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It’s those extreme experiences that cement friendships. You and your buddies were lost
for hours, cold, wet, discouraged, and scared. Everything seemed bad, and you wanted
to tear each other’s throat out. Then someone’s binding broke, and on top of everything
else, you had to carry his pack and wait for him to wade slowly through knee-deep snow.
But it’s tales of these epics that echo through the lodge over steaming hot drinks
that night. And it’s during these times of reflection that you realize that your
experience, for better or worse, was fun.
Sure, there’s value in going for a nice winter hike on your own: time to reflect and
absorb the beauty of your surroundings, but I almost always find that my experiences
feel more worthwhile if I have someone to share them with. It’s for this reason that
I’d say snowshoeing is as much about the people you go with as it is about the scenery
and route.
- Start with your friends.
Head out for a day or a week with the same old crew, and you’re bound to learn
something new about each and every one of them. That’s the simple truth about a group
adventure.
- Try something new.
Any place you’ll find snow you’ll also find organized group hikes and activities of
all kinds. Maybe it’s a walking lecture on the Rocky Mountain snowshoe rabbit, a
winter ecology seminar, or maybe it’s just a nice hike. Check listings at local
outdoor shops and outing clubs for upcoming events, and then just go. Once you show up
you have nothing to lose. You’re guaranteed at least one common interest with everyone
in the group, and who knows, maybe you’ll discover more.
- Join a club.
Just about every town has at least one outing club. University towns often have
outdoor education departments offering youth and adult classes, group hikes, or even
opportunities to teach. Participating in these groups is a great way not only to meet
new people for a day of exploration, but also to build a community around your love
for the outdoors and get to know your new partners over time.
- Get competitive.
That’s right; there is such a thing as snowshoe races, and they’re wildly popular.
Runners don small, light snowshoes and literally jog through the wilderness. It’s like
a fast-paced cross-country trail run but with a refreshing change of scenery and
surface. Ask around at your local gear shop to find out how to get involved, and once
you try one, you’ll be a race circuit regular.
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