DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW.

Looking for a Great Way to Heat Up Your Winter Programming? It Doesn't Get Much Easier than Stropping on a Pair of Snowshoes and Hitting the Trail ...

Snowshoeing is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. Parks can use snowshoeing to increase program participation and revenue. A park or trail organization can simply allow its property to be crossed by snowshoers, or it can promote snowshoeing and earn a profit from it. A trail or walking path can be marked, signed, flagged, groomed, or packed. Running a snowshoe-rental operation is one of the easiest ways to provide access to outdoor winter recreation. Some parks have their own snow-covered trails and open space, while others will have to transport people to an appropriate destination or suggest places where snowshoers can find snow. Snowshoeing also transitions well to a number of other wintertime program offerings, such as educational programs or environmental interpretive tours.

Many snowshoe companies would be happy to help park and recreation agencies develop a program. And cooperating with a local snowshoe retailer can be a good way to avoid making a large initial investment.

Equipment

Finding the proper equipment is essential for good, safe snowshoeing. Of course, selecting the correct type of snowshoe is the most important decision you'll make. Traditional wooden-frame snowshoes are beautiful pieces of craftsmanship with a great history but require a tremendous amount of care. The most popular snowshoes today, called sport snowshoes, are constructed from aluminum, rubber, and high-tech materials, which make them light, durable, and easy to maintain.

Snowshoe Anatomy

There are five parts to any snowshoe: Frame: The outside, which gives the snowshoe its shape, is made of aluminum or extruded synthetic materials. It may be shaped in symmetrical or asymmetrical forms.

Binding system: This secures the snowshoer to the snowshoe.

Pivot system: This allows a normal walking motion.

Crampons or claws: Spikes that grab the snow and provide the traction when conditions are slippery.

Decking: Attached to the frame, this material provides the majority of the flotation.

Shoe weight and size are critical in snowshoeing. It is estimated that one extra pound on the foot equals five to 10 pounds of weight on the back. Also, a narrower frame is better to keep the weight centered, the legs directly beneath the torso, and the frame from hitting the lower legs. Body weight is a very small factor. Despite the size of the shoes, everyone will sink in dry, powdery snow. But even the heaviest person will be able to snowshoe in moist, compacted snow. The key is in keeping the snowshoe as small as possible to fit snow conditions.

Poles

Poles are optional, but many people use them for maneuverability, balance, and getting up alter a fall. They are used most for turns and backing up. A simple hiking staff will also get the job done.

Clothing

Incorporating the "25-degree rule," dressing for weather 25 degrees warmer than actual outside temperature, when training and competing is a good guideline. In other words, if the temperature outside is 40 degrees, dress for 65-degree weather. This is how warm you will feel from the heat generated by your workout. It is best to dress in layers so you can add or strip clothes as needed. Always bring too much instead of not enough.

Footwear

Socks are a personal preference, but a wool or blended-material ski or hiking sock is probably best for snowshoeing. definitely avoid cotton socks; they absorb moisture, are poor insulators, and could facilitate blisters. Consider a liner sock of synthetic or natural fibers under your insulative sock. The liner will help wick away perspiration and moisture from your foot as well as absorb friction, which may cause blisters.

Any type of shoe can be used. Running shoes and cross-training sneakers are popular because of their lightweight and comfort. The heavier the shoe, the more weight the back will feel while running. Boots may be used in colder weather, but be sure that there is flexibility in the ankles. The most important thing is keeping your feet dry and comfortable.

Parents usually are concerned about the warmth factor, so they overdo it with heavily insulated boots. The key in snowshoeing is that the boot or shoe is the interface with the snowshoe. The snowshoer's warmth comes from the exercise and layering, not the bulky boots. The extra weight of heavy boots will make snowshoeing more difficult. Big, bulky boots may also cause excessive foot perspiration, which can lead to cold feet.

Pants and Tops

Incorporate the three-layer system. It is simple and it works well. The inside, or base, layer is the wicking layer. Long underwear made of synthetic, natural, or treated materials will move perspiration away from the body. A wicking layer should cover both the upper and lower body. A shirt that covers the neck and fits snugly at the wrists will conserve body heat.

