About Katie Hearsum

Katie is a lifestyle and travel writer based in Denver, CO. Her career has led her from horseback riding on a dude ranch in the Rocky Mountains to mountain biking in Bolivia to kayaking in Laos and back again. She considers chocolate a food group and has never met a pair of yoga pants she didn’t like.

ALL POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR:

The Ultimate Guide to Snowshoeing in Grand County, Colorado

Grand County offers epic terrain for pretty much every recreational activity an outdoor enthusiast could desire. The area is home to two ski resorts, three lakes, and the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. In addition, you can find … Continue reading


Autumn Snowshoeing at Taggart Lake, Wyoming

While many mountain areas have to wait until after the holidays before they see much in the way of snow accumulation, Grand Teton National Park near Jackson, WY, is usually blanketed with powder by early November providing a breathtaking winter Continue reading


Winter Weekend in Crested Butte

With record-breaking snowfall amounts already this season plus a top of the line Nordic trail system, Crested Butte is a great winter destination for outdoor adventurers–especially snowshoers. And, its central location just a four hour drive from Denver makes it … Continue reading


48 Hours at Snow Mountain Ranch, Granby, Colorado

The YMCA of the Rockies at Snow Mountain Ranch is a 5,000-acre property in Granby, Colorado, about 80 miles northwest of Denver. The facility offers affordable outdoor activities, dining and accommodations for all, with an focus on families and groups. … Continue reading


Snowshoe and Stay in Frisco, Colorado

Although the annual Tubbs Romp to Stomp snowshoe race for the Susan G. Komen foundation has changed its name this year to Snowshoe for a Cure, the event promises to deliver the same pink fun in the same location … Continue reading


RideOn Vision Goggle Enhances Reality on the Slopes

I’ll admit I was skeptical after first learning about RideOn Vision’s new augmented reality snow goggle.  I tend to be old-fashioned and prefer simplicity in most aspects of life–including sports and technology–and  I couldn’t understand why anyone would need to … Continue reading


Top Après Snowshoe Spots in Boise, Idaho

With so many great opportunities for snowshoeing near Boise, it’s very possible (and common) to venture out of town for a morning hike and be back in the city by happy hour. Whether you make the easy 45-minute jaunt up … Continue reading


Snowshoes and Sweethearts: Three Romantic Days in McCall, Idaho

For some, a romantic getaway calls for balmy breezes and long walks on the beach. But for those of us who can’t swing a seaside escape this Valentine’s Day, embrace winter’s allure instead with a weekend getaway to the charming … Continue reading


Avalanche Awareness for Snowshoers

Last week a Colorado Springs man was killed in an avalanche while snowshoeing on Kelso Mountain near Torrey’s Peak, a popular 14er in Clear Creek County, Colo. This marked the first avalanche related death in Colorado—and the third in the … Continue reading


Gear Review: SportHill Women’s XC 3SP Zip Top

Sporthill was developed by a professional runner who needed training duds that could perform in Oregon’s cool, wet climate. He eventually created the brand’s famous 3SP technology claims to be “the fastest drying fabric in the world” and “ounce for … Continue reading


No. 7 Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center: The Mountain Top Inn and Nordic Center, Chittenden, Vt.

Nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest overlooking the Chittenden Reservoir, the pastoral Mountain Top Inn, with its stately barn and rolling acreage, was originally the site of a thriving turnip farm. Later, it became a popular countryside retreat that … Continue reading


No. 9 Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center: Frisco Nordic Center, Frisco, Colo.

Situated on the Peninsula Recreation Area and offering sweeping views of Lake Dillon as well as back-country access to the White River National Forest, the Frisco Nordic Center is a wonderful winter amenity for Summit County residents and visitors. With … Continue reading


No. 1 Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center: Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, Jackson, N.H.

Imagine floating through mounds of sugary snow, across frosty rivers, through mystical forests of pine and over covered bridges, toward the twinkling porch lights of your cozy Victorian abode where a crackling fire awaits your presence on its stone hearth. … Continue reading


No. 2 Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center: Galena Lodge, Ketchum, Idaho

snowshoer at Galena Lodge

This community-owned day lodge in the Boulder Mountains outside of Ketchum, ID, serves as a cozy base camp from which to enjoy some of winter’s best offerings: snow sports, food, friends and fun. In partnership with the Blaine County Recreation … Continue reading


No. 3 Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center: Nipika Mountain Eco-Resort, British Columbia, Canada

Ideally located in majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains, surrounded by pristine wilderness and spanning two river valleys, the Nipika Mountain Resort is both awe-inspiring and enchanting, to say the least. Outfitted as a fully self-sustained, off the grid operation—complete with comfortable … Continue reading


No. 4 Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center: Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center, Northville, N.Y.

