Snow Skills

The shape of snowshoes is probably the most important factor for selecting snowshoes and its your planned use that will dictate what you choose.

FOR CLIMBING: A relatively short, wide snowshoe is generally more versatile and maneuverable. They are generally best for climbing situations and hiking in forested areas. I prefer molded plastic snowshoes such as the MSR Denali as they are light, indestructable and easy to strap onto the outside of your pack. The Denali is an excellent choice for winter trekking in mountains and wooded trails.

FOR HIKING: A relatively long, narrower snowshoe is generally more efficient and promotes a faster pace. They are generally best for flatter, more open areas when one’s path is straighter. The Tubbs Couloir Backcountry Snowshoe is a good example of a snowshoe that is perfect for tromping around fields.

FOR WOMEN: The Atlas Women’s 923 Elektra 9 Series Snowshoe is designed for a woman’s biomechanics including a narrower stance and stride. It uses a lightweight aluminum frame and is sized for a total weight of 200 lbs or less.