Atlas Snow-Shoe Co. 468

All Content By: Phillip Gary Smith

Going Birke! Dion Snowshoes 2011 USSSA Championships Set for Cable, Wisconsin

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September 04, 2010

The best snowshoe competitors in North America are invading Birkebeiner territory March 11-13 to contest the 2011 Dion Snowshoes USSSA National Snowshoe Championships. Landing at the famed Lakewoods Resort in Cable,Wisconsin, they will be greeted with hospitality honed over 100-years and a heritage extending to five generations. It just happens . . .

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Dim Bulb Tests Lithium Batteries at 2 a.m.

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August 23, 2010

You are burning those new LED flashlights for long night 100-mile quests. You need lithium batteries popularly made by a wild bunny named Energizer. They have two choices. I tested them for you in the middle of the night. But, what about that tree . . . .

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Glitzy Life Time Fitness Pockets Leadville: Paradigm Shift Underway

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August 07, 2010

Glitzy Life Time Fitness Pockets Leadville: Paradigm Shift Underway. For better or for worse, the future has arrived. Here comes liquidity for trail race owners as they put cash in the treasure chest for the very creations they developed -- and sweated over -- t-shirts for volunteers who made it all work, and names like the Walmart Western States 100 coming to dominate the new landscape.

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Afton Trail Runs: Dancing With The Devil

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July 05, 2010

Chris Lundstrom didn’t lose his way and Eve Rukavina-Rembliski led the way in the ultra 50 km while Ben Kampf flies and Sue Reuben Tri’s the 25 km into submission.

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Ten Unwritten Rules of Snowshoe (and Trail) Racing

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June 13, 2010

Here are Ten Unwritten Rules of Snowshoe (and Trail) Racing.  Rules that may be helpful in snowshoe racing and trail racing, too! Check them out.  Particularly number six . . . .

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Startling Advice from a Father

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June 11, 2010

Tommy Johnson Sr. gets in your face with How I Survived Absolute Terminal Cancer

*A book review (reprinted through the courtesy of Radioactive Drag Racing News www.go2geiger.com)

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A Cross Fox Shows But Mr. Whitecheeks Off On Vacation?

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May 31, 2010

Friends Jeanette and Jerry way out in Alaska in the Lake Clark Reserve keep track of our fox friends playing in the snow. Here's what they saw:

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Chippewa Ultra 2011 Winner's Original Art: Advanced Secret Preview

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May 31, 2010

It helps when the founding Race Director not only teaches art but also creates it, and when I say “creates,” I mean really creates. See these four Wynn Davis examples. If you're fortunate, good or just lucky, one might be yours:

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Legend of Lost Leveaux Shines on Gardner’s Superior Championship

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May 30, 2010

A dazzling day, full-to-the-rim fields, and races with enough plot twists to make their own switchbacks . . . what better way to celebrate the eighth annual 2010 Superior Trail races. The 50 km’s special designation as the Upper Midwest Trail Runners Ultra Championship was an additional honor and recognition of this event’s importance. Moreover, this race is a key component of the UMTR Fab 5 Fifties Ultra Series.

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Margot Hutchins and Leslie Semler ‘Tech’ Wins at Superior Championships

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May 30, 2010

(This article is brought to you with the compliments of StartLine Running Store, a sponsor of the Superior Spring Races. "Regardless of your goal, our focus is to help you get to the StartLine." Their experienced runners and triathletes can be reached at www.start-line.com, Minnetonka, Minn.)                                                     

A dazzling day, full-to-the-rim fields, and races with enough plot twists to make their own switchbacks . . . what better way to celebrate the eighth annual 2010 Superior Trail races. The 50 km’s special designation as the Upper Midwest Trail Runners Ultra Championship was an additional honor and recognition of this event’s importance. Moreover, this race is a key component of the UMTR Fab 5 Fifties Ultra Series.

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Under Armour Socks: A Home Run for Snowshoeing

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May 02, 2010

If ever a sock can make you feel fast on snowshoes, Under Armour has it with their Snowsport Rollins (for Men) and Palma (for women). So, step up; but you had better make it quick. These socks seemingly move on their own.

