Photo Credit: Kettle ValleySnowshoeing is a peaceful and exhilarating way to experience the Okanagan region.

The increasingly popular activity of snowshoeing has taken over Instagram feeds this winter and does it ever look like a fun way to exercise and experience the great outdoors! Unlike skiing and snowboarding, minimal coordination and athletic capabilities are required for snowshoeing – anyone can do it! In fact, snowshoeing is an activity that people of all ages can enjoy, with added benefits of breathtaking scenery and peaceful solitude. Snowshoeing provides you with a low-impact workout to keep your heart healthy and burns more calories than simply walking.

Ready to try it out? Here are three things that you need to know before you hit the trails!

Where Can You Go Snowshoeing?

Telemark Nordic Club

Located in West Kelowna, Telemark offers 50 kilometres of snowshoe trails for snowshoers of all abilities. This is also a great place for beginners as they offer snowshoe rentals, so you can get a feel for the sport before you invest in your own snowshoes.

Apex Mountain

Just outside of Penticton, BC sits Apex Mountain, and some of the lightest champagne powder you’ll ever set your eyes on. From a walk in the park to difficult hill climbs, Apex has a number of great trails to snowshoe through. Get your exercise for the day with a 2-hour snowshoe tour and then head down to Apex Village for some good eats and relaxation!

Photo Credit: ContributedA view like this is definitely worth the trek up the mountain.

Kelowna Nordic

You will find these peaceful nordic trails about 20 minutes east of Kelowna, along highway 33. This centre boasts 75 km of snowshoe trails and it’s great for beginners and experienced snowshoers alike.

Sovereign Lake

On the other end of the Okanagan Valley, Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre, just outside of Vernon, BC, offers 14 km of snowshoe trails with something for every level of snowshoe experience. You and your group can hit the trails on your own or look into a guided tour through the snowcapped trees. This popular spot is a haven for snowshoers with some of the best scenery around!

Photo Credit: Kettle ValleyGet in your workout and have a blast with your friends along the trails.

What Should You Bring?

You’ve chosen your snowshoeing destination, now what do you need to bring on your trek? A pair of warm, waterproof hiking boots with good support are a must! Journeying through the wet snow for a few hours in simple running shoes will not be an enjoyable experience. A warm jacket and waterproof pants are also a good idea for this trip.

Snowshoe trails are not a quick and easy workout. You will likely be out there for a few hours, so make sure to bring a backpack full of snacks and bottled water.

Safety first! Just in case your group gets a little lost or there is an emergency, come prepared with a cellphone and/or another communication device to contact help.

Photo Credit: Kettle ValleyHave your cellphone on hand to snap great photos and to call for help in the case of an emergency.

There is bound to be a number of photo ops along the trail, so don’t forget your camera! You may spot the most gorgeous scenic shot or the opportunity to snap of a photo of some wildlife*, so have your camera ready to go.

*Exercise extreme caution if you spot wildlife along the trail.

How To Snap The Perfect Photo

Speaking of your camera, some of the team with the Village of Kettle Valley recently went on several snowshoeing excursions and they have some tips that will come in handy. Like many who call Kettle Valley ‘home’, they love getting outdoors and exploring the different areas of the Okanagan, whether that’s at Sovereign Lake or in Johns Family Nature Conservancy Park in the hills just above Kettle Valley.

“The one thing that stands out to me is the number of different species of animal tracks that I encounter as I’m wandering down the snowshoe trails,” said Stephen Wells, Village of Kettle Valley President.

Photo Credit: Kettle ValleyYou never know who, or what, you may encounter on the trails, so stay alert at all times.

“Whenever I encounter a fresh set of tracks, I immediately pause and scan my surroundings and ready my camera. You might be just meters away from a moose, lynx, bobcat or snowshoe rabbit and not have known it if you didn’t spot the fresh tracks.”

According to Wells, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when you are trying to get that perfect shot.

• As the saying goes, the best camera in the world is the one you have with you. Bring the best camera that you have, but know that in good, outdoor lighting, your cameraphone will be just fine.

• Move quietly! If taking wildlife photos is your primary reason for going snowshoeing, do your best not to make a ruckus. You don’t want to scare away the beautiful animals before you get there.

​Photo Credit: Kettle ValleyYou never know who you'll find on the snowshoe trails!

• If you are using a camera and you are able to make some adjustments for the image, overexpose it just slightly. Cameras on ‘auto’ mode have a difficult time with snow and things can look too grey if you don’t tell the camera that it is supposed to be that bright.

• When you are taking photos, do your best to fill the frame. Your subject should be obvious and if you can’t fill the frame, try positioning your subject slightly to the left or the right, along the rule of thirds.

“We are really fortunate to be able to live in one of the country’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, in a spectacular region,” explained Wells. “Being able to explore the great outdoors is a big part of why we live here. Kettle Valley is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and even our long-time residents are still finding new things to do and see in the Okanagan.”

Photo Credit: Kettle ValleyBring your friends for your snowshoeing adventures and you will be sure to have fun.

To learn more about the Village of Kettle Valley, voted Canada’s Best Community by the Canadian Home Builder’s Association, visit KettleValley.com.

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