Kovas, Family Ambassador
Snowshoeing first started approximately 6,000 years ago in Asia, with boards strapped to the feet, evolving to the multiple material products seen today. Originally functional footwear for hunting and other work, snowshoeing has become a winter recreational sport that spans the globe. Snowshoeing offers many benefits, from getting you out the door easily and inexpensively to getting a fitness workout in no matter the weather.
- Snowshoeing is easy.
If you can walk, you can snowshoe—it doesn’t take weeks, months, or years, to get comfortable moving down the trail. This makes snowshoeing perfect for families, as it doesn’t require splitting up by ability or experience. - Snowshoeing bridges the gap between novice and expert.
Unlike other sports, long-time snowshoers do not have a huge advantage over beginners; fitness is more important than experience after the initial learning curve. This makes it ideal for groups of mixed abilities or experience. - Snowshoeing is inexpensive.
After the initial purchase, snowshoeing is free. Walk out the door, strap on your snowshoes, and away you go. No dedicated facilities, no slopes needed, snowshoeing requires only one thing, snow. - Snowshoeing impacts the environment less than other activities.
With enough snow, snowshoes do not crush vegetation beneath one’s steps; with less snow, one just needs to observe where the feet are placed. Animals also benefit from snowshoes breaking up snow and creating trails that make it easier to move around. - Snowshoeing lets you explore areas inaccessible in warmer times.
Ever wondered what was on that island mid-marsh? When the water freezes and the snow comes down, it’s easy to explore destinations that are impossible to get to when it’s not Winter. - Snowshoeing lets you go where others cannot.
If you can walk there, you can snowshoe there. Snowmobiles and skis require a certain amount of room for maneuverability, but snowshoes will let you go anywhere there’s room enough to place them down safely. - Snowshoeing is quiet.
The snow dampens noise, whether you’re on a sidewalk or a forest trail. Forests look and sound different covered in snow, and snowshoeing is one of the quietest ways to move around. - Snowshoeing is like having a built-in homing device.
Worried about getting lost? At any time during your outing, you can turn around and follow your steps out to the original trail, back to your car, or all the way back home if that’s where you started. Peace of mind for those not totally comfortable going off trail. - Snowshoeing is a great workout.
From a fitness perspective, snowshoeing does it all: cardio, strength, agility, balance and endurance. It also gets you out on days when you might not want to plow through the drifts to get to the gym or go for a winter run. - Snowshoeing is fun.
Go at your own pace, stop to take photos or catch your breath. If you’re not having fun snowshoeing, you’re doing it wrong.
From beginner to expert, snowshoeing offers many benefits. Start off with the right pair—use the Tubbs Snowshoes Finder (http://tubbssnowshoes.com/snowshoe-finder) to find the appropriate pair for your activities.