There is one critical
requirement to run a successful snowshoe program, SNOW. It has been a long time coming to
Whistler this winter but over the last few weeks we have had plenty. The
Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) snowshoe program has now been
successful for the past 3 years with approximately 90 people participating each
year. Due to the winter parking
restrictions the group has previously started out at Function Junction where a
parking lot is cleared and many trail options exist. This year though, the location became problematic with
limited snow and some very uninviting icy paths. A good friend reminds me time and time again that ‘safety
never takes a vacation’ so it was decided at week 6 with no snow we needed to
change the location to a space that would still provide a cleared parking lot
but safer options for ‘winter walking’.
Sure enough or may that be fate; the moment I decide to change the
location the snow begins to fall.
Our new location offers wonderful trails as well so we’re sticking with
it until spring. The weekly Wednesday Snowshoe group for those 55+ is now
meeting at the front door of Meadow Park Sports Center. Anyone 55+ is welcome to join us, and
absolutely no experience is required. Participants are required to bring their
own equipment and one thing to determine is poles or no poles? I get asked this
question quite a bit and from a safety standard, they do assist with balance
and can be very handy if you are going up steep inclines. If you don’t own any, try the Re Use It
Centre for a pair of ski poles, any type will do the trick. It’s a personal
preference though, so just think about what would feel the most comfortable. Of course snowshoes are the essential
piece of equipment. I have learned about a variety of different models of
snowshoes, and while I’m not an expert feel free to ask me questions if you’re
trying to but just encourage people to try on a few pairs before hitting the
trails. Also, after an experience
of one lady losing a snowshoe mid walk, I have learned to ensure everyone is
done up correctly before we start.
After the sign in and a quick welcome, it is time to get the snowshoes
on and set off on our little adventure.
We all know that Whistler was built by people who wish to challenge
themselves so those who wish to carry a faster pace naturally find themselves
at the front of the group. There
are 2 people to lead the group though, so when the group splits there will
always be a leader from WCSS. So,
if you are recovering from an injury or aren’t the fastest in the group, please
don’t worry about being too slow, or tripping up, there will always be a group
pace that best suits everyone. This is a one-hour time slot that goes by very fast
as conversations get started and before you know it, we are turning
around. The group snowshoes from
9am-10am with the opportunity to go and continue conversations along with a
coffee after our session.
Snowshoeing is low impact but can be quite tiring depending on how much
snow you have to go though. It is
ideal to dress in layers as if you were going out cross-country skiing as you
can work up a sweat. "Snowshoeing
is the best bang-for-your-buck, fat-burning workout in winter," according
to Dr. Ray Browning of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of
Colorado's Health Science Center and Vail Mountain Man champion. "It's an
exceptional way to achieve cardiovascular fitness, expend energy and reduce
your chance of heart disease; plus it's low cost, easily mastered and
fun." This is a wonderful time to
get some fresh air explore some different routes and look at the beautiful
winter wonderland we live in. For
more information contact Melissa Deller, Senior Needs Action Planner (SNAP)
604-902-0865 snap@mywcss.org
Did you know:
55+ Snowshoeing
Wednesdays, 9-10am
Meet at front doors of Meadow Park Sports Center
