Taking The Grandkids Snowshoeing
Here’s How To Do It Right And Have A Fun, Memorable Experience.
A little planning goes a long way when snowshoeing with kids. Credit: Crystal Mountain
On a winter trail outing near my home, I ran into a neighbor and her grandchild on snowshoes—and it was not going well. The kid was uncomfortable and headed back home by herself. Grandma kept going, and since she is a neighbor, I went along with her for a while and chatted. It was clear she was not aware of how to help her granddaughter have a good time on a cold winter day on snowshoes. So, here’s a primer about snowshoeing with the grandkids.
Snowshoes
You can get children’s snowshoes that are used or new but it’s really important to get the right size. For the youngest kids—four-eight years old—get colorful snowshoes but ensure they are secure on the foot and easy to put on. Most snowshoe companies have a snowshoe for kids.
Clothing
Light layers of clothing are comfortable, and you can add or remove clothing as needed (i.e., if it gets too hot). A lightweight synthetic base layer of long underwear helps to keep your grandkid dry and transports perspiration away. A middle layer that provides insulation like a shirt or sweater with a jacket shell as outer layer works great. Don’t forget a headband or light hat and a pair of appropriate gloves. Alpine ski gloves will be too warm for snowshoeing unless it is very cold outside.
The goal is for the kids to recognize when it is too cold or too hot and to encourage them to adjust layers so they feel comfortable with the temperature. Wearing a backpack will allow kids to stash or pull out the extra clothes, and feel self sufficient.
Fun on Snowshoes
If you want it to be a good time for them (and you), you have to make the snowshoeing outing less “boring” and more exciting. Also, your first few outings should be short and easy so that the kids don’t feel that snowshoeing is “too much work.” Maybe they can take pictures with a camera or cell phone. Plan ahead and discuss what to look for—perhaps there are different kinds of scenic views, trees, animals, tracks, and silly poses that you can do. You can’t stop too many times to take photos. Pose for them, take selfies, get some photos of them without you, send them out on social media, etc. You’re making and saving memories!
Set up a scavenger hunt on the trail (hang or hide treats or something); the kids can look for and accumulate the hidden treasures.
Kids love candy and perhaps they’ll love to go snowshoeing to look for candy that is cached (hidden in specific locations in bags). Take them on a “Quest for the Candy” by following hints that you write in advance as a poetic treasure map to follow. This is a new type of orienteering for children.
Choose the Trail
Make sure to take the kids on interesting trails and accept that “interesting” for them may be very different than it is for you. Have a destination such as waterfalls or hilltop, or a site for wildlife spotting. Discuss this issue prior to planning the trek so you are aware of what they might enjoy. Be aware about whether the child is over his or her head—the trail may be too steep, too long, or you are not getting to the destination soon enough.
If you want to avoid all of this decision-making, go to a cross country ski area that can accommodate kids on snowshoes like Great Glen Outdoor Trails Center in Gorham, NH. They have a scavenger hunt called “Trail Tracker” which is a big hit for kids to track down cartoon animals out on the trails. When they find the animated creature signs, they stamp a card, and, upon return to the lodge, they get a treat.
Hydrate and Snacks
Plenty of snacks and drinks are a must. If you are going out more than a half hour pack enough water or drinks. The kids get thirsty fast, and they may like to play the “I’m thirsty” card when they want a break. Granola bars, sandwiches, energy drinks, fresh fruit, and crackers to provide ample energy boosts but also consider some snacks that you know they enjoy like chocolate or candy bars.
A Great Time with the Grandkids
Go for a snowshoe adventure rather than just a snowshoe hike. Take the opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature and exercise, while at the same time having bonding time with your family; you’ll be glad you did.
Something New: A Limo To The Snow
Other Things To Do In Winter (Part 3): Ride The Snow In Style.
Snow Limo takes a non-skier not only up the mountain but also down a ski trail. Credit: Sun Peaks Snow Limo Tours.
There IS a way to experience skiing, even if you don’t ski. Or close to it, since you will be coming down an actual ski slope, keeping up with skiers.
Only thing is you will be sitting down.
The device that enables this experience is called a Snow Limo. It looks kind of like a dog sled basket, complete with guide behind. The guide, who is on skis, controls the sled’s speed and direction. You just sit there and enjoy the ride.
It’s really popular with parents (think non-skiing moms) who want to watch their kids actually ski, not just skid to a stop at the village.
Various folks have estimated that perhaps as many as 15 percent of ski resort visitors don’t ski. Perhaps they never learned, they think they’re now too old, or have injuries that have prevented them from getting on-slope.
