Date: January 09, 2010
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Location: Liberty Mountain Base Area
More Info

What is Winter Trails? 

Guests will complete five stations educating them on winter fitness including the opportunity to demo snowshoes on a designated track. Participants will be awarded a certificate from the Winter Trails Organization and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness.

• Event time: 10 am - 2 pm
• Location: Liberty Mountain Base Area
• Cost: Free - no reservations are required!
• Please Note: The Winter Trails Event at Liberty does not include Cross Country Skiing - only Snowshoeing

Liberty Mountain is one of 100+ venues to participate in Winter Trails Day 2010. Winter Trails Day is one of the largest ‘Introduction to Snowsports’ programs in the country.

Liberty is also honored to host representatives for the President’s Council on Physical Fitness in conjunction with the Winter Trails event. Participants in the event at Liberty will be on their way to earning a Presidential Challenge Award. Participate in short clinics to learn all about Stretching and Conditioning, Nutrition and Hydration, Dressing for Winter and enjoy a special setup from the Appalachian Outdoor School on Winter Hiking and Camping. 

For More information on the National Winter Trails Day visit The Official Winter Trails Website.

Why Try Snowshoeing?  
Tubbs Snowshoes will be at Liberty for Winter Trails. Try their snowshoes on our mountain when you visit! 

• Anyone can snowshoe — it is as simple as walking. 
• Snowshoes are easy to put on and take off, just like putting on another pair of shoes. 
• Snowshoeing requires modest physical effort with no fancy techniques or theories to learn. Learning curve is immediate. 
• Snowshoes are highly maneuverable so outdoor enthusiasts can go where cross country skiers and snowmobiles cannot. 
• Snowshoeing offers participants the peaceful, quiet serenity of a snow-covered landscape — a great activity for the body and soul.

What are the Fitness Benefits of Snowshoeing?  

• Snowshoeing is a cross-training conditioning sport, offering a low-impact, safe form of exercise. It is ideal for anyone interested in an aerobic workout combined with strength training and muscle endurance. 
• Snowshoeing is a great aerobic exercise that will improve or maintain cardiovascular fitness as well as burn calories. 
• Snowshoeing uses every major muscle group at relatively high intensity for extended periods of time, thus requiring high caloric expenditure. 
• Research has shown that individuals who substitute snowshoeing for running during the winter actually improve their running fitness over those who chose to run as their primary source of winter training. 
• The physical demands of snowshoeing can build up endurance levels and strengthen quadriceps for runners. 
• Muscles used are similar to those used in walking and hiking hilly terrain. Hip flexors may receive more of a workout and quads may get more exercise than usual in walking due to the lifting motion of each step. 
• Climbing in snowshoes works the hip flexors and extensors, crucial muscles for cyclists.
• The use of poles while snowshoeing gets the upper body moving and helps condition arms, shoulders and back muscles.

Are There Other Benefits?  

• Snowshoeing can accommodate a variety of activities—a casual hike in the woods, an overnight backpacking trip or an alpine climb. 
• Snowshoeing is a very inexpensive way to spend time with the entire family.
• With a nearly immediate learning curve, snowshoeing provides hours of fun for adults and children of all ages. 
• Simplicity is perhaps one of the biggest draws to this sport. Snowshoes can be used in various types of snow conditions so, no matter what the weather, everyone can enjoy the great outdoors.