Hello Fellow Snowshoeing Enthusiasts,

We are pleased that you have signed up for the Probus Blue Mountain’s Snowshoe Group. I’m David Howden, Committee member and organizer for 2026.

We have a schedule of hikes for January and February and we may add a hike or two in December if we get a nice big dump of snow. We will generally hike Thursday mornings, with a few exceptions in February (see the draft schedule attached). I will email all group members at the end of the previous week confirming the next hike, and the details as to location, skill level, length and approximate duration, as well as our meeting point and time.

We want this to be fun and rewarding for all, with planning and route selection by all participants. If you have any favorite routes you would like to share and lead, please let me know.

PLEASE volunteer to be a committee member. You are welcome to bring a guest, but all participants must sign the standard Club waiver (located on the web site).

We think we have selected relatively easy and moderate hikes but snowshoeing takes more effort than walking and deeper snow takes even greater effort. Every participant is responsible to ensure that that they are comfortable with the length and difficulty of each week’s hike.

Some tips to prepare for our expeditions:

• BOOTS- it’s perfectly fine to use your hiking boots which will have more control, but for very cold days & more warmth you may want snow boots.
• PANTS- snow pants and a pair of gaiters.
• POLES for Balance & Cardio- helpful for balance & can also help with your cardio, particularly if you are looking for a full-body workout, as you will need to actively engage your arms to walk with a fluid motion on the snow.
• FITTING- adjust your snowshoes inside at home to fit perfectly to the boots and as tight as possible.
• ICERS (CRAMPONS) – These are useful as an alternative to snowshoes, for thin and crusty conditions. Check your gear before the season starts to identify any maintenance issues.

I look forward to seeing you on the trails.
David Howden
Probus Blue Snowshoe Committee
David.howden@rogers.com