If winter weather makes you think of snowshoeing, then plan your next snowshoeing adventure in Speculator, N.Y. This little town nestled in the Adirondack region offers a number of trails, from beginner to intermediate, so everyone on your trip can enjoy the scenery, regardless of skill level.
The sport (or perhaps more aptly, the practice) of snowshoeing has been around for more than 8000 years. Evidence of ancient snowshoeing is not only found among the artifacts of Native American cultures; snowshoes have also been referenced in historical Armenian, French and Scandinavian works. Snowshoes were used then as more of a mode of transportation, as opposed to the winter sport equipment they’ve become today.
Sporting snowshoes come in three types – aerobic, recreational and mountaineering. As their names imply, each snowshoe is meant for specific levels of activity and terrain. Aerobic snowshoes are smaller and lighter, and are more for maintained trails. Recreational shoes can endure a bit more rugged terrain, but work best for gentle to moderate walks. Mountaineering shoes are used for more intense snowshoeing, including hill climbing, long-distance trips, and off-trail snowshoeing.
When you select snowshoes, there are a couple of factors to keep in mind. First is your own body size. Larger users should select larger-sized shoes. A rule of thumb is that there should be one square inch of snowshoe surface for each pound of body weight. Additionally, users should consider the terrain they will be travelling and the amount of equipment they’ll be packing.
So whether you’re taking it easy on the Moffits Beach trail, or have a more intense trip to Pillsbury Mountain planned, Speculator is the place for your next snowshoeing adventure. And while you’re here, be sure to stop at Charlie Johns and Speculator Department Store. From high-quality outerwear from Columbia Sportswear to all the incidentals you need like trail maps and grocery items, you’ll find everything you need to make your next snowshoeing outing great!
