Winter White

Snowshoeing Adventures

By Laura Clark

With the less than ideal snow conditions we’ve had the past few years, folks have become more spontaneous in their outings, or they wait until the last minute to sign up for races. And this makes sense from a practical standpoint, if not from a community perspective. For those new to the sport, events offer a perfect introduction, a chance to meet fellow enthusiasts, trade tips and outfitting ideas. Most races like the WMAC Dion-NeviTREK Series offer rentals to sample before you make the investment. Starting out, it looks as if we may be in store for some beautiful snow conditions. But even if trails are less than ideal, your rugged snowshoes can handle them and jump around snow patches, while XC skis are less nimble. Keep this in mind if you are a confirmed skier and do consider shoeing on those less than ideal days.

What to expect? First, races tend to be casual affairs, and while speed is celebrated, everyone ends up feeling like a winner. The main goal is just to get out there and enjoy the snow. Shoeing is quite strenuous, so you can anticipate that most folks will employ a mix of hiking and running, especially on uphill portions. 

What to Wear – You’ll get warm really fast, so wear fewer layers than you think you’ll need. It is important to keep sweat to a minimum to avoid getting chilled. There is an old saying that if you feel comfortable hanging out beforehand, then you’re dressed too warmly. I’ve found that wearing handwarmers will give me enough of a heat boost. Unlike pure running events, this isn’t the time to put off changing until you get home. Take a complete set of dry clothes, including boots and socks. On the upside, you will enter the spring running season fitter and a few weeks ahead of your mates.

Your normal running gear will work well, but you’ll see how others have cleverly adapted their gear. In normal winter running, you can survive in all-purpose tights, but if the snow is deep, those same tights will soak fairly quickly. Even on packed snow, the kick spray from your snowshoes and those of your neighbor may chill your legs no matter how fast you’re traveling. Consider fleece-lined polar tights with a water-repellent outer surface, breathable long underwear under your tights, or windproof winter running underwear.

You can stick any old pair of running shoes into a snowshoe with good results as you’re technically using the crampons for traction. Many folks upgrade with shoes featuring a waterproof Gore-Tex upper and perhaps built-in or external gaiters. You can also wear two pairs of socks, maybe a wool pair topped by a neoprene sock to keep out moisture. My hands tend to get really cold, so I’ve tried a zillion different glove/mitten combos. What seems to work for me are dollar store knit gloves topped with thick mittens. Some have success with hybrid weather gloves with a mitten option. Head toppers are purely an individual choice but do wear the minimum of a lightweight beanie or headband, especially if windy. Conditions can alter and a great deal of body heat will diffuse through a cold head.

Race Gear – I’ve yet to discover a satisfactory hydration solution for below freezing winter treks. Handheld water bottles are too exposed and their valves tend to freeze up quickly. I’ve had the most success with soft flasks placed upside down in a hydration vest or under a layer of clothing. The problem, in general, is not the tubing but the fact that the nipples freeze. Learn to eat snow!

To pole or not to pole? That is an individual preference, but in hilly races like Moreau, poling definitely helps you navigate tricky ascents and gives you added confidence on steep downhills. But there’s a definite technique involved, so practice beforehand. There are YouTube videos you can view to discover the techniques that will work best.

While you want to be thoughtful about your snowshoe investment, selecting the right equipment is less expensive than for many other snowsports. Most of our races have $5 Dion-NeviTREK snowshoe rentals that you can sample and some of the larger events will have representatives on site. Dion Snowshoes cater more to the racing crowd, with narrow, lightweight models featuring either strap or Velcro bindings. The components are modular so you can “build” your ideal snowshoe. Most runners in the icy Northeast prefer the deep ice cleats for their superior traction and stronger grip. NeviTREK Snowshoes are more for recreational hiking and are most comfortable on wider trails. Visit: dionnevitrek.com.

Events – Our  WMAC Dion-NeviTREK Snowshoe Series has a great lineup at ski resorts, state forests, parks, preserves and private venues: dionwmacsnowshoe.com. We expect that a few more will be added, and some will be shifted due to weather conditions.

