Snowshoe Racing a World-Class Sport

The weather would continue to capture headlines as we set up for the World Snowshoe Invitational. Conditions were going to be tough for all the competitors and the organizing crew as rain was falling on the already heavy wet snow. It might be best described as running on sand and the 8.2km course was going to feel like 16.4. Add in the massive climb and undulating terrain this was going to be a tough one. But everyone was excited as we realizing that we were going to produce the fastest, strongest snowshoer in the World.

Yeti Snowshoe Series: Mount Washington, British Columbia

If an event can generate energy then it begins to take on a life of its own. Race Directors can't make this happen we can only hope it happens. Standing on The Yeti Start/Finish line at Mount Washington there was energy in the air. Over 250 competitors with snowshoes on were ready to take on the challenging yet fun 5k loop either once or twice. This in itself was an exciting moment as Yeti officials believe it was the most participants to ever attend a snowshoe race in Canada.

Great Snow Conditions for Mount Washington Yeti

Saturday January 30, 2010 is the date for the first Yeti of the season on Mount Washington.  Marc Lyster Nordic Area Manager is very excited about hosting The Yeti indicating that this year's event will see great snow conditions with a growing 300+cm base with more snow in the forecast. The Mount Washington course is always a good one with a solid climb followed by some nice rolling single track through the meadows which takes you over to a big descent back down to the Start – Finish area.

Yeti Snowshoe Series: Cypress Mountain, British Columbia

I stepped out of my car at 6:30am, it's still dark. The crew starts to arrive on Cypress Mountain for the final race of the season. It's cold, clear and windy. I kick my boot into the fresh snow to get a feel for the depth. Although it's not a lot the 5cm to 10cm will make a difference. On Friday conditions were hard pack, while out marking the course I could have run it with just my Montrails. The fresh had freshened it up and old man winter was still around for our final event. Cypress is always a good one, the trails that loop in and out of the Nordic Ski area are rolling sweet single track. All the runners that compete it is a great way to finish up the season as this would be considered the most forgiving courses of the Yeti Series.

Yeti Snowshoe Series: Grouse Mountain Post Race Report

Grouse Mountain takes us to our highest point on the Yeti circuit topping out at 4,500ft on the summit of Dam Mountain. The 800ft climb from the start line is a  wall of white that athletes took on and conquered. Unlike many of our courses that are nestled through sub alpine tree lines Grouse is a big up and over. With the weather working in our favor it was going to be a special day. 

Yeti Snowshoe Series: Mount Seymour Post Race Report

We saw a mixed bag of weather for the first of three of the local series on Mount Seymour. Cool and crisp would describe the day with the track feeling firm under foot. We new the times would be fast on this tough North Shore course.

Yeti Snowshoe Series: Mount Washington Post Race Report

Yeti Snowshoe events are usually set in winter, cold and white with breath visible as snowshoers prepare for 5 or 10k events. Mount Washington 2009 would be very different with temperatures toping out at 15 degrees near the 11:00am race start time. The layers always come off just before race start but nothing quite like this. One competitor completed the 10k without his shirt on.