There’s no need to stop hiking in the winter just because there’s snow on the trail. If you’re looking to spend more time outdoors, try snowshoeing! There are a few places around Rochester to rent snowshoes and learn how to use them. You’ll find that many are nature centers with excellent trails for both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. And a few even offer cross-country ski rentals if you’d like to try both snowsports.

Most places charge about $5 per rental. Some may be for the whole day, and some by the hour. Check before you go!

1. Tinker Nature Park Henrietta, NY

2. Wild Wings Mendon Ponds Park, Honeoye Falls, NY

3. Helmer Nature Center Irondequoit, Snowshoe Saturdays

4. Montezuma Audubon Center Savannah, NY

5. Genesee County Park & Forest Bethany, NY

6. Bryncliff Resort Varysburg, NY

7. Cumming Nature Center Naples, NY

8. Reinstein Woods & Nature Preserve Cheektowaga, NY

9. Medved Running and Walking Outfitters We received an email from fellow daytripper, Elizabeth, with an additional recommendation: “You can rent snowshoes for the day from Medved Running and Walking Outfitters in Pittsford Colony plaza. They also have a winter snowshoe / running group.” From their website, “Our rental fee is $15 per day and the first two days can be used toward the purchase of a pair of snowshoes (if made within 30 days of the rental return).” Sounds like a great idea if you are thinking about buying your own.

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2018 Snowsport-Themed Events

There are a few events happening this winter where you can try snowshoeing and other snowsports:

1.Mendon Ponds Winter Fest – Jan 14 Don’t miss the snowshoe races!

2. Reinstein Woods Winter Wonderland – Feb 10

3. NordicFest at Cumming Nature Center – Feb 17-18

4. Ganondagan Native American Winter Games & Sports – Feb 24

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Already have your own snowshoes?

There are hundreds of places around Rochester to take them! A bit of inspiration from the NYS DEC:

“Don’t let snow keep you off New York State’s thousands of trails this winter. Grab a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes and enjoy your favorite trails all winter long. The solitude and all engulfing silence of the wilderness in winter await. Many trails are actually easier to traverse in winter as the rocks, roots, and mud are covered over with nothing but smooth, deep snow. You can go to areas otherwise not accessible in summer due to wet conditions and take short cuts across frozen lakes. You may be surprised that a day of exercise and exploring nature in winter could be so much fun!”

1. 20 Monroe County Parks

2. 47 New York State Parks Within a 2-Hour Drive

3. 45 Trails That Are Not Just a Walk in the Park

4. Nature Centers, Wildlife Preserves, Management Areas, Refuges, and Observatories

Pictures in this post from pixabay.