The middle layer, an insulating layer, should consist of wool, fleece, or treated materials. This layer provides warmth by trapping air around the body. Except in extremely cold conditions, the legs do not need this layer.

The weatherproof outer layer blocks wind and snow. For the legs, wind pants are good. If wind pants are not available, choose looser-fitting synthetic sweatpants. A lined windbreaker or warm-up jacket works well on top. Clothing that uses laminates, such as Gore-Tex, is waterproof, windproof, and breathable.

Don't forget to gob the sunscreen on your nose and face. Carry plenty of drinking water, too.

Where to find it

Atlas, [phone]

Crescent Moon, [phone]

Little Bear, [phone]

Mountain Safety Research, [phone]

Powder Wings, [phone]

Redfeather Design, [phone]

Sherpa, [phone]

Tubbs, [phone]

Yuba, [phone]

GET INVOLVED

Here are a few ideas for developing a snowshoe program and incorporating it into your overall recreation agenda.

Target family snowshoeing -- It's so easy for the family to snowshoe together. Market family outings or snowshoe picnics, with or without guides. Market a moms' group, teen group, or preteen group. Organize a "snow hike."

Coordinate a school program -- Offer a weekly educational snowshoe outing or fitness program to elementary, junior high, or high school students. Organize an after-school program. Coordinate your hiking, outdoor education, photography, and sports activities with snowshoeing.

Daycare program -- Daycare centers coordinate many different trips and activities to get the kids in the out of doors.

Health-club fitness program -- Snowshoeing burns 400 to 1,000 calories per hour. Offer health clubs an organized "break cabin fever" fitness program in the winter.

Hotel or corporate recreation program -- Offer nearby hotels' guests, conference attendees, or corporate employees snowshoeing as a recreational release.

Nature interpretive snowshoe hikes -- Coordinate a snowshoe program with a naturalist to teach people about winter's natural world.

Set up a snowshoe equipment rental program -- Rent snowshoes to members or nonmembers. Expand your organization's program catalog by offering guided snowshoe outings during winter months. These walks are great for fitness, providing an opportunity to meet new people, or just to get outdoors in the winter and have fun.

STARTING YOUR RENTAL PROGRAM

Equipment selection

You'll want to acquire an adequate number of durable recreational snowshoes, in both child and adult sizes, to accommodate your busiest days. Once the word is out and the snow starts falling, you'll wish you had extra pairs. Because snowshoers provide their own footwear, you won't need to worry about any other accessories.

Toward the middle of the season, you may want to consider placing your snowshoe-rental inventory on sale. The equipment can be sold a little above cost, which will enable you to recover your investment. This will also reduce the space needed to store the snowshoes during the off-season.

Staffing

You probably can use existing staff to administer your snowshoe program. There should be at least one knowledgeable person to answer renters' questions, Staff responsibilities include renting or selling snowshoes, maintaining equipment, keeping records, and handling money.

Prices and Fees

Rental prices may be based upon time or quantity. For example, snowshoes can be rented in three-hour increments, or by half or full day. Initiate discounts for large groups and multiday rentals. Depending upon your local weather, the roughly 14 snowshoe-able weekends from December through March should at least cover costs, if not produce a nice profit.

You Can Take It with You

Be prepared, say the Boy Scouts. It's a great big, cold world out there, and you never know what you might run into on the trail. The folks at Tubbs recommend throwing the following items in your pack.

Map/guide book
Compass
Water and food
Knife
Flashlight/headlamp
Waterproof matches/lighter
First-aid kit
Notebook and pencil
Whistle
Plastic bags
Camera and film
Binoculars

Looking for a way to jazz up your frigid winter programming? Consider snowshoeing. Fun, easy, and a super workout, snowshoeing can do wonders for your participation rates and breathe some new life into your customers' wintertime blues. Roger Lohr, president of R.B. Lohr and Company, a project specialist and consultant firm that conducts promotional, research, and marketing programs for organizations and businesses, explains to P&R readers how they can make this fun-for-the-whole-family activity a successful part of their winter repertoire (p. 84).3