Snowshoe (and Walking) Difficulty Rating

Are the trails groomed and beckoning to a snowshoer, winter walker, or cross-country skier? Are trails more of a suggestion or deeply rutted from ATVs and impassable? A rating system to describe the conditions.

Two snowshoers ascend the rolling hills of of River lot 56. Bush to the left, a frosted powerline to the right and a large hay bail at the crest of the hill.
Two snowshoers ascend the rolling hills of River lot 56. Bush to the left, a frosted powerline to the right and a large hay bail at the crest of the hill.

With permission, I am using a modified version of Andrew J. Nugara’s rating system from his books on how to snowshoe in the Rocky Mountains.  I have expanded the definitions of beginner or intermediate trips into the YEG-Ville Snowshoe Rating System.

  1. Know Your Limits
  2. YEG-Ville Walking and Snowshoe Rating System
    1. Low Beginner
    2. Beginner
    3. High Beginner
    4. Low Intermediate
    5. Intermediate
    6. High Intermediate and Beyond
  3. Winter Challenge Categories

Know Your Limits

Let’s face it, I am on the wrong side of 60 and not in the best of shape and never athletic to being with. While Andrew Nugara can venture off into the Rockies but I rather not. Besides, because this site is for ME!, a two-hour drive back on an icy Alberta Highway is a relevant risk factor.

In addition, you will notice that I stop rating at the high-intermediate level. Too much effort for this old guy – know your limits.

YEG-Ville Walking and Snowshoe Rating System

Low Beginner

  1. Inner city or close by urban areas.
  2. Less than 5KMs in distance round trip.
  3. Nominal cumulative elevation gain (less than 50M).
  4. No technical challenges (e.g. walking through bush, steep grades).
  5. Snowshoe considerations: New, untested or ‘Department Store’ equipment acceptable.
  6. These are nearly always rated ‘Easy-Peasy’.

Beginner

  1. Inner city or close by urban areas.
  2. Less than 10KMs round trip.
  3. Nominal cumulative elevation gain (less than 100M).
  4. Few technical challenges.
  5. These are typically ‘Easy-Peasy’.

High Beginner

  1. Less than an hour’s drive to Wayne Gretzky on good highways (e.g. Elk Island, Chickakoo)
  2. Less than 15KMs round trip.
  3. Some cumulative elevation gain (less than 150M).
  4. Some technical challenges (e.g. ATV ruts, hills, distance from urban areas).
  5. Snowshoe considerations:
    • Lake or river sections in which there is a danger of break through.
    • Recreational snowshoes of at least moderate quality required, test equipment on lower rated trips.
  6. These are a mix of ‘Easy-Peasy’ and Adventure.

Low Intermediate

  1. One to two-hour drive from Wayne Gretzky.
  2. Less than 15KMs round trip.
  3. Some cumulative elevation gain (less than 200M).
  4. Number of technical challenges (e.g. walking through bush, steep grades, etc.).
  5. Snowshoe considerations:
    • Lake or river sections in which there is a danger of break through.
    • Recreational snowshoes of at least moderate quality required, test equipment on lower rated trips.
  6. These are typically rated as an Adventure with some Off the Beaten Track.

Intermediate

  1. One to two-hour drive from Wayne Gretzky.
  2. Less than 25KMs in distance round trip.
  3. Carry emergency equipment (e.g. matches, emergency blankets, whistle, etc.).
  4. Some cumulative elevation gain (less than 300M).
  5. Snowshoe considerations:
    • Recreational snowshoes of moderate or better quality required, equipment should have been used recently to ensure it is in good working order.
    • Numerous technical challenges.
    • Hazards (e.g. rock falls, avalanche potential, exposure on steep as/descents.
    • Lake or river sections in which there is a danger of break through.
  6. A few of these are have an Adventure rating but many are Off the Beaten Track.

High Intermediate and Beyond

Beyond the scope of YEG-Ville.

Winter Challenge Categories

Winter is a great time to get out in central Alberta. Let’s face it, we are surrounded by water and in the summer or warmer seasons that means mud and bugs. The Winter Challenge Category helps me decide whether I want a streneous day or not. This is more than terrain. For a beginner, a few KMs of trail and a washroom is Nirvana. For an experienced individual, Nirvana is boring. As a result, the locations are grouped into the following 3+1 Challenge-categories:

  1. EASY-PEASY: While short on distance or technical challenges, these locations offer washrooms, trails and a place for Low Beginners+ to get out. They are typically kid-friendly meaning there is a playground or something to keep a 4-16 year old occupied. EASY-PEASIES are good for winter activities (cross-country skiing, walking, dog-walking, or fat biking).
  2. ADVENTURE: A step up form Easy-Peasy, these locations either offer longer distances (e.g. 5+ KM), involve ice safety (e.g. a frozen lake or river) or have some technical challenges. They may have washrooms and other amenities but don’t count on it. If your kids are more adventurous, bring them along. Possible activities are ice fishing or hunting.These locations are for Beginners and above.
  3. OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: These are other locations in natural areas and land trusts in and around the city. There are hundreds of these locations many coming with interesting stories of early settlers, First Nations, or a generous landowner.
  4. NOT MUCH HERE: Sometimes things don’t work out. Some sites have not been well cared for. All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATVs) gouge deep ruts or there are few trails to follow. fI am listing these locations even if I need not go back (at least for snowshoeing).