Taking the lead, as always, with its snowmaking capacity is the Gore Ski Bowl 5K Snowshoe Race on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2pm in North Creek. Expect a warm fireplace welcome in the Joe Minder Lodge, where registration and after-race prizes will be raffled off. Park your dry clothes inside and you will be ready to change for the drive home. The route will vary depending on snow conditions but expect a few short, steep ups and downs typical of a Nordic ski area. This is the perfect place to ease into the winter and test out your gear. Visit: skireg.com. 

Then, Jan. 8 thru Feb. 26, Gore’s eight-week Wednesday night Citizens Race Series begins at 6pm. Registration is evening-of and participants may elect to travel groomed trails up to four loops either on snowshoes or XC skis with classic and skate options. The atmosphere is casual and hikers/walkers are welcomed. Doing loops at night under the lights is a unique experience as time seems suspended and without the normal landmarks, you feel you’re skimming the snow at an amazingly fast pace. If you’re lucky enough to hit it when there is lightly falling snow, you will be in for a truly magical experience. The same folks tend to congregate week after week, so you will have the opportunity to meet many new friends. Quite a few families participate as the loop option makes it easy for adults to circle with their kids. Afterwards, Gore offers many quality raffles, headlined by fresh eggs and local maple syrup – courtesy of Gore Nordic Center director, Paul Allison.

The Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe 5K & 10K snowshoe will take place on Sunday, Jan. 19 at the New Land Trust in the Town of Saranac – 20 miles west of Plattsburgh on a beautiful snowy ridge. As you can see from their website photos, the woods are absolutely gorgeous and the trails are wide, with a few narrow ones and open fields sprinkled in. There are some brief hills, just enough to provide variety. Despite climate change, this area is always cold and snowy, so you can look forward to a real old-fashioned winter experience. The main events are preceded by a free half-mile kids snowshoe race, with kids snowshoes supplied for free by Plattsburgh’s Parks and Rec Dept. This family-friendly event is always well-attended and 5K/10K participants stay outdoors to cheer on the youngsters. Both routes are well-marked but pay attention, especially as you get tired near the end. This event features class-act T-shirts, so be sure to register online by the 12/31 deadline to get your swag. Afterwards, stop by the Farmhouse Pantry café/bakery/store to enjoy your free voucher and fortify yourself for the drive back home! Visit: cockadoodleshoe.com.

The following weekend, we are faced with three choices, limiting us to two possibilities. On Saturday, Jan. 25, you can choose from the Brookhaven 5K Snowshoe Race at Brookhaven Winter Park in Greenfield (near Saratoga Springs) – register by 1/5 to get a T-shirt: skireg.com. Or do the DAR Snowshoe Scramble 10K at the DAR State Forest in Goshen, Mass. It all depends on how far you want to travel and what type of adventure appeals. Once the Brookhaven Golf Course closes the greens and woods transform into Brookhaven Winter Park where everyone is invited to recreate for free on their 20 miles of beautiful groomed and wooded trails. No parking fees, no lift fees, just a suggestion to deposit something green in the kitty for grooming maintenance. You can eat and drink indoors during your breaks and enjoy warm fare provided by The View Restaurant, in the casual clubhouse. Jen Zeisler is probably the most enthusiastic race director you will ever meet and has great plans for this year’s family-friendly Winterfest, from 10am-2pm on the same day, including a snowman building contest, sleigh rides, games, snowshoeing and XC skiing. 

If you wish to test yourself on some serious mountain trails, then you should head out to the DAR Snowshoe Scramble in Goshen, Mass., where Amy Rusecki lays out a 10K route. If you love the mountains, but fear that 10K might be a bit much, Amy always has a shorter route planned. Afterwards, participants are encouraged to bring some food to share and spend some time getting to know each other before heading home. Visit: runreg.com.

