WSSF World Snowshoe Championships hosted by USA in 2017

Written by avid snowshoe racer Laura Clark who shares a brief overview of next month’s event.

The World Snowshoe Federation (WSSF) World Snowshoe Championship will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017, in Saranac Lake, NY. Previously hosted in Austria, Canada, Italy, Japan and Sweden, this will be its first time taking place in the U.S.

The main event, the 10K Snowshoe Championships, will launch Iditarod-style down the village streets at 11:00 a.m., and then tackle the challenging terrain of Dewey Mountain boasting 1250 feet of climbing. The 10K will be followed at 1:00 p.m., by the combined 5K events whose courses offer 600 feet of climbing. The 5Ks include the Junior 5K Championship, the Citizens’ Race, and a fun Shoe-Be-Do hilly walk through the woods. Refreshment stations are located approximately every 2K, including the heated Dewey Mountain Lodge at the halfway point. Some die-hards are doubling their fun by registering for both distances. Dion Snowshoes and several other vendors will provide ample loaners for all.

Expect a full format of Olympic-style pomp and circumstance beginning with Friday’s kick-off Athlete’s Parade, Opening Ceremonies at the Town Hall and an Under the Lights Ski & Snowshoe Jam at Dewey Mountain. Saturday features vendors and a Winter Heat Salsa Fiesta at the Town Hall. An evening banquet and Awards Ceremony will be held at North Country Community College providing an opportunity to chat with athletes from all regions of the United States, and all over the world. Cap the evening with fireworks over Lake Flower.

With no qualifiers required and plenty of event options, everyone is encouraged to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!