Showshoeing
If you enjoy the outdoors and hiking, you'll love this!
Snowshoe Nordic Walkfit is the perfect workout! It's a combination of Nordic walking, hiking, and snowshoeing. It's the best way to get physically fit during the winter months while exploring new trails and off trails, meeting new friends and watching winter fly by!
Class Locations
Our weekly classes take place in various parks, pathways and wooded trails throughout the west end of Ottawa (Kanata, Stittsville, Carp, NCC Greenbelt, Nepean and Barrhaven). We also regularly plan hiking adventures to provincial parks and nature reserves in East Ontario/West Quebec.
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Once registered with our club, you will receive a weekly e-mail, issued every Sunday, with that week’s schedule and locations. Locations change from week to week, allowing our members to discover and enjoy the many beautiful parks and conservation areas we have throughout West Ottawa in any given season, all while getting fit and reaping the many health benefits of exercising in nature.
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Our Nordic walking and outdoor fitness club is a fun way to get out, enjoy great exercise with experienced class leaders, and meet new friends!
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Snowshoe Class Descriptions
Every Class:
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Instructors who are Nationally Certified Urban Poling/Nordic Walking Instructors and have current First Aid/CPR/AED training​. Some instructors are also certified personal trainers with ACE, YMCA/YWCA and/or Can Fit Pro
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A safe, friendly and motivating group lesson environment
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An all over body workout including cardio, muscular strengthening, balance, core & flexibility including warm-up, cool-down and continued instructions and cueing throughout session
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A warm-up which includes snowshoeing or stationary movements to get the blood circulating and help warm the body in cooler temperatures
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A Variety of trails, forests, ponds and parks both on and off trail
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A chance to meet new friends, have fun and stay motivated all winter!
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10% member discount from Bushtukah
Beginner/Intermediate
This 60-minute Nordic Walkfit snowshoe class is perfect for fit individuals (with little to no physical/health limitations) who are just starting out in snowshoeing.
It’s a great way to stay fit during the winter and enjoy our beautiful scenic forests. You will improve your cardio-respiratory system, balance, muscular strength, and flexibility. We will keep you warm and challenged with on & off trail work on a variety of terrain.
Intermediate/Advanced
This 90-minute Nordic Walkfit snowshoeing class is perfect for individuals who are intermediate to advanced in fitness level, enjoy a challenge and want to explore a variety of terrain.
It offers a healthy mix of stimulating, challenging intervals and exercises to make this class a lot of fun! The use of our Nordic walking poles help to add assistance in deep snow and on hilly terrain. Poles increase the aerobic/cardio component and improve core strength & posture.
Hazardous Weather Conditions & Cancellations
In case of hazardous weather conditions like freezing rain, extreme cold, or blizzards, check your email at least 1 hour before class start time for any cancellation notices. We try our best to offer make-up classes the following day, so please check emails for times and dates.
Preparing for a class
Make sure you try out your equipment at least 2-3x's before coming to your first class.
You may notice that different boots fit your snowshoes better than others, so be sure you're prepared. This greatly reduces class hold ups, disappointments and unwanted surprises!
Things to Consider when Preparing for a Class
Know the map & directions to your scheduled class location.
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Arrive 10-15 minutes before class starts to allow time to check-in with instructors and adjust your poles and snowshoes.
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It is especially important we begin our classes on time in colder weather.
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If you are attending an evening class, please think safety and wear a head lamp and light coloured clothes or reflective gear
What to Wear or Bring
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Snowshoes
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Nordic Walking poles
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Sunglasses/Goggles - protect your eyes from blowing snow/ice, branches and extreme cold.
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Water in pouch/pocket or backpack. Water may freeze depending on temperature, consider starting with hot water in cold temperatures
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Optional - hand warmers (like hot shots), sunscreen, light snack, medications, tissues, dry clothes/socks
Dress in Layers
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Base layer – Inexpensive synthetic materials, merino wool, silk, micro-knitted fleece can all help wick perspiration away from your body. They are breathable, so you won’t be building up heat inside once you’re moving. Keep the base layer tighter fitting to avoid bulk under the following layers and ensure breathability over insulation (this comes next.) Avoid cotton as this absorbs perspiration and can cause you to chill quickly.
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Mid layer – thermal, light weight fleece, sweater or ski vest that is warm, insulating, and comfortable. The layer that would keep you warm if you took your outer jacket off in a lodge.
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Outer layer – wind proof, water repellent, and warm.
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Hat - Holds in 50% of your body heat.
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Mitts are generally warmer than gloves. If you're prone to cold hands, try putting 'Hot shots' or similar items inside your mitts. These can help keep your hands cozy in frosty weather.
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Gaitors are like sleeves worn between ankle and knees to protect snow from entering boots and helps to keep the lower leg dry.
Benefits to Snowshoeing
With the use of snowshoes and the Nordic walking technique, participants have the best of both worlds. According to the Cooper Institute, Nordic walking activates 1800 abdominal contractions and 900 upper back contractions in a mile.
Snowshoeing activates the hip flexors and quadricep muscles while lifting the boot, snowshoe and snow with each step. It also activates glutes and hamstrings during ascents and quadriceps on descents. Together the workout burns an additional 400 to 600 calories more than just plain walking.
There are no hidden gym fees, no waiting for machines, just scenery and fresh air!
Speed / Calories
Declan Connolly, professor of Sports and Physical Education at University of Vermont says that snowshoeing on packed snow going at a rate of just 6km/hr will give you the same exercise heart rate as walking on a treadmill at 9km/hr (keep in mind that packed snow is much easier to walk on than fresh snow). As an example, a person weighing 170 lbs snowshoeing at 6km/hr will burn 960 cal/hr compared to cycling at 20km/hr which burns only 612 cal/hr.
Relieves Stress and Promotes a Sense of Well Being!
Nordic walking, snowshoeing and hiking are great ways to relieve stress. They’re loads of fun, simple to learn and do, and provide many health benefits. You can work at your pace from low- to high- intensity.