Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 18, 2007 issue
Story by Sam Calhoun
Snowshoeing began some 4,000 to 6,000 years ago as the solution for walking on top of snow without falling through it. In cold environments, the activity arose from necessity but as the years went on, snowshoeing evolved into a winter sport that allowed access to areas once out of reach during deep snowfalls.
Skiing and snowboarding are the most popular sports during the winter, and it almost seems that snowshoeing has fallen by the wayside. One reason may be the problem of access and learning. Where does a person learn to snowshoe?
One answer to this question is the annual National Winter Trails Day—held every year at locales across the country—where those new to the sport of snowshoeing can learn on top-quality equipment for free.
Now in its twelfth year, a National Winter Trails Day event will be held this Saturday, January 20, at Sugar Mountain Resort with free, guided trips available on a first-come, first-served basis leaving at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Ten to twelve people can take part in each hourly trip that traverses Sugar Mountain Resort’s Easy Street ski slope and the terrain park. Interested parties can sign up throughout the day on Saturday inside the Sugar Mountain Resort ski school office.
“National Winter Trails Day is a day that people can come out and try snowshoeing for free,” said Lynn Bauer, director of Sugar Mountain Resort’s ski school, who expects falling temperatures to allow for good snowmaking and thus a successful event.
“It’s just a short little hike and we go through the woods where we can,” added Bauer.
For the event, Sugar Mountain Resort will provide high-performance snowshoes by Red Feather. The event is open to those eight and older because of the sizes of snowshoes available.
After signing up at the ski school office, participants should meet at the ski school building at least 15 minutes prior to the tour time.
In addition to National Winter Trails Day, Sugar Mountain Resort offers snowshoeing excursions every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoon. These excursions last roughly one hour and cost $20 per person.
For more information, call 828-898-4521, extension 200.
Date: Saturday, January 20
Time: 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
Location: Sugar Mountain Resort
Cost: Free
Although no area retailers sell snowshoes, many of the helpful employees of the local ski and snowboard shops recommended that those interested in purchasing their own pair search the websites of L.L. Bean (www.llbean.com), REI (www.rei.com) or Sierra Trading Post (www.sierratradingpost.com).