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How To Win Medals at 2011 USSSA National Championships

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March 15, 2010

After the Syracuse National Championships, what was the number one factor front runners referenced that aided medal winners? Well, Snowshoe Magazine gave you the answer BEFORE the Championship race at Fabius, NY, even before any of the 2010 Qualifiers. To help you next year win, place, and show, we're adding additional information that ace feature writer, Brad Canham, recently uncovered expanding the concept, and inserting that in the original article. And rerunning the whole piece just for you. It was titled -- well, you'll discover that in a few moments. For now click and read on before you start clearing new space for those dandy USSSA Championship medals.

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2010’s Tenth Men’s USSSA Championships: A 10!

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March 14, 2010

The 2010 USSSA PowerSox National Championships knocked the socks off the country’s best snowshoers on a wickedly wavy way worthy of this historic Tenth Anniversa-race. Extended Special Coverage of this record gathering of all things snowshoe racing is presented by Snowshoe Magazine in Feature Articles, starting right now

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2010’s Tenth Women’s USSSA Championships: A 10!

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March 14, 2010

Will there ever be a more thrilling Senior Women’s race and finish than that between Amber Cullen-Ferreira and Cheryl Paulson?

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Gear Review: Stuffitts Shoe Savers Snuff Soggy Smell

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March 01, 2010

Just in time for the USSSA Snowshoe Nationals: Add Stuffitts Shoe Savers to your race gear now and find yourself making new friends. Plus, get them at Fleet Feet, a sponsor of the Championships -- with a location in Syracuse, too. How about that! And, stop stinkin’ up the races at the same time. Here’s how:

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PowerSox USSSA National Championships Now! Things You Need to Know

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February 28, 2010

This is it! The week of the USSSA PowerSox Nationals at the Highland Park, Fabulous Fabius, New York. All Qualifying races are done, recorded, the results posted. Qualified Snowshoers are making their way to the snowshoe warrior battleground at all points Tully, using every mode of transportation available. Get there if you dare . . . You dare not get there!

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Crescent Snowshoe Racers: World’s Best Bindings

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February 22, 2010

Crescent’s Gold 12 Snowshoe racers bind to the snowshoer’s foot like no other, reflecting ingenuity and creativity that has exploded throughout their product line. Like these...

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Snowbeautiful Single-track Surprises Snowshoe Shuffle-ites

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February 21, 2010

|| This article is sponsored by DION Snowshoes (snowshoes made in Vermont): www.dionsnowshoes.com. ||

The meandering single-track layout long conceived for the Snowshoe Shuffle Qualifier in the Twin Cities was unveiled on this perfect day. The result? “Wow!” Same for the results, too . . . .
 

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Love Me Tender Snowshoe Adventure Scores 100%

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February 15, 2010

The race organizers of the Love Me Tender Snowshoe Adventure have been praying to the Norse god Ullr (God of snow sports) for well over a month now. A Norse God did answer their prayers, but not Ullr. Don't you wonder which one it might be? And, what does the St. Valentine's Massacre have to do with a USSSA Snowshoe Qualifier? And, How did Elvis save the day? Read on, Winter Warriors: Read Darren Brungardt's Account of the day.

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Quednows Quickly Quixotic Winning Athens Udder

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February 14, 2010

Son and Father Quednow take the top two spots at a very fast and competitive Athens Snowshoe Race, Wisconsin’s most Udder Fun. What a beautiful snowshoe day for a fast race:

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Birthing a Winterific Snowshoe Race with Dr. Maynard

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February 08, 2010

I wrote in "UltraSuperior", the book, "Everybody needs a little Maynard in their lives," referring to Bloomington, MN's Maynard Lagace. Snowshoe races do, too. See how...

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'No Blizzard!' Surprises JazzTrax Snowshoe Stomp

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February 05, 2010

It was a perfect day for the Jazztrax Snowshoe Stomp at Bear Valley, Ca.-- for once! The conditions were much better than in the years past; this time the blizzards happened during the week, dumping about eight feet of new snow on Bear Valley. Locally, that's considered flurries....

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No Excuse Now to Miss Syracuse USSSA Nationals

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January 25, 2010

All roads lead to Syracuse, New York to make the show at the 10th USSSA National Championships to be held March 6th. Here are some pointers to help you get there in this first ever Snowshoe Magazine travel guide:

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Northwoods Championships: Best Day of its 20 Years

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January 25, 2010

Snowshoers gathered in rousing numbers to race the USSSA 10km Qualifier, Half-Marathon, and one of the countries only Snowshoe Marathons for the last time as it is 20-years-and-out for this storied event.

