Guests of Cedar Glen Lodge will appreciate our close proximity to nature trails where you can learn how to snowshoe at Lake Tahoe. We back to the forest that surrounds the North Tahoe Regional Park, which provides a breathtaking environment for snowshoeing. Be sure to read our December blog post: Best Places to Snowshoe Lake Tahoe.
While many come to Lake Tahoe to enjoy the world class cross country and downhill skiing, those who discover snowshoeing find that it provides an enormous amount of freedom to enjoy the many vistas and forests of Lake Tahoe. In this blog post, you can learn the best practices for learning how to snowshoe.
Best Lake Tahoe Exercise
Snowshoeing provides a great way to stay in shape because it is a low-impact aerobic exercise. The locals are able to maintain their workout when the running and hiking trails are covered in snow. Because snowshoeing allows you to travel away from the normal trails, you can enjoy the solitude and freedom of exploring the surrounding area. Of course, you will want to plan your trip in a way that allows you to follow your tracks back where you began. This is a sport that is perfect for all ages and abilities.
Best Things to Do on A Budget
The price of lift tickets at Lake Tahoe can make skiing quite expensive if you plan on spending a week at Lake Tahoe. Because snowshoeing only requires gear rental, it is a very affordable way to mix up your activities at Lake Tahoe. The first few days of skiing can also tax your muscles, so snowshoeing is an excellent way to work other muscle groups. You can purchase snowshoes or rent them at the nearby shops in Kings Beach.
Beginner Snowshoeing Tips
Snowshoeing is a relatively easy sport to learn. Once you have properly strapped the snowshoes onto your boots, you may want to also rent poles that make balance and trekking easier. Snowshoeing is like walking when you are on a flat surface. If you plan to climb in elevation, you will need to learn how to traverse or walk sideways, balancing with your poles. Because movement is slow, snowshoeing is a great way to get acclimated to the Lake Tahoe elevation.
Standing Up
You will want to put on your snowshoes while seated, preferably on the tailgate, a log or a bench. You will strap in the front part of the boot as well as assembling the back straps, pulling them to a tight enclosure that will not allow them to fall off. You can do this while standing, but if you sit down in the snow to put on your snowshoes, you will have to learn how to stand up. If you were to fall, you will also need to learn how to stand up. A good practice is to keep your knees bent, and use your poles to rise. Of course, it is never a good idea to snowshoe alone and you can also help one another to stand up prior to embarking on the trails.
Climbing
If you are climbing a terrain, you want to kick the front of your snowshoe into the snow and press down to compact it. To avoid collapse of the snow, be sure that each new step is sufficiently above the last one. Alternatively, you can side step up the mountain, pressing just as firmly into the snow to create a step.
Descending
Snowshoes have heel cleats and these are important when making a descent because they allow you to maintain control. Bend your knees slightly and lean back when you are descending, which puts the weight more on the heel cleats.
Traversing
The best way to traverse a slope is to kick the side of the snowshoe into the hillside, engaging the cleats. Swing your heel hard towards the uphill slope, then stomp down, securing the snowshoe edge into the slope.
Breaking Trail
The person who is first in the snowshoe line will be breaking the trail, which requires a bit more effort than those that follow in the tracks. Walking in a single line allows those that follow to walk in your footsteps. Take consistent and even steps, and if you are snowshoeing with children, be sure that your stride is not too wide.
What You Will Need to Snowshoe
There are different snow shoes sizes, so you will need the appropriate snowshoes for your weight, snow conditions and the surrounding terrain. It is a good idea to rent snowshoes your first time to ensure you enjoy the sport.
The snowshoes will keep you from sinking into the snow, but they are no substitute for warm winter boots. It is also a good idea to ensure your boots are waterproof because you will have snow gathering around the top of your snowshoes.
Because the conditions at Lake Tahoe can change, you may want to dress in layers with a waterproof outer covering, and gloves that will keep your fingers warm. While your body will rise in temperature as you exercise, often the fingers and toes will feel the cold temperature because they are relatively still. Always wear a hat to cover your head, and sunscreen for any part of the body that is exposed to the sun.
Be sure to bring a cellphone and water, and it is always a good practice to bring a small first aid kit, flashlight, GPS and snacks.
Alpine Meadows Moonlit Snowshoe Tour
This winter season, Alpine Meadows is offering snowshoe activities and a guided tour to a delicious dinner at the Chalet.
During select winter dates and after the mountain closes, guests will enjoy a moonlit snowshoe tour to the mid-mountain Chalet at Alpine Meadows. Dinner includes a Bavarian-inspired multi-course with intimate seating that is perfect for a romantic evening. The Executive Chef will serve Raclette, Spaetzle, Rouladen and Apfel Streudel.
Each tour is only available to 40 guests and is only for those over 13 years of age. There is one seating at 5pm on each of the selected dates and guests must arrive 30 minutes early to get their snowshoes.
When you arrive at the bus stop at Alpine Meadows, you will be greeted with hot cider. The snowshoe rental is included in the price and guests should dress for a night of winter hiking. You will snowshoe approximately ¼ mile uphill from Alpine Lodge to the Chalet. This is event is only appropriate for those 13 years and older and requires that you meet the physical requirements to snowshoe the ¼ mile.
Click here for more information.
We’d be happy to suggest other activities that will allow you to enjoy all that Lake Tahoe has to offer. You will love staying in our quaint cottages at Cedar Glen Lodge! Discover why so many people make Cedar Glen Lodge their ‘second home’ at Lake Tahoe!
