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Snow Flies at 2012 Yeti Snowshoe Race Series
Vancouver Island and BC's Lower Mainland are chock full of all forms of outdoor racing. There are mountain bike races, road bike races, road running races, kayak races, sailing races, and even trail running races ominously called the Gutbusters. But these are more warm weather events. What happens when the ground is covered in snow?
You put on some snowshoes and go for a run, of course!
Since 2001, The Yeti Snowshoe Series has brought snowshoe racing to Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland at locations like Mount Washington, Mount Seymour, Grouse Mountain and Whistler/Blackcomb. 2012 marks the first year organizers have expanded beyond BC with a new venue at Scenic Caves, Blue Mountain in Ontario.
So what exactly is snowshoe racing?
The basic idea is that you strap on some snowshoes and run. Mind you, the recommended snowshoes for running aren’t the heavy wood style that my grandpa wore. New racing snowshoes are made from aluminium or titanium, and weigh in at next to nothing. Standard practice is to throw on some running shoes, strap on the racing snowshoes and you’re ready to go.
Most venue’s have a Sport course that’s around 5km long and an Enduro that’s about 10km. The 5km course at Mount Washington is a beautiful loop that starts at the Raven Nordic Lodge and winds its way up the side of the mountain through curvy singletrack trails. About halfway through, the course skirts the side of a beautiful open meadow and then back down into the single track for the descent to the finish line. The Enduro course sets you out on a second lap.
While I am a sucker for punishment and dig into the hills heading up, the fast downhill sections are where the fun is at. The snowshoes flick snow up behind each racer like a mud trail from a bike as runners jockey for position. The final stage is a bit free form. As long as you go around the course flags, you can get there any way you like. Be careful for the tree wells though! They’re like quicksand. An accidental slip into one of those and you’ll be stuck good for a couple minutes.
Cold weather running gear is best to wear. Most racers use light pants or tights that allow you to move well, along with a thin top that wicks moisture well. The number of layers needed will depend on how fast you’re moving. Some of the frontrunners are pushing hard and only wear a sleeveless shirt and shorts! Racers who are looking for more a fun race should pack some nice warm layers as they could be out walking or jogging for around an hour.
I know you’re excited to get running in a snowshoe race and you may not have snowshoes. You won’t be able to use that as an excuse not to enter because the Yeti crew has snowshoes for rent at each of the venues. Don’t wait if you need them though, as they’re first come, first serve.
Check out The Yeti’s 2012 schedule.
- Photos & text by Ross Collicutt©