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Wealing & Cooper Win First Beaver Creek Snowshoe Adventure Race

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January 13, 2010

How Does Charles Dickens play into a snowshoe race? "'Tis love that makes the world go round, my baby," he wrote. And here your author thought it was snowshoeing! Read on to discover what Chuck really needed to know . . . .

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The Man From the North Pole

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January 11, 2010

A Passion For Romping On Snow Shoes In An Urban Setting and A Few Daily Runs On A Toboggan As Well. Only in Minnesota...

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Frozen Horn Launches Rib Lake Qualifier

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January 03, 2010

Who is the National USSSA Champion laying down the gauntlet, drawing a
line in the . . . well . . . SNOW . . . at the Rib Lake Qualifier?

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Pazzos Quadruple Helix Sets Tone for 2010 USSSA Qualifying Season

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December 31, 2009

New Route dazzles at Pazzos Pedal Power USSSA 10km Qualifier,

kicking off the 2010 Qualifying Season . . . in 2009!

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20 in '10: USSSA PowerSox Championship Qualifying Season

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December 07, 2009

As in Poltergiest, the Movie: "They're Hereeeee." Not aliens in our winter movie, instead bundled athletes finally racing snowshoe qualifiers throughout the  five USSSA regions, securing a slot to race the National Championship. Here's the scoop you need:

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The World of Alpha Snowshoeing

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December 07, 2009

Hot times in snowshoeing are occurring! Many types of ground root, alpha activities to introduce our sport to a wider mass are underway. You need to get involved. Here are two examples of what’s going on:

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Gear Review: Sox Rock!

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November 19, 2009

Is there such a thing as pillows for your snowshoeing feet? Yes! They are called over-the-calf PowerSox Anatomical Performance Fit, the Cadillac of winter trail socks.

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Catching A Dream? President Obama Snowshoes!

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October 26, 2009

Brian J Theriault, Maine wooden snowshoe craftsman, developed special one-of-a-kind pair of ‘Dream Catcher’ commemorative snowshoes for President Obama to wear snowshoeing on the winter’s snow covered White House lawn! Will you be there?

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Olympics In Snowshoeing? Yes! The Special Olympics

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July 14, 2009

How the El Salvadoran Snowshoe Special Olympics Team trains . . . on sand?

And, you if think there are regulations in snowshoeing and other snow sports, see the outcome of a Special Olympics event -- decided by the dreaded 15% rule.

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2009 USSSA National Championships: Deep Snow Success!

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April 14, 2009

“Whew! I'm exhausted!” exclaimed Mark Elmore, Sports Director for the United States Snowshoe Association (USSSA) at the conclusion of the March 6-8, 2009 National Snowshoe Championships . . . and well he should be with a terrifically successful event, the association’s ninth, concluded with some of the deepest snow conditions yet and terrific competition all the way through the brackets. And here's the story of the race . . .

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Addendum: USSSA 2009 National Championship

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April 14, 2009

I highlighted the extremely close finish at the USSSA National Championship of a group of snowshoers in the men's group.

Here is the action brought to you up close and live by one of those racers . . .

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Kahtoola Snow-Or-No USSSA Qualifier Waves “Flag”

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April 14, 2009

The annual Kahtoola Snow-Or-No USSSA snowshoe race in the desert – correct that, it’s close to the desert – again provides racers with challenges only found where?

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Second Annual Ellsworth Winter Carnival Snowshoe Race

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March 08, 2009

The Second Annual Ellsworth Winter Carnival Snowshoe Race was held at the Woodlawn Black House Trails, Bar Harbor, Maine on Saturday February 14th, 2009. A huge Valentine’s gift came...

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Snowshoe Magazine 2009 Person of the Year

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March 08, 2009

The 2009 Snowshoe Person of the Year was honored today by Mark Elmore, Sports Director of the United States Snowshoe Association, at the USSSA National Championship awards presentation following Today’s Championship Mens and Womens 10 KM races. Now, the 2009 winner is...

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Stomp The Swamp Snowshoes With Sno'Dog (Part I)

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March 08, 2009

Why stomp the frozen swamp? Why is Sno’Dog holding Iversons wooden snowshoes? Why did a record group of dedicated snowshoers turn out in the Nine Mile Forest Recreation Area near Wausau, Wisconsin, to chase the Sno’Dog (see photo)? It’s all here...

