Snowshoe runners look to climb higher mountains

By Dave Howells

The world’s top snowshoe runners are on the hunt and their prey is on a start line at the Olympic Winter Games. Snowshoe federations around the world are pointing their sights at future Olympics as the sport looks to gather momentum that will take it to a new stratosphere.

But the trek for snowshoe runners has been a slow climb and there are fears the sport has hit a ceiling. In less than a decade, races have grown from virtual club runs with 25 people to today’s coveted Yeti XC series races that draw 10 times that number. But race organizers fear that number may be stagnating and they are looking for new strategies to grow the sport that requires the endurance of distance running and the strength and guile to battle whatever winter weather Mother Nature throws your way.

There’s an evolution in sport that can see an activity grow from niche recreation to high performance. Once those high performers start attracting attention, the grassroots begins to blossom, competition takes hold and the race is really on. That’s where snowshoeing sits today. Most people attending an event are there for recreation; having a good time tops the list. More and more winter recreation centres, alpine resorts or cross-country ski centres offer snowshoeing on equipment that is long removed from the cat-gut snowshoes of yesteryear. There is also an elite field with national team runners and even Olympic runners competing. Jason Loutitt, a member of the Canadian mountain running team, has been competing out West for three years and is the current Canadian snowshoe running champion.

“I think that somehow the running community and the snowshoe community need to be recognized as one, power in numbers. I’m not sure that it will happen during my prime running years, but to one day see snowshoe running as an Olympic sport would be great,” says Loutitt.

The competitive side to the sport continues to grow both on a national and international level. The Yeti XC race series, which began in 2001, hosted for the
first time in North America the World Snowshoe Invitational on Grouse Mountain last February. More than 150 athletes from 11 countries participated in the
race that was run during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. This was no coincidence; it was a direct strategy to attract the attention of the International
Olympic Committee. 

And helping lead that charge are elite racers and organizers in Western Canada.

Marc Campbell, founder and part owner of the Yeti XC has been instrumental in giving direction to snowshoeing in Canada. There are four Yeti events scheduled in B.C.; on Jan. 29 at Mount Washington, Feb. 19 at Whistler and March 12 at Cypress Mountain and April 2 at Grouse Mountain. Mount Washington set an attendance record for a Canadian snowshoe event in 2009 with more than 265 participants.

“Snowshoe running, although still young, is no longer new. We have been working with a five-kilometre or 10-kilometre format and on average this draws 200 plus snowshoers to our start line,” says Campbell. “We may have reached the potential as these numbers have plateaued. So in order to attract new people and attention to our sport we have decided to introduce Nordic skiing as an additional leg that can be completed solo or as a team of two. We still offer just a snowshoe race but the ski leg could be considered a natural progression as all of our venues offer Nordic skiing. Nordic skiing has been an Olympic sport ever since the Winter Olympics started so the additional attention will only benefit snowshoeing.”

Jonathan Wyatt, eight-time mountain running world champion and two-time Olympic marathoner from New Zealand, says, “Getting all these athletes together from around the world to race and talk about the future of the sport is a first step. I’m super happy to be part of this and I would love to see a snowshoe event as part of the Winter Olympic Games.”

Mark Elmore, director of the United  States Snowshoe Association has been at the front of the Olympic push in North America. 

“The International Amateur Snowshoe Racing Federation (IASSRF) is being replaced by the Federation de Raquette a Neige (FIRAN) as the lead International Snowshoe Racing Federation. This is the next big step for the sport to be included on the Olympic event schedule. The Swiss Snowshoe Federation has taken the lead in drafting the important documents for this new Federation that will put it in compliance with the IOC regulations.” 
This all sounds exciting but you must have 25 countries that have a national governing body. At this time there are 11 countries that meet international regulations. Even if all would magically fall into place, the IOC sets Olympic event schedules seven years in advance so the 2018 Winter Games are already out of reach pushing the potential of snowshoeing at the Games to 2022.

Is this going to be the pinnacle of the sport, opening up an opportunity for Kenya to win a medal at the Winter Olympics? Or have we already reached the sport’s peak with millions of people around the world enjoying a recreational run or hike on a Saturday morning. Either way snowshoeing is the winner and the future is full of promise.

What You Need To Get Started in Snowshoe Running

Equipment: The modern snowshoe is made of lightweight materials far removed from the cat gut wooden snowshoes of old. A light running shoe with a warm sock is all that is needed to strap you in. Clothing should be layered and breathable.

Wear what you would on a cold winter night running in the city, including toque, gloves and wool socks. Have warm clothes for post workout. Always bring a small pack with the essentials, don’t go snowshoeing alone.

Skills: If you can walk, you can snowshoe. If you can run, you can snowshoe run, but it might take a few strides to figure out your gait. When traction is needed there are crampons on the base of the shoe to assist on climbs and descents.

Fitness level: Snowshoeing is for everyone! If you are a recreational hiker or marathon runner, the fresh air and change in scenery will be a welcome add-on to any winter workout.

Where to snowshoe: Almost every resort in British Columbia has a snowshoe trail system and the sport is gaining steam in Alberta. Make a quick call ahead to see what facilities and rental equipment are available before you go. Www.bcnordic.com is a great resource for resort information on areas such as Mount Washington, Ski Callaghan in Whistler, Larch Hills in Salmon Arm and Cypress Mountain in North Vancouver. In Alberta, try www.travelalberta.com or the Calgary Outdoor Club at www.calgaryoutdoorclub.com.

Where to compete: The Yeti XC, www.theyeti.ca is the premier race series. 2011 events are: Mount Washington, Jan. 29; Whistler Olympic Park, Feb. 19; Cypress Mountain, March 12; Grouse Mountain, April 2. The Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area on the Sunshine Coast hosts two snowshoe events, Snowfest on Feb 13, and Off the Edge Snowshoe Challenge on March 5. The Blitz Snowshoe Fun Run is at Mount Norquay, Banff on Feb. 26.

Photos courtesy Marc Campbell, The Yeti XC & Matt Crossman, Sun Peaks Resort

January/February 2011 Issue