Things You'll Need:
- Snowshoes
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Step 1
Look for lightweight racing model snowshoes that won't slow you down. Snowshoes can be made of metal, plastic or old-fashioned wood. To get the best race times, plastic shoes are your best bet.
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Step 2
Opt for the narrowest snowshoe your event can handle. Narrow snowshoes are designed to allow for the quick stepping motion of running in snow. The wider the snowshoe, the more likely you are to trip yourself up.
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Step 3
Check out snowshoes with a tail. A tail is a short piece of the shoe that sticks out the back, and it allows you to get the most power and speed from each running stride.
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Step 4
Consider snowshoes with automatic hinges. These cause the snowshoe to snap back up to your foot following each stride. This saves time and prevents wasted energy on the up-step.
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Step 1
Visit the United States Snowshoe Association website (see Resources below).
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Step 2
Click on the "Event Calendars" link on the right side of the home page. Select "Regional Events" to locate snowshoe events in your area. Many of these do not require you to be a member of the association.
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Step 3
Join the United States Snowshoe Association by clicking on the link at the left of the home page. Fill out the online form and submit the membership fee. Members can attempt to qualify for the national snowshoe championships.
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Step 4
Read about the requisite snowshoe sizes for national event competition. Competition snowshoes must have less than 120 square inches of surface area and cannot be smaller than 20 inches by 7 inches.
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Step 5
Follow the "International Snowshoe Events" link to see upcoming snowshoe events across the world.
