Climbing

To ascend a slope, kick the front of your snowshoe into the snow and press down to compact it into a step. Make sure that each new step is sufficiently above the last one to avoid collapse.

Descending

Try to keep your knees bent slightly, lean back, and keep your weight on your heels in order to maintain control. Heel cleats are the key to an easy descent. Keep your knees slightly bent, lean back, and keep your weight on the heel cleats to maintain control.

Edging

For traversing a slope, kick the side of the shoe into the hillside. Swing the boot heel hard towards the uphill slope, then stomp down securing the snowshoe edge in the slope. The best way to traverse a slope. Kick the side of the snowshoe into the hillside, engaging the cleats. Swing your heel hard towards the uphill slope, then stomp down, securing the snowshoe edge in the slope. Poles are also helpful.

Breaking Trail

:When snowshoeing in a group, walk in a single line behind the leader who's breaking the trail. When it's your turn to lead, take consistent, even steps that are easy for everyone to follow.

Trails & Ski - Snowshoe Centers Paul Smiths & Newcomb Adirondack Visitors Centers 16 km groomed, some backcountry Trail fees: Yes website:humber.northnet.org/adirondackvic/ Tel: 518-327-3000 Nearest town: Paul Smiths, NY Equipment rentals: No Ski lessons: No Other winter activities: Snowshoeing, walking on plowed trails Facilities: Visitor center Lodging on site: No Lodging nearby: Saranac Lake Location of trails: About 12 miles north of Saranac Lake The Bark Eater Inn and Stables P.O. Box 139 Alstead Hill Road, Keene, NY 12942 Phone: 518-576-2221 Fax 518-576-2071 Email: info@barkeater.com Originally a stagecoach stopover, The Bark Eater has been in operation since the early 1800's. The atmosphere still reflects these early times. The farmhouse, with its wide board floors, stone fireplaces, and rooms filled with antiques compliments its natural setting. Famous for its food, the inn's style is refreshing country gourmet. Included with the room is a hearty country breakfast hosted by Joe Pete Wilson, a former Olympic and World Competitor. Our stables offer horseback riding year round, and groomed cross country trails in the winter. Nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks and only minutes from Lake Placid's Olympic Region. The Bark Eater is a place to relax and enjoy your vacation. Trails: 20 km groomed at the eastern end of the Jackrabbit TrailTrail fees: Yes Tel: 518-576-2221 Nearest town: Keene, NY Web site: www.barkeater.com Equipment rentals: Yes Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Skating, snowshoeing, telemark Facilities: Day lodge, waxing room Lodging on site: 19 rooms in a 150-year-old farmhouse Lodging nearby: Keene and Lake Placid Location of trails: About 1 mile west of Keene. PACKBASKET ADVENTURES P.O. Box 136 12 South Shore Rd. Ext. Wanakena, NY 13695 Ph/Fax: (315) 848-3488 email:info@packbasketadventures.com The base for Packbasket Adventures is our lodge, located on the fabled Oswegatchie River, famous for its scenic beauty, remote wildness and fine sport. The river flows through Wanakena into Cranberry Lake, which has 40 of its 55 miles of shoreline State protected and waiting to be explored. Our newly constructed lodge consists of 4 bedrooms with private baths. Each room is finely appointed in the lodge style, making for a cozy return at the end of the day's adventure. Lake Placid Resort/Holiday Inn -1 Olympic Drive Lake Placid, NY 518-523-2556 or 800-874-1980 Center of the village, overlooking lake. All rooms have a coffee maker and refrigerator. Rooms and suites with Jacuzzis, fireplaces. Ten tennis courts. Private beach, our forty-five holes of championship golf. Boat tours and golf packages. Laundry facilities. Children under 19 free. Lake Placid Resort Trails: 10 km groomed on golf course Trail fees: Yes website:www.lakeplacidresort.com Tel: 518-523-2556 Equipment rentals: No Ski lessons: No Facilities: Restaurant, bar Lodging on site: 200 rooms in Holiday Inn, 1-800-874-1980 Lodging nearby: Lake Placid Location of trails: On east side of Lake Placid The Ausable Chasm PO Box 390 Ausable Chasm, New York Phone: (518)834-7454 Toll Free: 1-800-537-1211 Toll Free (Camping): 1-866-RV-CHASM(1-866-782-4276) Fax: (518)834-1104 (Summer) Fax: (518)834-9990 (Winter) email: ausable@westelcom.com Step back in time as you walk the nature trail through primeval Adirondack Forest. Stroll past Rainbow Falls, Elephant Head, Column Rock, Hyde's Cave and the eerie quiet of Mystic Gorge. Decend hundreds of feeet on natural stone walkways and gaze upon centuries of geologic history etched in stone. Board a raft and float the crystal waters of the Ausable Chasm River through a maze of breath taking rock formations sculpted across eons by the river's currents Ausable Chasm Trails Trails: 14 km groomed Trail fees: Yes Tel: 518-834-9990 Nearest town: Ausable Chasm, NY Web site: ausablechasm.com Equipment rentals: No Ski lessons: No Other winter activities: Lodging on site: Motel Lodging nearby: Plattsburgh Location of trails: About 12 miles south of Plattsburg Jackrabbit Trail Located between Saranac lake and Lake Placid - 4 miles Trails: Six cross-country ski areas in the Lake Placid