Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to explore the border country.  The ojibwa culture developed the snowshoe hundreds of years ago and it has shaped travel in the border country and beyond for centuries. 

Snowshoes have several very rewarding properties.

They are easy to use.  Most people will feel comfortable snowshoes after a few hours of practice.

They work in a variety of conditions from packed snow to very deep snow.   they work on open lakes, hilly portages, and even tight trees and brush where skier have trouble going. 

Snowshoes are generally not as fast as skis, but they will get you where you need to go.  You shouldn't be in a hurry in the border country anyway.  I would recommend snowshoes to people new to winter travel in the border country.  After you master snowshoeing get a feeling for some of the different conditions you will face   while on the trail you can try skiing. 

Snow shoes come in many shapes and sizes.  I really like the Ojibwa and Alaskan style snowshoes to the border country.  I also prefer the traditional wooden shoes over the new metal and plastic ones.  The main reason being that I think the wooden ones are easier to clean slush off of and snow and ice builds up under the claw that it found on the bottom of most metal snowshoes.  However, like anything else snowshoes are snowshoes and the best thing to do is get yourself a pair and go out and use them.