Friday 28 February 2014

55+ Snowshoeing FREE and a great way to get some fresh air and give your ski legs a break!


There is one critical requirement to run a successful snowshoe program, SNOW.  It has been a long time coming to Whistler this winter but over the last few weeks we have had plenty. The Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) snowshoe program has now been successful for the past 3 years with approximately 90 people participating each year.  Due to the winter parking restrictions the group has previously started out at Function Junction where a parking lot is cleared and many trail options exist.  This year though, the location became problematic with limited snow and some very uninviting icy paths.  A good friend reminds me time and time again that ‘safety never takes a vacation’ so it was decided at week 6 with no snow we needed to change the location to a space that would still provide a cleared parking lot but safer options for ‘winter walking’.  Sure enough or may that be fate; the moment I decide to change the location the snow begins to fall.  Our new location offers wonderful trails as well so we’re sticking with it until spring. The weekly Wednesday Snowshoe group for those 55+ is now meeting at the front door of Meadow Park Sports Center.  Anyone 55+ is welcome to join us, and absolutely no experience is required. Participants are required to bring their own equipment and one thing to determine is poles or no poles? I get asked this question quite a bit and from a safety standard, they do assist with balance and can be very handy if you are going up steep inclines.  If you don’t own any, try the Re Use It Centre for a pair of ski poles, any type will do the trick. It’s a personal preference though, so just think about what would feel the most comfortable.  Of course snowshoes are the essential piece of equipment. I have learned about a variety of different models of snowshoes, and while I’m not an expert feel free to ask me questions if you’re trying to but just encourage people to try on a few pairs before hitting the trails.  Also, after an experience of one lady losing a snowshoe mid walk, I have learned to ensure everyone is done up correctly before we start.  After the sign in and a quick welcome, it is time to get the snowshoes on and set off on our little adventure.  We all know that Whistler was built by people who wish to challenge themselves so those who wish to carry a faster pace naturally find themselves at the front of the group.  There are 2 people to lead the group though, so when the group splits there will always be a leader from WCSS.  So, if you are recovering from an injury or aren’t the fastest in the group, please don’t worry about being too slow, or tripping up, there will always be a group pace that best suits everyone. This is a one-hour time slot that goes by very fast as conversations get started and before you know it, we are turning around.  The group snowshoes from 9am-10am with the opportunity to go and continue conversations along with a coffee after our session.  Snowshoeing is low impact but can be quite tiring depending on how much snow you have to go though.  It is ideal to dress in layers as if you were going out cross-country skiing as you can work up a sweat.   "Snowshoeing is the best bang-for-your-buck, fat-burning workout in winter," according to Dr. Ray Browning of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado's Health Science Center and Vail Mountain Man champion. "It's an exceptional way to achieve cardiovascular fitness, expend energy and reduce your chance of heart disease; plus it's low cost, easily mastered and fun." This is a wonderful time to get some fresh air explore some different routes and look at the beautiful winter wonderland we live in.  For more information contact Melissa Deller, Senior Needs Action Planner (SNAP) 604-902-0865 snap@mywcss.org

Did you know:
55+ Snowshoeing
Wednesdays, 9-10am

Meet at front doors of Meadow Park Sports Center