of participants have never snowshoed before!

With ongoing partnerships with the local affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the Tubbs Romp to Stomp is committed to helping stomp out breast cancer one snowshoe step at a time!

Got more questions about the Romp? Check out tubbsromptostomp.com

*first come first serve with event registration

Here are the dates for the 2010 Season:

New Jersey

Sat, January 23, 2010 – Mountain Creek Resort

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Vermont

Sat, January 30, 2010 – Stratton Mountain Resort

Utah

Sat, February 6, 2010 – Mountain Dell Golf Course, SLC

Washington – New!

Sat, February 20, 2010 – The Summit at Snoqualmie Nordic Center

Oregon

Sat, February 27, 2010 – Mt Hood

Colorado

Sat, March 6, 2010 – Frisco Nordic Center

Related posts:

1. Snowshoeing: Romp to Stomp 2010 Registration Open

Originating in Plattsburgh, this will be the 10th year for the National Championships.

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About 300 elite level snowshoe athletes from across the country and Canada are expected to participate in the two-day event.

“It really provides some great interaction between those athletes who will be competing for the national championships at Highland Forest Park and our local public. They can actually come out and get involved with some of the events that are going on with this,” said David Holder with the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau

The event is expected to produce about $292,000 of economic impact for the area from guests coming in from out of town.

DENVER, CO, Sep 22, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Snowshoe Magazine, an online publication devoted entirely to the sport of snowshoeing, unveiled its all-new redesigned Web site at www.snowshoemag.com.

“Our new Web site marks a significant and critical moment in our six-year history,” said Ryan Alford, owner and publisher of Snowshoe Magazine. “This site exists for snowshoers and Nordic sports enthusiasts. And, we continue to grow because of the collective support of snowshoers from around the world. We’ve seen this sport’s growth surge throughout the years. By launching this new Web site, we’re determined to see it expand even more.”

Snowshoe Magazine made its online debut in November 2003. To further help the sport flourish, Snowshoe Magazine launched its first print edition during the 2005/2006 winter season. Today, it exists as an online magazine focused on publicizing the sport of snowshoeing and offering a free e-mail newsletter to thousands of subscribers.

Similar to previous seasons, Snowshoe Magazine will once again provide coverage of several snowshoe racing series, including those provided by the United States Snowshoe Association, the Yeti Canadian Snowshoe Series and the Atlas Mad Trapper Snowshoe Series.

“Snowshoe Magazine’s articles identify regions of the globe that are hotbeds of snowshoeing,” said Phillip Gary Smith, Snowshoe Magazine’s senior editor. “Now, the season’s new hotbed of snowshoeing is right here at Snowshoe Magazine with this sizzling new Web site.”

With the fresh, revamped Snowshoe Magazine Web site, visitors can expect to see an enhanced home page, added photography and improved content areas that are more accessible to readers.

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For the upcoming 2009/2010 winter season, Snowshoe Magazine has received advertising support from companies that have remained loyal throughout its history, including: Atlas Snow-Shoe Co., Tubbs Snowshoes, GV Snowshoes, Kahtoola, Bigfoot Snowshoes, Sol Mountain Touring, and TSL Snowshoes.

“We look forward to working with our advertisers and partners this season,” said Alford. “We have some of the best writers in the industry providing coverage on races, snowshoe destinations, gear reviews, and more.”

About Snowshoe Magazine

Snowshoe Magazine is the only publication focusing completely on the sport of snowshoeing. The e-magazine offers original articles on snowshoe racing, travel destinations, health/fitness, nutrition, gear reviews, and more. Snowshoe Magazine is a wholly owned and operated product of Alford Publishing, Inc. (www.alfordpublishing.com), based in Denver, Colo. For more information, please visit www.snowshoemag.com.

Contact:
Ryan Alford
303-332-4993
ryan@snowshoemag.com

SOURCE: Snowshoe Magazine