Since 1978 Ann Hirvonen and her Finnish husband, Olavi, have been providing an unparalleled snowshoe experience for grateful guests at their award-winning Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center. Named after the northern-most region of Finland, where reindeer roam free and Santa … Continue reading


No. 5 Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center: Royal Gorge Resort, Soda Springs, Calif.

Situated at the top of Donner Summit near Lake Tahoe, the Royal Gorge Resort flaunts 7,500 acres of stunning terrain, 200 kilometers of trails and more than 500 inches of annual snowfall. With spectacular scenery, ample amenities and a mountain … Continue reading


No. 6 Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center: Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, Midway, Utah

Located in the Wasatch Mountain State Park near Salt Lake City, Soldier Hollow Resort has a seriously impressive resume. Since its creation as the site for the biathlon and cross-county events for the 2002 winter Olympics, it hosted several major … Continue reading


No. 8 Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center: Scenic Caves Nature Adventure and Nordic Center, Ontario, Canada

Located within one of Canada’s 16 UNESCO biosphere reserves, and just a two-hour drive from Toronto, the Scenic Caves Nature Adventure and Nordic Center is a self-described “winter playground”. It features 27 kilometers of trails, a 420-foot suspension bridge, and … Continue reading


No. 10 Snowshoe-friendly Nordic Center: Lakewoods Resort in Cable, Wis.

Lake areas are traditionally renowned for providing fantastic terrain for recreational activities, and Lakewoods Resort on Wisconsin’s Lake Namakagon—the tenth largest lake in the state—is no exception. The resort’s location deep in the heart of 850,000 acre Chequamegon National Forest … Continue reading


Gear Review: Women’s Arctic Adventure Muck Boot

I was stoked when the rep from the Muck Boot Company sent me a pair of their new Arctic Adventure boots to try out.  As a lifelong equestrian, I’ve always had my eye on their products because of their dedication … Continue reading


Soaking and Snowshoeing at Strawberry Park Hot Springs

About 20 minutes north of downtown Steamboat Springs, Colo. is a nature lover’s paradise called Strawberry Park. Ten minutes into your drive (four-wheel drive required in the winter) the pavement will give way to dirt and you’ll discover a massive … Continue reading


Gear Review: Tubbs Xpedition Snowshoes

The women’s Xpedition snowshoe is a mid-level, all-terrain snowshoe is great for taking your snowshoeing treks to the next level, from simple, flat trails to backcountry adventures. This shoe is not only attractive and lightweight but also boasts a few … Continue reading


Gear Review: Watson’s Double Layer Mid-weight Base Layers

I tried a set of Watson’s mid-weight long sleeve top and long john bottoms from their “Double Layer” collection during a day of skiing at Jackson Hole.  The weather conditions were cloudy and windy with temperatures in the low 30s. … Continue reading


Top Places for Snowshoeing in Jackson Hole

With easy access to two national parks and three ski resorts, Jackson Hole is a snowshoeing paradise, regardless of your experience level.  From flat, family nature walks to epic back country adventures and everything in-between, you’ll be hard-pressed to come … Continue reading


Gear Review: Watson’s “Performance” Mid-weight Base Layers

I tried a pair of Watson’s mid-weight performance base layers on a recent snowshoeing trek in Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyo. The day started out cool and wet, with temps in the low 40s and a heavy drizzle … Continue reading


Gear Review: Watson’s Micro-fleece Zip Mock Neck Top

I tried Watson’s micro-fleece zip mock neck top on a recent trip to Jackson Hole during both a day of skiing and a day of snowshoeing in low to mid 30-degree temperatures. At first it seemed to be similar to … Continue reading


Wildlife Spotting and Snowshoeing in Jackson Hole

I met Cathy Shill on an unseasonably warm, drizzly February morning when she picked up myself and three other out-of-town visitors in front of our hotels for a morning of wildlife spotting and snowshoeing in Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Soon after … Continue reading