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Stomp The Swamp Snowshoes With Sno'Dog (Part II)

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March 08, 2009

You've read the article with photos; now enjoy an extra edition of pictures from the race under azure skies . . . .

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Chocolate Milk 4A Udder Snowshoe Race Day

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February 24, 2009

Starting and finishing at Black Creek in Athens, Wisconsin, the Udder Snowshoe Race has the feel of a festival yet attracts top participants from the region. Why? It is all because of the fun race director, Christine Kepner, and her team of volunteers provide in this one-of- a-kind snowshoe event. Do the winners really have to jump into the frozen drink?

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Northwoods Snowshoe Races Top Notch

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February 15, 2009

The big question on the minds of those racing one of the three venues at the 19th Annual race is...

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Park City Rail Trail Stomp’s Perfect Dozen

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February 15, 2009

The Park City Rail Trail Snowshoe Stomp on January 10, 2009, was as fun as ever, the sun was out, the snow was great and the weather was perfect. This event is now in its 12th year; those who snowshoe race...

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Punke Punishes Perkinstown Snowshoe Races

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February 15, 2009

400 snowshoers chase Jay Punke’s performance on a picturesque Wisconsin day in the heart of this Hot Bed of Snowshoeing. What did he do that’s so spectacular? Well, how about...

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Sunny Smiles Rule Twin Cities Snowshoe Shuffle

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February 15, 2009

At the start, no one remembered the sudden warmth that engulfed Minneapolis/St. Paul for a few days prior to this annual USSSA Qualifier, the Snowshoe Shuffle, putting the snow coating in danger...the reason? A surprise entrant in the 10km overwhelmed the record group of entrants and lifted the spirits of all...

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The 2009 Jazztrax Snowshoe Stomp AND Concert!

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February 15, 2009

The 4th Annual Jazztrax Snowshoe Stomp once again brought a beautiful blanket of snow to the Bear Valley Cross Country Center in California; on January 25th, 31 competitors braved the snowstorm...

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Skedaddle -- And Scooting -- In Silverthorne

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January 31, 2009

One hundred and thirteen athletes chose this as their event of choice with 51 participating in the 3K romp and 62 choosing the grueling, hilly, single track terrain of the 10km course, a USSSA National Championship Qualifier. Read Race Director, Mindy Nicholds, exciting account of the race with dramatic photos...

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Famous Cartoonist Finds Snowshoeing

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January 14, 2009

Which famous cartoonist created the year's funniest snowshoe cartoon?

Check it out here...

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The Hunt for the Blaze January

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January 14, 2009

Sean Connery was a major player in the movie “Hunt for the Red October;” I was the unwitting star in “Hunt for the Blaze January.” On a smaller scale, to say the least, but the situation created for me much of the same tension Adam Baldwin felt when he briefed the Security Chiefs early in that movie -- my heart was in my throat. How did this happen?

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White Heaven at Rib Lake USSSA Qualifier

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January 14, 2009

Leave it to Braveheart Racer, Jim McDonell, to get the flavor at the second edition of the Rib Lake Qualifier: “19 degrees (F) and rolling wooded hills of heavenly groomed white stuff.” What does that yield for the racers?

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10 Tips for Snowshoeing -- In the Rain?

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January 02, 2009

Croon along, Snowshoers and dance with Gene Kelly “Singing in the Rain” but on snowshoes, snow...with Rain!

“I'm sno-shoeing in the rain; Just sno-shoeing in the rain.  What a glor-i-ous feelin,'  I'm hap-py again....”

Read on, snowshoe choir, I’ll tell you how and why (why?) to snowshoe in the rain:

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Paddy's Holiday Classic USSSA Qualifier Kicks off Championship Quest

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January 02, 2009

The 2009 National Snowshoe Championship quest just got underway...in 2008!

What National Champion started the new qualifying season with a win? Read on.

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Hot Beds Of Snowshoeing In The U.S.A.! Part I

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December 14, 2008

There are pockets of snowshoeing throughout America that qualify as ‘hot beds’ of this sport – enormous interest in snowshoeing demonstrated through a concentrated number of events and participation in a small geographical area. We are identifying them from coast to coast and will present them to you in editions of Snowshoe Magazine starting with this one.

