Snowshoeing: A Family Winter Sport “Shoe-in”

Sometimes, the mention of “winter sports” calls up visions of expensive equipment rental or purchase, pricy resort passes, half-a-day of driving to reach the best snowy trails and high skill levels that preclude smaller family members.

Well, think again. Snowshoeing, an inexpensive winter sport the whole family can enjoy, is great winter exercise; and fun, easy trails are a short drive for North State families. You don’t need lessons – it’s as simple as walking. However, The Mountaineers website offers snowshoeing resources, including instruction.

REI has a snowshoeing beginners guide that includes a basic list of what you’ll need and videos showing how easy snowshoeing is. They also offer advice for more advanced backcountry snowshoe adventures.

Pinch the Pennies on Snowshoe Gear

Renting or buying secondhand snowshoes is inexpensive. The Sportsmen’s Den in Mount Shasta rents them for a nominal fee. At  Mt. Shasta Nordic Center, kids 0-17 receive free day passes and free snowshoe rental. Adult snowshoe rental is $15 with a $35 day pass. Day passes for seniors 70+ are just $20 and snowshoe rental just $10.

Secondhand gear can be found on sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Keep an eye on the websites mtshastasports.com and Fifth Season for their annual used winter sports equipment exchange events in Mount Shasta, where you can find super bargains on used and new equipment. Toddlers and preschoolers don’t need snowshoes. They can walk in their parents’ tracks wearing regular snow boots and ride in a sled or snow disk when they get tired.

Local Family-Friendly Snowshoeing

Garrett Lovelace at Sportsmen’s Den recommends families head up to Mt. Shasta Nordic Center off Hwy 89 for fun and safe snowshoe trails. Drive up Everitt Memorial Hwy to Bunny Flat on Mt. Shasta or head to Castle Lake just outside the town of Mount Shasta for easy family-friendly trails.

Nearby Plumas County boasts many free, uncrowded snowshoe trails. Scenic snowshoe trails around Manzanita Lake in Lassen Park offer families a beautiful winter excursion. In Northwest Plumas County, the Bizz Johnson Trail is an

interesting snowshoeing trail. Snow coverage is best at higher, shaded segments west of Highway 36, upstream of the Devil’s Corral Trailhead. In Southeast Plumas County, snowshoers can follow snowmobile trails along Little Grass Valley Reservoir and can find other shared trails at Lexington Hill.

Snowshoeing Safety

For first time snowshoeing families…

Start on Established Trails: Using resort trails like those at Mt. Shasta Nordic Center keeps you closer to potential help and reduces the risk from avalanches. Avoid snowshoeing alone. Leave your trip plan with a responsible person and let them know when you’ll be back – and stick to your trip itinerary.

Keep Warm: Wear layers of warm clothing with a water-proof outer layer. Don’t forget warm, waterproof gloves and a warm knit hat or cap. Stash a set of dry, warm clothes for each family member in your vehicle to change into after a day in the snow. Bring snacks, water and if possible, warm beverages in a backpack with you on the trail.

Note: Adults will get warm from the exercise, but babies and children on sleds will need to wear extra layers.

Stay hydrated: Be sure to carry and drink plenty of water. It will keep your muscles functioning and help your body fend off hypothermia. Use an insulating cover to keep water bottles from freezing.

Beyond Snowshoeing; More Family Fun

While trekking through snowy landscapes, help your kids spot and identify birds. Look for animal tracks and try to identify what animal made them. Take along a local winter plant guide and see if family members can spot and name plants poking up through the snow. Pretend you are on a Lewis and Clark expedition: each new animal track could be a newly discovered woodland creature, each plant a marvelous new species.

Make up silly stories about the virtues or “dangers” of these “newly discovered” plants and animals. Local snowshoeing adventures can add exciting new chapters to your family’s story of fun times together this winter. Epic natural wonders abound year-round in the North State, including the beautiful winter season. So get out there and make some winter wonderland family memories!