[CTbrooktrout]

Currently live down in Norwalk but would love to make use of the parks in surrounding towns for some snowshoeing.

Would just like to ask if anyone else here snowshoes and what brands for equipment would provide best value for someone starting out?

I figure I just need showshoes, waterproof boots, and poles.

As mentioned I'd like to use them around parks and maybe beaches or any other place you guys could recommend.

Appreciated any suggestions.

[Cambium]

Excellent Topic title. :-) went paintballing for first time in patterson NY, there's a ski area there too. Its only 45min from Norwalk via RT7.. Just letting u know of another option in case the parks get boring..

As far as equipment...first check consumer reports to see if they tested some snow shoes and waterproof boots and see what rating they gave each brand.

To use snowboards and skiis you need more than 3 inches on the ground...I'm thinking we get 2 storms with more than 3 inches in December.

Best thing to do is try them for yourself...Sports Athority? Ohh, new store opened up in place of linens N' things called REI outdoor equipment in Norwalk?

[Silli]

We don't get enough snow in Norwalk to make snowshoes worth it. I have relatives who live almost two hours north and they hardly ever get enough snow to use their snowshoes. It's sad that southern CT has such poor winter sports.

[CTbrooktrout]

I just moved to the area from Glastonbury and last winter was a bummer compared to what they were getting around D.C. and Baltimore. Would have thought Southern CT got the better snow last winter though.

I know that it gets hilly pretty fast if you go up route 7 so if the snow piles up a bit there I'll just go adventure into a park up north a bit.

Thanks for the patterson, ny suggestion. I'm also looking to experiment at bear mountain just across the hudson.

I live an exit or two down the Merritt from Wemany park in New Canaan which looks like it has some great potential, might just have to watch for the dog poo with that dog park in the area.

There is a new REI in Norwalk, indeed. It's right off 95 south exit 14 I think. I'll have to wonder in there and see what the supplies are like, hopefully there's a knowledgeable person there.

I'll do a bit more research and maybe post some findings incase others are interested.

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by CTbrooktrout

Currently live down in Norwalk but would love to make use of the parks in surrounding towns for some snowshoeing.

Would just like to ask if anyone else here snowshoes and what brands for equipment would provide best value for someone starting out?

I figure I just need showshoes, waterproof boots, and poles.

As mentioned I'd like to use them around parks and maybe beaches or any other place you guys could recommend.

Appreciated any suggestions.

This is East Coast…. not Minnesota or Michigan. What the dickens are snow shoes (lol)?

[Slipperman]

there's Winter in Connecticut? never know it by yesterdays (and todays) 60+ degree temperatures..
in the meantime, the upper Midwest just a got a foot of snow.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by Slipperman

there's Winter in Connecticut? never know it by yesterdays (and todays) 60+ degree temperatures..
in the meantime, the upper Midwest just a got a foot of snow.

Short term memories. Amazing how some people forget. These same people are the ones who were complaining and moaning during the "winter"

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by CTbrooktrout

I live an exit or two down the Merritt from Wemany park in New Canaan which looks like it has some great potential, might just have to watch for the dog poo with that dog park in the area.

I think you meant Waveny.

In addition to the areas mentioned so far, you might try Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Pound Ridge, N.Y., which isn't too far from New Canaan. It's Westchester County's largest park, consisting of 4315 acres:


Westchestergov.com - Ward Pound Ridge Reservation (http://parks.westchestergov.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1890&Ite mid=3768 - broken link)

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by CTbrooktrout

There is a new REI in Norwalk, indeed. It's right off 95 south exit 14 I think. I'll have to wonder in there and see what the supplies are like, hopefully there's a knowledgeable person there.

If you're looking for knowledgeable staff, it's probably worth checking out an independent shop, like New Canaan Ski&Sport.

[itscolduphere]

LLBean has snowshoeing equipment; my husband and I are interested in this as well, when we move back to CT (North Central) ... plenty of snow there.

Snowshoeing: Winter Sports at L.L.Bean