A research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has claimed that at least one in ten athletes sustained an injury and a further one in 14 fell ill during the 2010 Winter Olympics, held in Vancouver, Canada. – At least 1 in 10 athletes injured, 1 in 14 fell ill during Vancouver Winter Olympics
There are several great outdoor sports to do in the winter, but the fastest growing sports is snowshoeing. Unlike skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing does not require lots of coordination and physical ability. One merely needs to be able to walk in the snow to snowshoe.
Snowshoes are not cheap, but you can get outfitted with everything you need for a lot less money than a skier or snowboarder can. Plus, there is no need for lessons or trips to an expensive ski destination, you can snowshoe pretty much anywhere there is a large open area.
Snowshoeing is safe as long as you don’t get off into uncharted territory. Make sure you know your limits. Start with a short hike to get to know your new equipment. You will find that your new snowshoes offer a lot of stability on the snow (not so much on ice) and that a good cardiovascular workout can be completed in a rather short period of time.
Snowshoes work by spreading the user’s weight over the entire surface of the shoe, this allows the user to walk on top of a surface that would not be able to support him if he had a smaller point of contact with the snow. This level of “flotation” is one factor to consider when purchasing a snowshoe. Light, fluffy, powder-like snow needs a higher flotation snowshoe than heavy, wet snow requires.
Snowshoes all look somewhat the same, but there are some big differences. The style and model that will be right for you is dependent on your body weight, what type of snowshoeing you do and what kind of snow you will be in (wet or dry or in-between).
One accessory most snowshoers have is a pair of strong trekking poles. If you use your poles correctly, you can maintain your balance better during your hike. You will really find them useful when you are going up, down or across a hill or slope.
Many styles of footwear can be used with snowshoes, but tough, insulated hiking boots are the preferred choice among most recreational snowshoers. A few snowshoe styles will work with ski boots, but a problem with using ski boots is the user then needs to carry boots with them, making the experience a little more complicated.
One last thing to consider picking up to go with your snowshoes is a carrying and storage bag. You can use this bag to store your shoes during the off season and use it to carry them to the hiking area. You can often get them included as part of a package deal.
A word of warning, however, please be sure to tell someone where you will be hiking to in case something happens and you don’t come back. Snowshoeing is almost always a safe adventure, but things can happen out in the woods.
I think the greatest benefit of snowshoeing is how it gets the people who don’t ski outside during the winter. It is an outstanding way for non-skiers to enjoy the snowy season.
Although he says to be just a snowboarder, Robert Jensen absolutely loves the simplicity and convenience of snowshoes and snowshoeing through the park he lives near. He recommends browsing through some of the best snowshoe shops to get an idea of which snowshoes might be best for you.
When you are buying skiwear bear in mind that, you need it to protect you against the elements, not just so that you look good on the slopes. In modern times it is easy to forget that skiing can be dangerous .When things go wrong or the weather changes quickly. Should you find yourself or a friend injured then you can be stuck on a cold mountainside for several hours, whilst you await rescue. Being caught in an avalanche is rare, but it does happen. Good quality skiwear will give you a good chance of survival.
When buying skiwear make sure that, your ski suit is big enough to allow free movement. You should never ski without wearing a light under layer to wick moisture away from your skin. In addition, you need room for an additional layer to be worn on cold days. Make sure that you try your skiwear on over these two layers. Bend over and touch your toes, zip up the jacket and wrap your arms around yourself if the outfit pulls anywhere it is too small.
Make sure that your new skiwear is made out of a high quality material, which is breathable, as well as wind and water-resistant. Be aware that some cheap skiwear is made of fake materials. It is wise not to buy skiwear from markets to minimise the risk of buying fake skiwear that will not protect you when you need it.
Be sure to buy good quality accessories as well. Good gloves and eye protection are especially important. Your eyesight can very quickly be damaged if you do not buy good quality goggles or sunglasses.
Small details are important when you buy skiwear. A good example of this is the convenience of buying a jacket with a clear pocket on the sleeve that will take a ski pass. This feature can save you having to take off your gloves and open your jacket every time you need to use your ski pass, which is very irritating for you and other skiers.
For the very best in ski clothing, visit UKskiwear for the for the best deals in ski jackets.
The team at WardnerSoftware.com can hardly wait to hit the slopes this season. They are not alone. With that in mind they just released a Snowboard theme for the iGoogle homepage that will keep you psyched when you are not up on the hill.
This theme rotates pictures throughout the day with a variety of effects. Nice.
