A still little known discipline, snowshoeing-ski combines walking, sliding, discovering unspoiled landscapes and a feeling of freedom.
It is a kind of ski that grips on the way up and slides on the way down.
Find out more about this sport that is both accessible to all and respectful of the environment.
Snowshoeing-ski allows you to practise Nordic skiing off the pistes prepared in "backcountry, or "hinterland" mode.
In a way it is like cross-country skiing in its original form, in other words, a winter travel mode.
It combines elements of skiing and snowshoeing and enables you to explore Nordic areas in complete freedom,
since it is possible to alternate between walking on the flat or uphill, and sliding downhill.
It is an "all-terrain" activity, enabling hiking-style movement with everyone able to go at their own pace.
Snowshoeing-ski makes it possible to explore Nordic landscapes differently, especially when leaving behind cross-country ski trails.
Ideally it is practised in virgin spaces, such as plateaus, woods, snowy valleys, where the snow is fresh.
Depending on your physical fitness, your experience, your familiarity with skiing, you can adapt your routes, with varying distances and elevations. But you can't venture anywhere you please!
snowshoeing-ski is designed to be practised in areas with gradients of less than 15%, it is not suitable for the elevations of alpine or ski touring pistes, because the gradients are much too steep.
It is important to prepare well for your trip. The perfect way is to locate the route, make sure that the ground is suitable and passable, estimate the duration of your hike and of course consult the weather forecast.
If you are a beginner, it's better not to stray too far from the pistes.
Snow, a source both of pleasure and danger, is a very changeable element, so be careful not to venture out anywhere you please (slopes that are too sleep and where there is a risk of avalanches).
If you want to go further then it’s best to arrange a mountain guide to accompany you so you can enjoy these snowy expanses with piece of mind.
1 - Easy to learn
Even if you are a beginner, you will quickly get to grips with the simple to use equipment, offering an ease and stability on snow that will quickly increase your confidence. You will soon be having fun on the descents, while at the same time enjoying the lightness and ease of use on the ascent. In walking mode or with a more sporty approach, it is the ideal sport for getting away from it all, discovering wild landscapes and recharging your batteries.
2 - Adapt it to whatever you fancy!
Snowshoeing-ski is excellent for working all the muscles of the body and the cardiovascular system making it a complete sport and ideal for those who want to push themselves and improve their physical fitness.
For family outings or for those who love a re-energising walk in the heart of nature, snowshoeing-ski can be practised in walking mode, at your own pace. The advantage of the backcountry is also that it gives you time to breathe and contemplate!
3 - Long live freedom!
With simple to use and easy to transport equipment, it only takes an hour or two to enjoy a snowshoeing-ski excursion. And as it is practised in the very heart of nature with numerous possible locations for your excursions and no need always to travel for miles to find a hilly snowfield. Even a spontaneous last minute excursion is possible, and to top it all off it's free!
To fully and safely enjoy your excursions, please respect the following rules:
1 - Do not practise on gradients of more than 15%
2 - Do not use on transformed snow (hard or frozen)
3 - Do not use with shoes whose sole is too rigid
4 - Do not venture out anywhere you please (gradients that are too steep and with a risk of avalanches)
5 - Choose equipment adapted to the practice (trousers, jacket, waterproof shoes...)
snowshoeing-ski SKIING
A snowshoeing-ski is more like a ski than a racket, but it is a short, wide ski. This size gives it excellent stability and lift on even deep snow. Its sole is fitted over ¾ of its surface with a permanent integrated seal skin providing grip when climbing and acting as an anti-slip system. This skin enables sliding on the descent, while providing a certain control.
Snowshoeing-ski are also fitted with metal or plastic edges to ensure good grip and better control of turns.
BINDINGS
As in cross-country skiing, the bindings on snowshoeing-ski leave the heel free at all times, which allows you to alternate between uphill and downhill without touching anything. They also offer a certain rigidity for good control of the ski.
Snowshoeing-ski can be fitted with a universal binding like the one we offer on our BC500 model allowing the use of a classic snow hiking boot thanks to its tightening strap. There are also snowshoeing-ski on the market with cross-country ski bindings allowing you to practise backcountry cross-country with ski boots.
Note that on our BC500 snowshoeing-ski the low-mounted universal binding can be changed for a cross-country ski binding since the snowshoeing-ski is fitted with inserts intended for this use.
THE SHOES
If your snowshoeing-ski are fitted with universal bindings, you can use the same shoes as for snowshoeing.
These are mid-height shoes that must be waterproof, with quite a flexible sole for freedom of movement.
They also provide good lateral support, since rough terrain requires good ankle and foot holding.
However, avoid shoes with an overly rigid sole!
THE POLES
The poles are the same as for snowshoeing or hiking, with large baskets to prevent them from sinking into the snow.
The poles should be level with your elbow when your arm is at a right angle.
The ideal is to have a double or extended handle, which allows you to adapt the height of your hands according to the terrain, or to have adjustable poles that you can adjust when ascending or descending.
CLOTHING
Although the ideal outfit for the backcountry is a trapper outfit but you're certain to be more comfortable in suitable, technical clothing;)
Since you will be alternating between ascents and descents, it is advisable to have an additional layer of clothing that you can remove and replace as needed.
Compared to the classic cross-country ski outfit, it is better to opt for waterproof products, especially when it comes to the trousers, since you will be moving across fresh snow. You can also wear gaiters to prevent snow from getting into your shoes.
On the top, the three layer rule applies, with breathable technical underwear, a layer that keeps in the heat and a third waterproof layer.
In walking mode, you will have warmer clothes with a fleece layer, gloves and liner gloves and a hat. In sports mode, lighter and more breathable clothing will be more suitable.
Finally, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential to protect you against the reflection of the sun on the snow.
A rucksack with a change of clothes, water bottle, snack and phone is also recommended.
wedze communication team
Wintersports lover