Snowshoeing is cheaper and easier than almost any other winter sport — and it’s great exercise in which the whole family can participate together while experiencing the snowy North State wilderness in a whole new way.
Safety first
Although it is free to drive out on a logging road or to local wilderness areas like Bunny Flats or Sand Flats in Mount Shasta and go snowshoeing, beginners are advised against doing so; like any wilderness activity, snowshoeing involves risks. It is much easier to get lost when the landscape is altered by snow, avalanches are common in many areas and rescue can be a long time coming.
Where to go snowshoeing
Garrett Lovelace at Sportsmen’s Den in Mount Shasta recommends families head up to Mt. Shasta Nordic Center for fun and safe snowshoe trails.
Snowshoeing tips for families
- Babies can be carried in backpacks. Children as small as 30 pounds can wear snowshoes if the hike is short and flat.
- To keep kids happy, keep them warm. Adults will get warm from the exercise, but babies and children on sleds will need to wear extra layers.
- Help kids notice their environment. Spot birds, animal tracks and unique plants poking up through the snow and talk about how animals adapt to the winter.
- Play games.Challenge your kids to move across the snow like different kinds of animals, or pretend you are on the Lewis and Clark expedition.
- There is no need for adults or children to take lessons. It’s really as simple as walking. However, The Mountaineers website offers snowshoeing resources, including instruction.
Ways to save on snowshoeing as a family
- Search for secondhand gear. A good pair of new snowshoes will cost $150–$300. Snowshoes are sized by weight, so fit is not as critical as it would be for ice skates or ski boots. That makes secondhand snowshoes a great option.
- Renting snowshoes is inexpensive. The Sportsmen’s Den rents them for a nominal fee and snowshoe rental at Mt. Shasta Nordic Center is just an additional $10 for kids up to 17 with a $10 day pass and $35 for adults with a $15 day pass.
- U.S. Forest Service-guided hikes often include snowshoes in the basic cost (usually about $5–$10). Check the USDA Forest Service website for current information on guided snowshoe walks and the National Park Service website for snowshoeing in Mt. Lassen.
- Don’t buy snowshoes for the littlest kids. Toddlers and preschoolers can walk in their parents’ tracks wearing regular snow boots, which are lighter, and ride in a sled or snow disk when they get tired.
First published in ParentMap, revised for the North State region.
Posted in: Recreation & Sports
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