The Canadian Rockies are unmatched for their natural be
auty and accessibility. In less than an hour, visitor's can go from Banff Avenue to a Snowshoe on Top of the World immersed in true backcountry wilderness. It can be easy to forget that the area brings some very real consequences for those not dressed properly for the conditions.
So what is the easiest thing you can do to keep your toes toasty warm this winter season, and something that many visitors find counter-intuitive? Here are some tips:
I am reminded of a wonderful soul that I met recently, who was experiencing his first Canadian winter after immigrating from Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was complaining that he couldn’t keep his feet warm, no matter how many pairs of socks he tried to squeeze into his boots.
Therein lies the problem.
Everyone has heard of the idea of dressing in layers to keep warm, but when boots are too tight, either because they don’t fit properly or because you’ve cleverly squeezed on 4 thick pairs of wool socks, the result is reduced warm blood circulating to your feet. Too-tight boots mean your feet will freeze.
Your feet need some wiggle room to ensure the blood keeps pumping. Next time try just two layers of socks, with a thin base layer to wick any moisture away, and a good quality insulating layer over top to maintain an air cushion between your foot and your boot. The boot should be just snug enough to keep your foot from sliding out of place, making sure you have some wiggle room for those toes.
Water conducts heat away from your body over 20 times faster than air, so keeping a spare pair of dry socks will help ensure your feet stay warm.
It's beautiful out here in the Canadian Rockies. Ensuring proper dress will help keep you warm and comfy so you can make the most of your time in this special place.
White Mountain Adventures
Dennis Breymann
Banff Snowshoeing Guide