I am looking to get into one of these winter sports, and maybe both. I figured I'd come here to hear from the experts.

Ski/snowshoe size would be the first concern. I'm 5'9, 160 lb. What size would you recommend?

Any web sites or youtube lessons to recommend?

Any other advice?

Are you close enough to a good outdoors shop to get fitted? Not a big-box place, but one that specializes in winter sports gear. I could make some pretty good guesses at length of skis or footprint size of 'shoes based on your ht/wt, but that would just be unfair to your getting the most pleasure out of them.

Besides knowing your weight to figure out the length you need for the snowshoes it is good to know what type of terrain and snow you will be going out on. Are you going out on packed trails or on unbroken powder? Are you doing flat? rolling hills? or steep hills? Are you going to be carrying a pack, as you need to figure the weight of that and any gear you are carrying into the weight of yourself too?

I'll look into a shop where I could get fitted. I'm sure there's one around.

I'm interested in both packed trails and powdery type settings, but only plan to carry a small day pack at least at this point.

snowshoes are simple, find one for your weight and you're ready to go. skis are a different matter. skate and classic skis have entirely different principles governing how they are used. skate skis need to be carefully fitted if you want an enjoyable experience. classic skis come in many different styles depending on the intended use. a ski that is nice for groomed trails may not be so good for back country powder. more important than the length is the stiffness of the camber. high end skis will come with different camber options, stiff or soft, both fitted for your weight and experience. it gets complicated. the object is to get the kick zone of your ski in contact with the snow as it is being 'kicked' into the snow, on the glide the camber should flex back so the kick zone looses contact with the snow and allows your ski to glide. elite ski racers will have multiple skis depending on the snow conditions.

your best bet is to go to a good ski shop and let an experienced tech figure all this out for you. the guys at finn sisu and gear west are pros, they work with school racers and citizens racers and are always happy to help a novice get into skiing.

i should note that the differences can be subtle, a beginner may not even notice an improper kick zone, lengthening or shortening to kick zone wax pocket can also fix improperly fitted skis or also correct for snow conditions. i've been waxing skis for 45 years, it's fascinating. you learn to understand snow structure in ways most people had no idea was even a thing.

FWIW if you just want to get skis on ebay i'd go with 195 for your weight. they will probably be fine.

Thanks jwartman, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Anyone else have any tips?

For snow shoes you really don't need to go to a shop to be fitted as they all adjust to the size of your boot. Basically just need to know the approx weight of you and your day pack and look at the different brands to see what suits your needs. I use Atlas brand. I have a pair of the 1030's.

I pulled the trigger on a pair of Northern Lites Quicksilver snowshoes for a max weight of 250 lb, made in Wisconsin, $150. I won't be doing anything too intense to start out with. I'll let you know how they work.

If I get a few more financial windfalls, I may think about getting a pair of Altai Hok skis.

quote SaganagaJoe: "I pulled the trigger on a pair of Northern Lites Quicksilver snowshoes for a max weight of 250 lb, made in Wisconsin, $150. I won't be doing anything too intense to start out with. I'll let you know how they work.


If I get a few more financial windfalls, I may think about getting a pair of Altai Hok skis. "

I was thinking the same thing as far as the Altai Hok's go. FYI, they're 20% off at LLBean for the next week or so.

quote VaderStrom: "

quote SaganagaJoe: "I pulled the trigger on a pair of Northern Lites Quicksilver snowshoes for a max weight of 250 lb, made in Wisconsin, $150. I won't be doing anything too intense to start out with. I'll let you know how they work.

If I get a few more financial windfalls, I may think about getting a pair of Altai Hok skis. "

I was thinking the same thing as far as the Altai Hok's go. FYI, they're 20% off at LLBean for the next week or so."

Marten here on the messageboard did a great review on these things on his YouTube channel and I was totally sold when I saw what he did with them.

20% off!!!! Why did you have to tell me that now?

Received my Northern Lites Quicksilver 30s snowshoes. Very nice product at a glance and incredibly fast shipping from Amazon. I'll get out in the woods soon and touch back and let you know how it went.

Just got back from my first snowshoe, and these Northern Lites are fantastic! Highly recommended. See trip report below:

Lower Gold Creek Basin, Snoqualmie Pass, WA

quote SaganagaJoe: "Just got back from my first snowshoe, and these Northern Lites are fantastic! Highly recommended. See trip report below:


Lower Gold Creek Basin, Snoqualmie Pass, WA "

awesome pictures and knowing Mountain snow it was probably on the soft fluffy side.
Kind of snowshoe used?

If a person participates in winter activities winter can be very enjoyable.

quote OldFingers57: "For snow shoes you really don't need to go to a shop to be fitted as they all adjust to the size of your boot. Basically just need to know the approx weight of you and your day pack and look at the different brands to see what suits your needs. I use Atlas brand. I have a pair of the 1030's. "

It is a good all around size and have a pair of 1033's

1033

Pinetree - I got a pair of Northern Lites Quicksilver 30s, rated for up to 250 lb. I wanted to have the option of carrying a heaver pack if I wanted to. The additional surface area was nice too. The snow was very powdery and I went up to my crotch in a few drifts, even with the snowshoes on. I also took a few face plants right as I was starting out, wasn't used to keeping the tips of my snowshoes up! I quickly got the hang of it and am happy to have a winter sport to keep me in shape over the winter.

link to snowshoes on Amazon

Here they are leaning on my front bumper after the hike

quote SaganagaJoe: "Pinetree - I got a pair of Northern Lites Quicksilver 30s, rated for up to 250 lb. I wanted to have the option of carrying a heaver pack if I wanted to. The additional surface area was nice too. The snow was very powdery and I went up to my crotch in a few drifts, even with the snowshoes on. I also took a few face plants right as I was starting out, wasn't used to keeping the tips of my snowshoes up! I quickly got the hang of it and am happy to have a winter sport to keep me in shape over the winter.

link to snowshoes on Amazon

Here they are leaning on my front bumper after the hike"

As the season goes on and the snow settles you should get more floatation.
Love those photos.