This activity is becoming one of the hottest ways to stay fit in the cold. Walkers, runners, hikers and climbers are turning to snowshoeing as their winter sport of choice.

Snowshoes are designed to float on the snow, while still providing traction and stability. Most are made with an aluminum frame, a binding system and spiked crampons on the bottom. Larger snowshoes provide better flotation for off-trail hiking, but they're not as maneuverable. A large snowshoe can make it tough to negotiate through tight trees or along narrow paths. On packed snow, flotation isn't a big issue, and for people who stick to the popular trails, smaller snowshoes are ideal.

Traction in the snow is provided primarily by the crampons under the foot and by the decking material of the snowshoe. Modern snowshoe crampons are designed to provide traction going up, down and across hillsides. The key to getting the best traction is to walk so the crampon is lodged as much as possible into the snow. This means placing the snowshoe as flat on the snow as possible. The stability of the snowshoe is due in large part to the binding. The more rigid the binding, the more stable the snowshoe will feel, but there is a trade-off, rigid bindings are usually heavier.

Gear up
You want to be comfortable if you're planning an outdoor excursion in winter. The key to comfort in the cold is layered clothing. That way, you can make easy adjustments in different weather conditions and temperatures. Think in terms of three layers: base, insulation and outer. Your base layer should be lightweight and breathable, to pull moisture away from your skin. The thickness of your insulation layer can be varied depending on how cold it is. Your outer layer protects from wind and snow. Make sure to wear a hat, since you can lose a lot of heat through your head.

A novice snowshoer can advance from beginner to intermediate just by putting on the gear. One of the most important things to remember is to have the toe and heel straps adequately tightened to avoid unwanted foot movement. Knowing your right shoe from your left is also key - the buckles or pull straps go on the outside.

Place your foot into the binding, making sure the ball of your foot is centered over the toe cord, and tighten the toe strap. Then place your heel in the center of the snowshoe, and pull the heel strap tight. Finally, wrap the ankle strap against your ankle and tighten. Tuck any loose strap ends under the ankle strap, and you're ready to go.

Snowshoe technique
Novice snowshoers should begin on packed, level terrain. The initial tendency is to walk with a wide stance and to exaggerate your step, but you should try to maintain a normal stride. If you focus on keeping your feet relaxed, your feet and ankles will adapt more easily to variations in the snow, and you'll save energy. As you start to feel more comfortable, you should follow these tips:

Use a stronger arm swing for propulsion and balance
Use a slightly higher knee lift and a slightly wider stance
Use a slightly slower stride

After you've mastered these basics, you can try more advanced techniques, such as uphill, downhill, traversing, deep snow and full out running.

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