Snowshoeing has moved far beyond strapping those old wooden rackets that look like a John McEnroe special circa 1975. The footwear is now either made of lightweight carbon or aluminum frames. The geometric design shuns the old look and provides better floatation and uphill travel. The non-stick surface also allows for less snow and ice buildup.
They range from $131 – $329 at Mountain Equipment Co-op based on terrain, foot sizes, user weight and level of activity. You can get cheaper ones at Canadian Tire but, well, they’re cheap.
Now that you’ve got your gear, the powdery white awaits. For the atypical adventure, take on the Scenic Caves in Collingwood for $25 on weekdays and $29 on weekends. Traverse 22 kilometres through wild forest. Then take your snowshoeing to the next level by braving the longest suspension bridge in Ontario 300 metres above Georgian Bay.
If that’s too daring, you could always keep your snowshoes more firmly planted with the standard fare of Horseshoe Resort in Barrie. For $130 per person, you get access to over 35 kilometres of trails, a room to take a load off for the night, a three-course dinner to recharge your battery and breakfast.
Want snowshoeing with some additives? Visit Wye Marsh in Midland and take a Winter Snowshoe Ecotour for $50. Go on a three-hour trek with a naturalist guide into the deep woods and learn skills like animal tracking and winter survival. And after the GPS workshop, the group will take the lead on the journey to find home.
Get on the trails and choose your adventure!