And now, the first “Hot Bed of Snowshoeing in the U.S.A.” is...

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2009 USSSA National Championship Qualifiers: PreSeason Outlook

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November 23, 2008

It is here! The 2009 USSSA National Championship Qualifying Season has arrived and with it the opportunity to compete with America’s best at the United States Snowshoe Association National Championship, White River Snow Park, Mt. Hood, Oregon, March 8, 2009.

Start planning now...

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How to Go for the First Snowshoe of the Season

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November 23, 2008

The  lessons  of  a  Pre-Dawn  Night  are...

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7 Quick Tips For Acclimating

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November 03, 2008

So the forecast on this late October weekend was for heavy winds with gusts exceeding 50 mph, rain and snow mixed, with all-snow falling further North of the Twin Cities metro. Perfect conditions to get out on the trail and work on acclimatizing.

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Iversons Craft New Traditions For Porsche of Snowshoes

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October 09, 2008

What do log homes and wooden snowshoes have in common?
A whole lot, as it turns out.

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Chippewa-Moraine Ultra 50K Competitor Sets U.S. Record at Race With Snowshoes

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May 05, 2008

A freak Spring snowstorm blanketed the Upper Midwest setting up conditions that allowed Phillip Gary Smith, Minneapolis, MN, to snowshoe a 50 km ultra distance race (31 miles) on single track ungroomed trails in competition - becoming the only person in the U.S. to do so.

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'Hot Air For Hearts' Snowshoe Race Celebrates Ides of March Lakewoods Resort, Cable, Wis.

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March 28, 2008

If only Julius Caesar could have been at the Lakewoods Resort snowshoe racing back in 44 BC, he might have avoided a very bad day, and the Ides of March would have a different meaning. If only he could have seen this beautiful course laid out in the territory of Northwestern Wisconsin, with inches of fresh new snow topping the winter's accumulation, and the surrounding forests and rolling hills treating racers to a rolling route that was never once boring. It would be impossible to have aggressive tendencies, no 'Brutus' acts, at least those that lead to such unfortunate acts, in such a pristine world; the map might have changed back then. Read full story

New Snowshoe Champions Crowned at Eighth USSSA Powersox National Championships

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March 28, 2008

A glorious and glamorous day dawned at the Snowbasin Resort, Ogden, Utah, for the running of the 2008 United States Snowshoe Association's Eighth annual PowerSox Championships. In a setting destined to be one of the all time greats for these races, and accommodations to match, racers from 19 states gathered to do battle on these pristine slopes.

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Mr. Whitecheeks Checks Out Snowshoes - Photos by Jeanette and Jerry Mills

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March 15, 2008

Mr. Whitecheeks Checks Out Snowshoes - Photos by Jeanette and Jerry Mills Read full story

Pennsylvania State Snowshoe Championships 10KM USSSA Qualifier

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March 15, 2008

A beautiful but chilly day greeted the field ready to challenge for the 2008 Pennsylvania State Snowshoe Championships (see picture of start). The race was held at the Nescopeck State Park in Dennison Township. Read full story

Trudging Timm's Hill Snowshoe Race at High Point Village Wisconsin

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March 15, 2008

The day dawned bright, blue and glorious, just like Tim Dusick would have willed it. In fact, he may just have. Read full story

'Busy, Blustery, Blowing' Northern Vermont Snowshoe Race

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February 20, 2008

The Seventh Annual Northern Vermont USSSA Qualifier started off great with a temperature of 30 degrees and calm overcast conditions. By the end, however, epic Vermont weather challenged the racers as much as the twisting, turning course. Read full story

50/50 Magic at Fairbanks Snowshoe Classic USSSA National Championship Qualifier

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February 20, 2008

50 seemed to be the magic number for the 2008 Fairbanks Snowshoe Classic. It was 50 degrees warmer than last years race, 18 F degrees above zero this year, a virtual heat wave in Alaska . . . and the 10KM runner-up in the men's race celebrated a fiftieth birthday! And took him some hardware as a present, too. Although there were not 50 racers, the group that showed had enough enthusiasm for a hundred. Read full story

Eau Claire's'Rumble in the Jungle' Snowshoe Race Honors Tim Dusick

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February 20, 2008

Tim Dusick will be honored at the snowshoe race he helped create and directed, the 'Rumble in the Jungle.' The 2nd annual competition, scheduled for Saturday, February 9th at 11:00, was rejuvenated after Tim succumbed to cancer in January, 2008. Members of the Indianhead Track Club and friends overwhelmingly felt continuing this event would be a wonderful tribute to the spirit and drive of this warm, caring, beloved athlete and man. Read full story

