Snowshoeing at the Waterbury Winter Festival 2013

Snowshoeing will be a central part of the First Annual Waterbury Winter Festival on Saturday Jan. 19th  thanks to CC Outdoor Store.  Located on RT 2 in Waterbury, VT, CC Outdoor Store caters to the interests of outdoors lovers, especially hikers and snowshoe users. "This is a big event for us" say store owner Reed McCracken.  "Snowshoes are the core of our winter business.  What better way to celebrate winter here in Waterbury than with an outdoor activity that all ages and abilities can fully enjoy right out the back door!"

Saturday's snowshoe events at Dac Rowe Field include a guided tour at 10 a.m., kids' snowshoe races at 11 a.m., and self-guided snowshoeing from 10-2 p.m.  The kids' snowshoe races are open to children from ages 4 to 4th grade.  Donated prizes include kids socks from Darn Tough Vermont for the winners of each age bracket.   In addition to having a great time, kids will get to learn about the growing sport of snowshoe racing.  American snowshoe makers Crescent Moon and MSR have generously donated use of a variety of demo snowshoes for this event.  Free use  of demo snowshoe will be available from 10 - 2 p.m. on a first come, first serve basis.  "Folks can come learn about snowshoeing and the benefits of different types of snowshoes" notes McCracken.   

Another Winter Festival snowshoe event on January 19th is the Mountain Challenge put on by the Vermont National Guard.  Starting at noon, participants will have the chance to test their mettle on a specially designed obstacle course comprised of natural and man-made features while on snowshoes carrying a weighted pack.  Members of the public can race the clock or venture through the course on their own snowshoes or try out the National Guard's standard military issue shoes by MSR.  SSR Andy Courville and other members of the VT National Guard will be on hand to offer snowshoe instruction throughout the day. 

Saturday's events provide a great opportunity for first timers to come out and learn the basics of snowshoeing, while experienced users can also join in the fun.  All events are free and open to the public.  For more information contact:  info@ccoutdoorstore or andrew.courville@us.army.mil.