area are connected by the 55-km Jackrabbit Trail. The ungroomed trail runs from Dewey Mountain in Saranac Lake through Lake Placid to the Bark Eater in Keene. It is not groomed except where it crosses the ski areas Trail fees: Yes Tel: Lake Placid Visitors Bureau 1-800-447-5224 Nearest town: Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, Keene Equipment rentals: In Lake Placid Whiteface Club 20 km groomed. The center is on the Jackrabbit Trail Trail fees: Yes website: Tel: 518-523-2551 Nearest town: Lake Placid, NY Equipment rentals: Yes Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Snowshoeing, sliding, walking Facilities: Day lodge, restaurant, bar Lodging on site: Rooms, condos and cabins, 1-800-422-6757 Lodging nearby: Lake Placid Location of trails: On the west side of town Cascade Cross Country Center Trails: 20 km groomed, connects with the Olympic Center. Backcountry trails on the Jackrabbit Trail Tel: 518-523-9605 website: Nearest town: Lake Placid, NY Equipment rentals: Yes Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Facilities: Day lodge, restaurant, bar Lodging on site: Dormitory Lodging nearby: Lake Placid Location of trails: About 5 miles southeast of Lake Placid Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg Trails: 50 km groomed Trail fees: Yes website: Tel: 518-523-2811, 800-4626236 Weather report: for Lake Placid Nearest town: Lake Placid, NY Web site: Mount Van Hoevenberg Equipment rentals: Yes Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Biathlon, snowshoeing Facilities: Day lodge, waxing room, cafeteria Lodging on site: No Lodging nearby: Lake Placid Location of trails: About 7 miles southeast of Lake Placid Adirondack Loj Trails: Backcountry trails, mainly of an advanced level Trail fees: No website: Tel: 518-523-3441 Nearest town: Lake Placid, NY Web site: Adirondack Mtn Club Equipment rentals: No Ski lessons: No Other winter activities: Skating, snowshoeing Lodging on site: Rooms and dorms in lodge and backcountry huts Lodging nearby: Lake Placid Location of trails: About 10 southeasst of Lake Placid Adirondack Woodcraft Camp Trails: 12 km groomed Trail fees: Yes Web site: Tel: 315-369-6031 Nearest town: Old Forge, NY Equipment rentals: No Ski lessons: No Facilities: Day lodge Lodging on site: 6 cabins Location of trails: About 5 miless north of Old Forge McCauley Mountain Ski Area Trails: 22 km groomed Trail fees: Yes Web site: Tel: 315-369-3225 Nearest town: Old Forge, NY Equipment rentals: Yes, call ahead Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Alpine skiing Facilities: Day lodge, restaurant Location of trails: About 3 miles south of Old Forge Fern Park Recreation Area Trails: 22 km groomed Trail fees: Yes Web site: Tel: 315-357-5501 Nearest town: Inlet, NY Equipment rentals: No Ski lessons: No Other winter activities: Skating, snowshoeing Facilities: Outhouse toilet, warming shelter Lodging on site: No Location of trails: Just south of the town of Inlet Garnet Hill Lodge Trails: 54 km groomed, 2 km lighted trail, some backcountry, shuttle service Trail fees: Yes Web site: Tel: 518-251-2444 Snow report: 518-251-2821 (tape) Nearest town: North River, NY Equipment rentals: Yes Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Snowshoeing, sliding, telemarking Facilities: Day lodge, waxing room, cafeteria, bar, warming huts Lodging on site: 16 rooms in the log lodge, 10 rooms in three other buildings Lodging nearby: North River Location of trails: About 5 miles north of North River. Cunningham's Ski Barn Trail fees: Yes Tel: 518-251-3215, 800-888-7230 Nearest town: North Creek, NY Web site: Trail map: Available at the center and online Equipment rentals: Yes Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Skating Facilities: Day lodge, snack bar Location of trails: In North Creek Friends Lake Inn Trails: 32 km groomed for skating and classic, some backcountry Trail fees: Yes Web site: Tel: 518-494-4751 Nearest town: Chestertown, NY Trail map: Available at the ski center, or online (80 kB) Equipment rentals: Yes Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Snowshoeing Facilities: Day lodge, cafeteria, restaurant, bar, ski shop Lodging on site: 17 luxurious rooms Lodging nearby: Chestertown Location of trails: Exit 25 off I-87, then 3.5 miles west. Caroline Fish Memorial Trail Trails: 11 km groomed Trail fees: Yes Tel: Chestertown 518-494-2722 Nearest town: North Warren CoC, NY Equipment rentals: No Ski lessons: No Map of local region: North Creek Area Glens Falls International Trails: 10 km groomed by volunteers, 5 km are lighted for night skiing Trail fees: No charge Web site: Tel: Inside Edge Ski Store, Queensbury 518-793-5676 Nearest town: Glen Falls, NY Equipment rentals: Available at Inside Edge Ski Store Ski lessons: No Facilities: No Location of trails: At Crandall Park in Glen Falls Lapland Lake Trails: 38 km groomed for classic and skating. A 4 km trail is lighted for night skiing. The center is operated by a former Olympic skier. Trail fees: Yes Web site: Tel: 518-863-4974 Snow report: 1-800-453-SNOW (tape), AMI ski report Nearest town: Northville, NY Trail map: Available at the center and online Equipment rentals: Yes, including snowshoes, skates and tubes Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Skating, sleigh