Four A's Rating at the Utterly Fun Udder Snowshoe Race and Tour

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February 20, 2008

Back at the formation of this race in Erbach Park, Athens, Wisconsin, it was sponsored by the Athens Advancement and Agriculture Association (AAAA), giving forever a heritage (and name) that carries forward, albeit uniquely, with a nod to the diary industry in the region. Jumping into ice water in February became such a big fund raiser for the group through their 'Udder Plunge' - I would suggest paying NOT to jump would be an equal worthy cause - that race director, Christine Kepner, thought "who else would be this crazy," and naturally enough, snowshoe racers came to mind. Read full story

No Blues at Jazztrax USSSA Qualifier

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February 20, 2008

Wow! What a day at the Jazztrax Snowshoe Stomp! Mother Nature played the snow sax and blew a few billion flakey notes to set up one great challenge for the hearty snowshoe players in this concert. The conductor, Patty Jo Struve, along with Bear Valley Cross County's Paul Peterson, wrote a composition that had two choruses: one called 'ten kilometer' and the other a 'fiver.' Read full story

Sandwich's Sidehiller Snowshoe Steeplechase Four Mile USSSA Qualifier

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February 20, 2008

Never a more idyllic day or setting for a New Hampshire snowshoe race as Saturday, February 9, 2008, in Sandwich. As Race Director and WMM President Paul Kirsch said, "Conditions for this year's edition of the Sidehiller 4 miler could not have been any more perfect." Lots of snow before hand, and then a 'teenager' snow fall (accumulating into the teens of inches) a few days prior to the race, provided a scene straight out of The Bob Newhart Show which featured scenes from the town of Sandwich. Read full story

Sarah Gall Steeplechases Snowshoes in Iowa State Championship

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February 20, 2008

In this third year of the Iowa State Snowshoe Championships, the Gall's dominance continues as Sarah (see picture), 28, once again proved a formidable force. Husband Scott, U.S. National Team member, needed to fulfill an obligation with their church and was out of town for the race, leaving Sarah with the duty of upholding the family honor. Read full story

Snowshoe Shuffle's 'Crazy Adventure' Causes Sam's Club Smiles

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February 20, 2008

Sam's Club stores can smile big time after their first foray into United States Snowshoe Association racing yielded such sensational results. As East Side Neighborhood Services Development Director, Ruth Ann Weiss, exclaimed, "This is the most exciting year of our snowshoe racing history. Snowshoers came out in record numbers. And the day! A good snow blanket, blue sky sun and warming into the 20's made it perfect." Read full story

Snowshoers Bop at Big Foot Boogie USSSA 10KM Qualifier

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February 20, 2008

No one caught BIG FOOT at this year’s version of the annual Traverse City, Michigan, USSSA Qualifier, and neither were they able to catch Mr. Fleet-a-foot, overall winner and champion, Nick Allen. Over 103 ten kilometer racers lined up to try, the best ever turnout for this race. Race Director, Randy Step, says it best, “I love this race! I love a winter road trip to Traverse City! Read full story

Unique 'Hot Air For Hearts' Snowshoe Race and Balloon Rally at Lakewoods Resort

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February 20, 2008

The region’s snowshoe race circuit ends its season on Saturday, March 15th, 2008 at the Lakewoods Resort, Cable, Wisconsin, with the running of the ‘Hot Air For Hearts’ 5km and 10km snowshoe race/walk. Combined with Lakewoods’ Hot Air Balloon Rally, the festive weekend is a creative fund raiser for the heart benefit initiative of the Cable Lions Club. Read full story

'Snow' is New Pazzo's Pasta Dish at Colorado State Championships

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February 03, 2008

This USSSA Qualifier, held high in the Colorado Mountains, featured extreme cold, stormy snow falls, and plenty of servings of hardmountain snowshoeing - just the ticket to win extra servings of the post event feature: Hot baked pasta. Read full story

