Winter Walking Snowshoe Your Way to Fitness When the snow flies, cold weather can put a damper on your outdoor fun. Some families feel stuck inside, unable to get much-needed, fresh-air exercise unless they invest in snow sports such as downhill skiing and snowboarding. Ready to try something less expensive that allows everyone in the family, from tall to small, to spend the day together, exploring territory you might not see on a pair of skis? Snowshoeing is a centuries-old sport that has been steadily regaining popularity with winter sports fans across the country. One of the reasons is that snowshoe equipment has become lighter and easier to use in recent years, making snowshoes accessible to even the most casual outdoorsman. And you can snowshoe almost anywhere there’s snow – whether you blaze your own way at a county park or take advantage of a ski resort’s well-groomed trails. The sport is also an unbeatable way to get fit. “Snowshoeing in an excellent full-body exercise,” says Carl Heilman II, a photographer who has been on snowshoes for the past 30 years, introducing many people to the sport through workshops. “It can be as easy or strenuous as you like. You can walk, run, climb, slide and jump with snowshoes on. Just have a great time!” If you think you’re too old or your children are too young to try snowshoeing, fear not. “If you can walk, you can snowshoe,” says Heilman. “It's a sport for people of all ages and abilities. I've had my dad on snowshoes – he used ski poles instead of his cane – and started our children on them as young as 18 months.” The key is to be prepared with the clothing, supplies and trail information to suit everyone in your group. Find out more about snowshoeing in the current issue of Family Energy!