Snowshoeing: Family Fun for All Ages

By Selena Moffitt

Winter is on its way — and with it comes wet days and cold nights. We crave exercise to keep us sane, but the dark and damp days are cramping our style. To top it off, our children are begging us go play in the snow. The solution: Take the family snowshoeing.

Snowshoeing is the perfect cross-training activity for walking when the weather is too soggy in the valley. Head for the hills and burn 45% more calories than you would walking at the same speed! You can rack up an average of 580 calories per hour for adults and 310 calories per hour for the kids. While you are enjoying the exercise, you will also be enjoying the serene beauty of fresh snow. Your kids may not find it as breathtakingly beautiful as you do, but staging snowball fights and making snow angels will thrill them.

Snowshoeing is something that everyone can do. There isn’t much of a learning curve, especially if you have had previous practice wearing clown shoes. You will need minimal equipment. Waterproof or water-resistant shoes are a must, as are the snowshoes. Poles are a great help, but are optional. You can either rent or purchase these items at many area recreation retailers or small shops that rent skis and other snow items. There are even child-specific varieties.

A hiking backpack and blow-up sled will make your trip much more enjoyable if you are taking along toddlers. You can carry a child on your back and have an older one on foot. If the toddler gets tired of trudging through the snow, he can jump in the sled that you have cleverly attached to your waist or backpack. You have instantly doubled your own workout!

When it comes to apparel, make sure everyone stays warm and dry. This is not only for personal safety, but will keep the experience as fun as possible. (And they’ll want to go again!) Layer, layer, layer. First don your wicking layer such as dri-fit clothing, next comes your insulation or fleece, and finally your protective layer that is preferably breathable and waterproof. Don’t forget a warm hat, goggles or glasses, insulating socks, and waterproof gloves.

A few more kid tips: Don’t expect your younger kids to go very far. Start small and see how they do. Keep the pace doable for everyone. To keep your heart rate up at a slower pace, you can walk alongside the main path and break trail through the snow. Teach your kids snowshoeing etiquette: Yield to cross country skiers and stay on the edge of the trail to avoid skiers’ ruts. And, lastly, don’t forget the snacks and water! Remember all those calories you will be burning? Keep food handy for a quick bite and frequent sips of water.

Now that you are prepared, where to go? There are two great places on Mt. Hood: Trillium Basin and Mirror Lake. Trillium Basin is in Government Camp. The basin trail is flat, which is ideal for a first trip. There are other trails off the beaten path that have a slightly more challenging terrain. An added benefit is that Snow Bunny Sno-Park is right across the highway from this trailhead. Mirror Lake is two miles west of Government Camp. This trail is nice and wide with a slight grade. It is only two miles to the lake, which is just long enough to tire out the younger kids without causing a complete meltdown.

While it may not be a quick trip for you to get some exercise, it will be a worthwhile experience. There is something about snow that appeals to all ages for many different reasons. Enjoy your time outdoors with your family, and when it starts to snow, the dampness won’t seem remotely as dreary as the rain!