Riding down the ski slopes of Sun Peaks Resort in a Snow Limo is especially popular with parents who want to see their kids skiing. Credit: Sun Peaks Resort
The original sled, then called “Sno-Limo,” was created more than a decade ago by Paul Auger, of Whistler, and his brother Guy. They wanted to get their 83-year-old mother onto the ski trails to see her grandkids ski. The two, with their father, Bill, designed basically a cross between a dog sled basket and an adaptive ski sled with a way to tether a skiing “chauffeur” behind to guide the sled.
It took them four years of tinkering, but they eventually designed something that is easy to steer, easy to stop and easy to load onto a chair lift. Not unlike a dog sled, there is an emergency brake and the guides each carry a cell phone for emergencies.
Thanks to a broken ankle, I wasn’t skiing this trip, so it seemed like the perfect time to try this out.
So, what is it like?
I climbed in and company owner Mike Pfeil guided me to the lift. As the chair came around, he lifted the back end of the sled, and we slid onto the chair. At the other end, we simply glided down the ramp.
And then we were off, wind in my face.
It was exciting as we leaned into curves and sped alongside the skiers. It seems even faster than you expect since you are so close to the ground. My biggest problem was trying not to lean into turns. You are supposed to let the guide do all the leaning and steering.
Mike has three flavors of ride: a gentle 30 minute ride down the green Five Mile run, more adventurous blue intermediate runs for an hour and a special two-hour package for the even more adventurous where the guide will take the passenger down more narrow runs. His guides don’t go on black expert runs, though.
The ride is also a good way for a non-skier to do the mid-week resort fondue dinner at the Sunburst Bar & Eatery. You take the chair lift up at twilight and enjoy a three course fondue meal, complete with Swiss music. Then you ride down in the snow limo, equipped with lights for night. And if the night is clear, you’ve got starlight to accompany you.
Just about any age can do this. Mike says the oldest person was a woman who was 97. The youngest he will take is five.
For more on Snow Limo At Sun Peaks Resort, click here.
A guide controls the speed and direction and the sled loads onto the ski lift for the ride up. Credit: Sun Peaks Resort
This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Nov. 2)
ReaderReport, Free Senior Ski Listing, Mystery Glimpse Returns, Sample Song From Ray Conrad, Fifth Anniversary Bash Coming Up.
Last week, we put out a call to our readers to submit stories, photos, and videos about their own snow sport experiences. Memories, history, adventures, recommendations, you name it. In response, reader Alyce Perez sent in pictures of her skiing at Mt. Snow in October, the first time in her 41 years of skiing that she skied before Halloween. Thanks, Alyce. Check out her smiling after a run here.
Now for the rest of you, let’s hear your tales. Just drop us a note or pictures to info@seniorsskiing.com, and we’ll follow up. Friends and family will be impressed.
Free Skiing For Seniors 2018-19
After weeks of checking and re-checking our listing of resorts where seniors can ski for free (or almost free) is ready for publication. This year, we have identified 138 resorts in the US and Canada which offer free or very small fee tickets and passes to seniors.
We believe we are the only snow sports publication with this list which we have developed with the National Ski Areas Association and have been compiling for our readers for the past four years.
If you are a subscriber, you can access our 2018-19 list of where to ski for free (or almost free) by clicking the Subscriber-Only Content box in the menu bar or click on COMMUNITY in the blue menu and then clicking on Subscriber-Only Content.
Or by clicking here. Note that you may be asked to re-enter your name and email address again to confirm your free subscription.
If you know of any resorts we left out or included in error, please let us know at info@seniorsskiing.com.
The Mystery Glimpse Feature Returns
A popular new feature, Mystery Glimpse presents a photo from skiing’s past and asks
readers to identify what, who, or where the picture was taken.
This week, our Mystery Glimpse is from the Colorado SnowSports Museum and Hall of Fame in Vail. Take a look and see if you can identify what is happening.
Ski Songs From The Sixties From Ray Conrad Available
Ski Songs From Ray Conrad.
Last year, we had some fun republishing Ray Conrad’s album, The Cotton-Pickin’ Lift Tower and Other Ski Songs, a collection of his classics from the golden age of folk music and singing skiers.
You can check out the album which is for sale on CDBaby and listen to some samples by clicking here. SeniorsSkiing.com splits the proceeds with 91 year old Ray who is thrilled that new people are listening to his funny and sometime sentimental music about the world of skiing.
Depending on the device you are using, you may be able to listen to “A Skier’s Daydream” from the album here. Click on the arrow and turn your sound up.
Party Time Approaches
We’re getting ready for our Fifth Anniversary Bash in NY coming up soon. Here are the details.
And remember, dear readers, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.
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