6 Tips on how to use your snowshoes properly

For more balance, we strongly advise you to take a pair of poles with you. Especially if you plan to evolve on relief, some of which can be slightly steeper, or in powder where you risk to sink in a little more. These poles will be of great help to you in managing climbs, descents, slopes and passages of small obstacles (such as possible fences).

The poles must be fitted with winter "baskets", that is to say a large basket, to give you better lift in the snow and therefore help you on your hike.

In traversing or "side-hilling" situations, that is to say more or less horizontal progression on a slope, it is important to press firmly on the uphill side of the snowshoe when you put it down (posture close to edging in alpine skiing).This technique limits the tendency for the snowshoe to "drive downhill". In other words, when you are crossing a fairly steep slope, remember to press on the side of the snowshoe that is uphill, not downhill, so that it grips into the snow and does not slip down.

When going uphill, when the slope is significant and the snow is rather hard and holds well under the snowshoes, it is more comfortable to use the heel lift. This equipment, present on some models (such as the SH 500 snowshoe), is derived from ski touring. It allows the slope to be artificially compensated for up to about 10 degrees. The result: you almost feel like you're walking on the flat.

 

The heel lift is easy to use and can be activated with your pole.

When the slope is even steeper, it is necessary to place your weight on to the front of the snowshoes, even if that means staying on your tiptoes.When the slope is even steeper, we talk about "creating steps". It will then be appropriate to kick into the snow, not horizontally, but, as in the illustration with the snowshoe pointing down.