About Tom Sobal

*Known for snowshoeing more miles per year than anyone in the world, Tom Sobal has won more than 130 snowshoe races at distances ranging from one to 100 plus miles. He’s also garnered five World Championship titles in snowshoeing, numerous course records and won races in 12 different states. Tom hold's the world's best time for a 26.2-mile marathon on snowshoes: 3:06:17. Tom is a national advisor to the American Trail Running Association and the U.S. Snowshoe Association. Tom volunteers as a Technical Delegate for snowshoeing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games: Toronto Canada 1997; Anchorage, Alaska 2001 and Nagano, Japan 2005.

ALL POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR:

Snowshoeing in the Snowmobile Capital

Snowshoe Magazine
The village of Grand Lake, Colo., sits at the western entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. At an elevation of more than 8,300 feet, the park and National Forest surround it. There is spectacular scenery in every direction, wildlife is abundant, trails lead through and away from town, and lakes, streams and high peaks about the town.

Snowshoeing Footwear

It can be initially confusing to select a shoe to wear snowshoeing, since you can't go down to the local store and look at the specific snowshoe boot selection (yet). You can come up with something that will work well if you remember these tips.

Snowshoe Clothing

Snowshoe Magazine
Walk into almost any outdoor equipment store and ask a salesperson to see the latest snowshoe clothing, and you will be probable be met with a blank stare.

Downhill with Snowshoes

Snowshoe Magazine
Unlike the "other" type of human powered snow transportation, downhill snowshoeing technique is relatively easy to master and perhaps not quite so thrilling.

Snowshoe Training Without Snow

Snowshoe Magazine
As fall approaches there are numerous things you can do to physically prepare yourself for the unique demands of snowshoeing, even if you do not have access to snow.

Winter Wilderness

Snowshoe Magazine
I like to think that the wilderness expands dramatically in the winter, if you think that a big component of wilderness is a place where humans rarely go or are infrequent visitors. This is particularly true in areas not normally considered wild because of their proximity to urban development.

Why Wear Snowshoes?

Snowshoe Magazine
You get three major advantages from a snowshoe that you do not get from a boot or shoe alone: Floatation, traction and stability.

Storing Snowshoes for Summer

Snowshoe Magazine
The day finally comes for just about every snowshoer when they decide that winter is over, the snow is gone (or too hard to access), and it is time to put their snowshoes away for next season. For many snowshoers in the Northern hemisphere, this day has already arrived. Your snowshoes are already sitting somewhere waiting for the snow to return.

The Crust Can Be the Best Part

Snowshoe Magazine
Some do not like the crust of bread, pizza, or even the crust of pies. Many people see crust as the hard, less desirable part that is hardly worth the bother after enjoying the main course. Yet all crust is not bad. Snowshoers should learn to enjoy crusty snow, and they should seek it out at least once to savor its unique properties.

Speed

Snowshoe Magazine
The speed that you snowshoe at (the distance covered in a period of time) will vary greatly depending upon a number of factors. Snow conditions, your effort and fitness level, and weather are three of the most influential variables affecting speed.

Poles

Snowshoe Magazine
Should you snowshoe with Poles? Most definitely, but go out with Germans, Mexicans, and any and all other nationalities too! Should you snowshoe with “ski” poles? It really depends, but for most snowshoeing, I suggest leaving the poles at home.