It’s Looking a Lot Like Snowshoe Season

By Laura Clark

With the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicting a classic winter for the Northeast, now is the time to consider snowshoeing adventures. While running on the roads is always an option, the odds of slipping on ice are high. Nevertheless, I blissfully ignored these odds until a friend I was running next to slipped and fell. He broke his ankle. But what really made me give snowshoeing a try was the fact that I’m in control. The day I got chased off the road by a skidding car was a game changer. I was lucky that time but figured the odds would not be forever in my favor. 

If you think snowshoe running is strange now, back in 1995 it was almost unheard of. Getting in on a sport from the beginning means that records are wide open and even if you are an average player, you will shine. Think of marathons’ early days when participants were regarded as superheroes. I could start each spring confident that at least for a while I would outperform others who had couched over the winter. On the minus side was the fact that equipment was just being invented. But those of us in the Dion Snowshoe Series got to sample new ideas seemingly every race, and this winter Dion Snowshoes is celebrating 25 years of designing, building, and using their own products, based in nearby Pownal, Vt. Learn more: dionnevitrek.com.

And 30 years later I am still eager for the season to begin, and I’m enjoying this early start to winter. Snow season is short and intense. And no matter how many times I have run a particular race, snow conditions make each return seem like a new experience. You can keep track of your times, but really, they vary so much from year to year that a more meaningful approach would be to select a few friends and compare how you manage in relation to their finishes. And while there is always the possibility of straying off course, it is much more difficult to do when you can spot snowshoe imprints ahead.

Our regional Dion Snowshoe Series kicks off with the Jingle Bell 5K Snowshoe Run at Paul Smith’s College VIC in Paul Smiths on Saturday, Dec. 6. The next event is the Gore Mountain Ski Bowl 5K Snowshoe Run & 2.5K Run/Walk in North Creek on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2pm. It will be utilizing parts of the groomed cross-country ski area, so anticipate wide trails with some nice ups and downs. Since the weather’s been consistently cold, the crew at Gore Mountain has been making snow, so the show will go on. Remember to start slowly, thinking you can always pick it up for the second loop. Importantly, know that snowshoeing is a strenuous activity and most folks will hike part of the route. Afterwards, relax by the fireplace in the Joe Minder Lodge. This event is known for its post-race raffles, with cool items from Gore’s ski shop, plus, Julie’s knitted creations, and local farm products like maple syrup. Visit: goremountain.com/the-mountain/nordic-center.

Every Wednesday evening, from Jan. 7-Feb. 25, Gore Mountain also hosts Citizen’s Snowshoe & Cross-Country Ski Races at 6pm, where you can trek up to four laps for a total of 5K. This is one of my favorite snowshoe events as many of the same folks gather every week and stick around afterwards for the plentiful raffle prizes. Nordic skiers (classic and skate) and snowshoe runners, walkers and hikers cover the same ground for some exciting finishes, with entire families sharing the fun. Circling under the lights when snow is falling is truly a magical experience. Before you head out, check Gore’s Nordic Center website to confirm the races are postponed due to poor driving conditions: goremountain.com.

Near Saratoga Springs, join the Brookhaven 5K Snowshoe Run at Brookhaven Winter Park in Greenfield Center on Saturday, Jan. 10. It’s part of the Town of Greenfield’s annual Winterfest, so expect snowman building, sleigh rides, and other winter activities for the entire family: runreg.com.

Afterwards, grab a quick bite or drink at The View clubhouse restaurant and then go cross-country skiing on their groomed trails. Because of their 1,000 foot elevation, snow comes earlier and stays later, so keep it in mind for winter outings. Volunteers groom the trails for skiing (classic and skate) and there are delightful, wooded trails for snowshoeing. Use of the facilities is free but you’re encouraged to support trail maintenance at their outdoor donation box: greenfieldny.gov/community/brookhaven-winter-park.

The following weekend test your mettle with the first doubleheader of the season. On Saturday, Jan. 17, Head to Queensbury for Gurney Lane 5K Snowshoe Run at Gurney Lane Mountain Bike Park in Queensbury on Saturday, Jan 17. If you’ve run this course before, know that it changes annually to take advantage of the best snow conditions. At first glance, it looks like a winter version of a corn maze with yellow tape, flags and paper plate directional arrows. But don’t panic – It all works out! The organizers have been doing this event for years, so there are routes marked for the ‘shoers’ as well as for the fat bikers who take over in the afternoon with recreational rides and races for adults and kids. This is a challenging course, with short ups and downs and lots of twists and turns, but it is eminently doable and lots of fun: runreg.com. Stick around for the quality raffle prizes and the opportunity to sample a fat bike experience at noon: bikereg.com.

