Racing Season – Not Your Parents’ Snowshoes

By Laura Clark

This may be the perfect year to ditch your preconceived notion of snowshoes. Unless you are hiking the backcountry carrying a heavy pack, there is no reason to duckwalk in giant sized-by-weight snowshoes. For most outings, whether hiking or running, a shorter, lighter model will serve you just as well. With a three-minute learning curve, and relatively inexpensive gear, the cost is minimal. There is no need to be afraid to sign up for a race as most folks will alternate running with hiking, especially on the hills. Bid farewell to icy roads and skidding cars and relax in a natural setting.

If you are new to the sport, visit Dion WMAC Snowshoe Series for a listing of upcoming events in our area: dionwmacsnowshoe.com. All races listed are supported by locally-made Dion-NeviTREK snowshoes, and offer $5 rentals. If you wish to venture farther afield, check out American Trail Running Association for a stateside and European listing: trailrunner.com. The US National Snowshoe Championship 5K & 10K will be held this year at Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall, Idaho, and you don’t need to qualify to enter: ultrasignup.com.

Leading off in January are the Gore Mountain Citizens’ Race Series at the Gore Mountain Nordic Center (Ski Bowl) in North Creek. This casual series, which runs on Wednesdays at 6pm from Jan. 18 thru Feb. 15, is one of my favorites, as many of the same folks attend every week. With snowmaking, lights, grooming, and a pocket of well-designed trails, you get a one-of-a kind facility – especially when sparkling snow descends, the atmosphere is truly magical. Participants are invited to snowshoe run/hike or cross-country ski (classic or skate) for any combination of loops leading up to a 5K. Each event features a few raffle prizes and also awards an extra attendance ticket for the culminating grand raffle of the season. As with most of our local events, timing is provided by Underwood Race Timing. Info: goremountain.com.

If you are looking for a stunning Black Forest experience, sample either the 5K or 10K Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe Snowshoe Races at The New Land Trust in the Town of Saranac on Jan. 15. Expect traditional cold temperatures and fluffy snow. One of the highlights of this event is the free kids’ half-mile snowshoe scramble held before the main event. Everyone exits the warming hut to cheer the kids and then takes their own half-mile jog to the start. Register: cockadoodleshoe.com. 

We have two Brookhaven 5K Snowshoe Races in Greenfield, on Jan. 21 and March 4. Brookhaven Winter Park, just 10 miles northwest of Saratoga Springs, is one of the best-kept secrets around as it offers free access to groomed and wooded trails for XC skiing and snowshoeing. It’s located in an enchanted Brigadoon time warp where snow arrives early and stays late. Afterwards, warm-up with a hot meal and drink at The View at Brookhaven – a full-service restaurant and bar. While difficulty naturally depends on snow depth, the terrain flows easily and is perfect for family excursions. Register: runreg.com.

Rejoice, as longtime Western Mass Athletic Club and Beast Coast Ultrarunner magazine contributing writer, Amy Rusiecki, has revived one of the original snowshoe sites with the Beast Coast Snowshoe Scramble in the Kenneth Dubuque State Forest in Hawley, Mass. on Jan. 28. Welcome to old-fashioned snowshoeing with deep snow and rough trails as Hawley gets so much accumulation that they host an annual guess-the-inches snow depth lottery. This is meant to be a low-key experience, with the distance somewhere between 5K and 10K – no frills, just fun. In the snowshoe racing tradition, participants are encouraged to bring some food to share. To make it more exciting, sign up for the team competition. Also under the Beast Coast umbrella is the DAR Snowshoe Rumble at the DAR State Forest in Goshen, Mass. on Feb. 25. Make a weekend of it and stick around for the fat bike competition on Feb. 26. Register: runreg.com.   

For another combo, consider the Gurney Lane 5K Snowshoe Race at Gurney Lane Recreation Area in Queensbury on Jan. 29. The route is a mixture of single and double track trails, with lots of fun twists and turns, and some challenging hills. Bring the family as there is a heated warming area, playground, sledding hill for kids, and a fire pit. Enjoy more winter with Gurney Lane Fat Tire Bike Rides/Races – a fun, no-drop intermediate group ride (30-45 minutes) and 10M and 5M races. If you’d like to try fat biking, Grey Ghost Bicycles will have some demos available. All ages are welcome to run and bike. Afterwards, stick around for the great raffle prizes. The events are a fundraiser to support Gurney Lane and Rush Pond fat bike grooming. Snowshoe: runreg.com. Bike: bikereg.com.

