It’s snowy and cold, but you want to get out. Downhill skiing is too expensive and backcountry skiing is too difficult. What’s a happy medium? Snowshoeing.
Think of snowshoeing as hiking in the snow, but you can traipse across deep snow and go where there are no trails. You only need basic equipment to get started and it you have ever skied then you probably have most of it already. Here’s a primer on where to go and what to bring. Oh, and when it comes to gear, save money buy buyingused gear in Durango from Durango Outdoor Exchange.
Where to snowshoe in Durango
La Plata Canyon Just 30 minutes from Durango, La Plata Canyon is a scenic and often less-traveled area to explore. The area offers numerous snowshoeing routes, with the main option being the summer road, which you may share with snowmobilers at times. This is an easy, beautiful, quiet spot to go.
Junction Creek When the snow is deep in town, Junction Creek is a great place to head. Follow the gated summer road into the canyon toward the campground and beyond. You can have a great wilderness experience basically right in town. Keep in mind that the beginning of this trail has southern exposure, so it melts out quickly.
Coal Bank Pass Coal Bank Pass offers some of the most stunning views in the area, with trails that go up into the high alpine terrain of the San Juan Mountains. Located along Highway 550, this area offers routes for experienced snowshoers looking for a more challenging outing. The terrain can be steeper and more rugged, so be prepared for more technical conditions. The scenery, however, is unmatched, with wide-open spaces and incredible mountain vistas. One word of warning: The beginning of the trail has avalanche exposure and has a short section of narrow, steep trail to negotiate. Further up there is additional avalanche exposure.
Molas Pass Another stunning destination for snowshoeing, Molas Pass is located north of Coal Bank Pass. The area offers easy access to some beautiful high-altitude trails that provide views of the rugged mountains. Snowshoeing here is perfect for those who want to explore remote areas of the San Juan Mountains while enjoying panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. From the trailhead past the Molas Pass overlook, follow the summer road into a summer campground and beyond. Upper elevation areas in this zone have avalanche exposure.
Gear for snowshoeing in Durango
Snowshoeing is an exciting way to explore Durango’s winter landscape, but having the right gear is essential for comfort and safety. Luckily,Durango Outdoor Exchange has everything you need to make the most of your winter adventure. Here’s a list of essential snowshoeing gear:
Snowshoes Durango Outdoor Exchange offers a range of snowshoes for all types of conditions and terrain. Whether you're hiking along a mellow trail like Junction Creek or tackling more challenging terrain like Coal Bank Pass, the right snowshoes will help you stay efficient and comfortable. Snowshoes come in various sizes, designed for different weights and snow conditions. Let our pros guide you on what to get.
Poles Poles are a great way to improve stability and make snowshoeing easier, especially on uneven, icy, or steep terrain. At Durango Outdoor Exchange, you can find adjustable poles with snow baskets, which are ideal for preventing the poles from sinking too deep into the snow.
Boots Insulated, waterproof boots are essential for snowshoeing. Your feet need to stay warm and dry during your adventure, and durable winter boots will help you do that. You can save a ton of money here buy getting used boots.
Clothing Dressing in layers is essential. You will need moisture-wicking base layers, insulated mid-layers, and weatherproof outer jackets. Choose breathable fabrics to keep sweat away from your body, and bring an extra layer in case temperatures drop.
Gloves, hats, and neck gaiters Keeping your extremities warm is key to staying comfortable while snowshoeing. Durango Outdoor Exchange has a variety of winter accessories such as insulated gloves, cozy hats, and neck gaiters to keep your head, hands, and neck warm.
Backpack and hydration A comfortable backpack is essential for carrying extra layers, snacks, and water. Hydration is just as important in winter, so be sure to bring a bottle or hydration system that won’t freeze during your outing.
It’s winter–make sure you get out there and enjoy it. Stop by Durango’sused gear store for everything you need for a day in the mountains.
The mighty San Juan Mountains fill your windshield every time you turn north on Main. These fearsome, jagged peaks have some of the best and most accessible backcountry in America. That said, if you are a beginner backcountry skier or are new to the area, it may not always be obvious where to go. This guide gives you a quick overview on mostly gentle, mostly safe places to backcountry ski in theDurango area.
When it comes to outdoor sports, a quality jacket can make all the difference between comfort and misery. Whether you’re hiking, skiing, climbing, running, climbing, or simply out and about nature, a jacket serves as your first line of defense against the elements.
That said, there are a LOT of jackets out there, in different styles, materials, weights, and weather proofness. How do you know which is best for you? We put together this guide to help you sort out what jacket you need and when you should whip it out.
Keep in mind that these jackets can be ridiculously expensive, and buying a ski jacket, rain jacket, puffy, light puffy, and a wind jacket new can easily mean you run up a tab of $2,000 or more. What’s the solution? Qualityused gear in Durango from Durango Outdoor Exchange.
Maybe you’ve seen other telemarkers carving beautiful turns on the mountain, maybe you are looking for a new challenge, or maybe you want to really work those quads–either way, getting into telemarking is fun and challenging.
Telemark skiing is a blend of Nordic and alpine skiing that combines the grace of cross-country with the thrill of downhill turns. Central to this style is the telemark binding, which allows the heel to lift, enabling a skier to lunge gracefully through turns.
Ready to pick up some telemark gear? Here’s some great news: Unlike downhill bindings, telemark bindings don’t get put on indemnified lists, meaning there is no set age at which they cannot be mounted. This meansbuying used telemark gear can be a great deal.