On Sunday, Jan. 18, head north for the Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe 5K & 10K at New Land Trust in the Town of Saranac (near Plattsburgh). Both courses are a combo of wide and narrow trails over the XC ski routes and into the woods. This event is known for abundant snow, so be prepared! Also bring the kids as they have a free half-mile Snowshoe Scramble before the main event. Afterwards, head out to the Farmhouse Pantry to cash in your free coupon. If you enjoy Canadian poutine, this is the place to go! Registration is online only (no day of entry), with Jan. 4 being the final day to reserve a classic rooster T-shirt: cockadoodleshoe.com.

The Thursday Night Winter Racing in Cole’s Woods returns at 6pm to Glens Falls and Queensbury on Jan. 22 and 29 and Feb. 5 and 12. The events are free for snowshoers and cross-country skiers (skate and classic), with all skill levels welcome to enjoy the lighted course in the beautiful woods. After the race, participants are encouraged to dine and shop locally: friendsofcoleswoods.org.

By this time, you will be in shape for the following weekend’s doubleheader. A favorite, Stone Bridge Caveman 6K returns to Natural Stone Bridge & Caves in Pottersville on Saturday, Jan. 24. As a destination offering cave tours, hiking and shoeing expeditions, it’s one of the few races where you can purchase souvenirs of your adventures. The 6K features some hills on wide expanses interspersed with narrow, twisty trails, one of which requires a rope to negotiate. Afterwards, take the 0.75-mile hike to the cave entrance and view the magically iced cave, the largest marble cave entrance in the Northeast. Then, enjoy the fire pit, hot chocolate, and toast marshmallows. Originally the site of a sawmill, the organizers are eager to share the park with us: stonebridgeandcaves.com.

Next, head east for the DAR Snowshoe Scramble in Goshen, Mass. on Sunday, Jan. 25. Now at a higher elevation, the snow is more reliable, so anticipate you’ll most likely be running a 10K rather than a 5K. Expect mountain terrain on snowmobile trails. The emphasis here is on a fun, old-fashioned, no-frills event, so Beast Coast Trail Running encourages you to bring food to share afterward: runreg.com. 

Getting into February, Saratoga Stryders offer two snowshoe events, the Saratoga Winterfest 5K in Saratoga Springs on Sunday, Feb. 1, and the Camp Saratoga Trail Race 8K in Wilton on Saturday, Feb. 7. Those who preregister will have the opportunity to receive a discount if they register for both at the same time. Winterfest 5K launches from the Saratoga Spa State Park and is a good beginner route featuring a fair mix of wide and narrow trails, with some fun ups and downs. Camp Saratoga headquarters from the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and is more challenging with a variety of wide and narrow trails. Afterwards at Wilton, enjoy a bonfire, hot chocolate, and marshmallows: saratogastryders.org. 

Our traditional series finisher is the Garnet Hill Snowshoe 5K in North River on Sunday, March 1. The Garnet Hill Lodge & Outdoor Center is situated at 2,000 feet elevation to there’s usually plenty of snow. Snowshoers follow some wider ski trails, but veer off into the woods for some narrow, twisty up and down, back and forth routes. Afterwards, enjoy a bite and a drink in their restaurant and some great prizes, then venture out for some cross-country skiing: runreg.com. 

For variety, consider the SnoFatShu Winter Duathlon at Winona Forest in Mannsville on Saturday, Jan. 31. It includes a 3M snowshoe run, 14M fat bike, and 3M snowshoe for solo and two-person teams: bikereg.com. USA Triathlon’s Winter Triathlon National Championship is part of the Empire State Winter Games at Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid. It includes a 5K snowshoe run, 8K fat bike, 10K XC ski; there’s also a duathlon with a 5K snowshoe run and 10K XC ski: empirestatewintergames.com.

Other events: The Snow Devil Snowshoe Ultra with 100M, 100K, 26.2M, 13.1M, and 10K in Pittsfield, Vt., on Jan. 16-17: spartan.com. The Stone Wall 5K & 10K at Winona Forest in Mannsville takes place on Sunday, Jan. 25: winonaforest.com. The Vershare Snowshoe-a-thon with 3M, 1M and 0.25M loops in Vershire, Vt., is on Saturday, Feb. 21: vershare.org. 

If you’d like to try it, you can rent a pair of Dion Snowshoes for $10; there’s limited availability, so contact the race directors to reserve. These might be joined by a few other races, so visit the Upstate Sports homepage to sign up for Weekly eblasts: upstatesports.fun. For series updates on Facebook, enter “Dion WMAC Snowshoe Series” in the search. Enjoy the snow!

Laura Clark (snowshoegal133@gmail.com) of Saratoga Springs is an avid trail runner, ultramarathoner, snowshoer and cross-country skier. She is a children’s librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.