10 great places to try snowshoeing for the first time
While most snow sports require lessons and expensive equipment, snowshoeing is literally down to earth. “It’s more or less hiking in the snow and it’s more healthy,” says Paul Wowk, owner of Colorado-based Snowshoe magazine. He says the sport is growing with the introduction of new equipment like molded plastic snowshoes, and warmer clothes. He shares some top places to take a snowy walk in the woods with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Devil's Thumb Ranch
Tabernash, Colo.
It might sound rustic, but this recreation area and spa 80 miles from Denver offers a convenient and comfortable getaway for snowshoers. Visitors can get a work out on 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of trails, and try other activities like tubing and even biathlon, which includes air rifle shooting. “It’s a pretty view. It’s located next to the mountains on an open ranch,” Wowk says. devilsthumbranch.com
Sugarloaf Mountain Resort and Maine Huts & Trails
Carrabassett Valley, Maine
Although best known as a downhill ski area, Sugarloaf has the state’s largest Nordic center with a dedicated lodge for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. It offers equipment rentals, a restaurant and 90 kilometers of trails, with discounts for afternoon trail passes. Nearby, Maine Huts & Trails has a network of paths and offers snowshoe outings to off-the-grid lodges for day visits and overnight stays. sugarloaf.com and mainehuts.org
Sun Valley, Idaho
This favorite celebrity getaway offers a star-studded workout at its Nordic & Snowshoe Center. Visitors tackling the White Cloud trail system are rewarded with 360-degree Rocky Mountain views, while another path leads by a memorial to writer Ernest Hemingway, who once resided in the area. “It’s great scenery up there,” Wowk says. sunvalley.com
Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery
Annan, Canada
This 25-acre winery north of Toronto welcomes winter visitors with a brisk snowshoe tour of the vineyard, topped off with a tasting. The 11 a.m. outing finishes off with soup, cheeses and hard cider or wine. Offered on weekends when snow is present, and on weekdays for groups of six or more. coffinridge.ca
Northstar California Resort
Truckee, Calif.
This Lake Tahoe ski destination has plenty to keep snowshoers busy with 35 kilometers of trails, shared with cross-country skiers. Visitors can take a gondola to mid-mountain trailheads. “You can get up to high terrain without having to hike, that’s pretty cool,” Wowk says. Special offerings include stargazing with an astronomer-poet, and moonlight tours. northstarcalifornia.com
Woodstock Inn and Resort
Woodstock, Vt.
Even if you’re challenged by the trails, you won’t be roughing it during a visit to this upscale New England inn. “It’s a place to go if you want to snowshoe for a couple hours a day, and then go back and just relax,” Wowk says. One snowshoeing package includes a fireside lunch in a mountain cabin. “It’s a posh resort with luxury rooms,” Wowk says. woodstockinn.com
Big Sky Resort, Mont.
This Montana ski mountain has plenty of room for snowshoeing on its 5,800 acres. It offers interpretative tours on its Moose Tracks trail, and easy access to other snowshoe paths in the region. The ski area, which is close to Yellowstone National Park, is welcoming and laid-back, Wowk says. “It’s a different kind of energy up there, a relaxing small-town feel. There’s not just that many people.” bigskyresort.com
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
Bend, Ore.
You can’t beat the price of the free weekend and holiday tours offered by a U.S. Forest Service interpreter, which even includes the use of snowshoes. The Cascade mountain ski area is located within the Deschutes National Forest, so the interpretive tours cover winter ecology and geology. “There are pretty views and it’s child-friendly,” Wowk says. mtbachelor.com
Park City Mountain,Utah
Just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, this famous destination offers group outings to an alpine lake, with snowshoeing through aspen and evergreen forests. There’s also the option of private tours, and some visitors head to Park City for additional trails. parkcitymountain.com
Bigger and better: Park City expands into USA’s largest ski resort
Big White Ski Resort
Kelowna, Canada
This full-service British Columbia winter getaway offers a variety of guided snowshoe tours through the backcountry, including family excursions, interpretive outings and even a fitness walk on the ski hill. One evening tour even includes a break for drinks, cheese fondue and dessert. “They do a lot of stuff. It’s a sizeable resort,” Wowk says. bigwhite.com
