Finding New Routes with Skishoes
- Skinbased Team
- Nov 7, 2022
- 3 min read
Untracked powder. New experiences. A season to explore. By combining the best of both skis and snowshoes into a single package, Skinbased skishoes offer a fun way to enjoy snowy, winter landscapes. With these short, wide skis and their integrated climbing skins, you can easily access new locations both near and far. Are you ready to find new routes?
Skishoes offer similar stability, maneuverability and traction to that of a snowshoe, with the addition of the float, glide and downhill capabilities of a ski. This makes it possible for almost anyone to go and seek new routes.
One of the greatest advantages of Skinbased skishoes is their portability. Light weight and compact, they’re easy to carry by hand, on public transport, and even on foot to nearby destinations. To make getting around even simpler, with the EA 2.0 Binding you can use your own winter footwear to go skishoeing, saving you from hauling around a separate pair of ski boots.
Skishoe Habitat
Skishoes happily roam across a wide variety of snowy landscapes including forests, local parks, frozen lakes and swamps, open fields, gentle slopes, and more. Their versatile range allows you to chart your own adventures, off from the marked trails and to the places you wish to see. They shine in soft snow, on flat to moderately steep terrain, and gradual, rolling hills.
By a wide margin, skishoes outshine traditional snowshoes when it comes to downhill fun and performance. Keep in mind though that skishoes are designed only for moderate descents. If bigger fells and hills are what you have your heart set on, you’ll want to check out our XCD ski line.
In the case of steeper climbs, it’s all about using the right technique. Even though the broad, integrated climbing skin gives good traction, it is not quite the same as a snowshoe’s spikes for a straight-line ascent. The steeper the hill, the easier it is climb by traversing from side to side, using the uphill kick turn to change direction. To see this technique in action, check out this video.
All Skinbased skishoe models have a broad underfoot platform which makes them extremely stable and secure feeling, even for those unfamiliar with sliding on snow. Their short length makes them quick turning, allowing you to “ski the trees” and navigate through dense brush with ease. Finally, their low-weight and compact profile means they are easy to transport and store, and feel light on your feet.
New Routing with Skishoes
Thankfully, potential skishoe routes exist nearly everywhere that snow covers the ground. Local parks and public lands’ websites and visitor centers often have good recommendations for summer day hikes that are equally suitable for skishoeing. One example of this would be the Elk River Trail, located in Vancouver Island’s Strathcona Provincial Park.
If you have good land navigation skills, another option is to start with a map of your favorite hiking area. Reading the contour lines and paying attention to the terrain, see if you can chart an alternative, off-trail route from the parking area to your favorite view or lunch spot. A new favorite for this type of skishoe adventure is Jyppyrä fell, mentioned in our recent blog, Skinbased Roadtrip – Part 1.
Lastly, though not to be overlooked, are those even closer-to-home adventures. What’s on the other side of that field or orchard you pass by every day? Does the forest in the park connect to the trail on the other side? A personal favorite of the Skinbased staff is exploring the local, frozen marshlands, as they are only accessible during the winter months. Wherever you decide to adventure, be sure to get landowner permission, if required, before setting off.
A Winter with Skishoes
Skishoeing is about finding new routes. Off-the-beaten-path journeys to your favorite nature spots, to enjoy winter’s magic, and to unforgettable moments in the wilderness. Check out our skishoe collection to discover more.
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