Gallatin Gallop Gets Snow Wallop

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February 03, 2008

Winter storm warnings continuing after another 20" of fresh new snow caused the 'Gallop in Gallatin' lap to be shortened for 2008 to three kilometers from five, yielding a six kilometer, two loop race for the USSSA Qualifier. Run in the heart of the Rockies at the Bohart Ranch Cross Country Ski Ranch, Montana, snowshoers race on one of the top venues in the 21 USSSA Qualifying event circuit. Read full story

Kahtoola Gets Big Kah-SNOW-la for Flagstaff USSSA Qualifier

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February 03, 2008

When you think of snowshoe racing, add a new destination to your GPS: Flagstaff, Arizona! For the second year in a row, the Kahtoola 'Snow or No' Snowshoe Race not only had plenty of what Race Director, Tim Allen, calls "the good stuff," but accumulations stacking to three . . . feet (!), not inches. Organizers may have to change the race name to: 'Kahtoola Means Snow' Snowshoe Race.' Read full story

La Ciaspolada Means Winter in Italy - International Racing, On Snowshoes!

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February 03, 2008

Celebrating winter has always been a trademark of the United States Snowshoe Association, but none is bigger than the celebration surrounding the largest snowshoe race on the globe -- The Italian La Ciaspolada. Read full story

Northwood Championship Gets Gnarly - Gitchee Gumee Greeting

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February 03, 2008

Whether leaving the warm confines of the event's host hotel, The Fitgers Historic Inn, or homes in Minneapolis/St. Paul or other locales and driving to Lester Park in Duluth, Minnesota, on race morning one could not miss the nearly-full Waxing Gibbous Moon hanging yellowish in the western sky. Slightly oblong at this stage the big 'Cheese' moon, pride of Duluth's neighboring twin port, Superior, Wisconsin and that entire state for that matter, seemed to be hunched over in sympathy with the gnarly challenge that lay in store for the brave Northwood Championship snowshoe racers. Read full story

White River USSSA Qualifier Blazes Event Record

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February 03, 2008

The 2008 edition of the White River Snowshoe Races will go down in history as the greatest of the event thus far. The X-Dog Event team, led by race director, Kevin Foreman, showed their promotional flair in attracting nearly 200 snowshoers to attack this classic mountain course, making it the biggest gun in the west when it comes to participants. Read full story

Winterfest Fun at Mendon Ponds New York

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February 03, 2008

Cold created by winter combined with a feast styled the 2008 version of the Mendon Ponds Winterfest. Only thing missing was an abundance of snow for the United States Snowshoe Association's Qualifier. So, a run over partially snow covered fields had to do, but the results . . . they were the same. Read full story

On Becoming a Lesser Person: The Excuse King (Snowshoeing to Reduce Fat)

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January 14, 2008

To become fleet-a-foot . . . well, some of us are destined never to achieve that particular notation, but all can go a long way to improving ourselves not only to snowshoe quicker and better, trail run quicker and better, and perhaps even extend our life expectancies to the point where we actually get out of debt. . . Yes, that long! Read full story

Rail Trail Snowshoe Stomp

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January 14, 2008

The sun danced 'cross the sky Saturday, January 12, 2008, "skipped the light Fandango," as Procol Harum would sing, as a record group toed the line for the 11th annual Rail Trail Snowshoe Stomp in Olympic Park City, Utah. Read full story

Rib Lake's First USSSA National Qualifying Snowshoe Race a Huge Success

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January 14, 2008

The Rib Lake Ski & Snowshoe Club's debut as one of the 21 National Championship USSSA Qualifiers was a huge success as great organization, deep snow, and elite racers combined for an enthusiastic start to the race season. Introducing a new 10km course for their first ever United States Snowshoe Association sanctioned event, the club set a high bar for the remainder of the qualifying season. Read full story

Snowshoes-on-a STICK

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January 14, 2008

State Fairs throughout the U.S.A. feature food of all sorts served not on plates but rather on sticks. From the original Dip Dog to now even Twinkies and the ever popular cheese curds . . . ain't it great to be modern? Read full story

On Becoming a Lesser Person: The Excuse King (Snowshoeing to Reduce Fat)

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December 30, 2007

To become fleet-a-foot . . . well, some of us are destined never to achieve that particular notation, but all can go a long way to improving ourselves not only to snowshoe quicker and better, trail run quicker and better, and perhaps even extend our life expectancies to the point where we actually get out of debt. . . Yes, that long! Read full story