In Saratoga Springs, enjoy the 24th annual Winterfest 5K at the Saratoga Spa State Park on Feb. 5. The event is completely outdoors, next to the Administration Building, with bathrooms available in the Wired Coffee Shop. The scenic route, a combination of wide trails and single track, is great for beginners. Register: runsignup.com. The following weekend, enjoy the 20th annual Camp Saratoga 8K at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park on Feb. 11. This is a longer route with more of a forest feel. Afterwards, join the Wilton Preserve’s Winter Fun Day, with campfire, snacks and family activities. Proceeds benefit the preserve/park. Register: runsignup.com.

The Adirondack Snowshoe Fest will take place at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center in Saranac Lake and Paul Smith’s College VIC in Paul Smiths the weekend of Feb. 17-19. Dewey’s trails twist and turn up the gentle slopes of the mountain, which is a short drive from downtown, while the base lodge provides a cozy meeting space. The VIC is an Adirondack sampler where you’ll pass through every ecosystem in forests except high alpine tundra as you explore the extensive trail network. The wide, well-marked paths skirt ponds, dip through open forest, and cross wetlands on boardwalks. Both venues will be offering a variety of snowshoe activities and experiences, as well as other winter outdoor activities for all ages. Join them for a weekend of winter outdoor fun. Paul Smith’s: paulsmithsvic.org. Saranac Lake: saranaclake.com/events/adirondack-snowshoe-fest

On Feb. 18, AREEP’s Brave the Blizzard 5K Snowshoe Race at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland offers an easier beginner-friendly course. Intended to be a low-key, family-friendly affair, Frosty the Snowman will be at the finish to greet everyone, and may even toss a snowball with the littles. The area is also surrounded by some gentle hills for sledding. Register: zippyreg.com.

Also on Feb. 18, the Frigus Snowshoe Festival is held at Moreau Lake State Park in Moreau. The festival features a 5K, 15K, marathon and 30-hour ultra, with the longer distances circling the 15K course at an impressive 2,300’ elevation gain per loop. Their kids’ race is a mile out-and-back, with a workaround for parents who want to run with their children and then rejoin their chosen distance. The 5K is definitely not a walk in the park and includes some narrow trails and steep climbs. A highlight is the trek across the lake past the ice fishermen. Because of the 30-hour event, there are always folks hanging around and passing you on the trail. The marathon has a 10-hour cutoff, a nice insurance cushion for folks hiking the 15K. Some carry poles, which are handy on the steep ups and downs, and packing water and snacks is advisable. Register: endurancesociety.org. 

Finally, the Garnet Hill Lodge 5K Snowshoe Race at Garnet Hill Lodge & Outdoor Center in North River on March 5 is a traditional end-of-the-season race. There’s a twisty, turny route with lots of small steep hills where switchbacks afford many glimpses of those people ahead and behind you. Afterwards, stick around to see if you win one of their raffle prizes and then don or rent cross-country skis for some extra fun on their groomed trails. Register: runreg.com. 

Other events to consider – Cole’s Woods Winter Racing Series at Cole’s Woods in Glens Falls on Thursdays, 6pm on Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9. For the third year, the city of Glens Falls and Friends of Cole’s Woods are partnering to host night racing on these historic trails. The free Thursday night races are open to all ages and skill levels, and participants can either snowshoe or classic or skate ski the 2K loop once or twice. Meet on the field behind Inside Edge Ski & Bike Shop. Visit: friendsofcoleswoods.org.

Winona Forest Snowshoe Events – Located on the famously snowy Tug Hill Plateau, adventure awaits at Winona Forest Recreation Area in Mannsville. The Stone Wall 5K & 10K Snowshoe Races are on Jan. 22, and the Orange Course 3.65M Snowshoe Race is on Feb. 19. Register: runreg.com.

For XC skiers, Winona Forest also has Try-It 10K Races (classic/skate) on Jan. 21 (Register: skireg.com), or Tourathon 50K, 25K & 12.5K Races (classic) on Feb. 11. Register: skireg.com. For something different, try the SnoFatShu Duathlon (3M shoe, 6M bike, 3M shoe), team or solo, on Feb. 12. Register: bikereg.com.

The Dewey Mountain Snowshoe Races, part of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, are at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6pm. Visit: saranaclakewintercarnival.com.

Brought to you by Peak Races, the Snow Devil Ultra Snowshoe Race in Pittsfield, Vt., is on Feb 10-11. It offers 100M, 100K, marathon, half and 10K events on a 6.5-mile loop with 1,200’ elevation change for each circuit. Register: ultrasignup.com.

Check websites leading up to your chosen races as distances and dates might change due to snow conditions. Some events might even default to a trail running race. Happy ‘shoeing!

Laura Clark (snowshoegal133@gmail.com) of Saratoga Springs is an avid trail runner, ultramarathoner, snowshoer and cross-country skier. She is a children’s librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.