Experirents Snowshoe Kit Instructions
- May 15, 2024
- Experirents
Table of Contents
Snowshoe Kit
Instructions
Snowshoe Kit
You are about to have “SNOW” much fun!
Our high-quality snowshoe kits include everything you need for some fun winter
exploration and exercise!
In this guide, you will find:
- Kit Contents List
- How-To’s
- Safety Tips & Snowshoe Trail Etiquette
You can also find all this (and more) on our Resource Page on the website,
www.ExperiRents.com
Have SO MUCH FUN. We can’t wait to hear all about it!
-Jesse and the ExperiRents Team
P.S. If you’re sharing pics of your hike to socials, be sure to tag
#ExperiRents so we can check out all of your insta-worthy
moments!
YOUR KIT CONTAINS
(Please use this as your checklist when packing up to ensure all kit components are returned.)
- One Set of Adjustable Snowshoes
- Adjustable Poles
- Pole tips/Snow Baskets
- Carrying Case
- Kit Guide
SAFETY FIRST
- DRESS IN LAYERS: While it’s important to stay warm when snowshoeing, sweating causes you to become dangerously cold even when you stop for short rest breaks. To keep yourself dry, you’ll want to shed layers as you heat up, thus staying slightly cool but not cold while walking. When you stop for a break, put your warm layers back on and save all that body heat you’ve earned.
- WEAR PROPER FOOTWEAR: Wear waterproof and insulated boots suitable for snow conditions. Make sure your boots provide good ankle support, as snowshoeing involves uneven terrain. Choose thick socks made of moisture-wicking materials, such as merino wool or synthetic blends. These materials help to pull moisture away from your skin, keeping your feet dry and reducing the risk of blisters.
- PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN : Remember, the sun’s reflection off the snow can be extremely bright even with cloudy skies. Sunscreen and lip balm can help protect your face from harm.
- KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Stay within the limits of your knowledge, conditioning, the environment and your gear. Use established trails at first—many ski areas have them. As a general rule, areas you would hike in the warm weather months are typically good for snowshoeing as well. DO NOT snowshoe on bodies of water unless you can CONFIDENTLY confirm freeze depth. A leisurely snowshoe hike can quickly turn deadly on thin ice.
- CHECK THE WEATHER: Before heading out, check the weather forecast for the area where you plan to snowshoe. Avoid going out in extreme conditions such as heavy snowfall, strong winds, or extremely low temperatures.
- TELL SOMEONE YOUR PLANS: Inform a friend or family member about your snowshoeing plans, including your intended route, estimated time of return, and any emergency contacts. This ensures that someone is aware of your whereabouts.
- CARRY ESSENTIALS: Pack essential items such as water, snacks, a first aid kit, a multi-tool, a headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries, and a map or GPS device. It’s also a good idea to carry a space blanket for emergencies.
- FOLLOW “LEAVE NO TRACE” PRINCIPLES: Respect the environment and follow Leave No Trace principles. Stay on designated trails to avoid damaging vegetation and wildlife habitats.
- STAY HYDRATED AND WELL-FED: Cold weather can lead to dehydration, so make sure to drink plenty of water. Bring high-energy snacks to maintain your energy levels during the trek.
SNOWSHOEING ETTIQUETTE
You don’t have to stick to trails when snowshoeing, though you likely will
begin with trails for your first few trips. Occasionally, you may find
yourself sharing a trail with cross-country skiers. Those skiers pay higher
trail fees to support the equipment and staff that groom these trails, so
make sure you walk single file and do NOT step on the ski tracks on those
trails. Snowshoer missteps can also ruin the smooth skate-skiing surface in
the center of trails, so walking at the outer edge of the trail is best.
Skiers also have the right-of-way on trail systems because it’s easier for a
snowshoer to step off the trail safely than it is for a skier to stop or go
around.
Try to avoid trails used by snowmobilers by reading trail markers carefully.
If you do find yourself on the same trail, snowmobilers (and snowmobile
grooming machines on crosscountry trails) have the right-of-way. Keep an eye
out or listen for motorized vehicles headed your way. Simply move off trail to
let them pass.
PUTTING ON YOUR SNOWSHOES
- Loosen ratchet bindings and step into snowshoes
- Ensure heel strap is not underfoot
- Tighten ratchen bindings as shown
- Clip heel strap and tighten
- Adjust pole length. You want your snowshoeing pole to have a 90degree bend at your elbow when the pole’s tips are on the ground.
- Ensure snow baskets and tips are secured to poles.
PARTS OF YOUR SNOWSHOES
HOW TO SNOWSHOE ON FLAT TERRAIN
Walking on flat or rolling ground is fairly intuitive. Your stride should be
wider than it is for hiking in order to avoid stepping on the insides of your
snowshoe frames. Because of that, you may find your hips and groin muscles
aching a bit after the first few times you snowshoe.
HOW TO SNOWSHOE UPHILL
As you ascend hills, you use your toe or instep crampons for traction. Always
place your feet firmly on snow, poles in front of you. Several techniques come
into play, depending on the conditions.
In powdery snow, use the kick-step technique. Pick up your foot and literally
kick into the snow with the toe of your boot to create a step. It will take
more than one try to build a surface solid enough to stand on. Your snowshoes
will be on the angle of the slope, with the backs hanging downhill behind you
and the toes above your boots. This plants the crampons or cleats of the
snowshoe into the snow, directly under the balls of your feet. If conditions
are such that a kickstep ends up just creating a deep hole in the
snow, then look for a different route.
On crusty, hardpack snow, you probably won’t be able to kick-step. Instead,
you’ll be relying on the traction of your snowshoe crampons or cleats, and
your poles. Walk up the slope, but if it’s too steep, try to find an easier
traversing route.
HOW TO SNOWSHOE DOWNHILL
On descents, keep your poles planted in front of you, knees bent and relaxed,
and your body weight slightly back. Walk smoothly and plant your heel first
when you walk. (On some slopes you might never rotate to your toe after
planting your heel, because that risks having your leg slip downhill.)
Poles provide additional balance and control as you descend—just make sure you
adjust them to be a little longer for your descent.
Avoid over-swinging your leg as this can cause the back of your snowshoe to
catch and throw you off balance. If the slope steepens, be sure to keep your
weight back. If you start to slip, just sit down.
HOW TO GET UP IF YOU FALL
It doesn’t happen a lot, but you can—and likely will—fall at some point when
you go snowshoeing. This occurs most often on descents. When you feel yourself
starting to fall, try to fall toward the uphill side if at all possible.
Before you can get back up, you’ll need to slip your hands out of the pole
straps (if you have them) and shift around until your head is uphill, your
feet are straight downhill and you’re facing the slope with your knees pulled
up close to your chest. Your goal is to press off the slope until you’re
upright on your knees; then you can shift your weight onto your snowshoes and
stand all the way up. Slide your poles under your chest, parallel to the
slope, and then use them to press yourself up off the slope. If you fall in
deep snow on flat terrain, you can make an “X” with your poles on the snow in
front of you, then use the middle point as a brace while you push yourself up
to a standing position.
CLEANING/PACKING INSTRUCTIONS
- Dry snowshoes and poles, ensuring no snow, water, or debris remains.
- Collapse poles to shortest length
- Return all items to carrying case, making sure all snow baskets and pole tips are accounted for.
- Return Kit Guide to carrying case/tote.
- Give yourself a big ol’ high five for getting some great exercise today!
Remember, If you’re sharing pics of your adventure to socials, be sure to tag
#ExperiRents so we can check out all of your insta-worthy
moments!