rides, sliding, snowshoeing Facilities: Day lodge, waxing room, restaurant, snack bar, bar, ski shop, sauna Lodging on site: 30 Finnish tupas (cabins) Lodging nearby: Northville Location of trails: About 3 miles north of Northville, turn left and go 5 miles Tree Haven Trails Trails: 43 km groomed Trail fees: Yes Web site: Tel: 518-882-9455 Nearest town: Hagaman, NY Equipment rentals: No Ski lessons: No Saratoga Spa State Park Trails: 25 km groomed Trail fees: Yes Web site: Tel: 518-584-3116 Snow report: Nearest town: Saratoga Springs, NY Equipment rentals: No Ski lessons: No Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area Trails: 35 km groomed with some skating trails Trail fees: Yes Tel: 518-283-3652 Nearest town: East Poestenkill, NY Web site: Equipment rentals: Ski and snowshoe Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Snowshoeing Facilities: Day lodge, cafeteria Lodging on site: No Lodging nearby: Troy has Location of trails: About 10 miles east of Troy to Poestenkill, then 6 miles east of Postenkill on County Road 40 (Plank Road). See directions on their site. Oak Hill Farms Trails: 30 km groomed, mainly single-track, ranging from easy to difficult Trail fees: Yes Tel: 518-875-6700 Snow report: 518-875-6700 Nearest town: Esperance, NY Web site: Trail map: Available at the center Equipment rentals: Yes, call to reserve Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Facilities: Day lodge and snack bar Lodging on site: No Location of trails: From I88 exit 23 take rte 7 east 4 miles. Take rte 30 north 0.6 miles and take a right on Oak Hill Road. Go 1 mile to Oak Hill Farms. Map of local region: Postenkill Area   WINTER SURVIVAL ITEMS: MULTI PURPOSE TOOL Such as a swiss army knife or a Leatherman tool. You will need this to fix broken equipment, cut branches for a shelter, cut wood for a fire. This item will always be used and if you don't have at least a knife you might not make it. STEEL WIRE You will need this to suspend firewood in the air to have a fire to keep you warm. If the snow is deep you cannot make a fire directly on the snow. Bring at least 10 ft (or 3 meters) of wire, preferably stainless but regular will do fine too. If you are snowshoeing in an area that never has very deep snow you can skip this item. Make a screen with the wire and make sure it's anchored well on the snow or to nearby vegetation or rocks and make you fire on top of it. DUCT TAPE Perfect for fixing a broken snowshoe or to fix supports around a broken leg. Even if you don't break your legs or your snowshoes duct tape will still come in handy for fixing pretty much anything. RICE Perfect emergency food. Very light weight and full of energy. In an emergency you just need lots of energy, don't worry so much about vitamins. Bring about 3 cups of rice per person per day you think you will spend in worst case. SMALL COOKING POT WITH LID To boil water to keep you warm and to cook rice to eat. If your pot has a lid it will heat water more efficiently. WOOD POWERED CAMP STOVE You need to bring a stove, no question about it, your best source of heat will be drinking plenty of hot water and you need a stove to boil all that water, without a stove you're dead for sure. What ever you do, don't bring a propane stove or any type of stove that runs on gas or liquid fuel. Gas and liquid stoves work fast and efficiently but they have a number of problems that only show up in cold temperatures, propane stoves sometimes simply don't ignite if it gets too cold, they also have moving parts and complex nozzles that can get jammed or clogged by ice. Relying on a propane or liquid fuel stove in the winter is suicide. You need a very simple wood stove with absolutely no moving parts such as the Trailstove (click for website). These types of stoves are slower to cook on than propane stoves but they ALWAYS work. LIGHTERS AND MATCHES Bring plenty of lighters and matches. Lighters are very small and light so bringing extra ones in case one doesn't work is a very good idea. Without means to make fire you will freeze to death. You can try to make fire like a caveman by spinning a stick against a piece of wood but that is a skill that takes practice to learn and if you don't already have that skill you'll freeze to death before you have it figured out. Hazards of Cold Weather Exposure Frostbite, snow blindness and hypothermia Precautions Wrinkle face to stop stiff patches forming, pulling muscles in every direction. Exercise hands. Watch yourself and others for patches of waxy, reddening or blackened skin, especially faces, ears and hands. AVOID tight clothing which will reduce circulation. Never go out without adequate clothing - however briefly. Avoid gettig clothing wet, through sweat or water. Dry it as soon as possible if this happens. Knock snow off before entering shelter, or leave outer clothing at entrance. Snow will melt in warmth giving you more clothing to dry. Wear gloves and keep them dry. NEVER touch metal with bare hands. AVOID spilling gasoline on bare flesh. In sub-zero temperatures it will freeze almost at once and does even more damage than water because of its low melting point. Be especially careful if you have been working hard and are fatigued. If you are sick - rest.

