{"id":1731,"date":"2013-02-26T09:39:43","date_gmt":"2013-02-26T13:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/blogs\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=1731"},"modified":"2017-02-08T15:03:02","modified_gmt":"2017-02-08T20:03:02","slug":"winter-discovery-snowshoeing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/winter-discovery-snowshoeing\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Discovery: Snowshoeing"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>What\u2019s one of the best ways to make the most of all the snow we\u2019ve been getting across the state? Snowshoeing, of course!<\/p>\n

Wandering out into the woods to quietly look or listen for birds and other signs of wildlife is a winter experience that can be quite spectacular, whether you are with a group or on your own.\u00a0Not only is it fun, but snowshoeing offers a fantastic low-impact workout.<\/p>\n

How to Snowshoe<\/h3>\n

The first snowshoers were undoubtedly inspired by nature’s own snow-ready creatures such as wolverines, mountain lions, wolves, penguins, and, of course, snowshoe hares. These creatures have long, wide feet that support them even on deep snow, allowing them to travel quite a distance for food or shelter, if necessary.<\/p>\n

So how do they work? Physics! Snowshoes are designed to disperse your weight across a greater surface area, which give you the ability to walk on top of several inches (or feet) of snow.<\/p>\n

Once you have the snowshoes strapped on, you’ll use a motion similar to walking with a few modifications. You will want to lift your knees while widening and lengthening your stride to make sure not to step on the frames.\u00a0Some snowshoers opt for poles, which can help increase your stability and add upper body involvement.<\/p>\n

Where to Snowshoe<\/h3>\n

Nearly all of Mass Audubon\u2019s wildlife sanctuaries welcome snowshoeing. Several offer equipment to rent or borrow as well, including Boston Nature Center<\/a>, Broad Meadow Brook<\/a>\u00a0in Worcester, Oak Knoll<\/a>\u00a0in Attleboro, Pleasant Valley<\/a>\u00a0in Lenox, and Wachusett Meadow<\/a>\u00a0in Princeton.\u00a0We recommend calling ahead to check on availability.<\/p>\n

And when there is snow, sanctuaries offer guided snowshoe\u00a0programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Got a great snowshoe location of your own? Share in the comments!<\/p>\n

– by Emma Evans<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s one of the best ways to make the most of all the snow we\u2019ve been getting across the state? Snowshoeing, of course! Wandering out into the woods to quietly look or listen for birds and other signs of wildlife is a winter experience that can be quite spectacular, whether you are with a group […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-get-outdoors"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-rV","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13453,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-get-outside\/","url_meta":{"origin":1731,"position":0},"title":"Take 5: Get Outside","author":"Ryan D.","date":"December 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"With family and friends gathering to celebrate the season and one another, we hope you'll take some time to get outdoors and enjoy the unique beauty of nature in winter with your loved ones. Breathe in the cold, crisp air, listen for wintering songbirds like chickadees and cardinals, and look\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Winter Ski Tracks \u00a9 Heidi Besen","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/3709Heidi_Besen21037.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/3709Heidi_Besen21037.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/3709Heidi_Besen21037.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/3709Heidi_Besen21037.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4495,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-new-coat-for-winter\/","url_meta":{"origin":1731,"position":1},"title":"A New Coat for Winter","author":"Rosemary","date":"December 16, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Like us, many animals put on a new set of \u201cclothes\u201d during the colder months. Here are five local creatures that sport different looks in summer and winter. American Goldfinch Spinus tristis When the weather grows cold, people inevitably start asking about all those drab yellow-gray birds that are visiting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/12\/squirrel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16559,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/how-to-dress-for-winter-adventures\/","url_meta":{"origin":1731,"position":2},"title":"How to Dress for Winter Adventures","author":"Ryan D.","date":"December 21, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Winter is a great time for outdoor adventures: sledding, building snowmen and snow forts, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and more. But cold-weather activities can quickly lose their allure\u2014or become downright dangerous\u2014if you\u2019re not dressed for comfort and warmth. Luckily, it\u2019s not complicated or expensive to clothe yourself appropriately for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Outdoors"","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A pair of hands in knit gloves forming a heart shape against a snowy outdoor sunset","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/shutterstock_1014939904_750x500.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/shutterstock_1014939904_750x500.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/shutterstock_1014939904_750x500.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/shutterstock_1014939904_750x500.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7052,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-snow-days\/","url_meta":{"origin":1731,"position":3},"title":"Take 5: Snow Days","author":"Rosemary","date":"February 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Snowy days are back. These five photos from past editions of our Photo Contest capture people experiencing snow in Massachusetts. Want to enjoy the snow yourself? Consider an upcoming snowshoe program!","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Elena-Cronin-2012.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Elena-Cronin-2012.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Elena-Cronin-2012.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1703,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/have-you-hugged-a-hemlock-lately\/","url_meta":{"origin":1731,"position":4},"title":"Have You Hugged a Hemlock Lately?","author":"Kristin S.","date":"February 11, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Of all the evergreens in the winter woods, eastern hemlocks are the friendliest. During the short, dark days of winter\u2014when we are tempted to stay inside our heated spaces\u2014the hemlock calls us to come out and play. Treasured Tree What makes the eastern hemlock so special to winter-weary humans? Its\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Richard Webb, Self-employed horticulurist, Bugwood.org","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/02\/5348087-PPT.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/02\/5348087-PPT.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/02\/5348087-PPT.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/02\/5348087-PPT.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15009,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/in-your-words-willow-age-8\/","url_meta":{"origin":1731,"position":5},"title":"In Your Words: Willow, Age 8","author":"Ryan D.","date":"December 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Willow is a young Mass Audubon member making a big impact. Check out our \"Nature in Your Neighborhood\" videos that highlight some of her adventures in nature, including a Fun Fungi Hunt and Exploring a Vernal Pool. Nature Hero Willow, Age 8 I\u2019ve been going to Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "In Your Words"","block_context":{"text":"In Your Words","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/in-your-words\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Willow writing in her nature journal beside a vernal pool at Arcadia","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/20200516_150642.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/20200516_150642.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/20200516_150642.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/20200516_150642.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1731"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8626,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1731\/revisions\/8626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}