Endurance Training in Winter Snow

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December 17, 2007

Running trail early mornings in November at the Afton State Park, Minnesota, a popular route for Twin Cities dirt diggers, one can witness the ski alps making snow over the next valley. Bright lights substitute for the moon, and the snow machines grind out big noise in spitting out their homemade blizzard. Read full story

No Jack Allowed: A Real Hazard of Snowshoeing

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December 17, 2007

With the temperature several double bogeys below zero, it was time to start a training regimen, 4:15 a.m., on a two mile undulating snowshoe course laid out on the fresh snow cover at a nationally known golf course close to my home. Four hours later, completing the session, getting home, showering, and, as Gomer Pyle would exclaim on the Andy Griffith Show, finding a "surprise, surprise, surprise!" Read full story

The 90% Rule For Early Morning Snowshoeing

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December 17, 2007

A wonderful time of the day to snowshoe is . . . well, anytime is great, actually, but for many the schedule doesn't have any free time once the day gets underway. Or one is so worn out by late afternoon the requirement to load up the equipment and go overwhelms the desire. Snowshoes never felt so heavy. Read full story

Record 2007 USSSA Championship Race Day

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April 01, 2007

On a day described by medalist Roddie Larson (more on her later) as "Hawaii on snow," snowshoers competiting in the 2007 USSSA National Championship saw bright blue sky, cloudless sun, and lots of snow. USSSA Executive Director, Mark Elmore, announced to the crowd gathered on the outdoor plaza of the Elm Creek Park Reserve's phenomenal chalet facility, "This has been the largest Nationals ever . . .and on a beautiful day." Read full story

Part 1: Your Championship Race Course Guide for the 2007 U.S. Snowshoe Association Nationals

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March 02, 2007

Driving into Elm Creek Park Reserve one is struck with the thought: This place is beautiful, and there's lots of snow. The new, very large Visitor Snowshoe Chalet (okay, okay, so they call it a 'ski chalet') looms big time in the foreground as you weave through the entrance road. A sense of excitement starts to build, getting closer, knowing the 2007 National Snowshoe Championships are going to be contested right here, real soon! Read full story

Negative Becomes Positive at 'Finnish' Line for the Fairbanks USSSA Snowshoe Classic

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February 25, 2007

For the wimps in the continental U.S., our fellow citizens in Alaska really know how to put us in our place. Imagine waking up for the 2nd Annual Fairbanks Snowshoe Classic, a National Championship Qualifying Event, and being excited that the 'official' temperature of -43 was at the airport and the temp at the starting line, a few hundred feet higher on the ski trails at the University of Alaska, would be 'warmer.' Read full story

Pomp and Circumstance, Camp and Royal, Rule at Snowshoe Shuffle

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February 25, 2007

A wild day was had by all in this annual USSSA National Championship Qualifier. Earlier in the week, a pre-spring warming trend caused the snow in the Long Lake Park to disappear faster than money, and with rain forecast, racers were worried that, gulp!, a run might have to do. Mother Nature, though, conspired with Old Man Winter and cooked up a big time snow storm, forecasted to land in the Twin Cities Friday night. Read full story

Your Snowshoe Nationals Championship Guide to the Twin Cities

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February 19, 2007

Congratulations! You've qualified for the United States Snowshoe Association's National Championships to be held at the Elm Creek Park Reserve in the Northwest corner of Minneapolis/St Paul, March 9-10th, 2007. You're going; you're taking the spouse, significant other, kids, all the relatives. Read full story

A Tale of Two Qualifiers: One in Luck, One in Truck

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February 12, 2007

Two big Superbowls of sport are coming soon. No, not THAT one; it's over with, and now there is a national shortage of potato chips and other lard based snacks. Read full story

'Bravehearts' Battle Extremes at USSSA Tartan Terrific Qualifier

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February 04, 2007

Mel Gibson wasn't there, but race director Jim McDonell filled in admirably, donning full 'Braveheart' regalia including blue and white face paint and a Scottish kilt accented by ... snow pants? 'You Betcha' as Minnesotans would be want to say as another celebrity made a scheduled appearance - Mr. 'Old Man' Winter. Read full story

The Day I Snowshoed For The Prickly Pear

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February 01, 2007

The odds are high I don't have to tell you, a reader of Snowshoe Magazine, the physical benefits of snowshoeing, so I'm not going there. You can relax about that. Read full story
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