Embracing the Cold: My Love for Snowshoeing in Canada
(With a one-minute video)
One of the first things that newcomers in Ottawa have to do is buy real winter clothes. As a Dutchman, who had just lived for years in Stockholm, Sweden, I thought I had enough winter experience when I arrived here some years ago. And when I was still running in shorts in October, I knew the stories I had heard about the cold were exaggerated. But then it didn't take long before the cold reality settled in. So I joined other newcomers in buying an actual winter outfit, including snow boots guaranteed to keep my feet warm at minus 32 Celsius (minus 26 Fahrenheit). I mentioned this milestone in Canadian assimilation on social media but made the beginner's mistake of speaking about my new snow shoes. A Canadian soon corrected me and taught me to refer to these as snow boots.
But many Canadians have snow shoes too. You may have seen pictures of the old types that resemble tennis rackets mounted under your snow boots. I bought the modern version that everyone uses nowadays, and in winter, I use them every Tuesday when I go for a hike with a group of friends in the deep snow of the magnificent nature around Ottawa.
I love snowshoeing, which allows me to explore the Canadian winter wonderland while enjoying the fresh air and exercise. When I started here in Ottawa, I had never tried it before, but I was surprised at how easy it was to pick up and how much I enjoyed it.
One of the great things about snowshoeing is that it's a low-impact activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels. So whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll through the snow or a more challenging workout, snowshoeing can be adapted to your needs.
This morning, I went snowshoeing with five friends in the Lac Philippe area in Gatineau Parc in Quebec, and it was another memorable experience. As I made my way through the snow-covered forest, I was surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature. The only sounds were the crunch of my snowshoes on the snow and the occasional bird call in the distance. The black-capped chickadees are back, and I recognized their distinct two-toned call. I didn't hear woodpeckers this time, but I saw they had recently been active at trees with many wood chips underneath.
As we continued on our walk, I felt a sense of joy and delight. There's something magical about being in the great outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of the natural world. Snowshoeing allows you to slow down and appreciate the world around you in a way that is hard to do in our fast-paced modern world. We followed blue trail signs, so it may not score very high on the Shackleton rating for adventure and isolation, but for a few hours, we didn't see anyone else, just the six of us in the snow-covered hills with countless trees all around us.
It was only at our lunch break at the Renaud Shelter that we saw a few other hikers who stopped there for a lunch break. I had brought chocolate muffins, and the others brought candy, cookies, and more. The modern-looking shelter is named after the Renaud family, who settled in the Philippe Lake area in the late 19th century. Nearby is a feeding station for the birds, the seeds spilled by the small birds fell down, where a few impressive turkeys and golden brown squirrels picked these up.
Snowshoeing is a great way to exercise in the long and cold Canadian winter, where you have to avoid the temptation to stay home all day. Not only is it a good workout for your legs and core, it also gets your heart pumping and helps you build endurance (to stay with the Shackleton feeling). Plus, there's something about the fresh, crisp air that just feels invigorating.
I made a one-minute video that gives an impression of the walk, those impressive turkeys, a woodpecker-carved tree, the view of Lac Philippe, and lots of snow and trees.
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Ahhh, this looks absolutely dreamy! I love winter :) Shoeshoeing looks so fun, and I've yet to try it. It's on the list! Thank you for sharing your winter wonderland. :)
Crisscrossed tranquillity covered in deep white. Reflections of warmth cold. On this side of another lake, shades of green and blooming Spring. Parted worlds on the same planet. Nature always embracing both. Walking another day with shared gratitude.