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Home › Articles › Kid Connections › Snowshoeing for All Ages

Snowshoeing for All Ages

A Winter Sport for Family Fun

By Amy Carey Bowman

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Alternatively, White suggests you consider renting equipment before you buy. Renting allows your family to try the sport without investing much cash. Plus, renting gives you a chance to experiment with different shapes and sizes of snowshoes to find out the best model for you and your kids. You can rent snowshoes at outdoor gear stores like REI or at ski rental shops. Call ahead to be sure the store carries snowshoes in sizes for your whole family.

While you're at the rental counter, think about asking for a pair of ski poles. "Some people prefer to snowshoe with ski poles for added balance and stability," White says. "I would recommend that a beginner try it with and without poles to see which they prefer."

What to Wear
Once you've found the perfect snowshoes, dressing comfortably for the weather is just as important as finding the right equipment. "[Dress] in layers – long johns, fleece, a shell jacket and pants [that re] waterproof and breathable or something that sheds snow and dries quickly," Heilman says. "Use synthetic material or wool or silk. Avoid the use of cotton in any layers since once it is wet is very difficult to dry out and is a leading cause of hypothermia in the backcountry."

While you're bundling the kids, be sure they can move their arms and legs easily and are able to peel off layers as necessary. And remember to use the bathroom before you bundle! Don't forget sunscreen on any exposed skin, sunglasses for everyone and pack some lip balm with SPF 15 or higher in an accessible pocket.


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