Snowshoeing anyone?

We havn't really gotten any snow here yet, but I am anxiously awaiting a significant dump! I've always been a skiier so I guess thats where my love of snow comes from. For christmas I have asked for some snowshoes, because I love hiking and camping and would like to encorporate snowshoeing into this. 

What I was wondering is if anybody has used snowshoeing as a means to lose weight? There are tonnes of trails and that around my work, and was thinking of trying to get out for an hour on my lunch break through the days. Is it a cardio workout? Does it burn many calories? Does it help tone legs/bum/anything?

Also - I was thinking of taking along a pack with some weight in it to help me prepair for some overnighters on snowshoes... any clues on how many calories this would add to what I'm burning? I'd probably put about 30 lbs in my pack

Hi,

I don't know about the calorie burn, though that would be interesting. I hear it is much more active then cross country skiing... don't know. The reason I responded is because I am excited to give it a try this winter too. I am anxiously awaiting the snowfall so I can get out there and give it a go. My thought is is would be an amazing cardio workout, not to mention the wonderful experience. Good for you and please keep me updated as to your experience.

i haven't, but i'm thinking about it. 

thanks for the reminder, actually.  i'm going to go to www.mec.ca right now and see what they have ;)

The activity log says snow shoeing burns 554 calories per hour, and I'd say that's pretty accurate. It's probably more if you add a 30 lb pack. I got snow shoes for Christmas last year, and got to use them once. I can't wait to use them this year on a butte close to my house. It's a lot of hard work, especially if the snow is very wet or soft and you sink in deeper with every step. It's defintely a fun way to experience the snow!

I'd agree that the estimate above is pretty close. I've been snowshoeing for the last two winters and when I remember to wear my HRM I'm always pleasantly surprised by the burn. We like to do a lot of back woods snow shoeing (no trails, we make our own) and, like idahorose, it's hard work!

Have fun!!

Funny how many people are interested in this.... and add me to the list.  I'm hesitant to get a pair of snow shoes though, because by the sounds of it we're going to have not a whole lot of snow this year.  Last year would have been GREAT.

Is it hard to snowshoe walking a dog?  lol

meima, i know i couldn't snowshoe with my dog on leash; she'd pull me over for sure.  when we're in the woods, she's always off leash (and usually nowhere near me)!

i might rent some before i think about buying.  i have a pretty extensive trail system, but in winter it's used mostly by snowmobilers, and they pack the snow down very nicely!  last winter i had no problem walking the trails in approach shoes (don't step off the trail, though!  it was thigh-deep last year).