By Jessica Riggio
When winter settles in and snow blankets the landscape for the season, some hikers trade in their summer boots for snowshoes. Winter hiking offers a whole different experience: pillows of snow cover rocks and trees, muffling some noises and amplifying others. Birds and squirrels make little trails through the scenery, disturbing a stillness that can only be found in a winter forest.
For those who are new to the activity, joining in the winter fun can be as simple as renting a pair of snowshoes. Snowshoeing is easier to pick up than cross-country skiing and comes with a lower price tag, making it a great activity for beginners. It’s a good way to get in some exercise, chase away the winter blues and find community.
Sean Payne, general manager of Clear Water Outdoor in Lake Geneva, is a lifelong local resident and expert snowshoer. He says snowshoes are more versatile than cross-country skis and require less specialized equipment. A snowshoer can strike out with just a pair of snowshoes in addition to their own winter gear. “If you’ve never done it, you’ll have more fun snowshoeing than cross country skiing,” says
For those looking to make a habit of snowshoeing, he suggests purchasing a full snowshoeing kit, which includes shoes, poles and gaiters to keep pant legs and boots dry. For those looking to try snowshoeing for the first time, renting snowshoes and poles from outlets in the area like Clear Water Outdoor provides an even more economical option.
Payne says he always encourages exploring new trails with friends for safety as well as some fun. “For me, the fun of it is the camaraderie you have with someone when you go out there, especially after it’s just snowed and (the scenery) is unbelievable,” Payne said.
SEAN PAYNE’S FAVORITE SNOWSHOEING SPOTS
There are plenty of places to go snowshoeing in Lake Geneva and the surrounding area, but Payne says one of the best is Big Foot Beach State Park, pictured above, with its 6.5 miles of trails.
The former Hillmoor Golf Course, now owned by the city of Lake Geneva, features 200 acres of land, including several former golf cart trails perfect for snowshoeing. “It’s so beautiful back there and quiet just after it snows,” Payne says.
Those looking for a longer hike can drive about 30 minutes to the snowshoeing trails of the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit, including the John Muir, Emma Carlin, Connector and Scuppernong Trails, as well as a section of the Ice Age Trail. The trails range in difficulty and distance.
