Trek Along the Paths Less Travelled

Excerpt from Toronto Star

Freshly fallen powder may once have inspired the impulse to strap on skis and hit the slopes, but this year, it’s also perfect weather for a quieter, more relaxing and more attainable pursuit that’s been winning over elite athletes and leisurely nature lovers alike: snowshoeing.

“It’s really accessible,” says Sasha Gollish, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto and an athlete ambassador for Snowshoe Canada, the non-profit association governing the sport of snowshoeing in Canada.

In the past five years or so, Gollish has seen a growing number of people getting into snowshoeing, including parents who gear up in snowshoes after dropping their kids off at ski clubs.

In fact, the activity has become a trending pastime for those who aren’t in the mood to rip down the hills in large part because it doesn’t require an adrenalin junkie’s level of risk tolerance or advanced skills.

Getting the hang of the technique doesn’t demand formal lessons; you can brush up on the basics with YouTube tutorials and the gear required ranges from the traditional tennis-racket-like styles to budget-friendly grippers. And you can make the activity as strenuous or easy as you like.