Winter 2007-2008

Vermonter’s Vermont: A Heck of A Trek

For a new breed of snowshoer, it’s not about leisurely walks or fresh animal tracks

By Suzanne Loring

Endurance racing. Cultural education. Moonlit extravaganzas. Ecotourism. Snowshoeing’s not as simple as it used to be.

Twenty years ago, the booming fitness craze, snowboarding and the advent of lightweight aluminum snowshoes combined to bring snowshoeing out of the rural backwoods and into the mainstream as cross-country and downhill ski resorts sought new ways to entice families and non-skiers. Now some new trends like ecotourism and adventure travel are helping to make snowshoeing downright trendy again. A tour past a cultural touchstone like Robert Frost’s cabin or a challenging deep woods mountain hike that culminates at a sugar shack is inducing a whole new segment of the population to strap on snowshoes.

Snowshoeing as endurance test, though, is the trend really clattering its way through the snowshoe culture right now. This boisterous side of snowshoeing is altering the formerly Zen-like recreation into a fast-paced, high-energy endurance challenge.

With races anywhere from 3K to full marathon length, these events attract the curious neophytes, dedicated runners who want to bypass the treadmill during the long winter months, and seasoned athletes looking for a new challenge.

“Endurance athletes are always looking for new challenges,” says Matt Quinlan, a resident of Pittsfield and snowshoe racer who competes in old-school wooden snowshoes.

“Once these athletes have conquered ultramarathons, expedition-length adventure races and double Iron Man races, why not a snowshoe marathon?” he asks.

“Then there are guys like me who just want to get out there, challenge themselves and burn off a couple of Long Trails!”

In 2006, the Sixth Annual U.S. National Snowshoe Championships were held in Bolton. The event attracted 216 competitors — more than double the previous year, according to Snowshoeing magazine — including Kasie Enman of Huntington, who won the female division.

“Snowshoeing is an excellent way to get off the road in the winter,” says Enman. “You can run on trails in your backyard, and you don’t have to worry about the miles. Just get out and do it.”

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Thanks to the “Shredders”

Snowshoeing as a winter fitness option quite literally slid into the sporting scene on the backs of early snowboarders. These pioneers — who called themselves shredders — were almost universally banned from ski areas, so they used snowshoes to break trail to backcountry locations where the snow ran deep, toting snowboards on their backs. Seemingly overnight, snowshoes became a requisite part of the winter sporting-equipment arsenal for winter warriors — including downhill and cross-country skiers.

By the mid ‘90s, ski areas around the country blazed snowshoeing trails, provided snowshoe rentals and led guided snowshoe tours. Snowshoe sales increased more than 20 percent per year throughout the ‘90s; by 1996 they had reached the million-dollar mark in a single year for the first time.

As of 2005, there were 5.5 million snowshoers in the U.S.

Got Snow?

In comparison to most winter sports, snowshoe racing is relatively inexpensive. Running snowshoes cost from $150 to $300 and can often be found secondhand for substantially less. At most of the races in Vermont, local snowshoe manufacturers and sponsors provide loaners for free.

“There are usually demos at every race so you don’t even need your own,” says Kasie Enman, winner of the United States National Snowshoeing Association Championship held at Bolton Valley Resort in 2006. “All you have to do is ask the race director.”

While the National Championships won’t be back in Vermont for a few years, there is a full range of snowshoe races around the state. A few options this winter:

    • The 2008 Pittsfield Snowshoe Race takes place March 8 in Pittsfield. This race ends with a mile-long, downhill sled run followed by a lobster dinner.
    • The Uphill Snowshoe Challenge Race (celebrating its 10th anniversary), is set for Feb. 9 at Mad River Glen in Fayston.
    • Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer Series happens Feb. 9 at Stratton Mountain. Proceeds from this event go to The Susan G. Komen for the Cure and its local Vermont affiliate.
    • North American Snowshoe Classic, the world’s largest open international snowshoe event, takes place March 1 in Hyde Park.

A Little Night Shoeing

Here in Vermont, where we tend to be particularly fond of moonlight, snowshoeing adventure sometimes comes at nightfall. Some options:

    • The Catamount Outdoor Family Center, in Williston, offers 90-minute tours on three skill levels (easy, moderate and technical), with all groups arriving back at the same time for complimentary
      refreshments.
    • The Highland Lodge and Cross Country Ski Center in Greensboro offers a 2½ hour trek on nights around the full moon. Call ahead (802) 533-2467 for details.
    • Smugglers’ Notch Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe Adventure Center offers family snowshoeing events, including a high elevation tour and an after-dark snowshoe course complete with fireworks.
    • The Grafton Ponds Nordic Ski and Mountain Bike Center in Grafton offers guided nature moonlit hikes, as well as introductory
      lessons on snowshoeing.