Snowshoes versus cross country skis?

Question

Should I get a pair of snowshoes or Cross country Skis?

Answer 1

I enjoy both, but I get a bigger rush from skate-skiing (which is a type of cross country)  It's fast, and you definitely get a great cardio workout.  So fun.

If I'm just wanting a serene hike, I'll use the snowshoes- though I usually am good with going 2 or 3 times a year, and I'm on my XC skis 2 or 3 times a week!

As for pricing, snowshoeing is way cheaper.  Cheaper equipment, and although you can ski in the backcountry, nordic centers are really nice- but they cost money to use them.

Answer 2

I get more use out of my snowshoes then I do out of XC skis. I like both sports, but there is no way I could go everyplace I do with XC skis. I like mountains, so I prefer the snowshoes.

If I am taking skis up someplace steep, then I usually am taking my telemark skis up a mountain so I can ski it down. Not something I would do on XC skis...but it can be done with the right set-up.

Answer 3

With snow shoes you can go anywhere not so with skis.  Usually with skis you want to go to somewhere that there are trails. With snowshoes you can go anywhere.  I live in the country, when my friends got skis I got snow shoes I can go out my back door and snow shoe into the woods. You can break trail and go, I have seen parts of the forest here I have never seen even though I had lived on this property for 25 years. I think snow snoeing is easier it doesnt require so much balancing as skis.  I have been doing it for 10 years and love it. I have the bear paw shoes and they are made for places where there is some brush to contend with my boys have the longers ones it is a personal preference really.  Think about where you want to do this, do you want to do this socially with friends? then choose skis, if you want exercise out your back door,  exploring the woods, enjoy nature and the quiet, shoes are the answer. Enjoy.

Answer 4

Yes...I have both.  Skis are great for steeper terrain (good turns coming down) and the flats.  Snowshoes are good for wooded terrain.

Roald Amundsen (the conqueror of the Northwest Passage and the South Pole) found ski to be good for open areas (the Arctic and Antarctic areas) and snow shoes for wooded terrain (like Alaska).

Answer 5

depends on your level of activity and skills training.X-country can be very demanding, snowshoes are also strenous exercise.Watch for avalanche and always carry a beacon as well as a collapsable pole for looking for people lost in avalanches.Warm up those muscles,I have done both and find the skis to be more fun overall