On Sunday, Jan. 26, check out the Gurney Lane 5K Snowshoe Race at Gurney Lane Recreation Area in Queensbury. It’s part of their Winter Races for all ages, so afterwards, there are group fat bike rides and long and short races. Curious about fat biking on snow? There are usually some demo bikes available, sponsored by Grey Ghost Bicycles. Race director and timer Bob Underwood is intimately familiar with this park and always lays out a masterful, maze-like route to take advantage of the best snow conditions. Trails are mostly narrow, winding and challenging with plenty of short ups and downs. With recent park upgrades, we now have an indoor registration area, as well as our traditional firepit pavilion where awards are held. Kids will enjoy sledding within easy view of the pavilion. Visit: runreg.com. For fat biking, go to: bikereg.com. 

Reserve Saturday, Feb. 1 for the Frigus Snowshoe Festival at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort. This is a big-time event, offering a 60K, 30K, 15K, a 4.7-miler, and a kids one-mile loop. Moreau is not an ordinary walk in the park, so you should be prepared for some steep, rocky elevation, exciting downhills and breathtaking views. This is one event where you should seriously consider hiking poles, especially if the snow promises to be icy. Frigus is a popular Endurance Society event, and you will meet folks from all over, especially from downstate.

The 60K Ultra is back and it will include two laps of the new 30K distance which will run the entire perimeter of the park, including a second lake and more overlook views from the top of the mountain. Expect a 3,200’ elevation gain for the 30K and double that for the 60K. The 15K includes 2,300’ elevation gain and remains largely the same with a minor tweak to follow as much of the 30K course as possible. For those of you who have run the 5K in previous years, and thought it took a long time to complete, know that it is mostly the same, but is now designated as a 4.7-miler with 750’ elevation gain. 

As a family-friendly event, notify race director Mike Seaman if you wish to first run the one-mile with your child and then go on to complete the 5K, as he will make accommodations. Also be aware of cutoffs for the longer races and headlamp requirements beyond a certain hour. The trails can be tricky if you are tired and not paying attention, so plan on downloading a map. There is a fully-stocked aid station at the start of each loop, so plan on carrying hydration and snacks to get you through. The race will go on no matter what and according to Mike, it is after all a snowshoe race, and snowshoes must be either worn or carried or packed. Visit: ultrarunning.com.

The Saratoga Stryders Saratoga Winterfest 5K is at Saratoga Spa State Park on Sunday, Feb. 2, and its twin, Camp Saratoga 8K is at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park on Saturday, Feb. 8. Winterfest is a good beginner’s route, with a few wide hills and some twisty trails. It roughly follows the well-known cross country running course, with a few changes due to park trail renovations. It is held entirely outdoors with start/finish near the park’s administration building. There’s plenty of parking nearby at the Little Theater lot, and if the weather is chilly, you can always enjoy your car’s heater. The registration for both races is linked, so when you sign up for Winterfest, consider registering for both at the same time to receive a discount: runsignup.com. To keep prices low, there are no giveaways, but participants are invited to purchase last year’s long-sleeved shirt for $5 (no date on it). Camp Saratoga is more challenging, being longer, hillier and with narrower trails, but totally worth it. Some of the route duplicates the Camp Saratoga Summer Trail Run Series 5K, but on this snowshoe journey you will experience areas of the park you may not have seen before. Visit: saratogastryders.org.

We will end the season with our traditional Garnet Hill 5K Snowshoe at Garnet Hill Lodge in North River on Saturday, March 1. Despite how conditions may look in the Capital Region, Garnet Hill sitting at 2,000’ (just 15 minutes from Gore Mountain), usually retains its snow. Bob Underwood once again shines in creating his twisty maze-like routes to take advantage of the best snow. There are some wider XC ski trails, but most are in wooded sections. It is fun to catch fleeting glimpses of your fellow runners and walkers as you work your way through the woods. Afterwards, take advantage of the heated ski lodge, refreshment options, and bring your skis along to complete your day! Visit: runreg.com. 

Conditions can change dramatically, so make sure you check the individual websites and their social media pages for latest updates. Some races, like Moreau, Brave the Blizzard, Winterfest and Camp and DAR will carry on regardless, others with more sensitive environments, like ski areas or golf courses may cancel or reschedule. There are also a few like Brave the Blizzard 5K in Guilderland, which haven’t yet announced a date, so check the January issue’s Calendar of Events. 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.