2021/2022
Snowshoe Socials
program overview
Indigenous Women Outdoors is excited to launch its first ever Snowshoeing program during the winter of 2021/2022.
Snowshoes and Indigenous peoples have a long history. They were used out of necessity for ease of walking on snow and to aid with hunting and trapping. The snowshoe as we know it today has been adapted from the unique styles worn by different First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Snowshoeing as a recreational sport, is an activity for individuals across all experience and fitness levels. It’s a perfect way to immerse yourself in nature and to connect with the land, yourself, and your community.
Whether you are new to the sport or have been snowshoeing for years, we’d love for you to participate with us this year and join our community.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
We are grateful to the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh, and Líl̓wat peoples whose territories we will be recreating on. We walk gently on the land.
The Snowshoe Socials will hold space for up to ten Indigenous women per event and will occur monthly starting in December and finishing in April. Indigenous Women Outdoors has teamed up with several partners and collectively, we are working together to achieve our mission. We are thankful to these partners for their allyship.
Each event will be free of charge to our participants and includes the cost of admission, snowshoe rentals, and tour guide.
snowshoe social events
December 12, 2021: Líl̓wat Nation Snowshoe Social @ Callaghan Country
Our first event of the year will take place on the overlapping territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat Nations at what is now called Callaghan Country. Snowshoeing in Callaghan Country will challenge your personal navigation skills as you wind your way through the wilderness along their ungroomed trails.
This is an unstructured event and will be led by our Backcountry program co-lead, Sandy, who is from the Líl̓wat Nation. Space is reserved for community members from the Líl̓wat Nation.
January 8, 2022: Snowshoe Social @ Mt Seymour
Located on the overlapping territories of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh, our second event of the year is located on what is now known as Mt Seymour where we will enjoy their Intro to Snowshoeing tour. This tour introduces the basics of snowshoeing, reveals some of the mountain’s best snowshoeing spots and teaches the basic knowledge needed to stay safe in a winter environment. Some of the topics that may be covered include: trip planning, winter hazards, the Adventure Smart Basic essentials, and more!
February 5, 2022: Evening Snowshoe Social @ Grouse Mountain
Located on the overlapping territories of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh, our third event is takes place in the evening and is hosted at what is now known as Grouse Mountain. Here we’ll do an introductory to the basics of snowshoeing. No experience necessary and beginner fitness levels encouraged.
On this tour, the experienced guide will encourage you to reconnect with nature, explore the alpine environment and learn about the surrounding flora, fauna and culture. Also included in this tour is a hot chocolate/apple cider/tea break in our gorgeous hiwus Feast house, where we will take a few moments to explore grounding techniques, and be curious about our connections with the environment.
February 12, 2022: Snowshoe Social with Talasay Tours @ Cypress Mountain
Located on the overlapping territories of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh, this special snowshoe social is led by the Indigenous owned and ran tour company, Talasay Tours. Learn about the Indigenous stories and lore of the land while we make our way along the trails. You will experience culture, stories, snow hiking and vista views.
March 5, 2022: Snowshoe Social @ Callaghan Country
We return to the overlapping territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat Nations at what is now called Callaghan Country. Snowshoeing in Callaghan Country will challenge your personal navigation skills as you wind your way through the wilderness along their ungroomed trails. This event will not be structured with a tour guide.
April 2, 2022: Snowshoe Social @ Whistler with The Adventure Group
Finishing the season off, we’ll head out to what is now known as Whistler with The Adventure Group on their Ancient Cedars tour. Experience the peace and solitude of freshly fallen snow while wandering through the legendary Ancient Cedars trail, a forested route that ends in a grove of massive old-growth cedar trees, some over 1000 years old.
As you float on snow, you will feel the presence of the tall trees towering above you. With only 150m of elevation gain and plenty of photo opportunities to show just how enormous these giants actually are, as well as frozen waterfalls and stunning vistas, this this trail has something for everyone.
how to register
Three weeks prior to each event, we will put up a post on our Instagram account informing the community that registration is open. Registration will be done through Eventbrite. It’s a first come, first served basis.
10 days prior to the event, we will contact all participants to reconfirm their attendance. As space is limited to 10 Indigenous women per event, we kindly ask that all individuals fully commit to attending when they register. We understand that life happens, so if you do register and are unable to attend, please contact us by email (snowshoe@indigenouswomenoutdoors.ca) as soon as you can so that we can give your spot to an individual on the waitlist.
WHAT TO WEAR
warm leggings, sweat pants, or comfortable pants (jeans not recommended)
hiking or snow boots that are warm and comfortable
warm socks, gloves, and a touque
warm sweater or fleece with a light jacket or shell
If you do not have any of the above gear, please reach out to Indigenous Women Outdoors and we will see if we can help accommodate you. Email (snowshoe@indigenouswomenoutdoors.ca)
snowshoe rentals
Looking to venture out on another snowshoe adventure after one of our events? Indigenous Women Outdoors has partnered with All Access to provide you with snowshoe rentals at a discounted rate. When you rent one pair of snowshoes, you get the second pair 50% off.
More about All Access:
All Access is a local Vancouver company driven by the social purpose of creating healthy communities through board sports and outdoor adventures. We are committed to keeping our rental pricing accessible and giving back to organizations that support underprivileged youth, BIPOC women in the adventure community and the environment. We are a company that believes in the importance of sport, active lifestyles and just plain ol’ fun.
All Access delivers splitboard rentals, avalanche safety gear rentals, (transceiver, probe, shovel), stand up paddleboard rentals, and surfboard rentals to your doorstep (for a small delivery fee). Gear is also available for pick up at our convenient location in the heart of Mount Pleasant. We also provide guided tours, introductory touring workshops and avalanche safety information to All Access Adventure Club Members as well as location suggestions and safety tips to all of our customers.