"Running on snowshoes is the best form of cross-training." - Tom Sobal, America's top snowshoe runner

Maybe it's an association thing: You know, snow, ice, cold, and darkness somehow adds up to ... bah! Or snow in the streets, slippery footing, windchill factors ... humbug! Whatever the scenario, winter and runners have always had trouble getting along.

To be sure, there are fringe folks in our ranks who turn absolutely animal when everything freezes over. But for most of us, once the 10 minutes of exhilaration of running in the first inch of snow of the season pass and drudgery sets in, all we think about is Arizona, Florida, or Tahiti.

... "Solutions" to the snow problem have included: sit it out on the sofa until spring; run megalaps on pint-sized indoor tracks; pack up and head for the tropics; run on a treadmill until your feet are raw; get Nordic, freeze your nostril hairs, and cross-country ski; or say, screw it, I'm running outside no matter what.

And while all of these tactics have their strong points and their swear-by-it devotees, none is necessarily a panacea for snowbound runners. Face it: As runners, we are happy when we can run, ornery when we cannot. We can watch bowl games A to Z, pound the treadmill until the motor quits, or ski hundreds of kilometers in the forest until the thaw, but many of us won't find real fulfillment in winter training until we snowshoe.

A Joy and Wonder

"You have the freedom to go wherever you want, up and down any slope, at whatever pace you choose," write Sally Edwards and Melissa McKenzie in their book Snowshoeing (Human Kinetics, 1995). "For most runners, snowshoe running will be an absolute joy and wonder."

Best places to snowshoe

New York's Adirondack State Park. With 6 million acres, Adirondack is the largest state park in the continental United States. Write: Department of Environmental Conservation, 50 Wolf Rd., Room 412, Albany, NY 12233-4255; or phone (518) 457-7433.

These excerpts have been reprinted by permission of the Road Runners Club of America. The complete article originally appeared in FootNotes, the RRCA's quarterly publication. For more information about an RRCA club in your area, contact the RRCA national office at 703-836-0558.