Snow time allows you to slow down
When it’s going to snow, and you live pretty far from the nearest ski resort, what would you do on a rare snow day? I’d dig out my snowshoes and get outside!
I did just that early February. I finally got a chance to put some of the snowshoeing selfie footage together for you. You’ll find it below. I have been interested in video editing for a very long time (since I was about 13) and thoroughly enjoy filming my exercise moments to encourage y’all.
It hasn’t really snowed since. It doesn’t really snow these days in Victoria.
Snow came to Victoria in February 2025
I was delighted to hear about snowfall coming. At work, it was all anyone could talk about some days. I drive a 4WD truck with good lugged tires. I’m generally not nervous about my own driving, so I enjoyed the early days of this snow episode.
I got outside on my snowshoes and my brand new snowskate at least a few times after work each day, and nearly every day! We got about 10 days of cold air in a row, and a blanket of snow (only 1 to 2 inches) that continued to be enjoyable most of the time. The snow slowly dissipated until the rain came and washed it all away.
Benefits of snowshoeing over other sports gear
On those days when snow was moist, gliding was difficult. And when it got colder, snowskating’s stop and go activity left me chilled periodically. When snowskating wasn’t enjoyable, the snowshoes offered perfect traction and allowed me to keep moving continuously.
I recorded a lot of short clips, trying to capture my antics. I’ll share them on YouTube and in my blog.
Basic snowshoe tips
- If you’re nervous, add some ski poles, although they’re not really necessary
- You won’t slip – snowshoes have huge teeth all over the bottom
- My beginner snowshoes went everywhere just fine – up hills, over branches, down hills, over ice, even jogging
My MSR Evo snowshoes
I’d like to give a full review, but sadly I don’t recall the specs on my snowshoes. The product has emblems that say MSR Evo. Here’s one thorough review by Outdoor Gear Lab of the Evo Trail model that describes it as an affordable, likeable snowshoe. I paid about $170 CAD (maybe less) for mine at Mountain Equipment Co-op in Victoria, B.C. Then it snowed a few days later!
Note they’re on sale right now at MEC – check it out using the link above. The very first one in my search is the MSR Evo Trail!
Suggested upgrades
My only desired upgrades would be a more sporty look. I’ll only replace them if I have the chance to do lots of snow running or snow backpacking, and need more lift, speed, or control. These ones worked great for walking and running around the neighbourhood. These particular ones (MSR Evo, whichever model is the beginner one) are a perfect match to my beginner Alibi snowskate from Zumiez (see my comments about that in my blog.)
My walkabout demo on snowshoes
Check it out:
