SNOWTRAVELERS
SNOWSHOE CLUB

CONTACTS AND LINKS
Information director
Club web page
New Club Pictures
Older Club Pictures
Chuck Hudson 406-522-9439 
https://snowtravelers.tripod.com/
http://photos.yahoo.com/snow_travelers
https://snowtravelers.tripod.com/snowpix.html
7 am Daily Avalanche Safety Report 587-6981 http://www.mtavalanche.com/
http://www.esnowshoes.com
Day Trip Equipment Checklist
http://www.topozone.com
http://www.snowlink.com
Information on many types of snowshoes
Day trip checklist hosted by REI.com
Print topo maps for areas you'd like to explore.
Snow related activities
WELCOME
Welcome! If you want to have some fun, enjoy the outdoors, love playing in the snow, then you have come to the right place. The SNOWTRAVELERS is a recreational snowshoe club located in Bozeman, Montana. Bozeman is in the southcentral part of Montana about 1 and 1/2 hours to the north of Yellowstone National Park.

Since 1998, we've been getting together as an informal snowshoeing group that meets most weekends and serves as a contact point for people who are looking for company to get out and enjoy the winter season. Our snowshoe club is open to everyone; our goal is to promote snowshoeing as a sport that is both recreational and a outlet for winter fitness. If you would like to contact us please do! We would love to hear from you, whether you are a local or on vacation in the area. You can reach us by phone: (406) 522-9439 and ask for Chuck Hudson our information director.

Here's some snowshoe facts. Snowshoeing is over 6,000 years old. Early indigenous people used snowshoes to travel across continents. And the early snowshoes were modeled after animal paw prints. Like the bear paw. In the early 1900's Snowshoe clubs were very popular in Canada and the northeast. Sometimes having as many as 200 members. Various clubs wore brightly colored costumes and also had musicians playing for the clubs. In the 1980's the popularity of snowshoeing began to resurface as a great way to stay fit in the winter.

SNOWSHOEING IS EASY!! If you can walk you can do this. There is no need for lessons, and in about two minutes you have got it! This is a sport that is great for children and families, as it is inexpensive.


ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS
Early Nov. Bridger Ski Foundation Ski Swap, Gallatin County Fairgrounds, 9:00 am BSF members, 10:00 am general public; a great chance to find any outdoor clothing you might need; get there early!

Early Dec.  A public slideshow by Doug Chabot of the Gallatin Valley Avalanche Center on "Avalanche Preparedness" to improve awareness and minimize risks; hosted by the Snow Travelers at the Bozeman Public Library. The GVAC also provides a great community service with daily risk reports and classes!


TRIPS

COME JOIN US FOR AN OUTING! Most Weekends! (Once the snow gets deeper ... starting Dec. 1?)
Last year, we had lots of outings on both Saturdays and Sundays, as easygoing or strenuous as the participants desired. Either meet us at 9:00 am at the far side of K-Mart's lot by the recycle bins (we leave by 9:15 sharp!) or give Chuck a call to arrange a meeting point along the way if you live outside of town.  Suggestions for trails and new destinations are always welcome. If there are those that want to organize more involved trips, please come forward!

Note: For safety's sake, if the temperature will be subzero all day in town ( < 0 F ) the club policy is that there will NOT be a SnowTraveler's Club trip that day. Please be careful if you choose to be outdoors then; such weather presents extra challenges.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Dress in layers (avoid cotton - it's unbelievably cold when wet!) -- snowshoeing can be quite a workout -- bring water, a snack and lunch, first aid kit, hat, gloves, sunblock, sunglasses, and poles are recommended to aid with balance. Hiking boots, Snowboard, or Pac Boots are all fine for snowshoeing; you want to keep your feet warm and dry! Trips to Yellowstone can be chillier due to higher elevation. There's a link to a useful checklist at the top of this page.

Make a habit before each trip of calling the Avalanche Center hotline, 587-6981, for a brief recording on the present snow conditions and risks. It takes just a couple minutes, and the more you know, the better.

Before going out, we ask you to fill out an information slip with your name, address, who to contact in case of emergency,  any special medical concerns, i.e diabetes, arthritis, etc. We want all of our trips to be safe and to have this information in case of emergency.


SNOWSHOE RENTALS

If you don't have your own snowshoes, you should visit http://www.esnowshoes.com to survey the different styles and companies. Next, many area locations have them available for rental or for sale. Renting is a great opportunity to try out a few kinds and sizes to see what works for you.
 
Army Navy Store                    522-4050
Bangtail Bike and Ski              587-4905
Barrel Mountaineering             582-1335
Bob Ward's Sporting Center    586-4381
Chalet Sports                          587-4595
MSU/SOB Barn                      994-3621
Northern Lights               586-2225
Panda Sport Rentals        587-6280
PHD Skis                        587-5227
Powder Horn                  587-7373
Round House                 587-1258
Second Wind Sports       586-7441 (no rentals, but
lots of 2nd-hand outdoor clothing, poles, and gear)